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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, our teachers do more than educate—they inspire, nurture, and build deep connections that help every child thrive. With warmth, passion, and expertise, they create a place where children feel safe, celebrated, and excited to learn.
Each member of our team brings:
✔️ Extensive experience in early childhood education
✔️ A passion for nurturing young minds
✔️ A deep commitment to building strong, meaningful connections with every child
We believe that learning happens best when children feel safe, celebrated, and encouraged to explore. That’s why our teachers create an environment where curiosity flourishes, creativity is embraced, and every child feels at home.
DIRECTOR
Priscila 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.
HEAD TEACHER
Lesly Monzón
Lesly is originally from La Antigua Guatemala and moved to San Francisco in 2017. A mother of three, she understands firsthand the joys and challenges of parenting. Lesly trained in early childhood development at Theoria Technical College and has over three years of experience as a Spanish immersion preschool teacher, working at Lenguaje in Action and Holakids.
Believing that children learn best through play in a safe and motivating environment, Lesly is committed to nurturing both their social and cognitive development. She strives to support their growth by encouraging empathy, sharing, and problem-solving.
In her free time, Lesly enjoys exploring the outdoors with her family and is thrilled to be a part of the Hungry Caterpillars team and community!
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.