Child Development Center

In the summer of 2021, Amanda began working as the Ventura College Child Development Center Director. She comes to the center with over 20 years of experience in the Early Childhood Education field. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Child Development and Family studies at Long Beach State and Master’s degree in Child Development at the University of La Verne.  In addition to being a director, Amanda has also been a college instructor of ECE and Child Development classes since 2018. From early adolescence, Amanda has had a strong passion for working with young children and has found great joy in being able to be a part of so many children’s developmental years. In her spare time she loves spending time with her two young boys, husband, and mother, being active outdoors, watching live sports, and completing DIY projects and crafts. Amanda feels so fortunate to be able to be part of an amazing team at the CDC!

Shirley has worked in Early Childhood Education for over 25 years, 9 of those as the Master teacher in the P-K classroom at Ventura College Child Development Center. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Sociology with an emphasis placed on Child Development. She also holds a Child Development Master Teacher Permit from the state of California. Shirley is the recipient of the STEM Champion Award with excellence in STEM Education. She is passionate about teaching and nurturing the whole child. She is also very passionate about STEM and incorporating it into everyday play. She believes in a nurturing environment where children's sense of wonder can be enhanced. One of Shirley's greatest joys is teaching and instilling the love of learning in each and every child in her classroom. Shirley is the mom of two grown boys whom she loves to spend time with and enjoys scuba diving, boating, and biking with her husband. 

Blanca M. Galicia holds an Associate in Art Child Development degree from Oxnard College , A Bachelor of Arts Major in Early Childhood Education from National University as well as a Child Development Site supervisor permit from the state of California. Blanca has 28 years of experience in the field of Early Childhood Education and is currently the Child Development associate Teacher for Ventura College.  She has worked for the last eleven years with Toddlers where she enjoys supporting the most wonderful and unique first-time school experience. Creating a relevant curriculum based on California Early Learning System, she focuses on Social and Cognitive development and Emergent Curriculum while nurturing the creative process in young children. Blanca is also responsible for supervision, guidance and support of practicum students in the child development program at Ventura College.

Alma Garcia started as a teacher assistant in 2016. She is the oldest of three and is convinced that she was born to teach. In the start to pursuing her passion for teaching she found home at the Child Development Center in Ventura College. Now she is a certified Master Teacher whose passion for education and children’s development has only continued to grow. Her goal is to provide a positive school experience for both the students and their families and is rewarded at the sight of seeing happy children excited to come back to school in the mornings. She applies a social-emotional approach to her teaching methods, models consistency, patience, kindness, respect, and problem solving skills. In addition, building relationships with students and families is a priority which allows the challenges that may come throughout the year to be embraced and become learning experiences for our school community. Finding new creative ways to implement activities and having the opportunity to observe children making new connections or discoveries are other things she loves about teaching. Alma believes it is a privilege to have such a meaningful impact on the future adults of the world, she is proud to teach at the award winning Ventura College Child Development Center with such an amazing team. Every year she is excited to come back for the fun and continued learning and growth.

Christine lives with her husband in downtown Ventura, and they adore spending time with their son and granddaughter. She enjoys gardening, cooking, and hiking. She loves listening to music and entertaining family and friends in her home. Christine’s journey in teaching began as a mother and grandmother. She earned her Associates in Science in Child Development in December of 2020 at Ventura College, including thirty-one units specializing in Child Development and Early Childhood Education. She has a passion for helping young children and watching them develop and grow. Christine is delighted when she sees a child thrive and advance and she is thrilled to share their accomplishments with their families. She wants children to feel excited and confident about exploring through play and her hope is that they continue to be life-long learners. Christine’s desire is to help children realize their own uniqueness and value themselves as worthwhile human beings, and she strives to provide children with a solid foundation to succeed as they grow.

Mary Veal is a dedicated teacher in Southern California. She is an experienced childcare provider and has worked with children for over 15 years. She oversaw her own daycare for six years and supported the Foster Care Agency for five years. She has completed and received her Child Development Teaching Permit Certificate and is currently enrolled at Ventura Community College to complete her Associate Degree in Child Development. Mary is compassionate concerning teaching with our children. She sees each child as unique individual, who has so much to give and gain in the world. You can also find Mary exploring nature, enjoying family, music, cooking, and dancing.