Meet Our Core Educators
 “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” ― Albert Einstein

Yvette was born and raised in Southern California. She has spent the last twelve years working with children in many capacities, including tutor, mentor, behavioral therapist, and educator. Yvette received a master's and doctorate in clinical psychology prior to earning her teaching credential. She has two adorable kiddos, Jack and Olive, both of whom are lucky enough to attend Vida. She loves camping, hiking, reading, and going on new adventures with her family. As an educator, Yvette is passionate about supporting children's natural curiosity about the world around them, encouraging creativity, and helping her students become lifelong learners. Yvette is so excited to be a part of the Vida community and to watch her students grow! 

With a degree in film and five years of experience as a liaison between production and children on set, Lexy brings a unique perspective to education. Her dedication to teaching spans eight years at a private preschool in Malibu, where she not only taught 2-5 year olds but also managed after-school programs focused on science and art enrichment for elementary-aged children. Taking a break, she delved into designing escape rooms, including one tailored for 2-5 year olds, and briefly ventured into the children’s clothing business. However, her passion for teaching drew her back, inspired by volunteering with Vida, where her own child attends. Her diverse background in film, entrepreneurship, and childcare positions her as a dynamic educator ready to make a positive impact.

Ashley grew up living overseas in Japan and moved to California in 2002. Since moving to California, Ashley has had two amazing children, Liam and Alice, who ignited her passion for becoming an Educator. She graduated from Cal State Channel Islands receiving her Bachelor's of Arts in Early Childhood Studies and then attended National University and received her Master' s of Arts in Education with the specialization in US Education in the 21st Century. Ashley has used her knowledge and experience as an educator for over 12 years and continues to find ways to impact the lives of children daily with the intention of consciously being mindful of diversity and inclusion. When Ashley is not working, you'll find her spending time with her children and her dog Sunny, making spontaneous plans with friends, or being outdoors immersing herself in nature. 

Allison was born and raised in Michigan and moved to California at age eighteen. She graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a Bachelors in Communications & Education and Applied Psychology. After graduating, she stepped outside of the US and spent twelve months teaching English in Korea, working with kiddos as young as three and business men as old as sixty five.  Upon her return to the US,  she spent five years in Koreatown working in the preschool setting as well as running the Aftercare program.  Here, she attained her Site Supervisor permit, taking night classes after work.  Allison has been teaching in Early Childhood Education for eleven years now and truly loves her work.  She's run two summer camp programs along the way but Early Childhood Education is where she continues to shine! When she's not working, Allison enjoys spending time with her dog, being in the sun, and working out.

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Spencer is so excited to be joining the Vida community, bringing with him  an amazing knowledge of outdoor experiences for youth. Spencer graduated from California State University of Northridge with a degree in recreation, tourism, and management with a focus on youth recreation therapy.  After college, Spencer worked for the Santa Monica Mountain National Recreation Area, helping develop day programs for the parks Every Kid In a Park program. Shortly after, he moved up to Washington where he worked for the non-profit Naturebridge; taking 3rd through high school students on 3 to 5 day personalized learning adventures focusing on leadership, science, and social-emotional development. Spencer Is thrilled to be working back in the Santa Monica mountains in hopes to help teach students about the natural world in their own backyard. In his free time, Spencer can be found trail-running, snowboarding, working on his bus, or trying to cook new recipes from scratch. 

Julie is thrilled to be joining the Vida family. Before settling down in the Los Angeles area, she spent her younger years traveling and moving around on the East coast. Part of her time spent in NYC was studying art,history and anthropology at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Upon arriving on the California coast, she spent her first 5 years utilizing her art skills as a beauty and special

effects makeup artist. When she was ready to start her own family, Julie shifted to education where she has been teaching and working with children for over 22 years.  Before finding Vida, she worked as a tutor and small group teacher at The Village School, taught youth art and was an art history curriculum developer for Topanga

Imaginarium Art Studio, was a private small pod elementary head teacher during Covid

years, and was a lead elementary teacher and administrative assistant to the Head of

School at Urban Homeschoolers. However, Julie’s greatest educational achievement

was that she homeschooled all three of her children since birth, happily graduating the

oldest two, and seeing her youngest confidently enter traditional school for the very first time as a sophomore. When Julie isn’t teaching or tutoring, you can find her at the gym staying fit at her

favorite Zumba classes, hiking the beautiful Topanga trails, helping her daughter’s art

booth at local flea markets, cheering on her oldest son’s band at local gigs, and

watching and discussing all things film with her youngest boy. She also loves painting,

gardening, and big family holidays.