Staff
Todd Hioki
Director + Teacher
Todd Hioki M.A. is the founder and director of Magnolia Community Preschool. For twenty years he taught at Pacific Oaks Children’s school and was the master teacher for the Infant/Toddler Parent Program and the 3–4-year-old program.
He has taught at a number of colleges including UCLA extension, Santa Monica College, Mission College, and Pacific Oaks College. As a preschool teacher, he designs and implements progressive play-based education, incorporating the principals of emergent curriculum, experiential learning, and anti-bias practice. He was a 2014 Teach with Africa Fellow and a 2019 UCLA Extension Instructor of the Year.
From 2018–2020, Todd participated in Dr. Allan Schore’s bi-weekly study group on the neurobiology of intersubjectivity in adult trauma and child development. He is currently enrolled in the Saybrook Ph.D. program in humanistic psychology and is a 2022 Rollo May Scholarship awardee. He recently participated in the 2024 Reggio Emilia study group in Italy to deepen his understanding of the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education. In his spare time, he enjoys woodworking and designs toys, equipment, and furniture for the preschool classroom.
Beth Nakatsui
Pedogogista + Lead Teacher
Beth Nakatsui, M.A., is a seasoned educator at Magnolia Community Preschool, joining the team in Fall 2024. With over 20 years of experience in early childhood education, she has taught diverse student populations ranging from 3 months to 18 years, both in the U.S. and internationally. Beth’s educational philosophy is deeply rooted in the belief that children are curious and competent learners.
She holds a Master's Degree in Leadership in Early Childhood Education from Pacific Oaks College, a B.S. in Liberal Studies from Cal Poly Pomona, and an A.S. in Child Development from Mt. San Antonio College. Beth integrates Resources for Infant Educators (RIE) practices into her teaching, focusing also on early intervention and special education. She places significant emphasis on the theories and practices of the Reggio Emilia approach, having studied directly under a Pedagogista and Atelieristas from the Reggio schools in Italy, and served as Lead Teacher at Growing Place in Santa Monica for 7 years.
Her contributions extend to being a frequent speaker at educational conferences, where she highlights the inspiring work of children. Her dedication to advancing the field of early childhood education will enrich Magnolia Community Preschool’s program and community.
Mariela Dieguez
Teacher
Mariela brings a rich blend of creative energy and educational expertise to our preschool team. With a Bachelor's degree in Visual and Performing Arts and Biology from California State University San Marcos and an Associate in Child Development from Miracosta Community College, she has a solid foundation in both the arts and sciences that she integrates into our curriculum.
Mariela's passion for education is matched by her artistic talents as a Freelance Artist and Illustrator. She has a keen eye for design and has created various commissioned works that showcase her ability to bring concepts to life. Her role as a creator and director of Homeland Stories and Escorpio Stories Podcast reveals her talent for storytelling and engaging with diverse communities, enhancing her ability to connect with children and their families on multiple levels.
As a bilingual professional, fluent in Spanish, Mariela has a history of supporting ESL students and contributing to community education on critical social justice issues. Her volunteer work with California Latinas for Reproductive Justice underscores her commitment to advocacy and community engagement. Mariela's multifaceted skills are a testament to her dynamic approach to preschool education, making her an invaluable member of our team.
Leah Hioki
Founder + Teacher
Leah graduated with a degree in Visual Communications from CSULA, which has served as a springboard for varied roles such as managing her own business and spearheading community initiatives for a regional non-profit. Her journey in Early Childhood Education (ECE) began at Santa Monica College and she is committed to ongoing development in this field.
She recently participated in a workshop facilitated by Tiziana Filippini of Reggio Children, focusing on outdoor learning environments. The insights gained from this event have subtly shaped Leah's educational approach, now infused with the principles of the Reggio Emilia approach that encourage exploration and cooperative learning.
In her downtime, Leah is fond of taking nature walks, documenting her senior dog's adventures on Instagram, and actively seeks out new learning opportunities in ECE through courses and mentorship.
Susan Tesler
Volunteer
Susan Tesler holds an MBA and worked many years for the Santa Monica/ Malibu School district. She then transitioned to work as a teacher for Village Glen School. After twelve years, she continues to volunteer for the Getty Art Museum.