El Buen Pastor
Early Childhood Development Center
Meet Our Incredible Staff!
Our staff is here to make sure that your child has the best possible start in life. The Center recruits highly-qualified volunteers, staff, and board members who represent the community the Center serves. Through this collection of multicultural and bilingual individuals, the Center is able to provide a stimulating and safe environment for children and their families.
Alma Lyra
Executive Director
I have been working at El Buen Pastor ECDC since 1983. I took this job as a favor to my mother and I wasn't going to stay long. I had a different idea for where I wanted my life to go. Well, the children here stole my heart and forever will. 37 years later, I am now the director of the place that I love. I have discovered that you can learn a lot from children if you really listen. Children are our future and my goal for this center is to do everything that we can to help them along.
Claudia Ibarra
Preschool and
Pre-Kindergarten
Hello, I'm Claudia! I was born and raised in Laredo, TX. I have been a proud Austinite since 1999 and have been doing my part to keep it weird since then. One of my favorite activities is arts and crafts. I like that I can transform ordinary materials into amazing crafts with just some imagination. I don't have any children of my own, but it brings me great joy to be around them. That is what brought me to El Buen Pastor ECDC back in 2004. I received an associate's degree in child education from Austin Community College in 2017. I have enjoyed every moment of it and couldn't imagine working anywhere else. Being able to see children smile and be silly makes me love my job even more.
Veronica (Melda) Mollish
Young Toddlers
Hello, My name is Veronica. I was raised in San Benito, TX, but I have been living in Austin for 17 years. One of my favorite things to do is spend time with my dog. I love working with children and they bring a big smile to my face. My goal is to go back to school to earn my certification in early childhood education.
Rosa Vela
Nutrition
Hello, I'm Rosa! I’m from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas Mexico. When I found out I was pregnant my husband and I decided to move to Texas to give our children a better future. I have 2 daughters, 2 sons, and 7 grandchildren. One of my passions is cooking and I have the opportunity to do what I love at El Buen Pastor. I enjoy it when the children tell me “that was good food Rosa” and “when are we having enchiladas.” My older daughter blames me for being gordita because she couldn't stop eating my food when she was little. She loves my food so much that when she knew they needed a volunteer to cook, she volunteered me.
I volunteered for two weeks and a month later they offered me a job cooking. I said yes and have been here since 2006 and will continue giving my love to the children through cooking.