Director

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Hello! My name is Ms. Deseree Jones, and I have been part of St. Mary's Montessori School since 2017. Since joining, I have had the opportunity to support and collaborate with children of various ages which influenced my passion for working in our 0-3 Assistants to Infancy Program. Since working at St. Mary's, I have served many young children and their families through guiding children in the growth of their independence. My objective as an Early Childhood Educator, Montessori Guide, and Administrator is to create physical and psychological safe havens for children thrive and grow, and to act as a mentor and resource for parents and fellow educators. In 2021 I received my AMI 0-3 Global Diploma at The Montessori Institute of San Diego under the instruction of Dr. Silvia Dubovoy and am blessed to be the Director of our North Fontana Campus. In my free time I enjoy traveling, spending time with family and friends, and attending live events. I look forward to building a strong partnership with you and your family!

Assistant Teacher

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Hello, my name Ms. Jessica Barrett and I have been with St. Mary’s since 2021. I started as an assistant teacher and my goal was to eventually lead a classroom. I have gotten the opportunity to take the AMI training and become a lead guide. I have been enjoying learning more about Montessori education. My priority is to create a safe, healthy, and educational environment for your child. I am mother of two beautiful girls that are 11 and 2 years old. I studied early childhood education at Cerritos College. I have worked with children from the ages 6 weeks old to school age children. I’ve also wanted to teach and inspire young children. On my free time I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I love to have picnics at the park and go on walks. I am looking forward to this journey on guiding and caring for your children.

Lead Guide for Marigold
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Hello, My name is Ms. Sherangi Perera and I have been working at St. Mary’s Montessori School from 2018. It has been such an amazing journey with the staff and the children! I started my journey at the St Mary’s Fontana campus as an assistant teacher and then I moved to the Rancho campus. I became a lead guide in 2022 with a brand new class named 'Marigold'!

I have always wanted to be a teacher. My grandmother had her Montessori training and her own school. She was my inspiration to become a Montessori guide. I got my Montessori diploma/ training at 'Good Shepherd Maria Montessori Training Center, Sri Lanka'.

It was a very inspirational and fascinating experience.

In my spare time, I like to read books and listen to music.

I'm grateful and thankful for all my experiences and the memories that I gained from the staff and the kids here at St. Mary’s and I look forward for more exciting times together!

Lead Teacher for Oak
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My name is Ms. Kayla Morrill and I am the lead guide in the Oak Community. I received a B.S Degree in Child and Adolescent Studies from California State University, Fullerton. I also received my AMI 6-12 Diploma from Southwest Institute of Montessori Studies. My love and passion for working with children ages 6-12 stems from wanting to create a safe environment for children to feel comfortable and heard. As an elementary lead in our Oak environment, it is extremely important for me to create strong positive relationships with both my students and their families.

Food Service Manager

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My name is Jesus Mendez and I am the Food Service Manager at St. Mary’s Montessori Schools. I have been in the food industry for the course of 30 years and the entirety of my life has been dedicated to nutrition. In that time I have gained a passion for creating menus, catering, and learning many styles of cooking. My favorite style of cooking is Italian as that is where my foundation began. Being in the food industry I value nothing more than feeding the public nutritious food and I am ecstatic to share my love of cooking with your children. I am a father myself and I understand how vital it is to feed our children nutritious food. I believe creating healthy food habits is the foundation to a healthy lifestyle and mind that will last a lifetime. I look forward to this new opportunity and to getting to know staff and parents alike.

Assistant Teacher
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Hello, my name is Angelica, but I also go by the name Angie (much easier for children to pronounce). I have worked with St Mary's for two years as an assistant teacher in Sunflower and am currently working on getting my AMI certificate for A to I. The best part of being in this environment is seeing the children's development and watching them reach their milestones. Overall, I have learned a lot these past two years and I'm continuously learning for these have been my first years in a Montessori school working with this early age group. I enjoy reading and spending time with my family, as well as exploring new cities and hiking trails, on my free time.

Assistant Teacher
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Hello! My name is Ms. Kiran, and I am very excited to be a part of the St. Mary’s family. It is a privilege to have been with the school since 2015 and to be working alongside a team of dedicated staff and to help facilitate the growth and learning for the children. I have had the pleasure to have worked in different environments in primary and elementary as assistant teacher and have had opportunity to lead a classroom at both campuses. I have the joy to hear the children laugh, see amazement in their eyes and watch them learn from the heart.

I grew up in London, England where I received my Bachelor of Arts, honors in Law and Economics, from the City of London University. Later, I completed my child education units at UCLA as well as earned units in supervision and administration. I have over eighteen years of teaching experience and each year has been full of wonder and joy. My passion is to teach, inspire, and challenge children to love learning in a safe, positive, and fun environment.

On a personal note, I enjoy traveling, going to the movies, spending time with my family, and raising my Kubo (my Siberian Husky)!

I am truly looking forward to working together with you and your child in their growth and development.

