Our Mission
"Our Mission is to be on the leading edge of education in the field of Early Childhood Education by providing, Quality Instruction, New Programs, Clear Focus on Student Retention and Placement, and Making Customer Satisfaction an integral part of our organization."
Our Mission Statement
The mission of Theoria Technical College is to provide quality, convenient, and progressive early childhood education programs; that are vital to the success and career development of our students.
Theoria offers a learning environment focused on job-oriented training and the development of practical and ethical skills required to be highly effective and impactful early educators for young children.
We provide our students a safe and innovative learning environment in which to pursue basic skills, career, and general education pathways. Our programs lead to associate degrees and certificates which meet workforce development needs in diverse
communities.
Our commitment to higher learning and achievement empowers our students to be a reflection of fulfillment that can change the lives of our community as a whole.
At Theoria Technical College, we are passionate about equipping our students with the necessary knowledge and skills to embark on a fulfilling career as an Early Childhood Educator. We understand the importance of adapting and refining these skills to remain competitive in this field. As President and Co-Founder, I am a firm believer that the emotional, social, and physical development of young children is pivotal in shaping their overall growth and development, as well as their future well-being as adults.
Our Early Education Associate degree program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the importance of investing in young children's education. The program covers various topics such as child development, curriculum planning, and classroom management, ensuring our graduates are well-equipped to provide high-quality education and care for young learners.
By obtaining an Early Education Associate degree from Theoria Technical College, you will gain the knowledge and skills needed to make a significant impact on the lives of young children. Our program will not only enhance your professional growth and development but also give you the opportunity to positively influence the future of our society. Join us today and be a part of this noble mission.
-Mr. Phillip D. White IV
Theoria Technical College, President
"Imagination is everything
and education leads to a progressive future. It is a fundamental part of a person's life."
Chief of Academics (CAO)
Mrs. Meghan M. Hernandez Garcia, MAEd
Bachelor of Arts, Sociology, Ashford University
Master of Arts, Education, Ashford University, Specialization in Higher Education
Meghan has been working in education for well over a decade. She began taking classes and working in Early Childhood Education in 2003 where she taught birth through school age children all over California. She was also a dedicated volunteer of San Diego's Junior Achievement program from 2010 and 2012 where she had the opportunity to educate, inspire, and prepare second and third graders to succeed in a global economy.
In 2012 she earned a bachelor of arts degree in Sociology and in 2014 she earned a master of arts degree in Education. In her graduate program she specialized in Higher Education where she examined curriculum, assessment, and student development in the postsecondary environment. Her career in Higher Education began in 2010 where she planned, developed, conducted admissions interviews, and counseled adults earning their degrees. In student services her responsibilities also included student inquiries, enrollment, database management, student records, and matriculation. The adults she counseled were the inspiration that led her to furthering her own education to become a professor.
Meghan was brought on at Theoria in 2018 as a professor where she specialized and taught Curriculum Theories, Methods, and Materials. She flourished in instructional design and was provided many opportunities to work on small projects for the Operations department. Operations then brought Meghan on as a Director to assist in operational and business procedures where she began to show great initiative and leadership which led her into her latest role, Chief of Academics. She is now directing and overseeing the academic program of Theoria Technical College.
Meghan’s versatile and well-rounded background and education has given her an aptitude and heart for children, adults, and education to its entirety. She truly believes in how a fun differentiated curriculum practice can provide a solid foundation for children and adults. Meghan also feels very strongly about properly training and educating the adults who are responsible for making such huge impacts on our future generations of children.
Chief of Operations
Antonio L. Jones, MBA, MPA
Master of Business Administration, University of Phoenix
Master of Public Administration, University of Phoenix
Bachelor of Science, Health Care Management, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
Lean Six Sigma Certificate
Mr. Jones is an accomplished executive leader with senior level management experience in training and development of staff. He is a strategic and creative thinker with exceptional skills in academic oversight, communication, curriculum development, budget management, and implementation of high impact programs. Mr. Jones has a strong record of building relationships in the community and with cross cultural teams of stakeholders. He is high energy, results oriented, with an innovative orientation to learning pedology's.
Adjunct Professor
Mrs. Cherryl Molina, M. CD
Master of Arts, Child Development, San Diego State University
Bachelors Human Development, University of California
Cherryl Molina has worked in the field of Early Childhood Education for nine years. She is currently the Management Analyst for the Head Start Program where she provides management and site support in Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance (ERSEA), Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT), education and disability. She monitors and trains teaching and program staff in accordance to the Head Start Program Performance Standard (HSPPS), CCTR, California State Preschool Program (CSPP), and California Department of Education (CDE) grant requirements.
