Meet our staff

Leadership

Jason Albeno (he/him), Early Childhood Education Director

Jason is excited to be part of the early childhood team at Kids Can. His purpose is to promote successful outcomes of advocacy for children, families and the community. Jason began working with youth at the age of 16 as an afterschool floater. Having hands-on experience enriched his background and gave him the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education focusing on Family Studies & minored in Chicano Latino Studies. Since then, he has worked in a classroom setting as a Kindergarten, Lead Preschool, Infant & Toddler Teacher. Jason is honored to partner with Kids Can to create a rewarding journey in Early Childhood Education!

 

Cristal Hunter-Arzola (she/her), Infant Coordinator

Cristal has been in the Early Childhood field since 2010. She has worked at Kids Can since 2021 as a Toddler teacher and was excited to be a part of the first Infant program. Cristal was Lead Teacher in the Infant 1 room prior to taking on the Infant Coordinator role. Cristal believes that supporting infants with a caring and nurturing environment will have lasting impacts on their educational outcomes. Cristal loves being around infants because not only are they cute, but she gets to see a lot of their develop happen during that first year of their lives! She enjoys being around toddlers as well because they are unpredictable and funny. She wants to make a positive impact on each child’s life.

Maricela Rivero (she/her), Toddler Coordinator

Maricela has been with Kids Can since 2017. She was the Kids Can Early Childhood Education Outstanding Educator for 2022. She loves working with children and giving them the love a support they need. She enjoys watching kids grow up and develop their unique personalities. Maricela went from working with school-age children to being a Toddler teacher and then Assistant Director of the Early Childhood program. She now oversees the two Toddler rooms as Toddler Coordinator. She understands that children spend a large part of their day at Kids Can and works to make sure they have a nurturing environment and the tools they need to succeed. 

Belen Vargas (she/her), Preschool Coordinator

Belen was a Preschool/Pre-K teacher at Kids Can for eight years. She was the Kids Can Early Childhood Education Outstanding Educator for 2023. Belen has received her Child Development Associate, and was the Lead Teacher in Preschool 2 prior to becoming the Preschool Coordinator. Belen enjoys teaching literacy skills and seeing how children use their creativity to lead their learning in new directions. She loves watching children grow and they always put a smile on her face.

INFANT TEAM

Tarnisha (she/her), Lead Teacher
Grecia (she/her), Lead Teacher
Destiny (she/her), Lead Teacher
Felicia (she/her), Associate Teacher
Mikyela (she/her), Assistant Teacher
Lesley (she/her), Assistant Teacher
Vianey (she/her), Assistant Teacher
Argelia (she/her), Assistant Teacher
 

TODDLER TEAM

Aylin (she/her), Lead Teacher
Brenda (she/her), Lead Teacher
Marelmi (she/her), Associate Teacher
Nancy (she/her), Associate Teacher
Baneza(she/her), Assistant Teacher
Kodee (she/her), Assistant Teacher
Fabiola (she/her), Assistant Teacher
Cynthia (she/her), Assistant Teacher
Elizabeth (she/her), Assistant Teacher
Tere (they/them), Assistant Teacher

PRESCHOOL TEAM

Magali (she/her), Lead Teacher
Daisy (she/her), Lead Teacher
Johanna (she/her), Associate Teacher
Maria (she/her), Associate Teacher
Jadyn (she/her), Assistant Teacher
Hailee (she/her), Assistant Teacher
Alexa (she/her), Assistant Teacher
Makenzie (she/her), Assistant Teacher

SUPPORT STAFF

Grace (she/her)