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Heather A. Davis, Ph.D Director Heather Davis grew up on Long Island, New York and has lived in several regions of the country. She holds a Ph.D. in Applied Child Development from the University of Georgia (2001) and spent the first 15 years of her career working in public teacher education. Read more about our Director and our staff here: https://lajollamontessorischool.com/about-us/staff/
Ms. Holly Hobson Administrative Assistant Ms. Holly Hobson earned her Associates Degree in Social and Behavioral Studies and Psychology at Grossmont College in 2015, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology, Cum Laude, at San Diego State University in 2017, and just recently completed the Office Professional Training Program at Grossmont College with a 4.0 in January 2024. She has experience working with children since she was in high school where she earned college credit working in elementary school and preschool classrooms. During college, Ms. Holly worked as a program instructor for various after-school programs. After college, she worked at a preschool as a floater and was promoted to teacher. Ms. Holly’s goal has always been to help others and she looks forward to helping the families of La Jolla Montessori School.
Ms. Carmen Gaxiola Primary Spanish Guide Ms. Carmen Gaxiola studied English at St. Louis University in St. Louis Missouri and earned a Degree in Education Administration from Anahuac University in Mexico City. She studied Montessori in 1999 at the Montessori Institute of San Diego (MISD) and has been an AMI Montessori Guide for over two decades.
Ms. Isobel Jia Primary English Guide Ms. Isobel Jia moved to San Diego after she completed her bachelor’s degree at Purdue University in 2015. She received her AMI Primary Certification at the Montessori Institute of San Diego in 2022. What Ms. Isobel loves the most about being a Montessori Guide is witnessing the growth and development of each child, fostering independence, critical thinking, and a love for learning. While she conducted her observation and practice teaching at LJMS, she was deeply impressed by the professionalism, dedication, and expertise of everyone here and she is excited to continue her journey of practicing the Montessori method.
Ms. Sage Gamble Primary English Assistant Teacher Ms. Sage Gamble earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Arizona in 2022, where her favorite area of study was Child Developmental Psychology. She completed her training to be a Primary-level assistant teacher in 2025 through the AMI Washington Montessori Institute. She aspires to pursue a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy in the future.
Ms. Wendy Lewis Primary Spanish Guide Ms. Wendy Lewis earned her Montessori degrees in Infant and Toddlers (0 - 3 years) as well as in Primary education (2.5 - 6 years) from American Montessori Society (AMS) in 1997. With over 25 years of experience in Montessori education, she is passionate about creating nurturing environments where children can develop to their full potential and thrive—which has always been a priority in her professional life. Her career has encompassed a diverse range of roles as an educator including Assistant Teacher, Head Montessori Guide, and owner of her own Montessori school. Ms Wendy has also served as part of a multidisciplinary team supporting children with special needs. This breadth of experience has equipped her with a strong foundation in early childhood education and a proven track record of success.
Ms. Katia Ledon Primary English Guide Ms. Katia Ledon earned her American Montessori Society (AMS) Certification in 2012 from the Centro De Ensenanza Montessori and began her career working at Buona Terra Montessori School in Tijuana. Then in 2015, she completed her AMI Primary Certificate from the Montessori Institute of San Diego. For five years, she led a Spanish immersion classroom at Kinderhouse Montessori.
Ms. Cinthya Ramirez Rivera Primary Spanish Guide Mrs. Cinthya Ramirez Rivera began her educational journey at a preparatory school before attending MISD in La Jolla, California, in 2002. After earning her certification as a Children’s House Guide (3-6 years), she dedicated 14 years to Montessori Paolini, a leading Montessori school in Tijuana. During this time, she gained invaluable experience, while also pursuing a Psychology degree at Univer Universidad. Her studies highlighted the crucial need for parent education, a focus she has maintained throughout her career. With over 20 years of experience in Tijuana’s educational landscape, Mrs. Ramirez has excelled as a lead guide in various schools.
Ms. America Villa Primary Spanish guide Ms. America Villa completed her training to be a Primary Spanish Assistant Teacher through the Montessori Stoppani Training Center in Tijuana in 2022 and the AMI Primary certificate to be a Head Spanish Guide in 2024. Ms. America is from Los Ángeles, California but grew up in Tijuana. Five years ago, she started working in a traditional elementary school, but when she had the opportunity to work at La Jolla Montessori School, she didn’t think twice about taking the job!
