About Mrs. Laura & Mr. Genji

Loving to teach and loving to learn go hand in hand at Dandelion.  Our passions for child development, children, and teaching have come together to form unique educational experiences for young children.  We believe that the learning process is ever-evolving and that the child plays a vital role in his or her own learning.  Through collaborative exploration and mutual respect, Dandelion builds strong bonds with each child, their families, and the community as a whole.

Our director, Laura Montoya, has worked in early childhood education (ECE) for the last 19 years.  She graduated from UCLA with a B.S. in Psychobiology and a minor in Applied Developmental Psychology.  It was during her internship at the Krieger UCLA Child Care Center when she fell in love with educating and caring for young children.  In addition, Laura is a singer and musician, playing piano, violin, trumpet, guitar, and ukulele.   She loves bringing her passions for science and music into her work with children and has been tutoring and teaching music for over 20 years.  Laura has a Masters of Arts in  Early Childhood Education from Loyola Marymount University.  Laura has also presented at statewide education conferences such as CAEYC and has training as a PITC (Program for Infant/Toddler Care) trainer.  

Genji Nakano has been working in early childhood education for the past 17 years.  He received his ECE units through UCLA Extension.   A talented artist and muralist, Genji loves inspiring children to create through art.  Throughout the year you will see the classroom transform into wonderful imaginative worlds that follow the children’s interests.  Genji also brings a focus of construction and building to the Dandelion team. Lego, blocks, magnatiles, and woodworking are just a few of Mr. Genji’s favorite tools to get children thinking and creating.  In addition to preschool teaching he has taught piano and guitar for over 20 years and has worked with the Culver City YMCA summer camps and Sports Club LA day care program.  Genji is also an accomplished singer-songwriter, musician, music composer/arranger and Expert Lego Master!

Together, they strive to make Dandelion an experience where learning is transformative and fun!