Meet the CLC Staff
Directors
Wendy Neiman received her Associate of Arts degree from Coastline
Community College in Child Development. Prior to working at the
Children’s Learning Center, she volunteered as an aide n the Fountain
Valley school district in the preschool classroom. Working under the
direction of two passionate teachers, she knew this was the field she
wanted to pursue. Wendy then enrolled at the community college
and was hired as a lead teacher of four-year olds at the American
Preschool. Upon leaving her position, she then came to the C.L.C.
and began her role as lead teacher of the four-year olds in 1979.
During that time, she devised the academic program for the pre-
kindergarten class. This program included the Peabody Language
program, practice writing names, and recognizing the alphabet and
numbers. Art was always her favorite activity because she felt arts
and crafts bought out the most personal creativity in children. She
continued this role until 1983 when she then became co-director of
the C.L.C. In January 2000, she became the Director when Steve
took on a new role as Director of Educational Services.
Steven Neiman graduated first from California State University,
Northridge with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. He
continued his education at the CSU Los Angeles, earning a Master of
Science degree in counseling that included a credential in school
psychology. Following commencement, Steve taught several
graduate courses for the guidance counseling department at CSU,
Los Angeles and lectured at several conferences on assertive discipline
for children. He devoted six more years to both the Fountain Valley
and Placentia School Districts where he served as a school
psychologist. During those years, Steve was committed to many
aspects of child and family guidance, including counseling of individual
children, groups of children, parents, and whole families. He helped
develop behavior management programs, coordinated individual
assessments, and led teacher and aid in-services; he was particularly
involved in the mainstreaming of exceptional children. Through these
experiences, Steve experienced a need to create a developmental
program that he knew could provide growth for each individual child.
He knew the importance of a child’s early development and soon
decided that a preschool was the ideal way to utilize his knowledge
and experience. In 1978, Steve set his dream into motion and
became the co-director of the Children’s Learning Center.
In June 2007, Steve left his post as co-director but remains on the C.
L.C. staff. He is still available to consult with staff and parents in cases
where his expertise is required.
Elementary Staff
Debbie Gray graduated in 1975 from the California State University,
Fullerton with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and a minor in
Psychology. She did her internship at Pacific State Hospital and
taught in a classroom for gifted children. Teaching at our center since
1982, she has taught kindergarten, first, second, third, and fourth
grades. For the past fifteen years, she has taught music and theory
class at a music conservatory and also conducts a small sympathy
that enters state and national competitions. Debbie continues to take
seminars to enhance her own skills as a teacher.
Anita Bhasin graduated in 1980 from the University of Kashmir in
India with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She then furthered her
education, earning another Bachelor’s degree in education in 1981.
Anita has worked with children since 1982 and joined the C.L.C. staff
in March of 1987.
Preschool Staff
Linda Moreno received her Early Childhood Education Certificate
and Early Childhood Supervision and Administration Certificate in
1985. She has taught preschool for over 20 years and has been part
of the C.L.C. staff since 1994. Lind is currently one of our opening
staff members. She is certified in both Pediatric first aid and Pediatric
and Adult CPR.
Prateeti Ghosh received her Master’s Degree in English Literature.
She has also completed 13 early childhood education units from
Rancho Santiago College. Prateeti joined the C.L.C. staff in
September 1994.
Sonia Tobar worked as a teacher’s assistant for four years before
joining the C.L.C. in October 2002. She received a ROP certificate for
Child Care and completed 12 early childhood education units at Santa
Ana College. Sonia is certified in both Pediatric and Adult first aid and
Pediatric and Adult CPR.
Ileana Villacis previously worked as a teacher’s aide for children in
preschool and elementary school in her native country Ecuador.
Ileana has completed 12 early childhood education units at the North
Orange County Community College and received her Early Childhood
Education Certificate.
Directors
Wendy Neiman received her Associate of Arts degree from Coastline
Community College in Child Development. Prior to working at the
Children’s Learning Center, she volunteered as an aide n the Fountain
Valley school district in the preschool classroom. Working under the
direction of two passionate teachers, she knew this was the field she
wanted to pursue. Wendy then enrolled at the community college
and was hired as a lead teacher of four-year olds at the American
Preschool. Upon leaving her position, she then came to the C.L.C.
and began her role as lead teacher of the four-year olds in 1979.
During that time, she devised the academic program for the pre-
kindergarten class. This program included the Peabody Language
program, practice writing names, and recognizing the alphabet and
numbers. Art was always her favorite activity because she felt arts
and crafts bought out the most personal creativity in children. She
continued this role until 1983 when she then became co-director of
the C.L.C. In January 2000, she became the Director when Steve
took on a new role as Director of Educational Services.
Steven Neiman graduated first from California State University,
Northridge with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. He
continued his education at the CSU Los Angeles, earning a Master of
Science degree in counseling that included a credential in school
psychology. Following commencement, Steve taught several
graduate courses for the guidance counseling department at CSU,
Los Angeles and lectured at several conferences on assertive discipline
for children. He devoted six more years to both the Fountain Valley
and Placentia School Districts where he served as a school
psychologist. During those years, Steve was committed to many
aspects of child and family guidance, including counseling of individual
children, groups of children, parents, and whole families. He helped
develop behavior management programs, coordinated individual
assessments, and led teacher and aid in-services; he was particularly
involved in the mainstreaming of exceptional children. Through these
experiences, Steve experienced a need to create a developmental
program that he knew could provide growth for each individual child.
He knew the importance of a child’s early development and soon
decided that a preschool was the ideal way to utilize his knowledge
and experience. In 1978, Steve set his dream into motion and
became the co-director of the Children’s Learning Center.
In June 2007, Steve left his post as co-director but remains on the C.
L.C. staff. He is still available to consult with staff and parents in cases
where his expertise is required.
Elementary Staff
Debbie Gray graduated in 1975 from the California State University,
Fullerton with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and a minor in
Psychology. She did her internship at Pacific State Hospital and
taught in a classroom for gifted children. Teaching at our center since
1982, she has taught kindergarten, first, second, third, and fourth
grades. For the past fifteen years, she has taught music and theory
class at a music conservatory and also conducts a small sympathy
that enters state and national competitions. Debbie continues to take
seminars to enhance her own skills as a teacher.
Anita Bhasin graduated in 1980 from the University of Kashmir in
India with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She then furthered her
education, earning another Bachelor’s degree in education in 1981.
Anita has worked with children since 1982 and joined the C.L.C. staff
in March of 1987.
Preschool Staff
Linda Moreno received her Early Childhood Education Certificate
and Early Childhood Supervision and Administration Certificate in
1985. She has taught preschool for over 20 years and has been part
of the C.L.C. staff since 1994. Lind is currently one of our opening
staff members. She is certified in both Pediatric first aid and Pediatric
and Adult CPR.
Prateeti Ghosh received her Master’s Degree in English Literature.
She has also completed 13 early childhood education units from
Rancho Santiago College. Prateeti joined the C.L.C. staff in
September 1994.
Sonia Tobar worked as a teacher’s assistant for four years before
joining the C.L.C. in October 2002. She received a ROP certificate for
Child Care and completed 12 early childhood education units at Santa
Ana College. Sonia is certified in both Pediatric and Adult first aid and
Pediatric and Adult CPR.
Ileana Villacis previously worked as a teacher’s aide for children in
preschool and elementary school in her native country Ecuador.
Ileana has completed 12 early childhood education units at the North
Orange County Community College and received her Early Childhood
Education Certificate.
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