She holds a Program Director Permit and has been a Center Direction as well as an Infant, Toddler, and Preschool Teacher. She also has experience working with Quality Preschool Initiative (QPI), Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale (ECERS-R), Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale (ITERS-R), Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) and Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
Cherryl Molina is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Infant and Early Childhood Development at Fielding Graduate University in Santa Barbara, California. She received her Master of Science in Child Development at San Diego State University with a certificate in Early-Childhood Social-Emotional Behavior Intervention Specialist (EC-SEBRIS). She attended the University of California in San Diego and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Human Development. Her current research interests include addressing challenging behavior, attachment theory, and brain development in children ages zero to five. She hopes to someday eradicate the term “daycare” and leave an impactful legacy in the field.
Adjunct Professor
Mrs. Christine Collins, M. Ed
Masters of Arts in Education, Ashford College
Specialization: Early Childhood Education
Christine Collins has earned a Masters of Arts Degree in Education - Specializing in Early Childhood Education. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Education with a Specialization in Educational Leadership and Management from Capella University.
Christine's core competencies include Customer Service, Healthy and Safety, Creating Engaging Learning Spaces, Managing Employees with Care, and Leadership Excellence. Christine currently works as a Preschool Director were she has been for the past 13 years. Christine has been in the field of Early Childhood Education for 19 years.
Christine's experience includes managing a child care center serving families with children ages six weeks to 5 years. She is eager to use her hands-on knowledge of early childhood development industry to teach others in this field.
Adjunct Professor
Ms. Lourdes Montoya
Master of Arts, Adult Education and Training, University of Phoenix
Bachelor of Arts, Liberal Arts, Mount St. Mary's College
Associate of Arts, Early Childhood Education, Mount St. Mary's College
Lourdes has been working in early education for the past 25 plus years. She began her passion in early childhood education when she was in high school; taking a brief break after she earned her associate degree to join the US army. Upon returning she continued her passion for teaching. Lourdes has worked as a teacher assistant, a teacher, and a site supervisor to her current position as a coach. As a program coach, she coaches and mentors teachers that work in Headstart, child development centers, and family care centers. She has strong familiarity and hands-on experience with the following: Title 22, Title 5, Curriculum Implementation Fidelity, DRDP, ASQ, CACFP, ITERS, ECERS, CLASS, HeadStart, and State Preschool requirements. She is a CLASS observer for preschool, toddler, and infants. She is knowledgeable with High5 mathematized, Building Blocks for Literacy and Mother Read Inc. She trained in practice-based coaching and teaching-learning collaboratively. Lourdes is passionate about sharing her knowledge and experience with adults coming into the field of early childhood education.
Director of Academics
Mr. Frank Acuna-Valentine
Associate of Arts, Cyber Security, Mira Costa College
Served as Director of Operations from 2021-2022.
A strong advocate for academic excellence, Mr. Acuna-Valentine managed Projects facilitating successful BPPE and NCCRS program approval efforts. As a college leader he has assisted with setting the standards for academic programs by identifying Early Childhood Education policy implementation by the state of California. He has also led efforts to create new programs, reaffirm academic programs and sustain status of academic programs through CDA, NAEYC, and ECLKC standards. Mr.Acuna-Valentine is a native of Oceanside, California, and a graduate of Oceanside High School. He received a Bachelor’s in Computer Science with specialization in Cyber Security and Data Analytics from California State University of San Marcos.
Adjunct Professor
Mrs. Megan Murphy, M.S. CD
M.S. Child Development, June 2021 University of La Verne
Alpha Chi Honors Society – Top 10 percentile of graduating class
B.A. Psychology, Dec 2016 California State University, San Marcos CA
Megan Murphy has enjoyed working with children throughout her life. She first worked in early childhood education over eight years ago as a substitute teacher and has held multiple positions in the field, most recently being a lead Preschool/Pre-K teacher. Her experience in the classroom inspired her to pursue further education in child development and to learn how events in these early years can impact an individual.
After receiving her Master of Science in Child Development at University of La Verne, she began working in the field of higher education as an Adjunct Professor. Recently, she has taken on a position in the field of Parenting Education as an educator trainer.
Megan continues to love learning about the critical early years of life and enjoys sharing her knowledge with fellow teachers, parents, and parenting educators. As an Adjunct Professor, she appreciates the opportunity to discuss the importance of quality education with other teachers. She hopes to continue positively impacting children’s lives through her work of teaching those who directly influence children daily.
Adjunct Professor
Mrs. Yana Chi
M. Ed in Curriculum and Instruction, Williams Woods University
B.A. Degree in English Literature, International Christian College Taipei, Taiwan
Yana Chi has devoted herself to early childhood education her entire adult life. She wants to make a difference in children's lives. This led her to travel the world in pursuit of her passion. She is originally from Taiwan, although she completed junior high in Shanghai, China, and was graduated from high school in Macau which made her fluent in both Mandarin and Cantonese. After working in Taiwan for two years as a preschool teacher, Yana moved to Missouri to get her master's degree in education.
