About Us

About Us

Varala Durai is the owner of Mt. Taylor Children's Center. She has had a great interest in teaching, even as a child. Her qualifications begin with a business degree from Madras University in India. She discovered her real passion in the field of education and working with children. She pursued her child development education at De Anza College California and UCLA. Varala has worked with preschoolers, toddlers and kindergarten age groups. Additionally, she has volunteered hundreds of hours in public schools as a spectra teacher. Spectra is the most comprehensive, discipline-based art education program available for grades K-8. She is also a trained member of the YMCA project cornerstone silicon valley. 

Karen Guerin is the director of Mt. Taylor Children's Center. She has been working with children in Sonoma County since 1979. She has worked with children ages 2-10 years but found her passion to be with preschool children. Karen started working at Mt. Taylor in 1999 as a Three's teacher. She later became a Pre K teacher then Director. What she appreciates most about working at Mt. Taylor is that all children are treated as an individual. Her goal is to help every child feel accepted, safe and comfortable at school. it is important to her that children move on from our program with a strong sense of self and confidence that they can take with them wherever they go.

Faith Michael is the director of our center off of Airport Blvd. She received a bachelors in Psychology with a focus on childhood development form UC Santa Cruz. She has worked with children of various ages for 10 years but found her passion for Pre-K. She joined us as director in 2024 and greatly appreciates Mt. Taylor's way of encouraging each child's individualities, nurturing their relationships and helping them to learn and grow in a safe, positive environment.

Martha Avina is is the director of of our Rohnert Park location. She joined Mt. Taylor in 1998 as an assistant teacher while attending Santa Rosa Junior College. She completed her education and began working as a full-time teacher. Martha has worked at all three of our locations until settling in as director of Mt. Taylor Too in Rohnert Park. Martha is well skilled in helping children self-regulate. She brings her wonderful sense of humor into the classroom, as well as her enthusiasm for the work. Her classroom is filled with laughter and giggles. Martha is bilingual and appreciates that we have such a diverse staff.


Our Purpose

Our purpose is to provide a safe and caring environment in which each child may develop socially, emotionally, cognitively and physically at his or her own rate. We will assist each child in that growth by providing consistent loving direction, appropriate activates and encouragement. We also serve as a resource for parents. Our average ratio is one Early Childhood Educator for every eight children.

Our Goal

Our goal is to provide the highest quality care, guidance and education of young children in an atmosphere of love, respect and cooperation. We believe that through being responsive to children's emotional, intellectual, physical and developmental needs, they will develop a positive self-esteem, confidence and a caring attitude toward others.
  • Three Convenient Locations
  • Ages 2-6
  • Excellent Pre-School and Child Care
  • Diapers Accepted

3 Locations to Serve You.
Rohnert Park

190 Arlen Dr.
Rohnert Park, CA 94928

Santa Rosa

1451 Slater St.
Santa Rosa, CA 95404

Airport Blvd/Windsor

812 Vineyard Creek Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95403​

YP Reviews

Susana Q. On 06.05.2017
We are so happy our daughter had the opportunity to attend this preschool, she attends the one in Santa Rosa and she loves it, the teacher's are amazing, all of them, my daughter is so confident, independent...

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