- Meet our Staff -
highly trained professionals eager to serve you and your children.
BethAnn Slater
Head of School
BethAnn Slater, the Head of School, loves children and the development of children. She is the mother of 4 children, all of whom attended Montessori. She has an AMI Montessori 3-6 Diploma, a B.S. in Family and Child Development from Virginia Tech, as well as a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education. She has taught for over 25 years both in public and private settings. Most recently, she earned her AMI 3-6 Trainer status. Currently, she trains adults in both Cape Town, South Africa and Dallas, Texas.
Cassella Slater
Elementary Lead & Adolescent Director
Cassella Slater is the Financial Officer, Elementary Classroom Lead Guide, and pedagogical director of the Upper School. While teaching agriculture in Ghana for a year, she unexpectedly fell in love with teaching and the adolescent age. She has a B.S. in Animal and Poultry Sciences from Virginia Tech, and completed her NAMTA/AMI Adolescent Training in Chihuahua, Mexico. She earned her AMI 6-12 Diploma from the Montessori Training Center of Minnesota. She has also earned her Masters of Education from St. Catherine's University.
Maria Valdivieso
Nido & YCC Lead
Maria Valdivieso, YCC Lead Guide, earned her AMI 0-3 Diploma at the Montessori Training Center of St. Louis. She is passionate about her work. In the YCC environment she speaks solely Spanish, allowing our children to be immersed in the Spanish language throughout their day. She has completed her AMI Primary Assistant training and is a loving Montessori mom of two!
Lupita Gutierrez
Nido & YCC Assistant Lead
Lupita Gutierrez has energy that is unmatched. Lupita has earned her AMI 6-12 Assistant Certificate. She makes the each day engaging and exciting for the children. With a smile always on, the children love her! In the upper school and extended day environments she speaks solely Spanish, allowing our children to be immersed in the Spanish language throughout their day.
Elizabeth Padilla
Children's House Assistant
Elizabeth has always had a passion for children. She enjoys the difference in growth and development with every age. She has been working with children since 2011 and is still growing her knowledge of always doing what is best for children. She enjoys speaking Spanish to children. Loves, supporting and helping the children see their full potential and abilities are her daily goals.
Kaitlyn Lehan
Children's House Lead
Kaitlyn Lehan has earned her AMI 3-6 Diploma at MINT, and a B.S. in Family and Consumer Sciences with a concentration in Child Development from Bridgewater College. She loves working with children and helping to foster their development each and everyday. She wants to make known that learning is a joyful and exciting experience we get to take part in everyday.
Andrea Moreno
Nido & YCC Assistant Lead
Andrea is a Registered Nurse from Columbia with a specialization in the neonatal intensive care unit from the University of La Sabana Colombia, with more than 10 years of experience. She is proud to witness the physical and intellectual development of the young children, and is dedicated in her vocation to care and protect the children with her enthusiasm, empathy, happy and loving energy. She believes the youngest children every day give you something new from their wonderful world. She is currently in her training as an AMI assistant (0 to 3 years old) at the AMI Montessori Stoppani Guide Center.
Alejandra Guzman
Nido & YCC Assistant
Alejandra has been working with MMS since 2019. She has been an amazing addition to our staff and loves working with the children each and every day. Alejandra speaks solely Spanish throughout the day so the children have an immersive experience with two languages. The children love being around her positive and happy energy.