Assistant Teacher
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Hello, My name is Rocio Rodriguez and I have been at St Mary’s Montessori School Rancho Cucamonga since May 2020. I have a a Bachelors Degree in Gender, Ethnicity and Multicultural Studies. I am currently the assistant teacher in the Water Lily environment and I am in training to be a lead guide in a classroom. As an educator my goal is to teach children to be self motivated and be respectful of themselves and their surroundings. I believe life is a journey that gives us the opportunity to become better each day, and that is an ideology I apply in the classroom.

Assistant Teacher

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I am an AMI qualified teacher with six years experience specialized to 3 to 6 years children. I did my AMI diploma in Sri Lanka at St. Bridget’s Montessori training center in 2015. I have two kids which are my nine year old daughter and five years old son. During my spare time I enjoyed gardening and cooking. I believe in the Dr. Maria Montessori method of teaching the whole child to reach his or her full potential of learning and to a good citizen of the world.

Assistant Teacher

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Hello! My name is Jessica Miranda, I recently joined the St Mary's Montessori family. I received an Associates in Early Childhood Education and an Associates in Social and Behavioral Sciences. I previously worked for the Los Angeles School District for about 14 years, in an Elementary school with preschool age children. Since I can remember, I have loved helping, teaching, and working with young children. From babysitting to volunteering in an afterschool program. This is my first experience working in a Montessori setting, since I joined St. Mary's almost a year ago. I am delighted to have joined the Elementary team! And I am excited for the new school year!

Chef

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Hello Montessori family my name is Roberto Herrera and I have been working in the hospitality industry since I was 12 years old. I started working at my aunts taqueria every summer until I graduated high school. I enrolled in a culinary arts and hospitality management course for the art institute of orange county and earned my Associates degree in 2018. Once graduating I got the amazing opportunity to work for Bon Appetit’ Management company at Concordia University of Irvine where I gained a large chunk of my experience I know today. I am really looking forward to this new opportunity with you guys at Montessori.

I really enjoy cooking in my free time, I consider myself a foodie. On my days off I enjoy hanging out with my girlfriend and going to a good restaurant. You’ll mostly find me at home in my free time hanging out with my little brothers or watching UFC fights. Combat sports are my favorite right now and baseball. I am a Lakers and Dodgers fan also.

Thank You St. Mary’s for this wonderful new opportunity, I look forward to working with you guys soon!

Assistant Teacher

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Hello! My name is Ms. Angela Ferreira, I am very excited to be a part of St. Mary’s Montessori School. I recently moved to the area from Ojai, Ca. I have had the opportunity to be a part of preschool education for close to three years now. I received my Associate degree in Early Childhood Education from Ventura College, and am currently attending California State University Channel Island hoping to obtain a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Studies in the year of 2024. Since beginning my journey within Early Childhood Education I have enjoyed learning and growing about the importance of the early years of childhood as it brings me a great amount of happiness having the opportunity to see children grow to their ability. I strive to provide the proper guidance and support for all children through their developmental growth. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, nature walks, and watching shows and movies. Delighted to meet you all

Assistant Teacher

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Hello! My name is Jennifer Zelaya and I have worked as a Teacher Assistant for 6 years and I am currently pursuing my Child Development degree. My career goal is to become a lead teacher for an elementary school setting. Being able to have a Teacher Assistant position has given me the privilege to practice and get knowledge of what is needed for me to become a success leader for every child. In my free time I enjoy being outdoors in nature for example community parks or national parks and exploring around. One of my favorite national parks that I have visited is Yosemite, I was able to visit the park with my family this past April. I enjoy hiking with my Partner in my free time and lounging around our house watching our favorite Hulu shows. In conclusion I am very excited to be joining St. Mary’s Montessori School and be part of the amazing team at the school.

Assistant Teacher

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Hello! My name is Ms. Stephanie Aguirre, and I have been part of St. Mary's Montessori School since 2023. I have worked with children of all ages since 2005. I discovered early on that I truly enjoyed learning about child development which led me to pursue working in the field of education. Working with children has given me the opportunity to build trusting relationships with many families. My goal is to provide a safe and nurturing space for children to grow and develop. My educational goal is to continue to grow as an educator and expand on my experiences in order to provide the child and their family the best experience possible. In my free time I enjoy spending quality time with my son by going to theme parks, trying new restaurants and catching up on what’s new in the cinema. I look forward to building strong bonds with you and your family!

Assistant Teacher

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Hello! My name is Amaris Contreras. It is my first year at St. Mary’s Montessori; I am excited to be part of your amazing school and meet you all! I have been part of Early Childhood Education since 2017. I have worked with infants, toddlers, and preschool aged children. I studied child development after completing my undergrad in English at San Francisco State. I am passionate about the field and supporting children and families, thus I am pursuing a master’s degree in Child Development. I love learning—as much as I am a teacher, I am also a student. I anticipate learning a few things from the wonderful individuals I meet through my journey at St. Mary’s. My goal is to support and encourage your children to be the dynamic beings they are meant to be. I will do so with a safe, nurturing, peaceful, and loving environment filled with enthusiasm, respect, and guidance. I value the importance of early childhood education and value that all children are unique in his or her own way so I strive to consider this when working with your little ones, by helping them based on their specific needs. On my free time I enjoy baking desserts, painting, making memories with my family and friends and spending time outdoors hiking or bike riding. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow with your children this year. I look forward to creating a strong bond and community with you all!

