Ms. Irma Letson, Founder & Executive Director
Serving you since 1978
Irma Letson is the founder of TMS and has been involved with Montessori Education for over 40 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 AMI teaching diplomas in the Primary and Elementary levels. In 1977 she was introduced to Maaika Van Theil, a guide 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 4th 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.
Administrative Team
Jessica Cutty, Director
Serving you since 2010
Jessica Cutty joined Tempe Montessori School in 2010. She attended TMS from ages 2yrs – 10yrs. Jessica graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis on Early childhood education and earned her Director’s Certification in Education from Rio Salado College in 2016. She has taught in various educational settings including traditional, private, charter and Montessori with children 0 – 6th grade. Jessica enjoys spending time with her family, reading and traveling. She is honored to be a part of the Tempe Montessori family.
“Our care of the child should be governed, not by desire to make him learn things, but by the endeavor always to keep burning within him that light which is called intelligence” – Maria Montessori
Lauren Bolar, Associate Director
Serving you since 2008
Lauren is an alumna of Tempe Montessori and has worked with children since 1999. She believes in the Montessori Philosophy and Pedagogy wholeheartedly. She continues to work for the children and let them guide her through their needs and developmental milestones. She received her BS in Business Administration from Arizona State University in 2009. She completed her AMI Assistance to Infancy (A to I) course from the Montessori Institute of San Diego in 2011 and completed her AMI Primary (3-6) course from the Southwest Institute of Montessori Studies in 2018. Lauren was a Lead Guide in the Nido classroom for 9 years and oversees the education for 0-6. She also acts as the Associate Director of Tempe Montessori. She enjoys participating in community events and giving back to Ryan’s House and the Down Syndrome Association. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, travel and continuing her education.
“Children are human beings to whom respect is due, superior to us by a reason of their innocence and of the greater possibilities of their future.” Maria Montessori
Cassie Kennedy, Office Administrator
Serving you since 2015
Cassie Kennedy was raised in beautiful Northern Arizona and moved to the Phoenix area in 2008. She is acquiring a degree in Business Administration and Management with a touch on Law Enforcement studies. Her desire is to have a career administering or managing in a field helping and serving the public, whether it is with the city, state, or local school.
In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, painting, and being with people she loves. Cassie and her older brother first attended the infant program at a local Montessori school in Mesa, AZ and continued with the Montessori Schools of Flagstaff until 7th and 8th grade. Cassie’s Montessori education is credited to her becoming the being she is today.
“One of my favorite things about working at Tempe Montessori School is getting to see the inborn knowledge our Nido-Elementary children have and being able to witness it blossom in the classroom.”
Angelica Matus, Office Assistant
Serving you since 2016
Angelica was born and raised in Southern California. She loves to help others and is happy to work in the office helping both the students and parents. As a mother of a ten-year-old, she believes in the Montessori Philosophy and loves that she is able to assist Tempe Montessori and aid the children in their development.
“Free the child’s potential and you will transform him into the world.” Maria Montessori
Educational Teams
NIDO Education – 3 months – 15 months
Shantidas Leyba, Lead Nido Teacher
Serving you since 2013
Shantidas is an Arizona native, wife, and mother to a very active 8-month-old daughter. She attended Tempe Montessori School from 3-9 years old and has always credited her curiosity and love of learning to her Montessori upbringing; she loves being back at TMS as an adult to guide other children in their own discoveries of themselves and their environment. In 2009, she received her degree in Fashion Design from Istituto Marangoni in Italy. She had been an assistant in the Nido room since 2013 and has completed the AMI Assistants Trainings for A to I (0-3) as well as for Primary. Shantidas is taking her Assistants to Infancy training at the Southwest Institute for Montessori Studies beginning in August of 2019. She is very passionate about Montessori education and is excited to be taking on the role of lead guide in the Nido room.
Nattiauna Tsosie, Nido Assistant
Serving you since 2018
Nattiauna’s career in the Montessori environment started as a student in the TMS elementary classroom. Since then, she attended New School for the Arts and Academics majoring in photography and ceramics. Unraveling her psyche through art led her back to her passion for peace and love. Ms. Natti has plans for furthering her AMI education, with big hopes of developing instrumental environments, beneficial for children and educators. With a Montessorian as a mother, she’s been taught children are the future. Finding a passion for helping the future has inspired many embers of change inside her heart. Said by Dr. Montessori “Whoever touches the life of a child touches the most sensitive point of a whole which has roots in the most distant past and climbs towards the infinite future”. She is back home where she grew up with friends, siblings, and many teachers. She could not be happier to continue to grow and be inspired by the beauty of the natural being.
