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The Heart of Hungry Caterpillars
This isn’t just our job. It’s our purpose. Meet the devoted educators who pour their hearts into every child’s day.
OUR TEAM
At Hungry Caterpillars Early Education Center, we have been highly intentional in building our teaching team. We sought out educators with deep experience, strong judgment, and a genuine understanding of how young children learn and grow. Every member of our team was chosen carefully, with the goal of offering children the strongest possible foundation in their earliest years.
Our teachers do more than educate as they build meaningful relationships that help children feel safe, confident, and excited to learn. With warmth, care, and expertise, they create classrooms where children are truly known and supported, and where learning feels joyful and purposeful.
We believe that children thrive when they feel secure, celebrated, and encouraged to explore. Guided by this belief, our team creates environments where curiosity flourishes, creativity is embraced, and every child feels at home within the Hungry Caterpillars community.
DIRECTOR
Priscila Eugenio Lopez
Priscila Eugenio Lopez is an experienced and passionate early childhood educator with over a decade of leadership in preschool education. She holds a Master’s degree in Child Development from California State University, Stanislaus. Throughout her career, Priscila has led with warmth, curiosity, and a deep commitment to helping children thrive in nurturing, developmentally appropriate environments.
Her educational philosophy centers on the belief that children are active participants in their own learning. She embraces an inquiry-based approach where curiosity fuels exploration and discovery, and believes that children naturally seek out new experiences and construct knowledge through hands-on engagement with the world around them.
A strong advocate for language development as the foundation of learning, Priscila thoughtfully integrates language-rich experiences into the classroom. As a bilingual professional, she is especially passionate about promoting multilingualism from an early age, believing that learning multiple languages not only enhances cognitive development but also fosters cultural awareness and meaningful connection.
Throughout her career, Priscila has successfully led the implementation of both project-based and evidence-based curricula, supported large teaching teams through coaching and professional development, and cultivated strong, trust-based partnerships with families. Her leadership is grounded in a deep respect for children, educators, and the power of inclusive learning communities. Known for her collaborative spirit and dedication to continuous quality improvement, Priscila brings energy, empathy, and vision to every program she leads.
LEAD TEACHER
Patricia Santamaria Bruno
Patricia Santamaria Bruno is an experienced early childhood educator with over fifteen years of teaching experience in preschool and early elementary settings throughout San Francisco. She holds an Associate of Arts in Child Development from City College of San Francisco, along with a Child Development Administration certification and California Teacher Certification. Her academic background also includes a Bachelor of Science degree that supports her work in child development and early education. Patricia brings a steady, thoughtful approach to teaching shaped by many years of classroom experience within San Francisco Unified School District.
Her educational philosophy aligns closely with Montessori and Reggio Emilia principles, grounded in the belief that children learn best through hands-on exploration, meaningful relationships, and purposeful independence. Patricia emphasizes careful observation and responsive teaching, guiding children toward realistic next steps while supporting independence, social development, and early academic foundations in a calm, intentional way.
As a bilingual educator, Patricia is deeply committed to Spanish immersion and language-rich learning environments. She naturally integrates Spanish and English into daily routines and classroom experiences, supporting dual language learners while honoring cultural identity and communication. She values clear documentation and assessment as tools to understand growth and to share children’s progress thoughtfully with families.
In her role as Lead Teacher, Patricia brings consistency, clarity, and a collaborative spirit to the classroom. She supports curriculum implementation with intention and care, helping create learning environments that balance structure, curiosity, and joy. Known for her steady presence and deep understanding of child development, Patricia is dedicated to helping children grow into confident, engaged learners.
TEACHER AIDE
Michelle Gomez-Caballero
Michelle Gomez-Caballero is a dedicated and enthusiastic early childhood educator with a strong academic foundation in developmental psychology. She earned her degree in Psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, where she focused on cognitive development across the lifespan and discovered her passion for working with young children in supportive, growth-oriented environments.
Her educational philosophy reflects a belief that children learn best when they are given the time, space, and encouragement to explore the world around them. She values curiosity as the driving force behind learning, and delights in guiding children through hands-on experiences that allow them to construct knowledge in meaningful, joyful ways.
With her bilingual background, Michelle naturally integrates Spanish and English into daily routines, helping children develop language skills that expand both cognitive growth and cultural connection. She is especially interested in supporting communication and self-expression, recognizing these as vital tools for children’s confidence and future learning.
In her role as Teacher Aide, Michelle brings reliability, empathy, and a collaborative spirit to the classroom. She supports curriculum implementation, classroom organization, and smooth daily routines, while also building trusting, respectful relationships with children and families. Known for her patience and warm presence, she looks forward to pursuing graduate studies that combine her psychology training with her passion for early childhood education, continuing to grow as an educator and advocate for young learners.