Our Teachers

Hilltop is staffed by fully qualified, enthusiastic and caring professionals all of whom have extensive training and background in the field of child development, possess CPR/ First Aid Certification, and are active participants in professional workshops in order to enhance their knowledge, growth and development as teachers guiding young children and their parents.

Lynette Anderson, Director

Lynette began her early childhood career caring for children in her home-based childcare service. Moving on after many years, she received her certificate in Early Childhood Education through UCLA Extension and started teaching at Hilltop as a Pre-K teacher in 1999. In 2003 she became the school's director and has since been providing Hilltop with a unique community and child-based spirit.

Lynette resides in Fountain Valley with her husband Bob and their 3 children.

Alissa Baltodano

Alissa was a licensed childcare provider prior to her first exposure to Hilltop as a co-op parent. She was so inspired by the program that she completed her early childhood education certification through UCLA Extension. She has been a co-teacher for the last several years in both Pre-K and Co-op. As a parent of a child with special needs, Alissa brings a valuable perspective to her early childhood teaching. She also adds an artist's sense of aesthetic and deep sensitivity to Hilltop.

Alissa lives with her husband and 2 children within our local community.

Malia Daguio-Silversmith

Malia spent most of her career in alternative medicine, helping others to experience and express the best of who they are physically, mentally and spiritually through massage therapy and meditation.

She began working in education when she home schooled her two nieces and furthered this work as a working parent at Hilltop 2003-2007. She found such joy and fun in working with the children that she began her new path through the early childhood education program at Vanguard University in the summer of 2007.

Malia is the mother of 3 boys, stepmother of 2 boys and 1 girl and has been caretaker and teacher of 2 nieces and a nephew. She lives in Fountain Valley and is married to her husband whom she has known since grade school.

Jennie Ivy

Jennie has been working with young children for many years. She is our true veteran early childhood educator and in 2003 she chose to bring her experience and knowledge to Hilltop. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies from California State University Long Beach and also has a Children's Center Teaching Permit. Jennie has a deep understanding of young children and a gift for helping them to express their needs.

Jennie resides in Huntington Beach with her husband Mike and their 3 sons.

Sarah McConville

Sarah came to Hilltop in the fall of 2010 after graduating from Cal State Long Beach and receiving her Bachelor Degree in Child Development and Family Studies. She has been babysitting children for the past 10 years, and at Cal State Long Beach, she was an assistant teacher in the toddler room of the child care program. She plans on going back for her master's degree within the next year, but for now, she is enjoying her time at Hilltop and all of the new experiences it has to offer!

Sarah resides in Costa Mesa with her family.

Anthonette Vicencio

Anthonette graduated from San Diego State University with her Bachelor Degree in Child and Family Development and also has a Child Development Site Supervisor Permit. Her work in early childhood began in 1996. She continued working in private and public preschool settings through 2004. After having her first child, she left the education profession to raise a family.

In 2008, she came to Hilltop as a co-op parent and two years later, became the Blossom's assistant teacher. Anthonette brings a playfulness and a hunger for shared learning to the classroom.

Anthonette resides in Los Angeles County with her husband and their 2 children.