Director

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Hello, my name is Alexis Hsieh. I started my career at St. Mary’s Montessori School as the Gerber Daisy Lead in 2017. In 2020 I made the decision to support my two wonderful boys as a stay-at-home mom but returned to St. Mary's last year. This year, I have committed to attending the Montessori Institute of San Diego to further my education as a Montessorian. On my spare time I love to hike, dance, shop, try new restaurants, and of course spend time with my family.

Lead Primary Guide / Assistant Director

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Hello! My name is Ms. Kayla Morales, and I have been part of St. Mary's Montessori School since 2019. I am the Lead Directress of our Buttercup Environment in our 3-6 Primary Program, and the Assistant Director of our Fontana campus. Working alongside my great colleagues, I have had phenomenal experiences fostering independence, growth, and confidence in the children during their first plane of development. I hold my global diploma through The Montessori Institute of San Diego, which allows me to work with children 2 1/2 - 6 internationally. I truly enjoy witnessing the social-emotional growth during this period of a child’s life. During my time away from my work, I enjoy reading, meditating, traveling, and being outdoors! I enjoy to collaborating with all our amazing families and look forward to meeting you!

Infant/Toddler Lead Teacher
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My name is Ms. Liz Martinez, and I have worked at St. Mary’s since 2018. Since joining, I have had the pleasure in working with all the ages, which influenced me in working with children 0-3. I have guided and collaborated with children in helping them towards their independence, and it is such an amazing thing to observe. Young children are capable of doing so much with the guidance and collaboration of the adult. It makes me happy to be able to guide the children at this age. In 2022, I received my AMI 0-3 Global Diploma at The Montessori Institute of San Diego under the instruction of Alejandra Rosas. I am currently the Infant/Toddler Lead Teacher in Gerber Daisy at our North Fontana Campus. In my free time, I love to go to different restaurants to eat, watching movies, and spending time with my family and friends. I am looking forward to meeting new families and ensuring the success of our children towards their independence.

Lead Infant Community 2 Guide
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Hello! My name is Ms. Stephanie, and I am the Lead Montessori guide in our Sweet Pea Environment. I have been teaching at St. Mary’s for 7 years and I absolutely love what I do. My passion is working with the 2-3 year old’s as this age group has shaped me to be the best teacher. My children bring me so much happiness and I love to see the growth from when they first start to throughout the year. I will continue to give all my best to the children in my care.

Lead Primary Guide
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Hello, my name is Mrs. Yudith I am the primary lead in the Calla Lily environment. I have been a part of our St. Mary's for 7 years, I have my diploma from The Montessori Institute of San Diego where I became AMI certified. Prior to joining St Mary's I had been working with children for ten years in a traditional school setting. Some of my favorite past time activities are going to the movies, trying new recipes at home and spending time with my loved ones. I truly enjoy my role in our environment. I love seeing the children discover and learn new things every day. My favorite part is when I get the opportunity to observe a child overcome a task, they once felt was impossible to master. That to me is the best reward!

Assistant Teacher

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Hi! I’m Ms. Kerissa, I am an assistant teacher in Sweet Pea. I have been working at St. Mary’s Montessori School for a year now, and it has been a great year full of wonderful memories. This will be my second school year with St. Mary’s and I am so excited to see what this year holds for us. I am currently attending Mt. San Antonio College to finish my associates in Early Childhood Education. Working with kids has always been a passion of mine especially the ages 0-3. They most definitely keep me on my toes.

Assistant Teacher

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My name is Farnaz Ahmed and I had the privilege of joining St. Mary’s in 2014 and watch it grow over the years and become one of the leading AMI certified schools. I am an AMI certified teacher and have 22 years of experience of working in this field. l took early retirement but came back with my passion to still work around children and see them grow with a strong commitment to provide a safe and enriching environment for students of all the ages.

Assistant Teacher
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Hello! My name is Ariana Becerra, I am the Assistant teacher for the Buttercup Class. I have been part of the St. Mary’s Montessori School since 2016. Since joining, I have had the opportunity to support and collaborate with children of various ages which influenced my passion for working in our 3-6 primary program.Since working at St. Mary’s I have served many young children and their families though guiding children in their growth and independence. My objective as an Early Childhood Educator, Montessori Guide, is to encourage normal desire for independence and high sense of self-esteem and to help children learn how to observe, question, and explore ideas independently. I received my Early Childhood Development Units in 2008. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. It is an honor to be working with all of you and I look forward to creating more lasting memories.

Assistant Teacher
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Hello my name is Lorena Vizcaino, and I have been part of St. Mary’s school since 2016. I have over 10 years of early childhood experience and have really enjoyed guiding the infants excel in the Montessori environment by gaining independence and confidence. Working with children has always been a passion of mine. I have always worked with children, starting with babysitting my own siblings at a younger age and volunteering at my church’s nursery. I find inspiration everyday through working with the infants as an Assistant teacher in Gerber Daisy by knowing that I am part of their first school experience. It’s a gift for me to watch them grow and explore the world around them and gain their independence. When I’m not working I enjoy spending time with my family, visiting new places and trying different kinds of foods.

