Meet Our Team
At Westcliff Early Learning Academy, our teachers are specialists in early childhood development, equipped with the knowledge and training to understand how young children learn best—through movement, exploration, and meaningful hands-on experiences. Warm, nurturing, and deeply committed to the magic of early childhood, they do far more than teach letters and numbers. They support children in understanding their emotions, developing strong executive function skills, and building the confidence they need to explore and connect with the world around them.
Dr. Linda Tran Lee
Co-Founder & Health and Wellness Visionary
Dr. Linda Tran Lee, PharmD, is Co-Founder of Westcliff Early Learning Academy (WELA) and a mother of three whose personal and professional experiences inspire her commitment to children’s wellness, emotional resilience, and whole-child development.
With over 15 years as a licensed pharmacist and additional training in skin and esthetic care, Dr. Linda Tran Lee bridges science with compassionate, preventive care. Her journey into early childhood education was inspired by motherhood—raising children with sensitive skin, eczema, and big emotions, and witnessing firsthand how physical discomfort can affect a child’s mood, confidence, sleep, and ability to learn.
This insight led her to create Faith & Sage, a children’s skincare brand for sensitive and eczema-prone skin, rooted in ingredient transparency, skin biology, and emotional awareness. She brings this same philosophy to WELA, integrating Montessori- and Reggio-inspired approaches with intentional attention to emotional regulation, wellness habits, and preventive care.
At WELA, Dr. Linda Tran Lee supports age-appropriate lessons on nutrition, mindful self-care, and wellness routines, helping children develop early awareness of how caring for their bodies supports focus, confidence, and emotional well-being. Her mission is to nurture children who feel secure in their bodies, grounded in their emotions, and empowered with lifelong tools for resilience, self-awareness, and healthy living.
Jasmine Boller
Director
Jasmine Boller leads Westcliff Early Learning Academy with heart, expertise, and a deep commitment to nurturing each child’s curiosity, confidence, and independence. A graduate of the University of California, Irvine with a degree in cognitive science, Jasmine brings more than a decade of hands-on experience in Montessori education and school leadership, including roles at LePort Schools and Guidepost Montessori.
Her love for children began long before her professional career. As the devoted aunt to two nephews and a niece, Jasmine was hands-on from the start — nannying for them from infancy through elementary school and discovering early on that caring for children was not just something she was good at, but something she was called to do.
Her professional passion took root through UC Irvine’s Jumpstart Program, where she worked closely with bilingual preschoolers and witnessed firsthand the profound impact a thoughtful, nurturing educator can have on a young life. That experience has shaped everything about how she leads today.
Guided by the Montessori philosophy, Jasmine believes in building communities where educators, families, and children grow together — where staff feel supported, families feel seen, and every child feels heard, valued, and gently challenged. Her vision for WELA is a place where exploration, creativity, and a genuine love of learning are woven into every corner of the day.
Outside of school, Jasmine finds joy in playing classical piano, traveling, and exploring the beaches and hidden gems of Southern California.
Yolanda Seneviratne
Lead Preschool/Kindergarten Teacher
Yolanda Seneviratne brings a rare combination of international perspective and deep local experience to her role as Lead Preschool and Kindergarten Teacher at Westcliff Early Learning Academy. Originally from Sri Lanka, she continued her studies at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) after relocating to California in the early 1990s, and has since built a distinguished career spanning more than three decades in early childhood education.
Her experience includes over 15 years teaching and operating her own Montessori and preschool program in California, along with more than 14 years as a Head Teacher at early learning centers in Ohio—including the Montessori Academy of La Puente, Richmond Heights Academy, and Solon Creative Playrooms Montessori, among others.
Yolanda is deeply motivated by the opportunity to positively shape young lives. She approaches every child with patience, empathy, and sensitivity, believing that enriching a child’s early years is one of the most meaningful things an educator can do.
At WELA, she brings strong classroom management skills, a gift for adapting instruction to each individual learner, and an abiding belief that early childhood education—done with care and intention—lays the foundation for a lifetime of curiosity and confidence.
Vicky Ngo
Lead Preschool/Kindergarten Teacher (Vietnamese Speaking)
Vicky Ngo brings over 16 years of experience in early childhood education to Westcliff Early Learning Academy, combining a deep passion for child-centered learning with a broad background in classroom teaching, program leadership, and community engagement. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Child and Adolescent Development from California State University, Fullerton, and an Associate Degree in Liberal Studies from Fullerton College.
