DAVID WOHLSTADTER
Founder; "The Big Cheese"

David earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from UCLA in 1975. His vision of starting a series of comprehensive summer art programs for young children began 15 years ago when he saw a need for an alternative to traditional summer day camp programs. He brings his creativity, enthusiasm and love of children to each program he created.

ELIZABETH PARAVICINI

Welcome back Nicole! Nicole was our 101 Director 4 years ago. We are super excited to have her back on our Summer Art Academy Team! She has 14 years experience as a Site Supervisor/ Director and 17 years working in the educational field with levels ranging from Preschool to 12th grade. She has worked in diverse communities that comprised of various social, cultural and economic backgrounds. She developed teaching methods tailored to each children's needs as well as identified resources to meet students diverse needs. She has also established and implemented curriculum as well as designed educational activities that engage students in meaningful learning experiences. She provided a safe, positive and progressive environment, emphasized student teamwork while embracing student individuality and mentored staff on leadership and teamwork skills. She focused on empowering the staff and providing reliable, constructive feedback. Along with her many talents, she is also Bilingual in Spanish, completed work towards a Liberal Arts/ Science Associates Degree and accomplished 18 units in Early Childhood Education. Nicole is extremely excited to return back to Art Camp this summer, and join in the fun with everyone! She looks forward to sharing her gifts and passion for working with children!

Marie Washington
JCIT/CIT Director

Steven is passionate about becoming a
teacher. He wants to teach ASL/Deaf Culture,
as well as teach the hearing impaired. He is
looking forward to majoring in Deaf Studies
and minoring in English. He has been a local
Boy Scout since grade school and is an Eagle
Scout. He has taught leadership skills to all
types of Boy and Girl Scouts of all ages for
almost a decade. Steven's teaching of
leadership allows all the youth to see the
potential in themselves. He loves cooking,
theatre, photoshop and filmmaking. For the
past 8 years, Steven has been a camper,
JCIT, CIT, counselor, and now the Assistant
Director for the JCIT/CIT program. Steven is
excited to share his talents for summers to
come. Steven is a great resource and role
model for the JCIT’s and CIT’s to learn to
prepare for the future.

Matthew is currently working on finishing up
his credits to transfer from Los Angeles
Valley College to Cal State University
Northridge with a Liberal Studies major. His
goal is to receive his BA and credentials to
be an elementary school teacher. Matthew
has a strong passion for teaching and has
worked at an after school program called
Enrichement Educational Experience (E-3)
for two years. He has taught classes such
as geometry, film science, game board
designing, art, volleyball and basketball.
Towards the end of last year Matthew was
hired as an teacher/yard aid at Carpenter
Community Charter Elemenentary where he
assists children with disabilites, handles
teachers' office duties, and provides
supervision for recess/lunch. This is
Matthew's 4th year as Office Manager with
the Art Camp and he can't wait to see
everyone again!