Deidre Nordel, Executive Director and co-owner of Launch Pad Learning, brings more than four decades of experience in early childhood education and childcare leadership. Throughout her career, she has remained deeply committed to creating high-quality early learning environments where children can thrive, and families feel supported. She holds a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and has dedicated her professional life to expanding access to meaningful early learning opportunities.

Deidre’s passion for early childhood education is rooted in her own personal journey. As a young mother pursuing a degree in Physics, she relied on a state-funded childcare program to continue her education. That experience profoundly shaped her understanding of how essential accessible childcare is for families striving to build better futures. It also inspired her lifelong commitment to ensuring that other families have the same opportunities.

Today, Deidre works closely with the leadership team to guide the vision and mission of Launch Pad Learning. She is especially dedicated to helping families access early education through state and community programs, and she takes great pride in ensuring that many children at the school receive free or subsidized care. Her work reflects a deep belief that every child deserves a strong educational foundation, regardless of their family’s circumstances.

Under Deidre’s leadership, Launch Pad Learning continues to grow as a welcoming, high-quality early learning community that supports both children and the families it serves.

Outside of her professional work, Deidre enjoys gardening, cooking, traveling, and crocheting.

Netsanet "Netsi" Lessanework serves as the Preschool Director of Launch Pad Learning in Hawthorne, where she leads with a commitment to creating a safe, nurturing, and high-quality early learning environment for children, families, and educators. Her leadership focuses on building strong school systems, supporting teachers, and fostering a collaborative culture that allows every child to thrive.

Netsi believes that early childhood education should nurture the whole child socially, emotionally, cognitively, and physically. She emphasizes learning through play, exploration, and meaningful relationships with caring educators. Under her leadership, classrooms are designed to be inclusive, engaging, and responsive to each child’s unique background and learning style.

She approaches curriculum development with a focus on developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive practices, drawing on research-based frameworks such as Creative Curriculum. Through classroom observations, child assessments, and close collaboration with teachers, she ensures instruction supports the diverse needs of learners while strengthening school readiness and confidence in young children.

A strong advocate for educator growth, Netsi is deeply committed to supporting her teaching staff through coaching, professional development, and ongoing mentorship. By modeling effective strategies and creating individualized development plans, she helps teachers strengthen their practice and build classrooms where children feel supported and inspired to learn.

Netsi holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and Management and a Bachelor’s degree in Child Development from Michigan State University. Her professional experience includes early childhood program management, curriculum implementation, regulatory compliance, and staff leadership.

She finds the greatest joy in watching children develop confidence and curiosity while helping educators grow in their profession. Netsi's vision is to continue strengthening Launch Pad Learning as a high-quality early learning community that prepares children for lifelong learning while building strong partnerships with families and the surrounding community.

Empathetic and detail-oriented, Ms. Violeta Ruiz has dedicated the past 24 years to early childhood education, serving as a teacher, assistant director, and director before stepping into her current role as Assistant Director and Office Manager at LPL Hawthorne. With a steadfast belief that young children learn best when they feel safe, stimulated, and included, she works behind the scenes to ensure every aspect of our program, from curriculum planning to daily operations, supports a nurturing learning environment.

Ms. Violeta’s philosophy centers on empowering each child: by fostering trust and respect, she helps them develop confidence and curiosity. She finds immense joy in witnessing the excitement on little faces when they accomplish a new skill or discover something for the first time. This enthusiasm fuels her commitment to excellence in both administrative leadership and early education.

Beyond the office, Ms. Violeta is an avid lover of music and dance, often incorporating rhythm and movement ideas into staff training and family events. She recharges through hiking, camping, and exploring new destinations, experiences that inform her drive to bring fresh ideas and energy to the preschool. Inspired by her favorite motto, “It takes a big heart to help little minds grow,” Ms. Violeta continually strives to refine our center’s practices and foster a community where every child, and every teacher, can flourish.

Ms. Hannah Kern is a devoted early childhood educator with a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education and eight years of hands-on experience, currently inspiring young learners in the Quest Room at Launch Pad Learning Hawthorne. Drawing on her passion for art, nature, music, and reading, she crafts integrative lesson plans that invite children to express themselves creatively while building language and social skills. Whether leading a nature-themed painting project, hosting a storytelling circle accompanied by guitar, or transforming the classroom into an impromptu art studio, Ms. Hannah ensures that learning feels like play.

