Infant Development Program
UCLA Department of Psychology
320 N. Charles E. Young Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1563
Office: (310) 206-0633
Email: pwinn@psych.ucla.edu
*IDP’s office phones, for administrative and non-urgent calls (equipped with voice mail-please feel free to leave messages here and we will respond.)
IDP Teachers
IDP has seven staff members: one executive director, five full-time teachers, and one floater teacher. Each has extensive training and experience in early childhood education and developmental psychology. Additional staffing is provided by student interns. IDP has a favorable adult: child ratio of 1:3 or better.
Alex Guardia, Teacher
Alex graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2019 with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a minor in Applied Developmental Psychology. During her undergraduate career she was a work study student at Early Care and Education, Fernald and was an intern in the Blue Room at IDP. After graduating, Alex worked as a teacher for ECE Fernald in the infant classroom. She then supported the IDP Gold Room from July 2020-March 2021 while the ECE Fernald infant classroom was closed due to the pandemic. Alex returned to IDP as a full time teacher in the Blue Room in November 2021 and she is glad to be back. In her free time Alex enjoys crafty hobbies like crocheting, embroidery, and knitting and enjoys spending time with her loved ones!
Contact: aguardia@psych.ucla.edu
Courtney Kumar, Lead Teacher
Courtney Kumar graduated Magna Cum Laude from California State University, Northridge with a Degree in Child Development. From there she graduated with honors with a Masters in Child Development from the University of California, Davis. Mrs. Kumar is also a Certified Child Life Specialist. She has been working at IDP since February 2009 and enjoys learning new things from the children daily. In her free time, she enjoys running charity 5k and 10k races.
Contact: Ckumar@psych.ucla.edu
Sam O’Grady, Floater Teacher
Sam started at IDP in the spring of 2019 as an intern in the Blue Room. After completing his internship, Sam continued at IDP as a work study student for a year. In the spring of 2020, Sam received his B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Applied Developmental Psychology. Following his time at IDP, Sam served as a floater and lead pre-k teacher at Sinai Akiba Academy’s early childhood center for a year. In his free time he enjoys spending time with his friends and family, reading, exercising, and watching sports. He’s thrilled to be back at IDP!
Contact: samogrady@psych.ucla.edu
Jose Ortiz, Teacher
Jose began his time at IDP in the spring of 2019 with an internship in the IDP Blue Room. After completing his internship, he remained at IDP as a graduated intern volunteer. In the spring of 2020, Jose graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in Psychology and minors in Applied Developmental Psychology and Neuroscience. He came on as the floater teacher in September 2020 and moved into a primary teacher role in October 2021. In his free time, he likes spending time with friends and family, watching Disney movies, and playing with his puppy! He is excited to be back at IDP and spend time with all of the children and families at IDP!”
Contact: jortiz@psych.ucla.edu
Eileen Santos, Lead Teacher
Eileen Santos earned her AA Degree in Early Childhood Education, with an emphasis in Special Education from Santa Monica College. Ms. Santos is a wife & a mother of four daughters and a grandmother of seven grandchildren. Her two older daughters attended the Head Start Program in the State of California, where she diligently worked as a parent volunteer for four years. This program led her to pursue her career as an early childhood educator. She was a lead teacher in early childhood education for twelve years working with children ages three to five years. In the Fall of 2008, she joined IDP to work with the infant and toddler program. Here she has devoted her time and energy to our young children, as well as to mentoring the students in our Applied Developmental Psychology minor.
Contact: Esantos@psych.ucla.edu
Samantha Stewart, Teacher
Sam began her time at IDP in the spring of 2015 with an internship in the IDP Gold Room through the Applied Developmental Psychology (ADP) minor. She remained at IDP as a volunteer until her graduation in spring of 2017. She graduated with a B.A. in Psychology and Minors in ADP and East Asian Studies. Upon graduation, Sam took her IDP knowledge and experience to the Loyola Marymount University Children’s Center. Shortly thereafter she was able to return to IDP as the floater teacher and now has been a primary teacher since August 2020. In December 2021 Sam earned her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from California State University, Northridge. In her free time, Sam enjoys reading, watching movies, going to the rock-climbing gym and crafting.
Contact: sstewart@psych.ucla.edu
Patrice Winn, Director
Patrice started her career in Early Childhood Education right here at IDP as a student many years ago. She has a BA in Psychology from UCLA and a Master’s Degree in Human Development with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education from Pacific Oaks College. Patrice was lead teacher at IDP for 10 years before moving on to work with Bright Horizons for 12 years as a lead teacher and Education Coordinator with infants-preschool aged children. She returned to IDP as director in June 2016. Patrice is married with 2 children and enjoys travelling and spending time with her family.
Contact: pwinn@psych.ucla.edu