Our Team

All about me
I love spending my time reading, playing with hot wheels, dinosaurs and going to the park to meet new friends with my son. Prior to finding Play Makers, I worked as a practicum student at Pierce College and I fell in love with play based learning. Since being here, my son talks about how much fun he has with his best friends at school and how he really likes all of his teachers. I’m thankful to be a part of a this school where I can help make a difference in a child’s life as well their family.

Experience
I have over 10 years of experience working with young children in a daycare, after school program and school settings. I’ve spent time volunteering with LINC Housing helping students with homework and tutoring. I also have experience working as a Behavioral Therapist.

Education
✓ I received my associates degree in Liberal Arts in 2011 at Antelope Valley College. I also have 20 units in American Sign Language and Deaf studies. After having my son in 2020, I decided to return to school to study child development. I just completed all units required for an Associate Degree in child development on December 1st, 2023.

About me
I grew up here in Santa Clarita but lived in Italy for two years. I have three cats and one amazing daughter.

Experience
I started working with students during high school when I was 16 years old and fell in love with the whole experience. I worked in the Aba field for the past 8 years.

Education
I went to college of the canyons and then transferred to Santa Monica college to further my education in the early childhood education and biology.

Experience
I’ve always had a passion for child development and working with children. I’ve cared for children from infancy through school age and found that I loved the early childhood stages. I started at Playmakers in July of 2023.

Educational Background
I completed my AA in Psychology in 2021 and recently graduated in May with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. I’m currently pursuing a Masters degree in Early Childhood Educational Psychology and have completed over 12 units in early childhood courses!

Know about me
I was born and raised in Watsonville, California and moved to Southern California around 2012. I used to be a dog trainer and in my spare time I enjoy teaching my two Shar-peis new tricks! I also love to read, spend time with my family, and try new foods!

I have been a preschool facilitator for little iLEADers for a little over 3 months. I have worked in child care since 2001. I’ve lived almost my entire life in the Santa Clarita Valley. I now live in Frazier Park with my fiance Tom who’s a plumber and our 2 kids Elijah & Alex. On the weekends we go on family hikes and visit the local skate park. Our number one love is going camping.

I grew up in Castaic in a very large family. My husband, Matthew, and I have two children, Mackenzie and Jace, ages seven and four. We love to travel. We live in Elizabeth Lake. We have two German shepherds and two cats. I am obsessed with crafting, home decorating, and being with my family. I started working with children my junior year of high school through a work-study program, then immediately attended college, where I completed 33 early childhood education units. I also am certified in first aid and CPR. I now have more than 10 years of experience and have been a part of the PlayMakers Preschool family since February 2018. I am so happy to say that I found my tribe!

I’m a facilitator for iCREATE here at PlayMakers Preschool. I’ve been working for iCREATE since 2019. I have three units of Early Childhood Education. I am attending College of the Canyons to receive my associate’s degree in ECE. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family.

I was raised in the Santa Clarita Valley along with my older brother. I received my bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from California State University, Northridge. While attending College of the Canyons for my early childhood education units, I found my passion for teaching preschool. Prior to joining PlayMakers Preschool, I was SCVi’s After-School Program Coordinator for four years, working with children in grades TK-8. In my spare time, I enjoy going to the movies and theme parks, reading, photography, and especially spending time with my family and friends.

I am a facilitator here in the Blue Room at PlayMakers Preschool. I have 18 units in early childhood education, psychology, and CPI training. I also, have training and experience as an Applied Behavioral Therapist working with children with disabilities.

I moved to Santa Clarita from the San Francisco area when I was seven years old. I grew up here in Santa Clarita with my older sister, Elizabeth. I started playing softball when I was 12 years old, played on travel teams and then went on to play for Hart High School. From Hart, I went to College of the Canyons, where I studied psychology and early childhood education. I enjoy spending my weekends with family, friends my boyfriend (Curtis) and my dog (Bentley). I have worked at PlayMakers Preschool since May 31, 2018. I have three nieces who go to SCVi. I have been working in the field for 10 years.

I am so happy you’ve taken some time out of your day to learn more about PlayMakers Preschool! I am the program director here, and I can tell you this is the best school I’ve worked for, hands-down, and the philosophy is so appropriate for young children! There are numerous studies showing how play-based learning is the way in which children are inspired to become lifelong learners.

I have been working in early childhood education for 20 years, and I’ve had the pleasure of serving families as both a teacher and administrator. I have my BA in psychology from California State University, Northridge, and my MS in child development. My favorite part of the job of director is both mentoring staff as well as partnering with families to provide education and care specific to their child’s needs. I also really enjoy hosting special events around the school: Grandparents Day, summer picnics, and the Holiday Open House, just to name a few.

I was raised mostly in Santa Clarita Valley, and being part of the small town of Castaic means a lot to my family and me. My husband, Roy, and I are high school sweethearts, and we have two children, Mariah and Cruz. Aside from being passionate about the child development field, I value most my role as a mom and I will always put my family first. In our family free time we’re always out at the lake soaking up the sun and enjoying water sports! Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. My email address is candice.correa@playmakerspreschool.org. Have a fantastic day!

My name is Wendy Ruiz. I am honored to be a part of the PlayMakers Preschool family!

I have lived in Santa Clarita Valley since 1995 with my husband, Robert, and three boys, Ryan, Riley, and Ramsey. We are proud to say that we are one of the founding families of SCVi.

My professional experience spans from working directly with children ages 12 weeks through 5 years, working as a program coordinator and curriculum specialist, to training staff and programs in the areas of open-ended curriculum, natural play spaces, and infant/toddler development, to name a few. I was the Director of Infant/Toddler Programs for College of the Canyons Center for ECE, Lab School for 11 years, and am currently a full-time faculty member, specializing in Infant/Toddler Development and Supervision of Early Childhood Programs. In addition, I am an Infant/Toddler Specialist for PITC (Program for Infants, Toddlers and Caregivers) and the Department of West Ed, as well as Director Mentor and Mentor Selection Committee Member for the California Mentor Teacher Program. I sit as Week of the Young Play Day Chair for the board of the Southern California Valley Association for the Education of Young Children (SCVAEYC) and have organized the WYOC Play Day for over 10 years.

I received my BA in Child Development from California State University, Northridge, and my MS in Child Development/Child Life from the University of La Verne.

Thank you for taking a few minutes to get to know me. I look forward to getting to know you, too! Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions. You can reach me at wendy.ruiz@playmakerspreschool.org.