Meet Our Team

Hi, I’m Jen, Founder & Director of Olive Tree Academy.

This is my 19th year in education, and I truly believe I am doing exactly what I was created to do.

I was born and raised right here in Temecula and earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Education from the University of California, San Diego. I later received my California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and Master of Education degree from UCSD as well. Go Tritons!

I spent nine years in the traditional classroom before transitioning into independent study education, where I’ve spent the past nine years partnering closely with students and families to create meaningful, personalized learning experiences. Throughout every chapter of my career, one thing has remained constant...my belief that children rise to the level of expectation when they are deeply known, supported, and loved.

Olive Tree Academy was born from my desire to return to hands-on teaching while building something truly special for families in our community. I wanted a program that blends structure with joy, high expectations with warmth, and intentional learning with childhood magic. Here, we nurture confidence, character, and curiosity in a way that prepares children not just for kindergarten, but for life.

My philosophy is simple:
Every child can succeed.
Every child deserves to feel safe, capable, and celebrated.
And learning should be joyful.

When I’m not busy with school related activities and planning, I’m with my husband Ryan and our two amazing kiddos. We love traveling, staying active, and making memories together. I also have a soft spot for a good craft project and creating beautiful spaces!

Thank you for being here. It is truly an honor to partner with families during these precious early years. I can’t wait to welcome you to our Olive Tree family. 🌿🦉

Hi, my name is Alayna, and I am so honored to be in my third year at Olive Tree Academy, and now stepping into the role of Lead Teacher! Over the past 2 years, my love for this sweet community has only grown stronger. Being part of Olive Tree has truly confirmed what I’ve always known in my heart...working with young children is exactly where I’m meant to be.

I bring over ten years of experience coaching and working with children of all ages. Before joining Olive Tree, I spent three years as a middle school paraprofessional. It was a valuable season of learning and growth, but I always felt most at home with the little ones. Their joy, curiosity, and excitement for learning fill my cup, and I feel so grateful to spend my days helping them grow academically, socially, and emotionally.

I have lived in Menifee my whole life and love being deeply connected to this community. I graduated from Heritage High School in 2017 and began coaching volleyball as soon as I turned 18. I volunteered for four years before stepping into paid coaching roles at both the high school and club levels. I continue to coach high school and club volleyball and am proud to share that 22 out of 24 of my club athletes have gone on to make their high school teams. Coaching has shaped my leadership skills, teamwork mindset, and belief in helping young people reach their full potential...qualities I bring into the classroom every day.

On a personal note, I am a proud dog mom to a chihuahua-terrier mix named Goliath! I also have two younger siblings whom I’ve had the joy of babysitting, cheering on, and supporting as they grow. They have been a huge inspiration in my journey and are part of what led me to pursue a career working with young children.

I am so excited for another year at OTA and look forward to continuing to pour into the children and families of Olive Tree with love, structure, and enthusiasm.

Hi everyone! I’m Ashleigh, the newest addition to the team at Olive Tree Academy.

I was born and raised here in Menifee, and I’m not sure we’ll ever leave! My husband and I will be celebrating 17 years of marriage this November. He works in law enforcement, and together we’re raising our three boys (ages 13, 11, and 6) who keep life exciting with football, e-bikes, dirt bikes, the occasional broken bone, and plenty of classic boy-life chaos. We also have three dogs...(Indy, Blue, and Pepper) all girls to help balance the scales! We love boating and being on the lake, traveling, going camping, and spending time in the pool with family and friends!

Earlier in my career, I attended school for nursing-something I’m very proud of- and worked at Rady Children’s Primary Care in Temecula. At the time, my husband was serving in the military, and his schedule made it difficult for me to stay in that role long-term. When we decided to start our family, I stepped away from the workforce to become a full-time stay-at-home mom. I spent nearly 12 wonderful years raising our boys and caring for our home.

Once all three kids reached school age, I decided it was time for me to jump back in. Most recently, I worked at the elementary school as a TK Teacher’s Aide. It was there that I discovered how much I truly love working with this age group. Their curiosity, excitement, and joy for learning make every day special.

After spending a few months substituting during the last school year, Ms. Jen reached out and offered me the full-time Teaching Assistant position. It was the easiest “yes” I had ever said. She has built something truly special at OTA, and I feel incredibly lucky to be part of it. Thank you, parents, for trusting us with your children. It’s such a privilege to be part of their learning and growth! 

Hi my name is Rachel and I am THRILLED to be apart of the Olive Tree team! I grew up in Southern California and moved out to Canyon Lake almost 11 years ago where I met my now husband of almost 6 years! I have two wonderful kids who both graduated from Olive Tree. Watching them thrive at Olive Tree made me become very invested with this preschool. I always wanted to be involved, but trusted Jen and the team to handle things! And that they did, to the point where both my kids are thriving in school. I have Jen and the team to thank for that! Once my kids graduated, a piece of my heart was left at Olive Tree. So I am happy to be back, but on the educational side!

I have worked in retail, for a physical therapy company, for the state water department, and even as a wedding coordinator. My most recent resume includes subbing for Olive Tree a couple of times and being a board member on my kids' PTA board. The time I have spent with kids has made me finally find where I belong. I always wanted to be involved in my kids' schooling, and found myself loving being around children and helping them learn. My goal is always to provide a safe and supportive presence for kids to be themselves, while also encouraging a fun and learning environment!

On a personal note, I have a family dog who is a black lab shepherd named Emmie and a tabby cat named Sid. I love to read and even surpassed my goal of reading 55 books last year to a wonderful 58 books! I love being on a boat, camping, and watching football!

I am so excited for this new chapter and getting to know all the parents and kiddos! OTA is the most special place I have ever been apart of and I am so excited to watch these littles grow!