Ms. Mara Smith Primary English Guide Ms. Mara Smith earned an Associate’s Degree in Child Development, a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts from Crafton Hills College in 2006 and a CA public school Teaching Credential from the University of Redlands in 2008. Mara’s passion for early childhood started when she took her first course in child development and decided that was where she wanted to focus her future.
Ms. Lucia Escobar Primary Spanish Guide Ms. Lucia Escobar earned a Master’s Degree in Culinary Arts in 2010 and spent several years working as a sous Chef in Mexico. After working as a teacher at a bilingual school in Mexico for two years, she discovered her love and passion for children. Upon moving to San Diego, she continued working with children as a babysitter and nanny. She’s excited to join the La Jolla Montessori School and bring her enthusiasm and expertise to the community.
Ms. Laura Juarez Primary Spanish Guide Ms. Laura Juarez earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2018 and completed her AMI Primary certificate to be a Head Spanish Guide in 2024 through the Montessori Stoppani Training Center in Tijuana. She is originally from Tijuana and began her professional career working as a Head Guide at Jardín del Saber ‘Albert Einstein’.Ms. Laura strongly believes that the Montessori method is the ideal way to unlock every child’s potential.
Ms. Asa Samoori Toddler English Guide Ms. Asa earned her AMI Montessori Diploma from the Montessori Institute of San Diego in 2018, followed by completing her Master’s Degree in Montessori Education from Loyola University, Maryland in 2019. She has worked in AMI Montessori schools since 2016.
Ms. Mariela Martinez Toddler Spanish Guide Ms. Mariela Martinez is a passionate toddler teacher with a degree in Early Childhood Education from the Centro Superior de Pedagogia Mentor Mexicano. She is currently completing her AMI Montessori 0-3 years Infant/Toddler training from Montessori Stoppani. She has 9 years of experience working with young children, and she is dedicated to fostering curiosity and growth in the early years of education.
Ms. Lili Garcia Toddler Spanish Guide Ms. Lili Garcia earned her Associate’s Degree in Early Education from Southwestern College in 2006 and then her AMI Assistants to Infancy and Primary Diploma for children ages 0-6 years old from The Montessori Institute of San Diego (MISD).
Ms. Natalie Kelly Toddler English Assistant Teacher / Toddler EDP Ms. Natalie Kelly earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Art from California State University Channel Islands in 2015. She spent many years working as a Summer Camp Counselor, babysitter, Library Assistant, Museum Engagement and Education Lead, and as a Nanny. She found La Jolla Montessori School while working as a Preschool Substitute Aide and quickly felt drawn to the Montessori way. She believes working with children is her gift and direction forward in life.
Ms. Kristine Withem Toddler English Assistant Teacher / Toddler EDP Ms. Kristine Withem earned an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education and spent five years serving as an Assistant Teacher at the Montessori Community School of Salt Lake City. She holds certificates in the Foundations of Montessori and Montessori Approaches to Special Education. Ms. Kristine worked as a co-teacher at the Appalachian State University Childcare Development Center from 2022 to 2023.
Ms. Yvette Medina Toddler Spanish Guide / Morning EDP Ms. Yvette Medina earned her American Montessori Society (AMS) Toddler Diploma in 2013 from the Centro de Ensenanza Montessori and is currently working on her Master’s Degree in Special Education at the Universidad Humanitas. She has been guiding young children for the past 10 years - first as an assistant and then as a Head Guide.
Ms. Madeleine Gau Toddler English Assistant Teacher / Morning EDP Ms. Madeleine Gau holds a Bachelor of Arts in both Public Relations and Spanish language in 2020 and is passionate about bilingual education. After working in traditional early-childhood education programs, she became interested in Dr. Montessori’s methods for early childhood education. Ms. Madeleine is passionate about child development and about learning more about Dr. Montessori’s methods for early childhood education.
