Butterfly
Our classroom
Our teachers
Julie Crocker
Senior Child Development Specialist Mentor Teacher
she/her/hers
julie.crocker@pcc.edu
Education
- Bachelor’s of Science, Psychology and History, Portland State University
- Master’s of Teaching, Early Childhood and Elementary, University of Portland
A little about me
I have been working as a Senior Child Development Specialist and Mentor Teacher since January 2020, but I have been working full time in education for over 25 years. I began my journey at PCC as the mentor teacher in the older toddler room, and in 2023 I became mentor teacher for one of our preschool rooms, the Butterfly Room. I have worked with ages 12 weeks to 12 years, but my focus and the majority of my career have been with toddlers through kindergarten. I am so happy to be a part of the wonderful team of ECE teachers and staff. I also really enjoy the part of my job being a mentor teacher to the ECE practicum students. However, I feel the best part of my job is working with and supporting children and families.
As an early childhood educator, I am passionate about children’s literature, social justice, and having a play-based classroom with an anti-bias curriculum. I also love bringing in natural materials, loose parts, and recycled materials to the classroom for the children to explore. I love being outside as much as possible with children and bringing activities outside whenever we can. Toddler rooms are such a special place because of their joy in discovering, exploring, creating, singing, dancing, and building. I feel it is a privilege to be a part of this amazing stage of development in a child’s life.
I am a native Oregonian. I was born and raised in Portland. I have two grown daughters, Amanda and Caitlin. I currently live in Beaverton with my husband, John, and our two cats. I love spending time with my family and friends. I also love visiting new spots in the Pacific Northwest and wherever my daughters may be living.
Erika Gomez Lopez
Child Development Specialist
she/her/hers
erika.gomezlopez@pcc.edu
Education
- Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education, Portland Community College
- Certificate in Early Education & Family Studies, Portland Community College
- Certificate in Foundations of Human Services, Portland Community College
- Currently pursuing Business Administration
A little about me
My name is Erika Gomez Lopez, and I am a Child Development Specialist at the PCC Sylvania Child Development Center. I have completed my Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education and earned a certificate in Human Resources. I am currently continuing my education in Business Administration at Portland Community College.
Originally from Mexico, I have been living in Oregon for several years. My passion for working with children began when I started babysitting at the age of 15. After graduating from high school, I knew I wanted to be part of a community where I could support children and families.
In 2020, I began taking Early Childhood Education courses while also gaining professional experience working with children. Over the years, I have worked with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. I am passionate about providing high-quality learning experiences and creating an environment where every child feels safe, supported, and valued.
I believe every child is unique, capable, and learns in their own way. Building strong and trusting relationships with children and their families is very important to me. One of my favorite parts of working with young children is watching them explore, grow, learn, and use their imagination through play.
Outside of work and school, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our two daughters, Achsah and Scarlett. As a family, we enjoy spending time outdoors, playing soccer and tennis, making music, and spending time with family and friends.
My background in Early Childhood Education and Foundations in Human Services, along with my current studies in Business Administration, continues to help me grow both personally and professionally. I look forward to continuing to learn, developing my leadership skills, and using my education and experience to make a positive difference in the lives of children, families, and the community.
Christy Chan
Child Development Specialist
she/her/hers
chiyanchristy.chan@pcc.edu
Education
- Associate of Applied Science, Early Childhood Education, Portland Community College
- Early Childhood Education Child Care Aide Certificate, Portland Community College
A little about me
Hi! My name is Christy Chan. I am from Hong Kong! I speak Cantonese, Mandarin, and English. I obtained my associate degree and certificate in Early Childhood Education from PCC. I have also completed my practicum and worked as a sub teacher at PCC CDC before, and now I am working as a Child Development Specialist at PCC CDC. I am so glad to be a part of the PCC CDC family. Educating children is a passion for me, not only to help them achieve their academic goals but also for their physical and mental development. I am a mom with two lovely children. As a mother, I wish my children would grow up with a happy childhood, and that they would feel optimistic about their future. Therefore, giving a safe, healthy, peaceful, and joyful environment for children to learn and grow is what I value.
When outside of class, I love to spend time with my husband and kids. It could be a playground visit, shopping for groceries, a chill day at home, or attending church services. I feel really joyful and thankful to be with my family.