Meet the team.
Rebecca Ortiz Galichet
Ms. Rebecca serves as Director of the Learning Center.
Where did you grow up, and what do you remember most about that time?
I grew up in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. My favorite memories were when my family and I would go stay in a different town, enjoy the beautiful beaches, and eat fresh lobster from Cabo Rojo.
What other work did you do before you came to your work at First Presbyterian Learning Center?
I worked in many retail stores like Banana Republic, Gap, and Old Navy. I always loved to be around children. Since God works in mysterious ways an angel sent me to Holly the Director at First Presbyterian learning centers in 2004. I didn’t have any certifications or hours required to work with children, but Holly gave me an opportunity and since then I have been working at First Presbyterian Learning Centers.
What motivates you in your work here at First Presbyterian Learning Center, and what do you like most about what you do?
What motivates me at my job at First Presbyterian Learning Centers is seeing the kids start as babies, grow up and become professionals, knowing that you were part of their journey. It also motivates me to see all the changes the school has gone through since 2004 and knowing for so many years the staff members and their families. Working for so long together the team has become a family, away from home.
What does faith mean to you? How does it help in your daily life?
Faith to me is everything, without faith I would be lost. I wake up every day grateful and thanking God for another day.
Thankful for everything he has given me and my family, with God leading the way, I know everything will go as planned. His will not mine.
What are some of the things that you like to do, hobbies, favorite shows, or other activities?
My favorite things to do are going to the beach, shopping, getting a Mani and Pedi, falling asleep to my favorite TV show Roseanne, the old school one, traveling to Puerto Rico and spending time with my family.
I grew up in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. My favorite memories were when my family and I would go stay in a different town, enjoy the beautiful beaches, and eat fresh lobster from Cabo Rojo.
What other work did you do before you came to your work at First Presbyterian Learning Center?
I worked in many retail stores like Banana Republic, Gap, and Old Navy. I always loved to be around children. Since God works in mysterious ways an angel sent me to Holly the Director at First Presbyterian learning centers in 2004. I didn’t have any certifications or hours required to work with children, but Holly gave me an opportunity and since then I have been working at First Presbyterian Learning Centers.
What motivates you in your work here at First Presbyterian Learning Center, and what do you like most about what you do?
What motivates me at my job at First Presbyterian Learning Centers is seeing the kids start as babies, grow up and become professionals, knowing that you were part of their journey. It also motivates me to see all the changes the school has gone through since 2004 and knowing for so many years the staff members and their families. Working for so long together the team has become a family, away from home.
What does faith mean to you? How does it help in your daily life?
Faith to me is everything, without faith I would be lost. I wake up every day grateful and thanking God for another day.
Thankful for everything he has given me and my family, with God leading the way, I know everything will go as planned. His will not mine.
What are some of the things that you like to do, hobbies, favorite shows, or other activities?
My favorite things to do are going to the beach, shopping, getting a Mani and Pedi, falling asleep to my favorite TV show Roseanne, the old school one, traveling to Puerto Rico and spending time with my family.
Jacqueline Carbonell
Jacqueline Carbonell serves as the Director of our Early Learning Center program, which cares for one- and two-year-old's.
Where did you grow up, and what do you remember most about that time?
I grew up in Havana, Cuba. While growing up, I remember being surrounded by loved ones, especially my mother and father. I remember the delicious foods my mother would prepare like “congri.” One thing I will always remember is that my mother used to tell me that I was going to be a teacher when I grew up because I would always be playing with baby dolls.
What other work did you do before you came to your work at First Presbyterian Learning Center?
Before I worked at First Presbyterian Learning Center, I was a music teacher for a special needs school in Cuba for 3 years. When I moved to Florida, I started work at another preschool in Hollywood working with infants and young children for 10 years. I have always had a passion for children.
What motivates you in your work here at First Presbyterian Learning Center, and what do you like most about what you do?
First Presbyterian Learning Center motivates me in that it allows me to grow professionally. The Church motivates me to a better job; it reminds me that the most important part of my job is to always have faith. What I like the most about my job is being around the love of the children, like my mother used to say; “Jacky is always playing with her babies.” I like that I can be creative and teach others to be creative as well in a professional way.
What does faith mean to you? How does it help in your daily life?
Faith means love, hope, and belief. My parents always had a strong love for God and believed so much in him that they always had faith, no matter what was happening, and I am the same way. I put my children in God’s hands a every day. By doing this I feel at ease leaving them at school and I thank him every day for all my blessings.
What are some of the things that you like to do, hobbies, favorite shows, or other activities?
My favorite activities are playing the guitar, singing, and dancing. I especially love dancing Salsa. I like to decorate, spend time with my children, and go shopping with my daughter. I love eating at new restaurants and my favorite show is Dancing with the Stars.
