TEACHERS
Although we are proud of our school environment and materials these elements are minor compared to the importance of the teacher. It is through the loving, trusting relationship of the teacher that the child first makes contact with the environment and then is given the confidence and support to explore.
Montessori Teachers are chosen on the following principles:
The confidence to love a child in a way that allows for his spirit to develop and independence to flourish, but that is still sensitive and nurturing when the child needs it.
The ability to observe a child and judge appropriately when it is time to step in to help and when that help would rob the child of the joy of his own achievement.
The knowledge of how to redirect a child or correct a child in a way that is positive and is sensitive to the child's pride of achievement or fear of failure.
Teacher Education
Each Primary Montessori classroom is staffed by two adults: an AMI or AMS Montessori credentialed teacher who has a college degree or meets the Early Childhood Education requirement. Head primary teachers are assisted by a teacher with a minimum of 12 ECE units and has received training as a Montessori teaching assistant. The teacher in a Montessori classroom is a facilitator rather than an instructor and serves as a link between the child and the learning environment.
Each Infant and Toddler classroom is staffed by a Head Teacher who has a college degree, a minimum of 12 ECE units including Infant and Toddler Development and has received on-site Montessori training.
Head Teachers attend annual Montessori conferences and our entire teaching staff participates in continued education and workshops.
All staff are required to hold current Pediatric CPR and re-certify every 2 years, have a medical referral and a negative TB test. A minimum of one First-Aid trained staff member will be on-site at all times.
Every staff member and volunteer is required to have Live Scan electronic fingerprints taken and submitted to the Department of Justice and to the Federal Bureau of Investigation before hire. Individuals information will also be checked on the Child Abuse Central Index by the State of California.
OUR TEACHERS
Director Sara Hooper
While completing my elementary education degree I began working at a Montessori school under a fabulous mentor teacher. As I worked in the Montessori classroom, I observed children becoming empowered by the independence and respect that they were given. I fell in love with the philosophy and shortly after completed my Montessori training and internship at the University of California, Irvine. After 5-years of teaching in a primary classroom I was given the opportunity to open and operate 2 different Montessori schools and spent almost 9 wonderful years at the last program until it closed in 2008 due to redevelopment. My goal for Mission Montessori which opened in May 2009 is for it to be a Christ-centered Montessori school that nurtures children and helps them to become lifelong learners who know and share their Christian faith.
I live in Laguna Niguel with my husband and our two boys who are 6 and 2. We love to go to the beach, travel, cook, work on household projects, decorate and spend time with friends.
Assistant Director
Ms. Lena Thomas is the assistant director and dance teacher at Mission Montessori. She has been a dancer, performer and instructor her entire life. Along with her early childhood education and administrative units, Ms. Lena holds an Associate’s Degree in Dance from SAC and a BS in Management from the University of Phoenix. Ms. Lena assisted in a primary Montessori classroom for 2 years but currently holds the position of assistant director at Mission Montessori. She teaches ballet and tap on Wednesday afternoons through her company, D…is for Dance.
Ms. Lena enjoys crafting, baking, ice skating and bowling. She volunteers and attends New Song church in Irvine and dances with their holiday and special event group.
Bible Teacher
Ms. Teresa Baker leads praise and worship classes for our children each week. Ms. Teresa uses the curriculum developed by Pastor Mike Fabarez, “Bible Survey for Kids,” combined with highly-energetic children’s worship music. Ms. Teresa holds a BA in Liberal Studies from Cal State Fullerton and dreams of attending seminary when her youngest child is older. Ms. Teresa is passionate about reading the Bible and sharing God's Word with others. Ms. Teresa’s goals while at Mission Montessori are to teach the children to learn about God through the Bible and to talk to God through prayer. Ms. Teresa's prayer for each child who enters Mission Montessori is that he or she would follow Jesus Christ! Ms. Teresa, her husband Brian and their three children live in Aliso Viejo and attend Compass Bible Church.
Lead Primary Teacher
Yvette Villafuerte graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Literature and received her Elementary Montessori Diploma from OB. Montessori Center INC. and her Primary Montessori certificate from University of California, Irvine. Ms. Yvette has 6 years of teaching experience. Ms. Yvette lives with her husband and 7 year old son in Rancho Santa Margarita.
Lead Primary Teacher
Gina Whitefoot graduated from CPSU, San Luis Obisbo, with a degree in Social Science in 2000. She received her Montessori Diploma from the Montessori Teacher Education Center in the San Francisco Bay Area and has six years of Montessori teaching experience.
Ms. Gina enjoys spending time with family and friends, running 5K’s, hiking with her husband, volunteering, walking her dog Milo and playing fetch at the beach. Ms. Gina is a newlywed and lives with her husband in Irvine.