Assistant Teacher

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Hello, I'm Darlene Gonzales, born and raised in Southern California. I come from a family of five, and I'm the youngest and only girl among my four siblings. I married my high school sweet heart and we have raised our own family of 3 children, who are now young adults.

One of my greatest joys in life has been raising three wonderful children, instilling in them the values and love that I hold dear. My home is also a haven for dogs, with three furry companions of my own and a cherished grand-dog, making every day a tail-wagging adventure.

Beyond my roles as a mother and a dog lover, I'm a passionate educator. I firmly believe in the power of shaping young minds, and will draw from my life experiences and formal education to help create a joyous environment, I look forward to working with the staff at St. Mary’s Montessori School and aim to inspire and mentor those I have the privilege to teach.

Assistant Teacher

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Hello! My name is Rene Garcia.

I am so happy and excited to join the team here at SMMS. In the past 10 years, I have enjoyed working with children of all ages and in different facets. It is my passion to work with little ones, to help them learn and grow. My aim is to do all that I can to foster children's growth in all areas. I have 3 adult children and 2 grandchildren. I also have 1 fur baby, a cat named Momo. In my spare time I love to read, go for walks, and go to the movies.

Assistant Teacher

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Hello! My name is Marina Lopez, and I am the newest addition to the St. Mary’s Montessori School staff. I will be assisting the teachers in the infants and toddler classroom. I look forward to helping your children grow in love, nurture and creativity. I’m committed to creating a safe environment for them emotionally, physically and intellectually. I’ve always had a passion for kids early on in life. I had my first babysitting job at thirteen years old then later became a nanny in my early twenties. In 2016 I decided to take my passion to the next level and attend Mt. Sac community college and enter their Child Development program. It was there that I fell in love with learning about the development of children and in essence learned a lot about myself. During my time at Mt. Sac, I volunteered at Foothill Christian as a Sunday school preschool teacher to get a little more acclimated with preschool aged kids. I am now a mommy to a beautiful 4 ½ year old. On my free time I enjoy running, traveling, spending time with family, snowboarding and pretty much anything that allows me to be outside. I am a believer that God puts us exactly where he wants us, and I look forward to seeing what God has in store for me here at St. Mary’s Montessori school.

Assistant Teacher

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Hello, my name is Agali Aguirre. I began my journey at St. Mary's Montessori School in April 2021 and after taking a break to be with my little one I am so excited to be returning. My time at St. Mary’s as an assistant teacher has solidified that I am meant to be working with children. Working in this field is very fulfilling, as I can watch our children grow, learn and become more independent and confident. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my little one and husband. I am grateful and happy to be able to work alongside you and your children. My priority at SMMS is to ensure the children are given a safe and enriching environment.

Assistant Teacher

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Hello, my name is Ms. Ashley Tuvell, my life’s dream is to work with and help shape the children of today. My goal is to foster Children's creative nature and provide a safe and fun learning environment for them. I received my bachelor's degree in education from Notre Dame de Namur with a minor in religious studies. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my own toddler traveling, reading, going on adventures, and being in nature. I look forward to working with the families at St. Mary’s. 

Receptionist

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Hello everyone! My name is Ms. Rebeca De La Torre, and I'm delighted to introduce myself as a new member of St. Mary's Montessori School. I am currently pursuing my college degree with the aim of becoming a pediatric nurse. My journey into childcare began during my time as a Behavioral Therapist providing ABA Therapy. Working closely with children, I discovered my passion for nurturing their growth and well-being. Outside of work and studies, you'll often find me lost in the pages of a new book, expanding my knowledge, spending time with my friends, or trying out new dessert recipes! I'm thrilled to be joining St. Mary's because of its mission to provide a nurturing and creative environment in which children are encouraged to grow in every aspect. I'm eager to contribute to this nurturing environment and to support each child in their unique journey of discovery and growth. I look forward to meeting you all!

Assistant Teacher

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Hello! My name is Jacqueline and I am an assistant teacher at St. Mary’s Montessori School. I have a degree in Early Childhood Education from Biola University and I am so excited to be able to use what I have learned to support the classroom and the children! Outside the classroom, I love to bake, read, and take long walks with my two dogs. I truly love to witness children learning and growing in an environment that supports them fully.

Assistant Teacher

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Hello! My name is Josefina I am an assistant teacher at St. Mary’s Montessori School, I have the privilege to be part of this family, I have a passion for early childhood development. I am a Norco College graduate, and I have over two years of hands-on experience in Early Childhood Development. I enjoy my role with enthusiasm. Outside the classroom I enjoy my garden . I love reading books . I reaffirm my commitment to nurturing the growth and development of every child.