I grew up in Havana, Cuba. While growing up, I remember being surrounded by loved ones, especially my mother and father. I remember the delicious foods my mother would prepare like “congri.” One thing I will always remember is that my mother used to tell me that I was going to be a teacher when I grew up because I would always be playing with baby dolls.
What other work did you do before you came to your work at First Presbyterian Learning Center?
Before I worked at First Presbyterian Learning Center, I was a music teacher for a special needs school in Cuba for 3 years. When I moved to Florida, I started work at another preschool in Hollywood working with infants and young children for 10 years. I have always had a passion for children.
What motivates you in your work here at First Presbyterian Learning Center, and what do you like most about what you do?
First Presbyterian Learning Center motivates me in that it allows me to grow professionally. The Church motivates me to a better job; it reminds me that the most important part of my job is to always have faith. What I like the most about my job is being around the love of the children, like my mother used to say; “Jacky is always playing with her babies.” I like that I can be creative and teach others to be creative as well in a professional way.
What does faith mean to you? How does it help in your daily life?
Faith means love, hope, and belief. My parents always had a strong love for God and believed so much in him that they always had faith, no matter what was happening, and I am the same way. I put my children in God’s hands a every day. By doing this I feel at ease leaving them at school and I thank him every day for all my blessings.
What are some of the things that you like to do, hobbies, favorite shows, or other activities?
My favorite activities are playing the guitar, singing, and dancing. I especially love dancing Salsa. I like to decorate, spend time with my children, and go shopping with my daughter. I love eating at new restaurants and my favorite show is Dancing with the Stars.
Alba Aviles
Ms. Alba serves as Director of Saint James.
Where did you grow up, and what do you remember most about that time?
I grew up in Puerto Rico, surrounded by my parents and three brothers. What I most remember about my childhood is the summers playing with all my brothers and cousins. My grandmother used to take care of us during summer vacation time and make us “panapen” (fruit bread) with lunchmeat (spam) and those memories are very special for me.
What other work did you do before you came to your work at First Presbyterian Learning Center?
When I started college, I used to work at a Coach store and after I graduated, I started working as a Speech Therapist in Puerto Rico. Then in 2009 I got married, moved to Florida and thru a family member whose child was enrolled at First Presbyterian Learning Center I meet Ms. Jutta and started doing volunteer work at the preschool and in 2009 I became a teacher.
What motivates you in your work here at First Presbyterian Learning Center, and what do you like most about what you do?
What motivates me in my work at First Presbyterian Learning Center is the opportunity to make a positive impact on children’s lives and contribute to their educational and personal growth. What I like most about what I do is the daily interaction with children and the chance to be part of their learning experiences. Building relationships with families and colleagues, collaborating to provide enriching activities, and witnessing the joy and pride in children as they achieve milestones are all incredibly rewarding aspects of working here.
What does faith mean to you? How does it help in your daily life?
Faith, to me, is a deep sense of trust, belief, and conviction in something greater than oneself. It goes beyond religious connotations and can be a guiding principle in life. Faith helps me stay grounded and resilient, especially during challenging times. In my daily life, faith encourages me to approach situations with patience, understanding, and perseverance.
What are some of the things that you like to do, hobbies, favorite shows, or other activities?
My favorite things to do are exploring new places, going to the beach, and spending time with my husband and kids. I also love to go out to dinner with my friends and release stress chatting and laughing.
I grew up in Puerto Rico, surrounded by my parents and three brothers. What I most remember about my childhood is the summers playing with all my brothers and cousins. My grandmother used to take care of us during summer vacation time and make us “panapen” (fruit bread) with lunchmeat (spam) and those memories are very special for me.
What other work did you do before you came to your work at First Presbyterian Learning Center?
When I started college, I used to work at a Coach store and after I graduated, I started working as a Speech Therapist in Puerto Rico. Then in 2009 I got married, moved to Florida and thru a family member whose child was enrolled at First Presbyterian Learning Center I meet Ms. Jutta and started doing volunteer work at the preschool and in 2009 I became a teacher.
What motivates you in your work here at First Presbyterian Learning Center, and what do you like most about what you do?
What motivates me in my work at First Presbyterian Learning Center is the opportunity to make a positive impact on children’s lives and contribute to their educational and personal growth. What I like most about what I do is the daily interaction with children and the chance to be part of their learning experiences. Building relationships with families and colleagues, collaborating to provide enriching activities, and witnessing the joy and pride in children as they achieve milestones are all incredibly rewarding aspects of working here.
What does faith mean to you? How does it help in your daily life?
Faith, to me, is a deep sense of trust, belief, and conviction in something greater than oneself. It goes beyond religious connotations and can be a guiding principle in life. Faith helps me stay grounded and resilient, especially during challenging times. In my daily life, faith encourages me to approach situations with patience, understanding, and perseverance.
What are some of the things that you like to do, hobbies, favorite shows, or other activities?
My favorite things to do are exploring new places, going to the beach, and spending time with my husband and kids. I also love to go out to dinner with my friends and release stress chatting and laughing.