She has been a Pre-K teacher for the past eleven years at public schools in California and holds a Child Development Program Director Permit. In addition to working with children as a teacher, she volunteers by serving as a translator for Asian families at the school district where she currently works in all of the departments. She wants to use her experience to share her love of education with other aspiring teachers.
Adjunct Professor
Mrs. Karen Snedden, M. Ed
Masters of Arts in Education, National University
Specialization: Early Childhood Education, San Diego State University
Karen Snedden spent several years teaching kindergarten and elementary age students before becoming a preschool instructor, then director. The experience in the classroom shaped her view of the importance of Early Childhood Education on a student’s preparedness for success in elementary school. Karen holds a California State Multiple-Subject Teaching Credential and earned her Master’s Degree with emphasis in Cross-Cultural Education in addition to holding her Preschool Director’s Permit. Karen has 15 years experience in early childhood education, with 12 of those years as a preschool director. Her belief is that the most impactful teaching comes from teachers who love the field. Karen is eager to help teachers provide the best
quality possible.
Student Services Advisor
Ms. Sabrina Solorio
With a passion for working with children, Sabrina is currently pursuing her Associate's Degree in Early Education here at Theoria. She strives to provide the best quality customer service. She specializes in assisting our Spanish-speaking students with translations and bridging the communication for new teachers in the Early Education industry. Sabrina practices inclusivity and excels in her work with students attending Theoria. Once she graduates with her degree she plans on entering the Early Education field as an administrator
Director of Student Services
Ms. Jenesis D. Hill
A.S. in Business Administration, Mt. San Jacinto College
With over six years of dedicated service at Theoria Technical College, Jenesis has emerged as a key driver in enhancing student success and cultivating a nurturing educational environment. Her expertise in analyzing, improving, and developing student services has been instrumental in supporting student advocacy and collaboration with Early Education professionals. This has ensured that students are well-prepared for careers in Early Childhood Education while achieving their educational goals.
Jenesis holds a degree in Business Administration and is committed to continuing her innovation in student support services. Her core mission remains to foster a supportive and empowering academic environment through her effective management, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
Operations Department
Mr. Brendan Tang
B.A. in Cognitive Science, Computer Science, UC Berkeley
Brendan is very detailed oriented and an excellent writer. He is an excellent addition to our Operations Department where he works mostly with policy and compliance. Brendan enjoys video game designing and code writing.
Director of Operations
Mr. Jed Hill
B.A. in History, Cal State Long Beach
Jedaki Hill is a SoCal native who has lived his life between Riverside and San Diego County. He is also an active traveler who has found himself journeying through Europe and seeks to acquire more knowledge from different cultures. With his analytical and research background in History Arts he works mainly in research and development of operational procedures. His background in writing, publishing, and Academic procedures directs his insight on institutional policies, as well as compliance. He looks to publish more of his books and design his own historical based video game in the future.
Web Development & Multi-Media
Mrs. Cho Spicer,
Web Development & Multi Media
I've been a professional designer and freelancing full-time since 2008. Well versed in taking not much more than a good idea, and helping turn that into a living breathing entity, from creative concept through to execution. I particularly love working with companies like Theoria, that pioneer an unconventional approach in a traditional industry. Work with me.
Adjunct Professor
Ms. Kristina Simon, M.S.
Master of Arts, Child Development, California State University, San Bernardino Bachelor of Arts, Human Development Concentration Child Development, California State University, San Bernardino Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, California State University, San Bernardino (2022)
Kristina has been in the Early Childhood Field for over 10 years. Kristina began her journey as a Nanny, Assistant Teacher, then as a Lead Teacher. While in graduate school, Kristina became a Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS) assessor where she conducted classroom assessments for different Child Care sites, to help improve quality care. She became a certified observer in the following assessment tools: Environmental Rating Scales (ECERS & ITERS), Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS- Infant, toddler, PreK observer and Toddler and PreK affiliate trainer) and Inclusive Classroom Practices (ICP). Kristina was also a Teaching Associate and Supplemental Instructor at California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB). Kristina also served as a Project Analyst for the Institute of Child Development and Family Relations at CSUSB, where she served as the lead for the assessment team for Quality Start San Bernardino (QSSB-San Bernardino County’s QRIS). Kristina currently holds a Child Development Program Director Permit and is Center Director at KinderCare and Program Analyst at California State University. Kristina’s passion is helping Early Child Educators break barriers to higher education.
Board of Trustees
Elisha M. Valentine, Chairwoman
Valentine & Associates – Child Care Building Consultants
Yulinda Washington
Facility Director
Health Services
April Holman
Head Accountant
Holman Accounting Services
Darla Delyane
Business Consultant/Retired Teacher
@Darla Delayne
Kasey Kelsey
Retired Child Care Center Director / Administrator / Teacher
T.E.R.I. Inc.
Sunita Charles
HR Specialist
Burnett Specialist
Next Board Meeting - November 29, 2023