Ms. Irma Letson
Owner & Executive Director
AMI Primary and Elementary Certified
Serving you since 1978
Irma Letson is the founder of TMS and is back from retirement. Mrs. Letson has been involved with Montessori Education for over 30 years. An Arizona State Certified Teacher with over 40 years of teaching experience, Mrs. Letson has a Masters Degree in Special Education from ASU and a BA in speech from California State College at LA, and is a reading specialist. Between completing her education at ASU and discovering the Montessori Method, she worked for ten years at Devereaux Day School, a private school in Scottsdale for children with special needs. In 1989 she completed the AMI Elementary teacher training at the Washington Montessori Institute in Washington, D.C.
She has two AMI teaching diplomas in the Primary and Elementary levels. In 1977 she was introduced to Maaika Van Theil, a teacher at a Montessori School in Tucson who worked with Maria Montessori. Maaika Van Theil’s presence and school were an inspiration and Irma knew what she had to do. Irma founded TMS in the summer of 1978 and is well into its 3rd decade of delivering Montessori education to children in the Tempe AZ area. Irma has always provided an even and steady perspective and plans to guide the School into the next generation.
Lauren Bolar
Administrative Assistant
AMI A to I Certified
Serving you Since 1999
Lauren Bolar graduated from Arizona State University in 2009 with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration. She completed her AMI training for in A to I Assistants to Infancy in 2011. She looks forward to opening a Nido classroom for children ages 6 weeks to walking at TMS. She is an alumni member of Tempe Montessori School and has worked here since 1999. You will see Lauren wearing many different hats during the school year from welcoming your children when you drop them off at the beginning of the day to sending out information to parents to updating the website. Lauren also organizes many fundraisers for the schools including our book fairs, TEMPO meetings, Parent Education meetings, and our Annual Garage sale.
Teaching Staff
Primary Education
Ms. Smita Devani
AMI Primary Directress
Serving you since 1997
Smita is a head primary teacher. Smita was born in Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa. After finishing high school she went to England to further her studies in computers. She got married in England and moved to Canada with her husband, where she pursued her career in computers. She moved to Arizona in 1994 and joined TMS in 1997 as an assistant. Smita completed her AMI training in May 2004. She enjoys children and has two girls who are TMS alumni. Her broad awareness clearly perceives the many activities all around her as she guides and coaches the work of the children. Her 14th year at Tempe Montessori School promises to be a brilliant one.
Primary Education
Ms. Lisa MacIsaac
AMI Primary Directress
Serving you since 1997
Lisa is a Primary teacher. She received her Bachelor in Science in Electrical Engineering from the U.S Air Force Academy, and subsequently served in the Air Force as a KC-135 pilot and T-38 Instructor Pilot. Lisa has been happily married for over 22 years, and has 4 wonderful children, her oldest in college. When Lisa first became a mother, she became fascinated with child and brain development, which led her to Montessori literature. While her 2 oldest daughters were attending a Montessori preschool, and Lisa pregnant with her third, she completed her AMI Primary certification in 1997. After her third daughter was born, Lisa owned, operated and was the Directress at a Montessori preschool in her home. She operated this preschool for 5 years, and enjoyed teaching very much. Once her older two daughters started attending Tempe Montessori’s Elementary program, Lisa decided it was time to become AMI Elementary certified. She graduated from Washington Montessori Institute in 2001. It was during this training that her son was born. Due to a house move, and her desire to focus on her own children’s learning, Lisa decided to homeschool her children, incorporating Montessori philosophy and materials, and did this for many years. Lisa has been waiting for the right opportunity to return to teaching in a classroom, and is thrilled to start a primary class at Tempe Montessori. Lisa is passionate about her family, children and photography. She also enjoys camping, and volunteers with the Boy Scouts and her children’s school whenever she can.
Ms. Eun Kyung Lim
Primary Teacher Assistant
Primary AMI Certified
Serving you since 1993
Eun is the Primary Substitute Teacher. She has earned her AMI Primary Diploma and has a BA in Christian Education from Presbyterian Seminary in Korea. Eun has two children, a daughter at U of A and a son who graduated from Annapolis Naval Academy. She served 18 years working at a Korean school on weekends and has served TMS for 16 years. Eun serves Tempe Montessori in many ways and assists where needed. She is with the afternoon classes and afterschool Programs. Attributes for our popular directress are her bright spirit, willingness to serve and gentle countenance with the children.
