About Us

Director, owner, preschool teacher

Miss Funes (pronounced “FOO-nez”) has been working at Discoveryland for 32 years, starting as a teacher and eventually becoming director. She holds an A.S. and a B.S. in early childhood education and a B.S. in liberal studies from Pacific Union College and a child development program director permit from the state of California. As director, Miss Funes works with children of all ages at the preschool. 

Miss Funes enjoys spending time with family and friends. She also loves hiking, camping, backpacking, and biking—in fact, she loves the outdoors so much that she bought a convertible to feel the open air as she drives.

Pre-kindergarten teacher 

Miss Jackie is the assistant director and pre-kindergarten teacher at Discoveryland. She has been working with children for 35 years—two and a half years as a home daycare provider, six years at PUC Elementary, and the rest at Discoveryland. She holds an A.S. and a B.S. in early childhood education from PUC and a child development site supervisor permit from the state of California.

Miss Jackie says she was spoiled with love as a child. She is a big fan of nature—she loves camping, and does everything she can to help preserve and protect all living things. Two of her favorite living things are Peanut and Pearl, her Jack Russell terriers.

Two's teacher

Mrs. Mika teaches the 2-year-olds at Discoveryland. She has 34 years of experience working with children—24 years at Discoveryland, and 10 years at a preschool and a kindergarten in Japan. She earned a B.S. in education with an emphasis in early childhood in Japan,  She also holds a child development teacher’s permit from the state of California.

Mrs. Mika comes from Hiroshima City, Japan. She enjoys crafts like knitting. She loves dogs and has two of them—as well as a husband and daughter.

Infant/toddlers

Ms. Jones is the teacher for infants and toddlers at Discoveryland Preschool in Angwin. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Pacific Union College in 2011 and holds a Site Supervisor permit from the state of California. She has been working for Discoveryland for about fourteen years, three of which were in St. Helena. She began working for Discoveryland as a student worker.  

“I love working with children,” she says. “The thing I love seeing when I come to work is the bright smiles and happiness on the children’s faces and watching them grow throughout the school year.” In her free time, she enjoys crafts of all many kinds, cooking, and spending time with family. Ms. Jones also loves animals—especially dogs.