Assistant Teacher

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Hello, my name is Ms. Karen and this is my second year working here at St. Mary’s and truly enjoy and look forward to continue working with the company. As I continue my studies in Early Child Development and plan on pursuing working with kids as my career I find St Mary’s being a major key. Working with kids has always been a great enjoyment as well find it very rewarding in a sense where I help the child learn and grow but so does each child I’ve worked with find.

Hello, my name is Chef Eva Rincon and I have been part of St. Mary’s Montessori school since 2014. I am incredibly grateful to be able to cook for these wonderful children and for all the staff. I inherited my passion for cooking from my beloved mother who was always preparing food for me and my siblings, who were always waiting for the time to enjoy her delicious dishes. For me, every day is a new challenge to be able to prepare healthy food for the children of the campus. I have had the opportunity to work for both campuses, but I am fortunate to work out of our Fontana campus. I hope to have the opportunity to meet all the parents, and to be able to obtain the most valuable thing that exist in my job "the smile of a child, who returns at home happy for having eating something that he likes at school. My second hobby after cooking is tending to my garden. I love going for walks with my husband, and when my daughter is home, we love to visit botanical gardens and spend time together.

Assistant Teacher

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Hello! My name is Gizem Nigg and I am happy to be working at St. Mary’s Montessori School. I have always wanted to be around children to help nourish their growth. I have a bachelor's degree from Istanbul Aydin University in early childhood education. I gained experience in child development through many internships and various programs during my studies in Turkey. The opportunity came for me to work in the United States when I applied through an Au Pair program in 2019. I was with families in Chino, San Francisco, and Houston where I worked with infants and toddlers for multiple years. I decided to further my education at California State University of Long Beach during 2022 to improve my professional English. I really like to travel in my free time and have been fortunate enough to have seen 18 states with my husband during our road trips. I have always been a fan of the beach and experiencing new activities. Overall, I am honored to have joined the team at St. Mary’s Montessori School, and I look forward to helping everyone grow!

Assistant Teacher

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Hello! My name is Mrs. Harita Priya Bonthu. I love spending time with kids and I feel extremely fortunate to work as an Early Childhood Educator where I have the opportunity to take care, teach, nurture, and watch them grow and help each child progress in all areas of development. I believe in working towards this in a positive, fun environment where each kid feels safe and comfortable. I completed Early Childhood Development 15 Units from El Camino College. I have served many young children in their growth and development. I spend my free time with my family and my lovely 5years daughter, love traveling. I look forward to working with you as partners in your child’s growth and development.

Assistant Teacher

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Hello St Mary’s Montessori Family

My name is Yesica M. Nieto and I am so excited to be back and be part of the St. Mary's Montessori Family. I say be back because I had already worked for St. Mary's since 2018 to 2022 but unfortunately I had to take some time off to care for my children.

I want to start by saying that I am a mom of 2 wonderful children Adriansito who's 6 years and attended St. Mary's for about 4 years and now little Alison who is 1 year old and now will be attending St. Mary's Montessori. I am married to a wonderful man.

On my free time I like to craft, hike, go to the beach, and spend as much time as possible with my family. I also love to cook and bake.

I been in the child development field for 10 years. I had a pleasure to work with infants, toddlers, as well as primary children. Working with children is extremely wonderful. Little ones teach you as much as you teach them. Every single child is unique and I just love to see them grow and accomplish every single milestone.

Assistant Teacher

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Hello! My name is Sandy Phem. Prior to joining St. Mary's Montessori School, I have a bachelor's degree from California State University of Fullerton in Child Development. I have been in the educational field for eight years now. A majority of my experience has been at a school in La Habra, California. During my time there, I have had the opportunity to work alongside with and assist children from the ages of 2 to 12 years old. It has truly been a pleasure and rewarding to help children from all walks of life to thrive. A persons effort to guide and help can have a positive impact on a child's growth. My passion for education continues to grow as I desire to be that help and support for children. My goal as an educator is to support, motivate, nurture, and provide a safe and educational space for children to flourish. On my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I love trying new foods, especially if it is spicy. I enjoy a variety of music and I love to dance. I look forward to meeting you and your family!

Assistant Teacher

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Hello! My name is Ms. Kim Reyes, and I have been caring for children of various ages and studying child development for over three years. I am immensely excited to be joining St. Mary Montessori and to have been given the opportunity to work alongside caring and qualified educators and Montessori guides. From a young age, I have always enjoyed caring for and teaching children. I have always known that my career would involve working with children in one way or another as it brings me so much joy and fulfillment to make an impact on a child’s life. During my three years of studying, I have attained a certificate in assistant teaching and am working my way to a bachelor's degree in early childhood education. My goal at St. Mary Montessori is to guide, motivate, and encourage each child, as well as provide them with a nurturing, safe, and supportive environment. During my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and my dog. I enjoy going for walks with my dog and other outdoor activities such as hiking, attending amusement parks, and playing soccer. I am truly grateful and excited to be working with you and your family!