Elementary Education
Ms. Michelle Nuest
AMI Elementary Directress
Born and raised on a farm in rural Indiana, Michelle Nuest graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelors of Science in Retail Management and a minor in Organizational Leadership and Supervision. She is currently training with Hershey Montessori Training Institute for ages 6-12. Michelle loves working with children and sharing her knowledge creatively with arts, music, and rhythm. Her favorite things to do within the classroom include helping the children discover their own creativity and expanding the skills and talents they already possess. She looks forward to sharing her expertise with animals and agriculture with the children and providing a supportive environment. Michelle enjoys spending time with her husband, Kevin traveling to new food places and taking walks with their dog, Samurai and playing with the cat, Ninja. Michelle looks forward to her first year at Tempe Montessori and becoming a part of the community.
Toddler Education
Ms. Cindy Draper
A to I AMI Directress
Serving you since 1998
Cindy is a toddler teacher who completed her Assistants to Infancy training (A.I.) in 2002. She has a background in the toddler community as an assistant for 3 years and has studied child development from North Pioneer College. She has also worked with Head Start Programs for seven years. Cindy is an active member in the Navajo Community and has taught Navajo arts and culture. Ms. Cindy has three daughters, who are TMS alumni; her son and daughter are in the elementary program. Cindy will teach the toddler class in her 11th school year with Tempe Montessori. Her patient presence is perfect guidance for the toddlers that are with her age 18 to 36 months.
Sara Kako
Toddler Teaching Assistant
Serving you Since 2007
Sara graduated from high school in Baghdad, Iraq where she was raised and later worked as a preschool teacher and office secretary. She left Baghdad in 1992 and traveled to Jordan, Turkey, and Bulgaria. She went from Greece to San Diego, CA in 1993. In 1994 she studied with the Union of Pan Asian Communities, UPAC, where she received training in Pan Asian Children Family Services and Family Day Care. She is a mother of 3 ages 14, 18, and 22 years, and handles children very well. She volunteers at her church as usher and Sunday school teacher. She is Arabic fluent and speaks the Chaldean language. Sara is partnered with Cindy in the toddlers and is thoroughly experienced and most comfortable with children of this young age.
Felicia Molinar
Toddler Teaching Assistant
Aftercare program Coordinator
Serving you Since 2009
She is born and raised in AZ. She graduated from Globe High school in 2006 and moved to Mesa to pursue a higher education at MCC. She has worked with the Boys and Girls club. She also instructs Arts and Crafts and homework guidance. She enjoys working with kids and sees a career in the education of children. She looks forward to being a part of the TMS community.
Nattiauna Tsosie
Aftercare Aid
Serving you Since 2009
Natti is a TMS alumni and has come to share her Montessori experience with the children of our aftercare program. She has three siblings, who have all attended TMS as well. She has experience with art, music, dance and loves children. She is excited to help the program.
Lauren Marques
Aftercare Teacher Assistant
Primary Teacher Assistant
Serving you Since 2010
Lauren was a “Montessori kid” herself during Primary years in Canada, so it came as no surprise that when she first started working as an assistant at Cave Creek Montessori in 2006, she was reminded of the true beauty in Montessori Education. She plans to become AMI certified for Primary in the near future. Lauren is currently a student at Arizona State University in the Psychology Bachelor of Arts Degree Program; with hopes to obtain this degree and aspire for a Masters/Doctorate Degree with an emphasis in Child Psychology. With her love and passion for Dr. Maria Montessori’s traditions, creativity, and importance of the child’s psyche; she feels honored to grow with the Tempe Montessori children, program and community.
Charley Cedarleaf
Substitute Primary Aid
Office Aid
Charley is 21 years old and originally from California. She has loved in many different places throughout the years. She has worked at Montessori schools in Uganda, Africa and New York. She has also been an Upper East side Nanny for many years. She attended College in New York but calls Arizona home for the past 7 years. She is taking her AMI primary training at the Southwest Institute of Montessori studies and will complete her certification in 2012. She says, “I love children and Montessori therefore it is a great combination!”
Ashlee Caroll
Primary Teaching Assistant
Toddler Aftercare Assistant
Serving you Since 2011
Ashlee was born in Phoenix and raised in Lake Havasu City. I have worked with young children for the past 9 years. It wasn’t until 2006 I moved to Santa Cruz, Ca where I discovered Montessori. I instantly fell in love with the philosophy and the environment it creates for the children. During my time in California I completed the Montessori assistant teacher course. I look forward to continuing my Montessori certification in the near future. In the mean time I am enjoying working at TMS and being a mother to my 1 year old son.
Odet Kako
Primary Playground Aid
Toddler Aftercare Assistant
Serving you Since 2011
Odet is currently furthering her education for a medical degree. Her love for children and their growth and development has brought her to TMS. She enjoys working with the children and aiding them in their path to independence.