Tours and Applications Now Open for 2025-26 School Year
Discover the school, our history, philosophy and more…
Learn about our natural outdoor play and learning space
A comprehensive overview of our early childhood programs.
Discover the many advantages of our Private Kindergarten program.
A special greeting from Francesca Chemberlen, our Director of School
Learn just some of the many reasons families send their children to Turtle Rock
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View answers to our most frequently asked questions by prospective families
In the end, the most important part of any school is its people. Turtle Rock is made up of a remarkable group of caring, creative and gifted teachers and staff. Each member of our leadership team is here not only because they are incredibly talented, but also because they are deeply passionate about early childhood education and having a positive impact on young lives.
As President & Owner of Turtle Rock Preschool, Maajed Abahusayn oversees the overall operations and strategic direction of the school. Mr. Abahusayn takes pride in advancing the already excellent reputation of the school since acquiring it in 2006. He is at school regularly, interacting with staff, administration and families at school functions.
Mr. Abahusayn is proud to have grown up in Irvine and still lives just minutes from the school. He and his wife, Tahaane, have two children who are both Turtle Rock Preschool Alumni: Carolina and Raif.
Mr. Abahusayn, having attended the University of Colorado at Boulder and the University of California at Irvine, has a background in management, business development, and information technology. He is also actively involved in a number of non-profit and education related boards and committees.
Patricia’s interest in education was passed down from her mother. She grew up surrounded by discussions about children, teachers, and education as her mother was a principal for over 25 years in Tucson, Arizona. Patricia graduated with a BA in Education from the University of Arizona. She has taught both elementary and high school children, both domestically and overseas.
Patricia has three children, six grandchildren (three of which are Turtle Rock Preschool alumnus), and is happy to be in a work environment that involves children. The owner of the school, Maajed Abahusayn, is Patricia’s son. As Administrator, she enjoys meeting with parents and working with the teaching and administrative staff to ensure Turtle Rock provides the best early learning experiences possible for each child. Patricia has traveled and lived around the world and is especially pleased with the diversity of both the families and staff and is committed to providing children with an enriching and culturally diverse education.
Francesca joined Turtle Rock in 2002 as a teacher and advanced to Accreditation and Curriculum Coordinator in 2006. By 2014, she had become our Curriculum Director, and in 2018, she was appointed Director of School. In this role, Francesca oversees all day-to-day school operations, ensuring a safe, nurturing, and educational environment for our children.
Francesca is dedicated to maintaining a welcoming culture, fostering a progressive mindset, and engaging in community outreach. She strives to create a joyful place for both staff and students to work and develop professionally. Additionally, she is responsible for upholding our NAEYC Accreditation standards, having led multiple successful renewal initiatives, most recently in 2023.
Francesca holds a Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science with an emphasis on Psychology and Social Work from Concordia University, Irvine, and an Early Childhood Development degree from Lewis-Clark State College, Idaho. Outside of her professional endeavors, Francesca enjoys exploring California with her three children and frequently travels to Boise, Idaho, to spend time with family.
Jasmin began her career at Turtle Rock as a Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten Teacher in 2006. She began working in our elementary-age Summer Camp program in 2013 and became our Camp Coordinator the following year. She was promoted to Assistant Director of School and Event Coordinator in 2017, and most recently was appointed Associate Director of School in 2024.
As a student at Santa Ana College, she became fascinated with the development of children and the different theories of the field. After graduating with an Associate’s degree in Liberal Arts, she then continued her education and graduated from California State University, Fullerton with a Bachelor’s degree in Child and Adolescent Studies, with an emphasis in preschool-aged children. Jasmin’s passions include baking and creative crafts as well as spending time with her husband, family, and dogs.
Ashka joined Turtle Rock in 2015 as a Junior Pre-K teacher, bringing with her a passion for early childhood education and a commitment to excellence. Over the past nine years, she has been an invaluable member of both our Junior Pre-Kindergarten and Preschool programs, consistently demonstrating professionalism and dedication.
Ashka graduated from California State University, Fullerton, in 2013 with a Sociology major and a Psychology minor. During her internship at an after-school program, she discovered her love for nurturing children’s curiosity and development. This experience, combined with her completion of Early Childhood Education courses and earning a Master Supervision permit, solidified her decision to pursue a career in Early Childhood Education.
Ashka is excited to bring her knowledge, experience, and passion to her new role as Assistant Director of School. Outside of her professional life, Ashka lives in Orange with her husband and their two boys, Ahaan, a current Turtle Rock student, and Mivaan. In her free time, she loves traveling, exploring new restaurants, and spending quality time with friends and family.
Kristen has held multiple important roles at Turtle Rock since she joined us in 1996. She started her career in the classroom as an infant teacher and received her BA in Child Development and Family Studies from California State University Long Beach.
Kristen is a respected professional who cares deeply for young children and their development. Her two boys, Kenny and Kory, are both alumni of the school. Kristen enjoys watching her boys’ play many sports, spending time with her family & friends and cuddling with her 2 little pups, Lexi and Bebe.
