Approaching Teaching with Understanding & Empathy: Meet Ms. Lopez

Butterfly caretaker. Kite maker. Dog mom (to three pups!). Cooking and organizing (and enjoying it!). How does Santa Clarita Valley International (SCVi) Charter School teacher Desiree Lopez do it all? Thankfully she also likes to set goals and plan so it all comes together one step at a time. Here she thoughtfully reflects on her time at our tuition-free TK-12th grade school here in Castaic and we get to know her better, too.

What is your role at SCVi?

I teach transitional kindergarten and kindergarten dual immersion (in Spanish). In addition to teaching, I am actively involved at SCVi as the Extended Learning Director and English Learning Coordinator. Through these roles, I support learners and families by providing extended care, enrichment opportunities, and guidance that extends learning beyond the classroom.

Please tell us about your background and how you came to be at SCVi.

I first learned about SCVi through Mrs. Wendy Powell, who shared that the school was looking for teachers. That conversation led me to visit campus, meet the incredible staff, and interview with Chad and Martha—and I am so grateful that I did. Choosing SCVi has truly been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

My background is in Early Childhood Education. I began my career as a preschool teacher and spent over ten years working in early learning classrooms, followed by three years in school management and leadership roles. 

Returning to the classroom at SCVi felt like coming home. I love creating engaging, hands-on learning experiences and supporting the whole child academically, socially, and emotionally. My passion for project-based learning, early literacy, and building strong relationships with students and families aligns so beautifully with SCVi’s mission and community.

What do you LOVE about SCVi? What sets it apart from other schools?

I am deeply grateful to be part of a school that values curiosity, creativity, collaboration, and learners’ voices. SCVi has allowed me to grow not only as an educator but also as a leader, and I am proud to be part of such a supportive and inspiring community.

What I love most about SCVi is the strong sense of community and purpose that you feel the moment you walk onto campus. SCVi truly values the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally—and that is reflected in everything from project-based learning to the relationships built between staff, learners, and families.

What sets SCVi apart from other schools is the trust placed in teachers to be creative, collaborative, and innovative. Educators are supported as professionals and encouraged to design meaningful, hands-on learning experiences that spark curiosity and joy. As someone with a background in early childhood education and school leadership, I deeply appreciate a school that values developmentally appropriate practices while also holding high expectations for learners.

There are great social-emotional learning activities and opportunities at SCVi. Can you share a story about seeing learners using them in action? 

One of my favorite examples of social-emotional development in action at SCVi comes from a year-end project based on Goldilocks and the Three Bears. In my TK and kindergarten classrooms, we focus on taking an active role in our learning and growth, and the 7 Habits for Happy Kids are at the heart of that work.

For this project, learners began by choosing roles that best suited their strengths—some preferred acting, others worked on building the set, and some took on leadership roles within their groups. As we rehearsed, learners practiced flexibility and reflection by changing characters after the first run-through, adjusting lines, and supporting one another through feedback. They worked in teams to design and build the set, selected group leaders, and collaborated to bring the story to life.

Throughout the process, learners naturally used the language and skills of the 7 Habits. They were proactive in preparing materials, began with the end in mind by envisioning their final performance, thought win-win when making group decisions, and sought first to understand when listening to teammates’ ideas. Watching learners take ownership, problem-solve together, and celebrate each other’s contributions was a powerful reminder of how social-emotional learning is embedded into everyday learning at SCVi.

Please give us a few examples of hands-on project-based learning in your classroom:

Hands-on, project-based learning is a core part of my classroom. One example is our Kite Project, where learners explored how wind and motion work while designing, building, and testing their own kites. This project encouraged problem-solving, creativity, and teamwork as learners made adjustments based on what worked best.

The Butterfly Project allowed learners to observe life cycles firsthand. Learners cared for caterpillars, documented changes through drawings and discussions, and reflected on growth and change. This project naturally integrated science, literacy, and Social Emotional Learning.

We also completed a Cultural Project, where learners explored traditions, celebrations, and cultures represented in our classroom community. Through stories, music, art, and presentations, learners developed curiosity, respect, and understanding of the world around them.

Each project is designed to be meaningful, hands-on, and learner-centered, giving students the opportunity to collaborate, ask questions, and take ownership of their learning.

Fun Facts About Ms. Lopez

-I genuinely love cooking and organizing my home. Cooking is one of my favorite ways to relax and show love, and I’m always experimenting with meals that fit my lifestyle and health goals. I also find a lot of joy in organizing spaces—creating systems that make everyday life feel calmer and more intentional.

-I’m a big planner and goal-setter. Whether it’s budgeting, meal prepping, planning trips, or mapping out future goals, I love having a plan. Breaking big goals into manageable steps and tracking progress helps keep me motivated and grounded.

-I’m a total dog mom—now to three pups! I have two dogs, Harley and Nugget, and recently added a new puppy named Chico. Each one has a completely different personality, and my house is always full of energy, cuddles, and a little bit of chaos (in the best way).

 

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with us Ms. Lopez! Come take a tour of our school and see our safe and supportive TK-12 in action. Enrollment for 2026-7 is open!

 

About SCVi:

Santa Clarita Valley International School (SCVi) is a free public charter school empowering TK-12th graders to become conscientious, compassionate, and responsible citizens of the world. Founded in 2008, we use project-based and social-emotional learning concepts to inspire and motivate lifelong learners with the skills they need to lead in the 21st century. We incorporate technology into every component of our curriculum, and we value and encourage development of leadership skills by inspiring confidence and character in each of our unique learners. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook and find us at www.ileadsantaclarita.org.

Join our innovative school today!