About Our Director

Gates Preschool, Interim Director

Mary DeLucca

mary@gatesofprayer.org

I am thrilled to serve as the Interim Director of Gates Preschool. I bring a strong academic background, having graduated from Louisiana State University with a major in Anthropology and minors in Italian and Philosophy. My entire career has centered on nurturing children, and for the past decade, I've dedicated myself to early childhood education. My journey included three years as a Behavioral Therapist, where I specialized in ABA therapy for children with autism.

Since joining Gates in 2021—when our infant center started with just one class  - I’ve had the privilege of contributing to our growth. We now have three thriving classrooms, each enriched by a curriculum that blends play-based learning with principles of applied behavior analysis. I believe ABA enhances early childhood education by providing a structured yet adaptable framework that reinforces positive behaviors, builds essential skills, and encourages a love for learning. By integrating these techniques naturally into our daily routines, we support each child’s development in a way that feels engaging and joyful.

I'm grateful to be part of the Gates family and excited to connect with each of you!