Welcome to Peace Lutheran Preschool
I’m Rachael Ylizaliturri, Preschool Director and lifelong advocate for joyful, faith-filled learning. I believe in creating a classroom community where every child feels safe, seen, and excited to explore the world God has created. Working closely with our teachers and families, I strive to make Peace Lutheran Preschool a place where small moments spark big growth and where Christ’s love is at the center of all we do.
We are deeply committed to supporting both children and families with compassion, curiosity, and a focus on helping every child grow with confidence in who God made them to be. We aren’t just a preschool — we are a Christ-centered community.
My husband, Kevin, and I have been members of Peace Lutheran Church since 2008, and I have had the joy of serving as the Preschool Director here, since 2015. Our son is a proud 2016 graduate of Peace Lutheran Preschool, which makes serving this community even more meaningful for our family. Outside of school, we are very much an outdoor family—we love camping, being near the water, and exploring new places whenever we can.
Welcome to the Jellyfish room! My name is Maria Guerra, and I am a teacher at Peace Lutheran Preschool, where I specialize in creating a nurturing and safe environment to foster child development through play-based learning. I have worked at Peace for 5 years, and I love helping little learners grow in confidence, curiosity, and with the love of Jesus. I was born and raised in California and have been happily married for 8 years now, and I have a happy and energetic 2-year-old boy. I am currently attending Oxnard College to get my Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education. Some of my hobbies include reading and spending time with my family. I love to spend time with as many kids as I can and making learning fun!
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Luke 18:16
Hello! My name is Reyna Zapata. I am the Teacher in our Dolphin Room here at Peace Lutheran Preschool.
I started my career working in early education in 2022. When it comes to my educational background I currently hold three Associate degrees in Social and Behavioral Sciences, General Child Development, and Early Childhood Development, and I recently graduated from California State University, Northridge with my Bachelor’s degree in Child Development, with an emphasis on Early Education.
In my personal time, I love going to the beach with my dog Lucy. I am also a very family-oriented person. We are huge Disney lovers and take any opportunity to be at Disneyland with my nephew, creating many new magical memories.
In my classroom, my number one goal is to nurture a safe, loving environment that is guided by God's love for all. I strive to give each child the opportunity to learn at their own pace while helping them develop proper social skills. I believe that a strong connection between home and school is essential, and I always welcome and cherish family involvement in our classroom. I am a firm believer that young children learn the most through play. Because of this, I foster their development by creating age-appropriate activities that pique their interest, giving each child the opportunity to learn the presented information in their own unique way.
