The Team
Who We Are
Rachel Ragsdale-Vazquez
Founder & Director
Rachel (Founder and Owner) holds a California Teaching Credential for grades PreK–12 and has teaching experience across early childhood and elementary levels, including PreK–5 and infant/toddler programs. She brings over ten years of experience in teaching and operating a daycare setting, and previously taught phonics to children ages 2–6 through the Learning Adventures program.
​
Rachel founded Bright Bubbles Academy, beginning with a large family home daycare in
Rancho Santa Margarita, which she successfully operated for over three years. Her commitment to a growth mindset and persistence led to the expansion of Bright Bubbles Academy into a full child care center in Orange in 2024.
​
She strongly believes that intelligence can continually grow through valuing education and maintaining a passion for lifelong learning. This philosophy is reflected in her academic
background, which includes a Certificate in Child Development, a Bachelor’s Degree in
Interdisciplinary Studies (K–12), and a Master’s Degree in Education with an emphasis in
Learning and Technology. Rachel actively pursues ongoing professional development in
education and child development, both for herself and for her staff.
​
This is why The BBA Way! is incorporated at Bright Bubbles in Orange! The academy uniquely incorporates the trio of philosophies Montessori, Reggio, and Waldorf standing apart from other centers that may only offer one philosophy of learning. Children have multiple intelligences and prefer different modes of learning instead of a one-size-fits-all all approach.
BBA's goal is to provide a targeted and meaningful education to all children based on their individuality, as children are the co-constructors of their own learning. Ultimately, Bright Bubbles Academy is just one big family!
323-822-8269
Luis Vazquez
CFO & Administrator
Luis Vazquez Co-founded Bright Bubbles Academy along with Rachel in 2021. The vision that both shared was to create The BBA Way! to provide a quality well rounded program that brings a family environment to early childhood education.
Luis has a professional aviation background serving as a line Captain, Instructor, Examiner, and Chief Pilot. Currently, he is a Captain of a Boeing 737 for a Major US Airline. In addition, Luis holds a Bachelor in Aviation Science from Utah Valley University and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from Western Governors University.
Luis has taken the role of the financial/staff/parent relations administrator or what he calls "the not-so-much-fun job compared to teaching the children". Luis is also known as Mr. Luis by the children when he visits the classrooms.
Alejandra Mendoza
Lead Supervisor Teacher/Assistant Director (Preschool)/Curriculum Design
Hi everyone! My name is Ms. Alejandra, and I am excited to have been working as a lead teacher at Bright Bubbles Academy for the past 3 and a half years. I've worked with children for almost ten years. While I earned my ECE units and my Bachelor's from Cal State Fullerton. I worked in Kid's clubs, then as a nanny and a teacher.
As a child, I had many educators who inspired me to do well and succeed in my education. I
value the importance of early education because between the first five years, children develop many skills that will stay with them throughout their lives. I hope to keep impacting children's education here at Bright Bubbles Academy.
Besides my passion for teaching, I also have a passion for art and design. When I'm not working or taking care of my family, I love to work on building more art pieces for my portfolio and learning more artistic techniques.
Areli Vazquez
Lead Supervisor Teacher/Assistant Director
(Toddler Component)/Curriculum Design
Hello! My name is Ms. Areli and I am beyond happy to be apart of the BBA family! I am currently a student at Cal State Fullerton, working towards my Bachelor’s degree in Child and Adolescent Studies! I’m also a high school tennis coach for my former high school!
Early on, I knew I wanted to become an educator and be a great role model to others, just like my teachers were to me. I believe early education is a crucial part of a child’s learning journey because it helps build foundational knowledge for future learning. I aspire to leave a positive impact on every child who enters my classroom.
A few fun facts about me: I own six dogs, a parrot, and two chickens! In my free time, I enjoy watching the sunset, trying new food and coffee spots, and building Legos! Lastly, I have a two-year-old nephew who I love more than anything!
Ashley Flores
Lead Teacher (Tiny Tots)
Hi, my name is Ashley Flores and I'm happy to be a part of this great team! I have an education in early childhood and am certified as well. I am also in a pause for my goal to complete my AA and BA in child development, but will resume when I'm in a position to do so. I have experience as an assistant teacher and have several years of experience caring for children prior.
