Roya

Director

Hi, My name is Roya and I’ve been a Director of Giggle and Grow since January 2021. I was born and raised in Northern Iran and moved to Arizona in 2009. I’m a proud mom of one teenage boy, Mahan and a dedicated wife to my supportive husband for almost 23 years.

I obtained my Batchelor of Science in Psychology from the Arizona State of University with a minor in Early Childhood Education. I earned my Master of Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Grand Canyon University in 2020. Working with children has always been my passion and during my internship, I have realized that this is going to be the field that I would love to spend my future.

Before my current position, I have been a Child Developmental Specialist at Southwest Human Development for five years and prior that, I have been a lead teacher and a language tutor for 4 years. During years of education and experience in the field, I genuinely enjoyed the content and engaging with children and their families.

Naydia Pershard

Room: Cuddle Bugs

Hello, my name is Naydia Pershard and I’m honored to say I’m a new lead in Cuddle Bugs! I live in Gilbert, AZ but I’m originally from Michigan. I’ve taken care of kiddos for 10+ Years, 3 years of which has been in daycare setting ranging from toddlers to preschoolers, but I’m so trilled to take care f your babies. Teachers are the 2nd biggest supporters of children, and I am thankful I can support your children and watch them grow and learn along the way.

Verenise Blanco

Room: Dragonflies

My name is Verenise Blanco, Vere for short. I’m a 22-year-old Californian, born and raised in the beautiful city of San Diego. I’m a newlywed with only 7 months of marriage. Since high school I started shadowing a second-grade teacher and helping in my school’s daycare. After high school, I got my bachelor’s degree in pedagogy in the Biblical Baptist Institute Outreach in Tijuana, Mexico. In those four years of Bible college, I had the opportunity to work as a teacher at Bethel Baptist Academy. Bethel Baptist Academy is an American accredited school down in Tijuana, Mexico that helps children who unfortunately because of their parents’ immigration status are forced to leave their studies. I worked as second grade teacher for two years. A third-grade teacher for one year. I also worked half a year with fourth graders and the other half with the first graders. I’m currently, and have been for many years now, a Sunday School teacher at my church and nursery. As you can read, I love and enjoy working with children! It is something I highly value and I’m truly passionate about!

Destiny Fausett

Room: Caterpillars #1

Hello! I am Destiny Fausett and one of the teachers at Giggles and Grow. I am a mom of a sweet baby boy and the oldest of seven kids. I am 22 years old born and raised in Arizona. I have always been around children and babies all my life. I love caring for them because they bring out my inner imagination and their minds need shaped for the future. I am a GCU student currently going to school to become a teacher so I can continue to shape young minds.

Gabriella Vazquez

Room: Caterpillars #2

My name is Gabriella Vazquez and I am happy to be an additional to giggle and grow staff. My passion for children began when I was 18 years old, I always enjoy being around babies and kids. I been working at giggle and grow since 2018, I love seeing them grow and learn everyday fills my heart with joy. I look forward to seeing all the children grow as they make new discoveries and I hope to continue to have a positive impact on their learning!

Daissy

Room: Bumblebees #1

Hi everyone, My name is Daissy. I am23 years old. I was born in Mexico, and I came here to the US when I was 4. A little about myself: During my free time, I love to color and paint. I love to travel and go on adventures. I have about four years of experience being a lead teacher. I have worked with all age groups ranging from infant to school age. My favorite group to work with are the two-year-old! They are so funny and amazing little humans. I’m really excited to start a new chapter of life in here with the kiddos of Giggle and Grow!

Aleizia Santiel

Room: Bumblebees #2

Hello! My name is Aleizia Santiel, and I am the full-time lead teacher of Bumble Bee 2. I have been a part of Giggle and Grow since September of 2020. A little bit about myself…I am 20 years old, and I currently attend Mesa Community College. I am majoring in Biology to become a Pediatric Physician’s Assistant. In my free time I like to paint, journal, hike, shop, do yoga, meditate, and study spirituality. I have 5 years of childcare experience, 4 of them come from being a professional nanny and the other year is from being a Lead Teacher here at Giggle and Grow. I am a believer that every child is different and unique in the way that they grow, and my goal is to help your child learn and discover both themselves and the world around them through education.

Amiah Hill

Room: Butterflies

My name is Amiah Hill, I relocated to Gilbert, Arizona from Dallas, Texas in the beginning of August 2021. I have worked with children for 3 1/2 years, ranging from infants all the way to after schoolers. Before working here at Giggle and Grow Preschool, I was a Pre-k Teacher at Primrose of Wylie Texas. I am currently a full-time student at Grand Canyon University and my major is early childhood education. Teaching is something that I have had a passion for ever since I was a child. My favorite quote is “The soul is healed by being with children” by Fyodor Dostoevsky. I am happy to say that I am now the new lead teacher of the Butterfly room! I am more than grateful for the opportunity to love and teach your little ones.

Hafsa Abdulle

Room: Grasshoppers

My name is Hafsa Abdulle. I am 22 years old and currently live in Gilbert Arizona! I am a recent Mesa Community College grad with an Associate in Early Childhood Education. I have lived most of my life in Gilbert Arizona but I’m originally from California. While I was at Mesa Community College, I had the opportunity to TA for a kindergarten class for one semester and before that I was a math tutor for Grades K-12! I love teaching kids and watching them grow and am grateful to have the opportunity to watch your children here at Giggle and Grow!