Vicky’s career reflects a consistent commitment to the communities she serves. She began as a teacher assistant and went on to teach at Shalom Preschool, where she guided students through literacy and phonics, developed engaging hands-on curriculum, and served as a bridge for Vietnamese-speaking families as an interpreter. From 2015 to 2019, she led Sunflower Preschool in Westminster as Director, overseeing daily operations, staff development, and family engagement.
Most recently, Vicky served as a Community Education Specialist at UCI School of Nursing, providing culturally responsive support for underserved dementia caregivers—a role that speaks to her broad commitment to health, family, and community well-being beyond the classroom.
Bilingual in English and Vietnamese, Vicky brings warmth, experience, and a deeply collaborative spirit to every partnership with children and families. At WELA, she is passionate about nurturing environments where curiosity, independence, and a genuine love of learning can take root and flourish.
Leslie Urbina
Lead Toddler Teacher
Leslie Urbina brings over nine years of progressive experience in early childhood education to her role as Lead Toddler Teacher at Westcliff Early Learning Academy. Her background spans classroom teaching, program leadership, and community-based care, including roles as Lead Teacher at Kiddie Academy and Program Director at the YMCA.
Leslie is passionate about the toddler years—a time of rapid growth, big emotions, and boundless curiosity. She believes that the best learning happens when children feel genuinely safe and joyfully engaged, and she works hard every day to create a classroom that feels like exactly that.
She is committed to building strong, trusting relationships with families and to supporting each child’s development in ways that honor their individual pace and personality.
At WELA, Leslie brings warmth, creativity, and a steady, nurturing presence to the youngest members of the school community. She is thrilled to be part of a team that shares her deep respect for early childhood and her belief in the lifelong impact of these foundational years.
Daphne Pham
Assistant Teacher (Vietnamese Speaking)
Phuong Pham, known warmly to her students as Daphne, is an Assistant Teacher at Westcliff Early Learning Academy whose love for children’s growth and communication has shaped every step of her educational journey. With over eight years of experience as a language teacher in Vietnam, she developed a deep appreciation for the way language builds confidence, connection, and a sense of self in young learners.
Daphne is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Teaching English at Westcliff University, where she continues to grow professionally while bringing fresh knowledge and intentional practice into the classroom each day. Her academic background and classroom experience work in close harmony, grounding her teaching in both research and genuine care.
She approaches her role with energy, warmth, and a belief that every child deserves an environment where they feel encouraged to explore, communicate, and thrive. At WELA, Daphne is especially passionate about supporting children’s emotional well-being, language development, and mental growth as they discover the world around them.
Outside of the classroom, Daphne enjoys reading and exploring nature. She loves learning about animals and the natural world—and delights in sharing that sense of wonder and curiosity with the children in her care.
Cindy Kim
Lead Infant Teacher
Cindy Kim brings over a decade of dedicated experience working with young children across infant, toddler, and preschool settings to her role as Lead Infant Teacher at Westcliff Early Learning Academy. She is currently completing her Bachelor of Science in Child and Adolescent Development at California State University, Fullerton, and holds extensive early childhood education coursework from Cerritos College.
Throughout her career, Cindy has supported children and families in a wide range of roles—preschool teacher, infant and toddler teacher, nanny, and assistant director—developing expertise in curriculum planning, lesson development, caregiving routines, and family communication. She has a particular gift for creating calm, nurturing environments where even the youngest children feel safe, seen, and ready to explore.
Cindy places deep value on consistency, patience, and thoughtful observation, believing these are the cornerstones of healthy early development. She is especially skilled at building the kind of steady, trusting relationships that help infants and toddlers develop independence, problem-solving skills, and a positive sense of self.
Bilingual in English and Korean, Cindy is committed to honoring the diversity of the families she serves and looks forward to partnering with each family through these precious early years.
Alison Dao
Assistant Teacher (Vietnamese Speaking)
Tuyen Dao, known warmly to her students as Alison, is an Assistant Teacher at Westcliff Early Learning Academy whose approach to education is defined by patience, careful observation, and a deep respect for each child’s individuality. With five to six years of teaching experience across a wide range of ages—from young children through teenagers and young adults—she has developed a nuanced understanding of how learners grow at their own pace and in their own way.
Alison is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), and her background in language education informs a thoughtful, reflective approach to supporting children’s communication and development. Her work in a Montessori environment has deepened her appreciation for calm, prepared spaces where children feel safe enough to take risks, build independence, and develop quiet confidence.
She believes that the most meaningful thing an educator can do is create the conditions for a child to discover their own capabilities—and she brings that philosophy to every interaction at WELA.
Outside the classroom, Alison enjoys exploring different cultures, music, films, and poetry. She values both quiet reflection and the richness of travel and connection, and she looks forward to building lasting relationships with the children, families, and colleagues who make up the Westcliff community.
