Children possess a vast imagination, are active explorers, natural experimenters, and endless discoverers. We believe that children’s learning happens all the time and everywhere, therefore, we provide abundant opportunities for significant, engaging, play-based learning experiences in both the indoor and outdoor environments, and within our community.
Excelsior Leadership Team
Excelsior Preschool Cupertino
My name is Melissa McFarland-Jimenez. I am the Regional Director of Excelsior Preschool. I have a BA in Child and Adolescent Development from San Jose State University and an MA in Human Behavior from National University. I have worked in Education for over 20 years, working with ages infant to eighth grade, in private and public education. During my years in education, I have taught in the classroom, managed classrooms, managed multiple schools, created curriculum, created and implemented professional development for staff, created and implemented parent workshops, and more. In my spare time, I enjoy watching movies, listening to music, cooking, baking and hanging out with my husband, 3 kids and our cats.
Excelsior Preschool Gold River
I have been in the field of early child education for over 30 years. I have had chances to work in many areas of the field as a Teacher, Asst Director, Regional Manager, Recruitment Coordinator, and Quality Assurance. My love always comes back to directing and building a fantastic team of teachers. This field is a wonderous place to watch children grow and develop each day. They learn so much in the few years we spend with them. To see the growth each day of what they achieve is miraculous to me. I have opened many schools and rebuilt others. This is really the most important part of education for young children, being able to have a safe, clean, and educational environment that is there for the whole family, not just the child. I have earned my AA in business and my BA in Early Childhood Education Administration. I have had the privilege to attend many conferences nationwide and join classes that are taught by top leaders in the field of Early Childhood Education.