Tina “Peep” Avila

In the heart of Manhattan Beach, there's a beacon of early childhood education here known as Piper Preschool. At the helm of this little haven is Tina "Peep" Avila, whose journey from a floater to director, is a testament to her passion for teaching and commitment to Piper's philosophy on early education. We sat down with Peep to dive into her inspiring career, the passions that drive her, and the unique spirit that defines Piper Preschool.

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Your journey at Piper Preschool has been remarkable. Take us through the evolution of your role, from a floater to the director?

Much like Kenny G, I just picked up an instrument and ran with it. My journey has been quite the adventure at Piper. I started off as a floater, which gave me the opportunity to go from classroom to classroom and experience different age groups, and see different teaching styles. Like a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly, I found myself evolving into something more. I was entrusted with the reins of leadership as my time at Piper grew. I went from floater to associate, to lead teacher, to teacher mentor, to onboarding all new teachers, to Assistant Director of our Santa Monica campus during the pandemic… not challenging at all, to the all-campus Director of Culture & Community, and now as Director of Manhattan Beach. It’s been a whirlwind of a journey filled with lots of laughs, learning, embracing chaos, celebrating the milestones, making up a lot of songs, and building the most incredible connections with children and their families.

What inspired you to pursue a career in teaching, especially in the realm of early childhood education?

Crystal, Piper’s founder and one of my oldest and dearest friends, tried to get me to work in her school since 2009. I’ve always had a love for children, and working with them aligned perfectly with my skills. As I began thinking about my next chapter, it became clear that finding a role where I could pour my enthusiasm and energy into something purposeful was paramount. Teaching in early childhood education seemed like a natural choice for me and a path where every day feels like a chance to make a meaningful impact. 

How has Piper’s emergent take on early education influenced your approach as a director?

It’s been an excellent guide, prompting me to continually ask the “Why?” At Piper, our philosophy is based on the belief that children are capable and truly remarkable beings. We have to give them the opportunity to figure things out, to turn on that critical thinking part of their brain, and to experience the wonder in everything they discover. What sets Piper apart is our commitment to infusing this way of thinking into our curriculum. Even through the power of play, we support the development of skills that form the foundation of a child’s interactions with peers, with challenges, and with the world around them. It’s always been at the heart of who we are at Piper because we’re dedicated to nurturing that development because the social and emotional intelligence they gain is invaluable. 

Your personal connection with Piper’s founders spans over 20 years. How has this long-term relationship shaped your leadership at the school?

Wow. What a question. My enduring friendship with them has profoundly influenced my leadership journey. Their unwavering support, encouragement, and belief in me have instilled a deep sense of purpose and commitment. I do my best every single day to take advantage of the opportunity that’s been given to me to keep their shared vision of Piper alive. My hope and want is for people to feel what I felt when I joined Piper ten years ago. I believed that what I was doing as an educator was bigger than anything I could imagine. It’s not just about leading, it’s about taking care of children, of families, of nurturing connections and each child’s potential with an incredible amount of love and care. It’s truly a gift.

Are there specific moments or achievements during your time at Piper that you are particularly proud of?

I’m proud of many moments at Piper, but the ones closest to my heart are those where I’ve walked alongside children and families facing developmental hurdles. One achievement that still leaves me in awe is my promotion to Assistant Director during the tumultuous first year of the pandemic. Stepping into some serious uncharted territory was daunting and scary. Navigating through all of those challenges told me something about myself: I can do hard things. Tough things. It brought me a new level of resilience and courage and reaffirmed that even in the most challenging circumstances, I’m capable of achieving great things. Essentially, it's what we’re trying to do with all of the children that go through Piper. 

Can you share a bit about the unique aspects or programs at Piper Preschool that make it stand out in Manhattan Beach?

Well, from what I’ve seen, there is nothing like us in the South Bay. It’s not just the aesthetics, but it is quality education. Every aspect of our preschool, from the physical environment to our philosophy and curriculum, has been thought of intentionally.

We’ve always been big on community, and it’s why each Piper campus has a Community room. It’s the heart of who we are. We strive to create a place of welcome. We understand the importance of connection, of finding a place that feels like home. Building relationships in our community between the children, families, teachers, and staff helps to create a nurturing environment, which is our foundation. We, the Piper people… see what I did there... definitely believe in the power of the village. Through all the meaningful relationships forged, we’ve never been about just creating a preschool but a true community where some of the best friends you’ll ever make are made in our building.

Looking ahead, are there any exciting projects or initiatives at Piper that you're eager to share with the community?

We are excited that we’ve formed a new partnership with Wild Child Gym because a preschool in the beach community definitely promotes an outdoor lifestyle that is perfect for early childhood development.

We are also an active part of the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce, so our connection to the community keeps us apprised of events and even ones that foster taking care of our beach community. I’d love to start an ocean-life type of program, too. Maybe something where we read stories on the beach, do beach clean-ups, and teach the little ones how important it is to take care of their environment.

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Peep and I talked for another hour about her upbringing in Hawaii, her previous life as a professional wrestler, her family here in SoCal, and her obsession with improv. Charm is a gross understatement to the energy she brought to our talk. She is thoughtful and caring beyond words. The laughs didn’t stop and I could see the passion in her eyes when she spoke about the children… tears and all. Piper is incredibly lucky to have her aboard the newest campus in Manhattan Beach.

So, as the sun was starting to set over Piper in Manhattan Beach, one thing was very clear to me… Peep’s enthusiasm for education and Piper’s unique approach have created a haven where children not only learn, but thrive. Also, the patio and courtyard lights clicked on… just another level of charm you don’t see very often at a preschool.