Receptionist

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Hello! My name is Mrs. Gina Hernandez I have always had love and passion in making a difference in someone’s life. I have built my career in clerical/management for over 18+ years. Within the past 6+ years I have become a caregiver, in which it helps full feel my passion in helping others, including my own husband whom I lost to cancer in 2019. My priority with God’s guidance is to stay motivated, continue to push and never give up. In my free time another passion of mine is classic cars which I enjoy driving with my grandbabies, my family also my closest friends making memories in the beautiful outdoors. I am so grateful and honored in joining also looking forward to building a strong bond with my new family at St Mary’s Montessori School. Every day is a new way to stay humble and grateful!

Assistant Teacher

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Hello! I’m Aimme Saldana, and I am an assistant teacher at St. Mary’s Montessori School. My passion for learning about child development began during my first year of college while taking a course on early childhood education. I later graduated from Cal State San Bernardino with dual bachelor’s degrees in psychology and child development. As a first-generation college student, I understand the vital role that family and community play in nurturing the growth and development of children. This is why I enjoy coming to work every day, knowing that my career is focused on helping children explore, discover, and learn about the world, all while supporting their personal growth. When I’m not at work, I enjoy watching movies with my husband and my two Frenchies, Chip and Cookie. I also love reading a good book with a nice cup of iced coffee or matcha. I can’t wait to see what fun adventures each day brings us, and I can’t wait to meet you all!

Assistant Teacher

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Hi my name is Aleah! I am an assistant teacher at St Mary’s Montessori School. I greatly value the knowledge and understanding of early childhood development. I am blessed with the opportunity to be able to help provide my sincere care and guidance. I am committed to ensuring a safe, nurturing environment for each child. In my free time I often enjoy being surrounded by nature and finding ways to express myself through art. I believe encouraging creativity is an important factor in each child’s individual growth, and I am excited to be joining St Mary’s Montessori School!

Receptionist

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Hello everyone! My name is Alondra, and I am the new Receptionist for St. Mary’s Montessori School. I was born and raised in Tecomán Colima México. I came to California when I was 11 years old and started middle school at Kolb Middle School in Rialto CA. I had great teachers who made learning English easy and enjoyable. I obtained my Business Administration, and Social & Behavioral Science Associate Degrees both from San Bernardino Valley College. I genuinely enjoy doing crafts, scrapbooking, journaling and party decor. I am a Hello Kitty collector since I came to this country. My first experience at the Ontario Mills Sanrio shop was out of this world and I been a fan ever since. On another note I am forever grateful with St. Mary’s Montessori School for giving me this opportunity of employment. My customer service and administrative skills will come in handy to provide the best service to parents, students and staff.

Assistant Teacher

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Hello everyone! My name is Brissa, and I am an assistant teacher at St. Mary’s Montessori School. I hold a degree in Education Studies from UC San Diego, where I developed a passion for fostering the growth and development of young learners. I have 2 years of experience working in early childhood development. Throughout my work, I have focused on supporting children’s social and emotional growth and nurture their natural curiosity. Outside of the classroom I spend time outdoors where I hike and take photos of my findings. I am excited to bring my knowledge and joy for knowledge to the classroom. I hope to inspire children to explore, discover, and learn at their own pace.

Assistant Teacher

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Hi, I’m Flavia, also known as Via, and I’m thrilled to embark on my journey as an assistant teacher at St. Mary Montessori. I’m passionate about education and dedicated to creating a nurturing, engaging environment where every child feels empowered to learn and grow. Currently, I’m pursuing my education degree at Cal State Fullerton. My coursework and hands-on experiences have given me valuable insights into the best practices in education, and I’m excited to bring this knowledge into my role at St. Mary Montessori. In addition to my academic pursuits, I have meaningful experience working with children at Think Together. This role taught me the importance of patience, creativity, and empathy in education, and it solidified my commitment to fostering a supportive learning atmosphere. Every day spent working with kids has reinforced my belief in the transformative power of education, and I look forward to continuing this journey in my new position. Beyond the classroom, I have a deep love for the arts and the great outdoors. Drawing is one of my favorite ways to express my creativity and to unwind, while hiking allows me to reconnect with nature and draw inspiration from the world around me. These hobbies not only provide a wonderful balance to my professional life but also inspire me to bring fresh, innovative ideas into my teaching. As I step into this exciting new chapter at St. Mary Montessori, I am eager to contribute to an environment where curiosity, creativity, and collaboration flourish. My goal is to help every child feel valued and encouraged to reach their full potential, and I am excited to be a part of this vibrant community.

Assistant Teacher

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Hello! I’m Melanie Oblitas, and I’m excited to join St. Mary’s Montessori School as an assistant teacher. This role allows me to support young children as they grow, learn, and explore the world in a natural, play-based environment. I graduated from Cal State San Bernardino and have three years of experience working with children, from newborns to one year old, in my community church. Through this, I’ve seen first-hand the profound impact of positive interactions on a child’s development in their earliest years. In the classroom, I’m passionate about fostering a nurturing space where children feel supported and encouraged in their growth. Outside of work, I love spending time in nature and capturing scenic landscapes through photography. I’m also an art enthusiast and enjoy visiting museums like the Getty and the Riverside Art Museum to explore abstract art. Plus, I’m always on the hunt for new coffee shops to try!