Heather Hite - Executive Director

As LifeSpring's Founder, Heather has been a part of the preschool since the beginning in 2001.

Before LifeSpring, Heather put her passion for children and quality childcare to work as a preschool teacher and director for 10 years. When it came time to take her passion to the next level, she gathered an amazing team and launched LifeSpring Preschool. Heather is now LifeSpring’s Executive Director and assists the behind the scenes side of running a thriving school for families in Santa Cruz County.

Destiny Malone - Director

Destiny has been a part of LifeSpring Preschool since 2006. 

As our Site Director, Destiny is committed to overseeing a quality preschool program. Destiny is a Santa Cruz native. She has a passion for Early Childhood Education, and enjoys working with and serving children and families in the community including preschool age and foster youth. Professionally Destiny enjoys continuing knowledge in Early Childhood Education, attending workshops, foster youth and family advocacy and Director and Teacher trainings. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family and sons!

Kristie - Assistant Director

Kristie is our assistant director and has been with LifeSpring for almost 20 years!

Kristie loves working with young children and families. You can often find her playing and being silly making our children laugh while giving our teachers their breaks and lunches. Kristie is an essential part of LifeSpring that keeps operations moving, overseeing daily operations schedules and more! In her free time she enjoys spending time with her daughter, two sons and family as well as going on bike rides!

Teachers: Ana, Jennifer & Michelle

Ana has been with LifeSpring since 2016 and helped us launch our infant program and continues to work with our youngest littlest friends!

Ana has nearly two decades of working with children in addition to raising her twin daughters and son! She is certified in Early Childhood Education and Infant development and runs an amazing infant program with her daughters Jennifer and Michelle! In her free time she loves to garden, sew and cook! She is bilingual in English and Spanish.  

Jennifer has been with LifeSpring since 2019 and is one of our three amazing infant teachers. Jennifer has a bachelor's degree in psychology and certifications in early childhood and infant care. In her free time she enjoys reading, music, relaxing and shopping! She is bilingual in English and Spanish.   

Michelle has been a valued member of the LifeSpring team since 2019 and is one of our three incredible infant teachers. She holds a bachelor's degree in psychology, along with certifications in early childhood and infant care. Michelle loves witnessing the growth and development of infants. Outside of work, she enjoys attending concerts and live music. Additionally, Michelle is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Teacher Hunter

Teacher Hunter joined us at LifeSpring in 2020 and has over 10 years experience teaching preschoolers.

Hunter says teaching is a privilege getting to watch young children learn and grow! In her free time she enjoys spending time with her 2 daughters, her family, gardening and reading!

Teacher Rosa

Teacher Rosa has been with LifeSpring since 2018 joining us straight after completing her early childhood education.

Rosa has a passion for working with young children and families. She also oversees our afternoon program as well as other daily operations. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, daughter and traveling to El Salvidor. She is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Teacher Lucy

Teacher Lucy has been with LifeSpring since 2020 and brings over 20 years of experience teaching preschoolers.

She often says, “I love to teach children, and they teach me too.” In her free time, Lucy enjoys spending time with her family and hiking. She is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Teacher Sarah

Teacher Sarah joined us recently in 2024 as our afternoon Starfish2 teacher!

Sarah has certifications in early childhood education and infant toddler care as well as many years of experience working with children professionally. She enjoys watching children grow and discover new things. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and 3 children!

Teacher Catherine

Teacher Catherine joined us in 2024 after a long stretch of time at home raising her daughter.

Catherine has been in childcare for many years and has taught and directed previously. She is certified in infant toddler care. Catherine has a passion for working with children and specifically toddlers and their families! In her free time she enjoys being outside, nature and traveling!

Teacher Susie

Teacher Susie has been with LifeSpring for over a decade.

She is our Pre-Kindergarten teacher and has taught for many years in the childcare field. Susie has a passion for working with children and loves watching them learn grow and supporting their creativity and curiosity. In her free time Susie enjoys gardening, bird watching and spending time with her family.

Teacher Diana

Teacher Diana joined us in 2024 as our Dolphin teacher.

With many years of experience working with children in various roles, Diana previously taught elementary school for several years before transitioning to preschool in recent years. In addition to her teaching credentials, she holds an early childhood education certification and has a strong passion for trying new things. Diana loves watching children learn and grow. In her free time, she enjoys spending quality time with her family.

Teacher Aide Jimena

Jimena has been with us since 2021, initially joining while finishing her final year of high school.

She is now pursuing a career in the medical field and supports our teachers in various roles when she's not in school. Jimena is fantastic with children and aspires to become a pediatrician one day. In her free time, she enjoys playing soccer, traveling, and spending time with her family. She is bilingual in both English and Spanish.

Teacher Aide Laura

Laura has been with us since 2023, primarily supporting our Starfish 2 class with infants and toddlers, while also overseeing kitchen management.

She is currently pursuing her early childhood education certifications, which she is close to completing, alongside her studies in graphic design. In her free time, Laura enjoys crocheting, reading, and spending time with her family.

Teacher Aide Sasha

Sasha has been with LifeSpring since 2024, assisting in the mornings with our older infants and toddlers in Starfish 2, a role she truly loves.

In her free time, Sasha enjoys playing video games and spending time with her friends.