Central to her teaching philosophy is the belief that “every child deserves a nurturing, play-based environment where they can explore and develop at their own pace.” She carefully observes each child’s interests and adapts activities, from sensory art experiments to outdoor scavenger hunts, to honor individual learning styles. Ms. Hannah’s favorite classroom moments often involve witnessing a child’s confidence blossom: a toddler proudly naming their first painted flower or a quiet learner joining the group song.

Raised on Catalina Island, Ms. Hannah carries a deep reverence for the natural world into her teaching, organizing mini-expeditions to collect leaves, rocks, and seashells that become sparks for classroom projects. In her personal time, she paints plein-air landscapes, hikes coastal trails for inspiration, practices guitar chords, and devours children’s books for fresh storytelling ideas.

Committed to lifelong growth, Ms. Hannah is pursuing advanced training in emergent literacy and expressive arts therapy. She dreams of publishing her own curriculum guide that seamlessly weaves art, language, and environmental exploration. With Maya Angelou’s wisdom, “Play is the shortest route between children and their creative calling”, as her guiding light, Ms. Hannah continually strives to create joyful, curiosity-kindling spaces where every child’s imagination can take flight.

Imaginative and compassionate, Ms. Joyce Hart-Pope has dedicated the past 17 years to nurturing young learners across all early childhood stages, from infants and toddlers to Pre‑K. She began her academic journey with four years of Liberal Arts college study and deepened her expertise by completing over 28 units of Early Childhood Education coursework at Los Angeles Harbor College. For the last five years, Ms. Joyce has specialized in Pre‑K, weaving together her passions for yoga, literature, and art into a creative curriculum. Every day starts with a “Sun Salutation” yoga practice that helps children center themselves and build body awareness. She curates a themed classroom library and maintains a “buddy bucket” of plush friends to enhance story time, fostering both a love of reading and social connection.

Ms Joyce’s teaching philosophy centers on providing a safe, loving, and stimulating environment where children are free to explore, experiment, and question at their own pace. She believes that through a hands‑on, culturally inclusive approach, every child can discover their strengths, embrace challenges, and develop self‑confidence.

Beyond the classroom, Ms Joyce is an avid reader, storyteller, and puppeteer. She practices daily meditation, enjoys dancing to world music, and spends weekends exploring art galleries and museums. A health and nutrition enthusiast, her kitchen overflow with fresh veggies, herbs, and an extensive herbal tea collection. She’s also proud to support her son’s art illustration and costume design events throughout the year.

Guided by her favorite quote, “Peter, what if I fall? Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?”, Ms. Joyce brings boundless joy and silliness to her interactions, often evoking the biggest laughs from her students. Looking ahead, she aspires to delve into journalism and author her own children’s books, sharing her creativity and wisdom with an even wider audience.

Mr. Kirk is a skilled and enthusiastic chef with over five years of professional culinary experience. He has worked in renowned establishments such as Cili's at Bali Hai in Las Vegas and as a Catering Chef at The Music Center, Disney Concert Hall Cafe, and Mullins Wine Bar. Now focusing on children's nutrition, Mr. Kirk's philosophy emphasizes creating colorful, balanced meals that incorporate all the basic food groups, ensuring the children have both a nutritious and enjoyable dining experience. He takes great pride in his work, driven by his desire to create "Happy Palates" with every dish he prepares.

Mr. Kirk's favorite dish to make for the preschoolers is Chicken Alfredo, a crowd-pleaser that the children look forward to. He also excels at accommodating a variety of dietary needs, carefully considering allergies and protein requests to ensure every child is served a meal that suits their needs. His approach to teaching children about healthy eating is both fun and educational—he loves being jovial, friendly, and making mealtime an opportunity for learning about nutrition.

Although this is Mr. Kirk's first experience focusing on children's nutrition, his passion and dedication are evident in his daily work. Outside of the preschool, he enjoys spending quality time with his family, as well as outdoor activities like camping and beach outings. Mr. Kirk brings his culinary expertise and love of food to the preschool kitchen, ensuring that every child is nourished and happy.