Ms. Karina Velazquez Toddler English Guide Ms. Karina Velazquez earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education in 2007 from Centro Superior de Pedagogia Mentor Mexicano in Tijuana, Mexico. During her last year of college, she began working as a preschool teacher in a traditional school. In 2010, she had the opportunity to get to know the Montessori philosophy in depth and began working as a Primary school assistant at Kinderhouse Montessori School. Attending a Montessori-prepared environment was when she fell in love with this unique way of learning. At that time, Ms. Karina decided to take the training to become a certified Montessori Guide at the FAMM training center in Buenos Aires, Argentina and earned an Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Diploma to become an AMI Guide at the Fundacion Argentina Maria Montessori (FAMM) in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2011 and began working as a Montessori Guide.
Ms. Melissa Vazquez Toddler Spanish Assistant Teacher / Toddler EDP Ms. Melissa Vazquez earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Arts and Sciences from San Diego State University in 2017. After completing her Degree, she continued her preparation in the field of Child Development while working in elementary school computer science programs as a coding teacher at ThoughtStem LLC. In early 2020, Ms. Melissa pursued an infant/toddler teacher position at KinderCare Learning Centers where she developed her instructive practices.
Ms. Flor Roshnaye Primary EDP Teacher Ms. Flor Roshnaye has over three decades of experience in childcare. She helped build childcare programs at the Mission Valley YMCA to work in the food service department for the San Diego Unified School District. She enjoys seeing the growth of all the children she has taken care of over the years. Seeing them go from children to high school and college graduates makes her very happy.
Ms. Olivia Ventimiglia Floater / Primary EDP Teacher Ms. Olivia Ventimiglia earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from UC Santa Cruz in 2021. She most enjoyed her Child Development and Child Psychology courses and has been enthusiastic to apply what she learned in her courses to her role at La Jolla Montessori School.
Ms. Kalpana Masaram Floater/Lower Primary EDP Teacher Ms. Kalpana Masaram earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Sciences from MIST Engineering College and a Master of Science Degree in Informational Technology from ASTRA University in India. After graduation, she worked as an Assistant Professor teaching Sophomores and Juniors IT-related coursework at an Indian University. She enjoyed the academic teaching environment and inspired her students engaging them in group discussions.
Ms. Luz De Leon Floater / LOWER Primary EDP Teacher Ms. Luz De Leon earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Language Teaching in English, Spanish, and French in 2018 at el Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexico. She also earned an AMI Montessori Orientation Certificate for children 3 - 6 years of age in 2020 at el Fundación Argentina Maria Montessori in Argentina, Buenos Aires. Ms. Luz has experience working with children since 2009 and hopes to make a better world by teaching the young ones using the Montessori method.
Ms. Rachel Pigula Floater / LOWER Toddler EDP Teacher Ms. Rachel Pigula earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology at Fairfield University in 2019. Since then, she has worked as a private nanny, as well as taught and explored the world of yoga and Ayurveda. Ms. Rachel aims to marry these ancient practices with early childhood education in order to infuse mindfulness into the classroom.
Ms. Courtney Miller Floating Teacher / In-House Substitute Ms. Courtney Miller attended both Humboldt State University in Northern California and the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Integrative Animal Biology. She worked in the science field after graduation from working with big cats at a zoo to working in quality control in the beer industry. Ms. Courtney has also held many child-related jobs over the years. During her childhood, her mother ran a daycare business in their home. Being around children throughout her childhood and adolescence ignited her love and passion for working with younger children. She worked as a gymnastics instructor, swimming instructor, gym teacher at My Gym Children’s Fitness Center and as a nanny for several families in Virginia Beach. Ms. Courtney believes she has found her calling in the Montessori method and is currently finishing up her Childhood Education courses so that she may train to be certified as a Montessori Guide. Ms. Cherie Primary English Guide / In-House Substitute Ms. Cherie is an AMI Montessori Guide with international experience and earned a Master’s degree in Montessori education from Loyola University Maryland. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Statistics. Ms. Cherie’s journey with the Montessori method began after her college graduation when she was captivated by its child-centered approach and the philosophy of following the child’s interests. She found the concrete nature of the Montessori math curriculum particularly appealing and has witnessed the profound impact of these strategies firsthand.
