Meet the Team
Meet The Team
Chiara Angelicola, M.S.
Founder | Head of School
Chiara Angelicola is our founder and Head of School at SLCC. She has an academic background in developmental psychology, holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Child Development Psychology from the University of California - Santa Cruz and a Master of Science in Child Development from Erikson Institute. Along with a seasoned and focused academic background in early childhood, Chiara has over 20+ years of working experience in the field of early childhood education as an educator, director, and child advocate. Over the course of two decades, Angelicola has personally served over 450 families across the country. Chiara is a California native, Guatemalan-American and of Italian descent. She is a children's book author and published contributor to the North American Reggio Emilia Alliance periodical. Angelicola recently expanded and relocated SLCC to offer essential research-driven education to more families in need of our care. In 2016, Angelicola was a founding contributor and designer of The Discovery School's first kinder-prep classroom within the walls of the Bay Area Discovery Museum (BADM) in Sausalito, CA. During this time, Chiara worked beside BADM's on-site Center for Childhood Creativity to implement the nation's latest cutting-edge research on STEM and creativity in the classroom. Chiara continues to seek both quantitative and qualitatively impactful data which supports implementing widespread practicum for the first five years of life emphasizing creativity and problem-solving skills in pluralist communities like Los Angeles. She is interested in contributing to the diverse perspectives and professional lenses within educational leadership and policies in addition to culling and messaging best practices steeped in research for parent and teacher education. Angelicola is a council member for LA Public Health's Child Care Planning Committee. Angelicola's additional professional trainings and certifications include training in Mind-Body Skills from The Center for Mind-Body Medicine, Certificate in Early Childhood Education Administration from UCLA, and a Site Director Permit from the State of California. She offers consultations for parents, educators, and schools nationwide. Additionally, Chiara is the founder of Heart Play, a SEL framework centered on one-on-one trauma-informed play sessions for children ages 2 to 6 years old in educational contexts. Primarily, Angelicola is a mother to her rapidly growing 4 year old daughter. She enjoys cooking for family and friends, travel adventures, reading neurotic fiction about midlife, and playing and writing music.
Eunice Rhee
Assitant Director | Lead Educator
Eunice is Korean-American and raised in Los Angeles. She's been a part of SLCC since 2019 and is entering her 6th school year as SLCC's Lead Educator. She received her Bachelors in Developmental Psychology from the University of California Santa Cruz in 2018 and then immediately attended Los Angeles Valley College as a Child Development major. She has always had an interest in working with children ever since working at Kumon Math & Reading Center right after she graduated high school. In her last year in Santa Cruz, she had the opportunity to work at a Coastal Community Preschool. Through this great opportunity, she realized she wanted to pursue becoming a preschool teacher. That's when she decided to take early childhood education classes at LAVC so she could earn her teacher, site supervisor, and director permits. Eunice facilitates our Story Workshops for students enrolled in Extended Day programming.
Michelle Gottlieb
Educator | Developmental Specialist
Michelle started her career working with children as a Behavioral Interventionist. She has a Bachelor's Degree from Cal State University, Northridge and her teaching qualification through UCLA Extension. Michelle has worked as an early education Preschool and Pre-K teacher for many years and has extensive experience as a D.I.R./Floor-time Therapist in both school and home settings. Michelle is not only an educator at SLCC but provides private one-to-one support for families in need as an additional service on campus.
Mercedes Carnevali
Educator
Mercedes made her way to Los Angeles from British Columbia by way of Perth, Australia. Mercedes has over 8 years of working experience in the field of child care. Most recently, Mercedes worked in a Waldorf school program based in Whistler, Canada. Her warm, calm, and trusting nature provides a regulating space for children. Mercedes has strong skills in emotional regulation, supporting high needs children, and imbuing a love of natural materials inside and outside of the classroom. Mercedes previously spent 5 years as a diving coach in Perth, Australia. She is also a trained gymnast, professional competitive springboard/platform diver, and her favorite animals are koalas!
Jared Sigman
Educator
With a background as an early childhood educator at Sinai Akiba Academy and experience as a Youth Arts Program Leader, Jared is passionate about fostering creativity and collaboration among young learners. Jared hails from the Bay Area and has the unique experience of having grown up in his mother's Family Child Care Home, which she continues to run in the East Bay! Jared loves the Reggio Emilia approach and emphasizes creating engaging, hands-on learning experiences. He is excited to join our team and contribute to a nurturing environment where children can explore and grow. Jared holds a Child Development Permit from the State of California and studied Early Childhood Education at Cerro Coso College, Las Positas College, and University of Phoenix.
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Jill Getto Lee, M.A.
Reflective Supervisor &
RIE Infant Toddler Specialist
Jill Getto Lee, M. A. is a RIE® Mentor and Infant-Toddler Care Specialist. Jill is the President of the RIE Association and is also a Professor at Union Institute and University where she teaches Infant Toddler Programming and the Neurobiology of Trauma. Her passion is advocating for children’s physical and mental health rights. She holds a Masters Degree from Pacific Oaks College in Human Development, Specializing in Early Childhood Development, and a Bachelors of Science Degree in Psychology from Central Michigan University. Jill offers RIE classes to the public on our campus. She is also our program's Reflective Supervisor, supporting children, families, and staff on an ongoing basis. Jill currently teaches all RIE® course offerings and is a trainer to childcare professionals and parents. She is the former Chair of the RIE Board of Directors and has her own private practice for parents, caregivers, infants and toddlers at SLCC Preschool. Jill currently participates in study groups with Dr. Allan N. Schore, Dr. Terry Marks-Tarlow, and Dr. Steven Seligman. She is a registered consultant for the Los Angeles County Office of Childcare and is a community member on Los Angeles Unified School District’s IPM team. Jill is the proud mother of twin boys who are both in college. To enroll in Jill's RIE class, please click on the Tour Info/Contact tab.
Alice Stearn
Educator & Substitute
Alice has a dance background and academic background in child development. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Cal State University - Los Angeles with a BA in Child Development. She received a Hixon Teacher Scholarship in 2023 and made the Deans List three consecutive semesters during her academic work. She was a dance teacher at South Pasadena Educational FUND and most recently was an infant stimulation specialist for independent families in need of home enrichment. Alice supports both classrooms on a daily basis and is one of our substitutes.