Mary Smith, Director/Teacher

Mary has been a teacher at Bright Days Preschool since the fall of 2002, but joined the Bright Days Community in 1995 with the enrollment of her first child. All four of her children have since graduated from Bright Days. Mary received her Child Development Director Permit from the State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing in the spring of 2008. Mary obtained a Bachelor of Science Computer Science Degree from Santa Clara University in 1983 and obtained her Early Childhood coursework from West Valley College. Mary’s interests include cooking, reading, science and exercise.

Nina (Leinetta) Swain, Teacher/Office Administrator

Nina has been a teacher at Bright Days Preschool since the fall of 1996. Prior to working at Bright Days, Nina worked in the Children’s Center of West Valley College for five years. Nina received her Child Development Associate Teacher Permit from the State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing in the spring of 2005. Nina earned an Associate of Science Degree in Child Studies and a Certificate of Proficiency in Early Childhood Education, both from West Valley College. Nina’s interests include all kinds of dancing, from African to Salsa.

Chandra Portera, Teacher

Chandra has been a teacher at Bright Days preschool since the fall of 1999. Prior to working at Bright Days, Chandra’s background included four years of experience as a preschool director. Chandra has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Developmental Psychology and a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Child Development from California State University, Chico. Chandra’s two daughters are graduates of Bright Days Preschool. Chandra’s interests include scuba diving with her family, gardening and photography.

Janice Schlager, Teacher

Janice has been a teacher at Bright Days Preschool since its inception as a one day a week Children’s Day Out community service program in 1993. Janice was part of the original teaching staff when Bright Days was licensed in the fall of 1994. Prior to teaching at Bright Days, Janice was actively involved in a co-op preschool with all four of her children and teaching “Littlest Angels”, a music program for young children. Janice earned a Certificate of Merit in Early Childhood Education from West Valley College in 1997 and received her Child Development Teacher Permit from the State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing in the spring of 2008. Janice’s interests include singing, crafting, gardening and reading.

Kristine Rutledge, Teacher/ Curriculum Coordinator

Kristine has been a teacher at Bright Days Preschool since the fall of 2005. Prior to working at Bright Days, Kristine taught for 3 years at a private, non-profit preschool and assisted at De Anza College’s Child Development Center. Kristine earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Development from San Jose State University in 2003. Kristine received her Child Development Site Supervisor Permit from the State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing in the summer of 2005. Kristine has 2 children; her youngest attends Bright Days Preschool. Kristine’s interests include scrap booking and reading.

Lisa Denicore-Ballejo, Teacher

Lisa began teaching at Bright Days in the fall of 2008. Lisa earned her Certificate of Achievement in Early Childhood Education in 1985 and her Associate of Arts Degree in 1986, both from San Jose City College. Prior to working at Bright Days, Lisa has over 20 years teaching experience working with young children at a number of local Community City Preschool Centers. Lisa’s interests include spending time with family, watching her son’s little league baseball games and cross country meets, having long conversations with her daughters and attending Early Childhood Workshops and Seminars.