Philosophy
La Jolla Montessori School is all about teaching your children well. Our focus is to teach each child in ways they respond via the Montessori Method. LJMS provides experienced, worldly and well-educated English and Spanish teachers who observe your children and their strengths as individuals; then, builds a learning program around them to complement their personal interests and pace in both English and Spanish. The result: children will learn concepts that foster their self-esteem and independence.
About Our Toddler Program For Children 18 Months To 3 Years: The core goals of our La Jolla Montessori School Toddler Program are threefold: instilling accomplishment, pride, and independence. From learning to care for oneself as well as the world outside themselves, our teachers guide our youngest students in a loving, nurturing way. Building children from the ground up is a core component of the Montessori Method. Along the way, basic milestones are achieved: potty training, dressing themselves, ‘picking up and putting away,’ and increasing gross and fine motor skills. From basic concepts to introducing children to language, art, music, and social skills, we welcome your child to a happy, joyful world of wonder based on doing for oneself. During this time, we begin teaching two languages in a natural way. To do this, we use two teachers in one classroom. For example, in circle time, teachers will take turns conducting reading, stories, and songs—one day in English and the next day in Spanish. Over time, toddlers become familiar with both languages. Watch with wonder as our youngest children progress from basic tasks to an understanding about themselves, their immediate surroundings, and the world around them via the Montessori Method. Then, see how quickly they naturally assimilate words via our two-teacher, two-language approach. “Early childhood education is the key to the betterment of society.” -Maria Montessori
About Our Primary & Kindergarten Program For Children Aged 3-6 Years
Here in Primary, Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and Kindergarten programs are where Dr. Maria Montessori’s 110-year-old teaching method shows its considerable talents as a tool for growth, learning, understanding and communicating with others. As your child grows, so do our programs. Here in Primary, three to six-year-old children are immersed in behaviors and lessons to help them become self-motivated, successful learners. Bilingual teaching transitions smoothly in the primary environment since teaching began during the Toddler program. Starting with Montessori sandpaper letters in both English and Spanish, students learn via sounds, feelings, and sight. Once children know their letters, writing and reading begin. Now, they begin to understand language and lessons, especially in their native tongues. Peer learning, a core Montessori Method tool, now comes to the fore. A three-year-old may not be ready for specific lessons but a five year may. So, teachers pair the younger child with the older child to help understanding and assimilation. In this way, younger children emulate older children while learning to respond in ever-increasing ways such as observing sounds and letters and numbers. Finally, children become program leaders by sharing work and lessons with younger children. As a result, Year Three students become more confident because they are now capable of showing Year One children how to undertake tasks. Throughout the English/Spanish bilingual immersion program, we aim to build foreign language fluency by the end of Kindergarten. But, they’ll also carry with them a wide-ranging set of skills, including respecting self, others, the world around them, and a base of conceptual knowledge based on their individual strengths. Our school supports children by collaborating with parents. This teacher and parental partnership is designed to apply the same lessons learned in school during the evening. As a result of this participatory experience, children learn to do by themselves at school and at home. “Joy, feeling one’s own value, being appreciated and loved by others, feeling useful and capable of production are all factors of enormous value for the human soul.” -Maria Montessori
Location
La Jolla Montessori School is a private Montessori Bilingual preschool for children ages 18 - Months through Kindergarten, including Transitional Kindergarten (TK), located in the heart of La Jolla, California (92037), near UCSD, many office buildings, UTC, and the beach. We are close to several parks and beaches, a shopping center, and the University for those who are looking for a preschool through Kindergarten near their work. We have families from La Jolla, Bird Rock, Pacific Beach and Mission Beach (92109), Bay Ho and Bay Park (92110), Clairemont Mesa (92117), University Town Centre (UTC/92122), Sorrento Valley (92121), Kearny Mesa (92123), Rancho Santa Fe (92067) and Del Mar (92014) communities.
About our program
Located in La Jolla, CA, La Jolla Montessori School offers a an English/Spanish Bilingual Immersion Montessori school for ages 18 months - Kindergarten, including Transitional Kindergarten (TK). Our bilingual immersion program is integrated into the Montessori Methodology. As a result, children receive both an authentic Montessori English language education and an equally strong Spanish language program. This assists the child to fluently speak their non-native language by the completion of Kindergarten. It also increases their thought processes and problem-solving skills.