Primary Montessori Assistant
Ms. Shana Ferguson received her Montessori teaching certificate from UC Irvine in 2007. Following a one year internship Ms. Shana worked as a lead teacher for 2 years and is currently assisting with Ms. Gina Whitefoot in a primary classroom.
Shana lives in Aliso Viejo and is originally from Yucaipa, CA. Ms. Shana enjoys music, plays the harmonica and is learning to play the guitar. She also loves to hula dance, travel and spend time with her family.
Primary Assistant
Ms. Kera Arnold graduated Cum Laude from Vanguard University with a BA in Psychology and has acquired 18 units in Early Childhood Education. Ms. Kera currently assists Ms. Yvette in one of our primary classrooms and has 3 years previous preschool teaching experience.
Primary Montessori Teacher/Substitute
Mrs. Robin Rasmussen received her Montessori teaching certificate from UC Irvine and has 6 years of teaching experience. She currently works as a classroom and office substitute when needed at Mission Montessori. Robin loves being around children and volunteers regularly at her sons school. She also enjoys hiking, traveling, cooking and spending time at the beach where she lives with her husband and their 7 year old son.
Lead Pre-Primary Teacher (Toddlers 2-3)
It takes a certain kind of person to work with Toddlers… the magical age! We believe we have found that perfect match in Mrs. Celine Tojos who has worked with infants and toddlers for over 6 years. Ms. Celine is energetic, loving, calm, and flexible with a great sense of humor. She continually grows and learns from her surroundings which is evident in her enriching Montessori, pre-primary curriculum. “Ms. Celine” holds a BA in Psychology and continued her education by receiving 12 Early Childhood Education units in Child Development and Infant/Toddler.
Ms. Celine lives in Fullerton with her husband Randy and their beautiful baby girl Yumi. She loves family, photography, music, movies, toddlers and Jesus!
Toddler Assistant
Ms. Meredith Weber holds a BA in English from Cal Poly, has completed 8 units in Early Childhood Education and assists Ms. Celine with our 2-3 year old toddler pre-primary classroom. Ms. Meredith lives in Coto de Caza is an avid runner, enjoys reading, surfing, skiing and is the head coach for the girls lacrosse team at Tesoro high school.
Lead Infant Caregiver (3-24 months)
Mrs. Dina Taruc is a true “Baby Person” and is loved by parents and children alike. Ms. Dina is so warm, loving and receptive you cannot help but smile when you are in her presence. It is obvious that she loves her job and takes great pride in caring for our babies. “Ms. Dina” holds a BS Degree in Elementary Education. In addition, she has received 25 units in early childhood education, infant development and Montessori education. Ms. Dina has worked with Director Sara Hooper for 7+ years and maintained contact with most of the families whose children she has cared for over the years.
Ms. Dina lives in Irvine with her husband Gerry and their 2 children who are 14 and 19. Ms. Dina is a Christian, loves spending time with family and friends and describes herself as friendly, simple and hardworking.
Lead Infant II Teacher
Mrs. Marivic Gonzalez, our lead Infant teacher for infant/toddlers 18-30 months, is one of the kindest people you will ever meet. She is patient, loving, artistic and has worked with infants and toddlers for 8 1/2 years. Ms. Marivic has been blessed with a beautiful singing voice and sings in her church choir. She is also a talented artist and implements plenty of creativity in her infant/toddler curriculum.
Ms. Marivic holds a degree in Computer Science, has acquired 16.5 Early Childhood Education units and attended several Montessori and Child Development workshops. Ms. Marivic lives with her husband and 6 year old son in Irvine.
Infant Assistant
Mrs. Bithi Chowdhury holds a BS in Sociology, 12 units of Early Childhood Education and has 6 years of experience assisting in a Montessori infant classroom. Ms. Bithi is a wonderful cook and enjoys socializing and spending time with her family. She lives in Irvine with her husband and their two children.
Infant Assistant Teacher
Mrs. Heather Sorenson graduated from Cal State Fullerton with a BS in Child & Adolescent Development in 2006 and has 9 years combined teaching experience with preschool and school age children. Ms. Heather lives with her husband and their cat Yoyo in Mission Viejo. She grew up in Lake Arrowhead and enjoys water skiing, wake boarding, hiking, playing the piano and spending time with friends and family.
Infant Aide
Mrs. Tina Allen works as a full-time aide in our infant and toddler classrooms. Tina ran a home childcare business for over 15 years. She loves children of all ages but especially enjoys working with infants. Ms. Tina joined our staff recently, she is a very hard-worker and loves her time in the classroom and is a wonderful addition to the Mission Montessori staff. Ms. Tina lives with her husband in Mission Viejo.
