Staff

Amy Vega is the Director of Mount Cross Child Development Center. She started her educational experience at Ventura College taking general education, and later transferred to Loyola Marymount University earning a B.A. degree in history.

Mrs. Vega has her Masters Degree in Child Development from Pacific Oaks College. Amy has worked in the field of early childhood education for over 20 years previously teaching preschool and eventually becoming the Director of a large faith based child development center in Oxnard for nine years.

While currently directing the Mount Cross Child Development Center, Amy also teaches at Moorpark College as an Adjunct Professor in the Child Development Department. Amy has a daughter Kate, two dogs, and a 180 pound African Sulcata Tortoise name Buttercup and has been married to her college sweetheart for over 30 years. 

Elizabeth Fox is the Assistant Director of Mount Cross Child Development Center.

She has been in the early education field for over 20 years working with infants through 8th grade, and has found an interest in developing curriculum. 

She holds a site supervisor permit and a bachelor’s degree in Educational Studies from the University of La Verne.

Soraya Thenoz now teaches the Young Threes class. She is also one of the Extended Care teachers and continues to facilitate the Toddler and Me class.

She loves helping parents learn and grow right alongside their children.

If you do not find her in her class, she may be teaching French class.

Ms. Jennifer Silva has been a teacher for ten years.

She holds her teaching credentials from Cal Lutheran.

When she is not in the Toddler classroom or Extended Care, you can find her at a Dodger game.

Flora Valdez teaches the Young Threes class. She has a have a passion for early childhood education and loves helping littles learn to grow, explore, and discover the world around them.

In her free time, she loves to spend time with her family, going to church, the beach or taking drives.

Lana Lee is the Older Threes teacher at Mount Cross Child Development Center.  

She has been a preschool teacher for 18 years.  

She holds an A/A degree and a B/A in child development from Cal State San Bernardino.  

She also has a teaching credential in early childhood from the Ventura County office of education.

Ms. Castaneda has been teaching for several years.

She loves spending time with her daughter and attending Bible Studies at her church.

If you do not find her in the Four year old class, check the beach!

Mrs. Banelos Avila is the Fours teacher at Mt Cross Child Development Center.
She has been teaching for four years, and obtained her Early Childhood Education certificate at Oxnard College.

She is a mom of three children who enjoys nature and farm animals. She likes spend time at her ranch in Camarillo with her horses.

Her favorite color is red. She likes to bake and cook, trying new recipes in her free time. She would love to travel to more countries around the world.

Mrs. Rosio Flores comes with many years of experience from the Oxnard School  District.

She loves all things nature and takes walks to relax. She loves Subway and M&Ms .

You can find her in our TK Classroom.

Kelly Scyphers is the TK teacher at Mt. Cross. This is her 7th year in Early Childhood Education. Before that, she was a pediatric dental assistant.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in Community Development from UC Davis and an Early Childhood Education Teacher permit from UCLA.

She enjoys crocheting, gardening, and watching her kids play volleyball and soccer.