“They are themselves so full of the spirit of inquiry, so sensitive to every sign of its presence and absence, that no matter what they do, nor how they do it, they succeed in awakening and inspiring like alert and intense mental activity in those with whom they come in contact.”
Meet Our Team
Director
Melissa Scott
“What I adore about children is their authenticity; their fearless commitment to feeling their feelings, wondering together, and moving through life open to beauty and joy.”
Melissa first called Albuquerque home in 2016 after nearly a decade migrating from east coast to west. Despite brief forays into anthropology and journalism, she kept circling back to early childhood education. “I love this field: The people, the struggles, the joy, and the mess. Caring for kids while caring for ourselves and one another - I can’t imagine doing anything else.” Her passion for child care stems from her own experiences as a young child. “I was fortunate to have supportive and loving parents, but even so, my early years were hard. Life was just a little too much, too intense.” She created Pando to realize her vision for a space where children can be seen and loved in all their complexity, and where adults grow their capacity for joy. When she’s not at Pando, Melissa leans into her introverted side, relishing quiet time with her own young children, husband, and extended family.
Program MAnager
Fernando Vidal
“It’s not about what you do with your life, it’s about finding where you belong.”
Fernando grew up in Sonora, Mexico, and spent his childhood straddling two worlds - his extended family enjoyed pools and paid help, and his immediate family lived in a neighborhood where butchering your own chicken for dinner was routine. “I have seen both sides, and I don’t judge anyone.” Through his formative years, his grandfather ensured Fernando’s life was filled with moments of joy. These early experiences, coupled with an intense period in his early adulthood, guide his work with children, families, and teachers: “I want to give back some of what I experienced in my own childhood. I want the first experiences of the children in our care to be positive and happy. We all deserve the opportunity to find where we belong.” In 2013 Fernando moved to the United States, married, and returned to school, retaking the math, physics, and computer science courses he had previously completed in Mexico. Fernando joins Pando with expertise in management, bookkeeping, and computer science. Fernando is bilingual in both Spanish and English.
Educator
Robert Chavez
“Children have taught me how to imagine.”
Robert has been a caregiver his whole career, working with infants as young as 3-months-old and elderly people as old as 105. His favorite age group is preschool-age children: “Working with children is a huge part of my life. It’s just who I am and I can’t imagine not doing. Their smiles bring me so much joy.” Robert grew up in Albuquerque and Isleta with his parents and many siblings. His dad has been a positive mentor and coach every step of the way, and he continues to be very close with his family. When he’s not teaching he loves to go fishing, hunting, continue his daily jiu jitsu practice, and draw.
Educator
Alex Rodriguez
“I love seeing how children’s brains work and watching them turn into the people they will become. I teach so I can be a voice for kids if they need help and give them love in a way that I didn’t receive.”
Alex was born and raised in Albuquerque by her grandparents in a big family with lots of siblings. Her childhood taught her the importance of love and advocacy in the lives of young children. In 2023, she had her son Xion, and that becoming a mother has been profoundly positive and transformative. “He is the love of my life, and gives me purpose and peace.” When she’s not wrangling her opinionated and good humored baby, she’s crocheting, cooking, baking, and taking pre-med night classes. She hopes to use her experiences at Pando to pursue a career in pediatric medicine.
Educator
Jamila Yaska
“I fall in love with my students every time I talk to them. When I see them laugh with their friends I’m filled with joy.”
Jamila first discovered her passion for early childhood education in her role as the cool aunt. “My family always told me it takes a village,” and from a young age, her family encouraged and appreciated her support caring for her niece and nephew. Jamila’s first language is sign language, and her experience having a deaf mother and a niece with down syndrome shape how she thinks about inclusion within the classroom. “I want to be someone I didn’t have when I was young, and also be like the great teachers that supported me growing up.” When she isn’t teaching, Jamila likes to go to the gym, fish, go off-roading, or spend quality time with her family and friends. She hopes to continue teaching long into the future and would like to one day have a ranch with chickens.
Educator
Victoria Monagle
“I never realized how much I loved people until I started spending time with children.”
Victoria grew up in El Paso, Texas and spent the last 10 years working at national parks and pursuing a career in archaeology. She is passionate about the environment, animals, plants, gardening, and art, and these passions show up in everything she does. After having her first child in 2018, she quickly realized that children bring her more joy than anything else and she began to hone her skills on cultivating enriching environments for her own children.
Victoria’s teaching is informed by her experiences as a mother; her children have shown her that every person is deeply unique, and when this is celebrated and encouraged, children blossom. “As we get older, we stop living so freely and tend to mask up for society, but children are so ready to share who they are with everyone.” Victoria is someone who spends time listening to children and engaging with their curiosities. She is eager to share her love of nature, animals, and art in Pando’s outdoor spaces, and facilitate a fun and hands-on learning environment for children.
Educator
Ricquel Gutierrez
“I love teaching children new things and watching them grow into their own person. Seeing them happy fills me with joy.”
The most important people in Ricquel’s life are her parents and loved ones. They are her biggest supporters, pushing her to be the best version of herself, and without them, she wouldn’t be the kind, generous person she is today. She hopes to build a career in early childhood education and looks forward to pursuing higher education. In her free time she loves going to the movies, paints, and spends time with her family. She appreciates a good seafood boil, and aspires to one day have a farm filled with animals, children, and love.
Educator
Maddie Gilster
Introduction coming soon!
Educator
Megda-Lyn Freestone
Introduction coming soon!
Educator
Joan Roberts Garcia
Introduction coming soon!