1. Where are you from?
I am from San Jose and I’ve lived here all my life.
2. What do you teach at ADNPP?
I worked with two to three year olds for three years and then I started in the Infant Center. I now work with all ages and teach age appropriate material.
3. How long have you been with ADNPP?
I’ve been with Action Day for more than twelve years. I started January 16, 1995 at Phelan. I worked at Moorpark from October, 2006 thru February, 2007. I left for a few months to focus on writing my books. I am now a substitute teacher for Phelan.
4. What do you like most about your job?
I like knowing that I’m making a difference in children’s lives. I get to go to work and teach them, give them attention, care for them and have fun.
5. What is your teaching background and experience?
I learned some teaching skills and a lot of songs by watching Barney and Sesame Street with my son, from taking Early Education classes and working at Phelan. As a child, I liked pretending to be my doll’s teacher. A lot of my teaching came natural.
6. What do you think is special about ADNPP?
It’s special because they accommodate all children.
7. What is your favorite class/age level to teach?
I love all different age groups because I can work and teach all different age levels. I especially like it when they want me to keep reading or singing to them.
8. How did you start writing books?
I started writing about 10 years ago. The more books I read at work, the more I knew I could write my own. I wrote them and just put them in my drawer. I never knew I could one day publish them. I didn’t think it could come true and it finally did. I thought of my Water book in about 10 minutes. I was shocked.
9. What is the last book you wrote?
The last book I wrote is called Misty and The Weather.
10. What is your favorite thing about writing children’s books?
I like knowing that they will teach children and catch their attention because they’re about things they have experienced in their short lives. They also have words they are learning or they already know.
11. What is the funniest thing a child has said/done in your class?
Sometimes when the babies eat Cheerios, they will end up with one on their foreheads. It looks so cute!
12. What else do you do in your spare time besides write children’s books?
I spend time with my children and their dad and enjoy my cats, dog and salt water fish. I also give a massage to a friend twice a week and relax. I also like to learn more about my laptop computer.
13. What achievement are you most proud of?
I am proud that I have five books copyrighted and one published so far.
14. What is the single best piece of advice you can give parents who want their children to be interested in reading from an early age?
Parents need to read to their children everyday and expose them to a lot of books. Don’t push them to read too early because they will learn at their own pace.
15. Do you have any reading or writing tips for kids?
They will learn to read or write by practicing. It’s a good idea to point to each word when reading because the child will start to recognize the letters and sounds they make.
16. How can we purchase your books?
You can purchase one for only $7 at www.missdolores.com and I will also sign it. Or, you can purchase one at www.authorhouse.com for $9.63 including shipping. All other online bookstores sell them too but they are higher priced. I will have my other books published around 2008 – 2009.
