Faculty

Our team of more than 40 professionals is dedicated to serving approximately 250 students from North Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties. Our reputation as a training school brings Montessori interns from around the world.

Administration

Taren Ponce
Head of School

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Amanda Boutchia
Associate Head of School

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Shayna Gonzalez
Administrative Assistant

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Toddler

Marjana Zhiti
Toddler Teacher

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Laizan Alegrid
Toddler Teacher

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A Montessori art station with natural materials, encouraging creativity and expression.

Sarah Niemann
Assistant Teacher

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Children practicing grace and courtesy exercises in a Montessori setting, fostering social skills.

Natalia Hernandez
Assistant Teacher

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Pre-Primary

Laila Avis
Pre-Primary Teacher

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Sierra Whalen
Pre-Primary Teacher

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Montessori geography lesson featuring a puzzle map of continents for hands-on learning.

Haylee Searles
Assistant Teacher

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A child working with Montessori language cards to build vocabulary and word recognition.

Frances Lugo
Assistant Teacher

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A Montessori nature walk, where children observe plants, insects, and natural surroundings.

Katherine Palma Diaz
Assistant Teacher

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Destiny Garcia
Assistant Teacher

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Primary

Children engaged in sensory play with natural materials in a Montessori classroom.

Wendy LaGrua
Primary Teacher

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Yaneth Santana
Primary Teacher

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Yenny Correira
Primary Teacher

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Mara Carrasquillo
Primary Prep Teacher

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A child working with Montessori language cards to build vocabulary and word recognition.

Lakmini Herath
Assistant Teacher

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Michele Lee-Pack
Assistant Teacher

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Akira Martis
Assistant Teacher

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Nora Leon Escalante
Assistant Teacher

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Lower Elementary

Laura Orellana
Lower Elementary Teacher

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A Montessori toddler shelf, carefully organized with hands-on learning materials accessible to children.

Stefania Miller
Lower Elementary Teacher

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A Montessori art station with natural materials, encouraging creativity and expression.

Lori Ringo
Lower Elementary Teacher

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Celeste Harris
Assistant Teacher

Bio coming soon!

Upper Elementary

Pamela Russell
Upper Elementary Teacher

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Rebecca Boes
Special Services

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Middle School

Barbara Rijo
Middle School Teacher

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A Montessori peace corner with calming objects like a sand timer and peace rose for conflict resolution.

Paula Bamis
Co-Middle School Teacher

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Support Staff

Juanita Willis
Special Services

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A toddler practicing fine motor skills by threading beads in a Montessori environment.

Olivia Hunt
Special Services

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Jayda Quevli
Special Services

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A peaceful Montessori reading corner with books and soft cushions for independent learning.

Andrea Frigo
Special Services

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A child working with Montessori language cards to build vocabulary and word recognition.

Sharon Marshall
Special Services

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Specialists

Children collaborating on a group project with Montessori cultural materials, exploring global diversity.

Sandy Kyros
Reading Specialist

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Enrichments

George Osterman
Physical Education and Health Teacher

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Jocelyn Vargas
Primary Spanish Teacher

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Giovanna Agudelo
Elementary Spanish Teacher

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Natalie Wernberg
Enrichment Teacher

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