Faculty & Staff
We take a great deal of pride in the quality and selection of our staff. They are selected not only for their educational background and work experience in the field of Early Childhood Education, but also for their personal qualities of warmth, empathy and the ability to relate positively to others. Several staff members have been with us for over 20 years.
Patricia Abahusayn
Administrator
Patricia’s interest in education was passed down from her mother. She grew up surrounded by discussions about children, teachers and school since her mother was a teacher, and then Curriculum Coordinator, and finally a school principal for over 25 years in Tucson, Arizona. Patricia graduated with a BA in Education from the University of Arizona. She has taught both elementary school and high school. She also taught English to 3rd – 5th grades in schools overseas. She has three children, five grandchildren (three currently attending Turtle Rock Preschool), and is happy to be in a work environment that gives her additional time with children. The owner of the school is Patricia’s son, Maajed Abahusayn, and Patricia acts as the on-site Administrator of Turtle Rock Preschool keeping it a hands-on family run school. She enjoys meeting with parents and working with the teaching and administrative staff to ensure providing the best preschool experience possible for the children. Patricia has traveled and lived around the world and is especially pleased at the diversity of both the families and staff and is committed to providing the children an enriching and culturally diverse education.
Michelle Gjertsen
Director
For over 20 years, Michelle has consistently devoted her professional career to the development of young children. While attending Early Childhood Education courses at Golden West College, Michelle discovered a passion for educating children at the college day care lab school. After starting at Turtle Rock Preschool in 1992 as a pre-kindergarten teacher and soon becoming the Assistant Director, Michelle ultimately was selected as the school Director in 1994. She actively works with the Irvine School District’s Readiness Program and the City of Irvine’s Child Care Coordination. Michelle is the proud mother of two. When not at work, her time is devoted to her husband and children who are very active in school, softball and baseball.
Kristen Bold
Program Director
Kristen joined Turtle Rock Preschool as the Assistant Director in 1996 and continues to thrive professionally in the field. She received her BA in Child Development and Family Studies from CSULB. She started her career as an infant teacher while attending CSULB. She is now the Program Director and works diligently in helping new families enroll in our program. Kristen is the mother of two sons, Kenny and Kory, who both are alumni of Turtle Rock Preschool. Her boys love the school and return each summer for the Summer Camp program. Kristen enjoys watching her boys’ play many sports, spending time with her family & friends and cuddling with her 2 little pups, Lexi and Bebe.
Anna Protopappas
Assistant Director
Anna has been in the Early Childhood Education field since 2000, and has been the Assistant Director at Turtle Rock Preschool since 2008. She graduated from Cal State Fullerton in 2009 with her Bachelor’s Degree in Child and Adolescent Studies, and continues her education by attending local workshops and conferences. Anna is married and, although she does not yet have children, her two cats are her kids-in-training. In her free time, Anna enjoys going to the gym, watching movies, going out to dinner and relaxing at the beach. She also loves spending time with her family, both here and abroad in Italy. She thoroughly enjoys being a part of Turtle Rock Preschool, and is blessed to know so many wonderful families and children.
Francesca Chemberlen
Accreditation & Curriculum Coordinator
Francesca has been with Turtle Rock Preschool since 2002, and has been our Accreditation and Curriculum Coordinator since 2006. She led our NAEYC Accreditation renewal initiatives in 2007 and again in 2012. Francesca has a BS in Behavioral Science with emphasis on Social Work from Concordia University, Irvine. Additionally, she maintains an AA in Early Childhood Development from Lewis Clark State College, Idaho. She loves to spend time with her husband and daughter visiting places around California; often traveling to Boise, Idaho to spend time with family. She is passionate about Belgian Malinios and has two; Surr and Thorn.