For 15 years, Baldwin Park Unified School District’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) teacher Maria “Marilu” Hermosa-Dolan has been guiding families, providing invaluable support and early education to the youngest learners in the community.
Born and raised in Peru, Hermosa-Dolan’s passion for education was inspired by her father, who worked at a children’s hospital and was dedicated to helping others. As a shy child, her decision to pursue teaching surprised her family. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from a Catholic university in Peru and later obtained a master’s degree in special education in Argentina. After college, she made the decision to move to the United States. She arrived in San Francisco and worked her way up from custodial jobs before finding her way back into education. While learning English, she worked as a classroom aide, and eventually became a director. However, it was in Los Angeles that she discovered her true passion—working with infants and toddlers in early childhood education.
Since then, Hermosa-Dolan has been a local resident for 25 years and has seen BPUSD’s ECE program evolve throughout her 15-year career with the District.
“I really like seeing the families I serve grow,” Hermosa-Dolan said. “Just yesterday, a former parent reached out to me saying, ‘Teacher, can I come visit you with my new baby?’ I always welcome them back. The relationships we build here are unique.”
What sets BPUSD’s ECE programs apart, she said, is the commitment to serving not just students, but entire families. The program provides comprehensive support, including wellness services, nutrition education, mental health resources, and family education. “Everything is easy to connect and happens quickly here,” Hermosa-Dolan said, recalling a time when BPUSD’s ECE team swiftly provided mental health and housing support to a mother in need. “Staff members come together to make it happen.”
Hermosa-Dolan works primarily with pregnant mothers and children ages 0 to 3, visiting families in their homes to provide lessons and early learning activities. Twice a month, she helps facilitate in-person socialization sessions at the Baldwin Park ECE campus where families gather to engage in structured learning, share experiences, and access additional services such as special education support and essential items from their Care Closet. These sessions introduce young children to classroom routines, help parents integrate learning at home, and foster a sense of community among families.
“Parents become friends, and before you know it, we have a little community,” Hermosa-Dolan said. “Grandparents and siblings are also welcomed—it’s a family effort.”
BPUSD Director of ECE Ricardo Rivera praised Hermosa-Dolan’s impact. “Ms. Marilu makes a big impact on families,” Rivera said. “She does an incredible job making families feel connected and supported.”
Over the years, Hermosa-Dolan has had many full-circle moments, including when former young parents returned to thank her for the support they received. “They told me they finished college and their child was doing well in school, and they wanted to thank me,” she said. “That’s something not every program supports, but here, we help families grow together.”
Photos
Headshot of Early Childhood Education (ECE) teacher Maria “Marilu” Hermosa-Dolan
Baldwin Park Unified's Early Childhood Education program hosts a socialization event for students up to three years old and family members at their main Baldwin Park Campus, 2025.