I knew early in my life that I wanted to work with kids because of their inherent qualities such as innocence, love, curiosity, and imagination. I truly admire how unique and special they all are. I also love to see them grow and succeed as they represent the future and have the potential to have a impact on the world.
My strongest hope and goal is to make children feel at home and safe when they come into my classroom. I actually have a little baby girl of my own, so I know what its like to love a child, and want to protect them and provide a loving and safe environment for them. I am determined to make that happen and every child who comes into my classroom will be treated as if they were my own.
In my free time, I enjoy going on walks with my family and exploring new places, and even revisiting some amazing ones too. I also love iced coffee and enjoy checking out different coffee shops.
||
SiannaRose Savedra
Teacher (Tiny Tots)
Hi friends! My name is Ms. Rose, and I am so grateful to work for such a nurturing company and alongside an amazing staff! I am currently attending school and I have worked with children for about 8 years now, from infant care to 8th grade. I have worked as a teacher's assistant for couple of local elementary schools, an after school program leader, and I have also assisted summer school programs for children with extra needs.
Having experienced amazing and supportive educators in my life, I aspire to pay it forward. I hope to encourage and continue to be apart of making education fun, safe, and interesting, as my teachers made it for me.
I love music, movies, adventures, and buying more books than my book shelf can handle (as well as routinely buying coffees I never fully finish). Half of the time I speak in tv/movie references and I enjoy every second around my friends and family!
​
||
Blanca Albarran
Lead Teacher (Preschool)
I am Mrs. Blanca and I am looking forward to meeting each and every one of you and your families. I have been married since May of 2021. My husband and I have 2 beautiful children, who are part of BAA.
I went to school and have my degree in Early Childhood Education with a focus in special education. I started working with children back in 2016. Since then I have worked with infants, toddlers, school-aged children, and middle schoolers. Every age is unique in its own way and every child has something different to teach us.
Fun facts about me: aside from teaching, I enjoy trying new coffee shops every weekend and baking with my kids. I also help take care of the infants at my local church nursery.
"A teacher's job is like a cup of coffee: strong, slightly bitter, but incredibly necessary."
​
||
Rosa Ayala
Lead Teacher (Tiny Tots)
Hi, my name is Rosa, and I am one of the teachers in the Tiny Tots classroom. I am excited to begin this learning journey with your little one. I attended Fullerton College, where I earned my degree in Child Development and Educational Studies. Last year, I also obtained my Teacher Permit to continue expanding my experience in the classroom. I truly love working with children. A few fun facts about me: my first language is Spanish, on my days off I enjoy going to K-pop concerts with my sister, and my favorite color is purple.
“Teachers who love teaching inspire children to love learning.”
||
Sammy Espinoza
Assistant Teacher (Tiny Tots/Preschool)
Hi everyone! My name is Samantha (Sammy), and I am a Child and Adolescent Studies major at Cal State Fullerton. I am currently in my first year of college, working toward my bachelor’s degree. I truly enjoy working with children and getting to know their unique personalities. A few fun facts about me: I love the color pink, enjoy watching movies, and am a big fan of iced coffee.
||
Kristen Galvez
Lead Teacher (Preschool)
Hello, I’m Ms. Kristen. I am grateful to be working with such an outgoing team here at BBA! I have worked with children for over 20 years, ranging in age from 2-14 years old. Teaching keeps me feeling young and gives me joy! I attended Long Beach City College to get my Early Childhood Education units. I plan on going back to finish my courses for my certificate. My goal is to get my BA in Early Childhood Education.
I took some time away from teaching to be a stay at home mom to my two daughters. I started to miss teaching so, now that they are older and don’t require as much of my time, I started looking for a teaching position. I am so excited to join the team at BBA! I am back in a classroom and I am loving it!
In my free time I enjoy reading, baking with my girls, decorating cakes and yoga. We also like going to the mountains whenever we can! Give me a cup of coffee, a book and the mountains any day!
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” Dr. Seuss
||