Willow Herber , Nido Aftercare Assistant
Serving you since 2020
Willow has many years of experience working with infants and young children and enjoys it immensely. She loves working with infants because of their ability to see the world as a brand new place and full of wonder. Willow is excited to be a part of the TMS staff and learn more about the Montessori Philosophy and implementing it with the children. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, being outdoors and playing different types of games.
Toddler Education – 15 months – 3 years
Cindy Draper, Lead Toddler Teacher
Serving you since 1998
Cindy is an Assistant to Infancy Directress at Tempe Montessori School since 1998. In 1993, she graduated with an Early Childhood Development Associates Degree from Northland Pioneer College. In 2003, she successfully completed the AMI Assistants to Infancy Course taught by Dr. Montanaro. Before working at TMS, her time was devoted to teaching and guiding Navajo families through center and home base Headstart and Family and Child Education (F.A.C.E.) Programs, assisting public elementary teachers, as well as the Department of Health and Nutrition. During her Montessori Journey, she has been balancing her time continuously empowering parents, children and herself with knowledge during class time, home consultations, babysitting, educational courses and trainings around the globe. Outside of her commitment to educating young ones, she runs a single mother household and remains active in preserving the Earth, sacred sites, traditions, ceremonies and homelands of Indigenous People around the world. She believes all children deserve to successfully thrive holistically in the environment around them. She truly values her role as a guide to the children and families as we build their foundation for the rest of their lives, together.
Christy Contreras, Toddler Assistant
Serving you since 2019
Christy is a Guachichil Chichimeca native from Mexico and has lived in Phoenix, Arizona on Akimel O’Odham territory for over 15 years. She received her bachelor’s degree in Mathematics at Arizona State University and is now working towards getting a certificate in teaching. In her free time, she enjoys playing the guitar, farming and gardening, making pottery, and long-distance running. She has a passion for working with children and creating a happy, secure and stimulating environment for children to grow and flourish. She believes education should be as organic and naturally rooted as possible. “The land is where our roots are. The children must be taught to feel and live in harmony with the Earth.” – Maria Montessori
Maribel Vega, Toddler Aftercare Assistant
Serving you since 2018
Maribel has three children and two stepsons. She has a passion for working with children and it is what she loves to do. She has been working with children for as long as she can remember and can’t wait to learn more about the Montessori Philosophy. She enjoys seeing them grow and learn different things. It makes her proud because she is making a positive difference in every child’s life.
Cailin Mills, Lead Toddler Teacher
Serving you since 2019
Cailin is a native Arizonan and has worked with all ages of children for 15 years. She has focused solely on Montessori since 2013. Cailin is pursuing her bachelors in Psychology at Arizona State University and will be finished in December 2019. She eventually wants to pursue a Masters degree in Occupational Therapy. She has a true passion in Montessori specifically with the toddler age group. She has completed her AMS 0-3 years through North American Montessori Center. She will continue to pursue her AMI (A to I). Cailin is very excited to join the TMS culture once again. In her free time, she loves to hike, travel, and workout.
Luz Smith , Toddler Assistant
Serving you since 2020
Luz was born and raised in Arizona. She is currently attending Mesa Community College to pursue a degree in business and plans to receive her Montessori training certification in the future. Two years ago, she was introduced to the Montessori way of learning and fell in love with it. She loves how all of the classrooms are child led and focused on each child’s individual developmental needs. She is excited to join the TMS family and continue to learn more about the Montessori Philosophy.
Olivia Cisick, Toddler Assistant
Serving you since 2018
Olivia was born in the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA. She moved to Mesa at a young age but still enjoys visiting her hometown during the summers. Olivia comes from a family of five siblings which makes childcare fairly natural for her. She also has experience working as a TSS (Therapeutic Support Staff). She aspires to have a career in healthcare as an ultrasound technician. But until then, she enjoys working with the toddlers!
Dariayn Warner, Toddler Aftercare Assistant
Serving you since 2019
Dariayn grew up in Oceanside California. She is attending Arizona State University to pursue her Degree in Elementary Education. She enjoys working with children and educating the youth to make them the best person they can be. She believes that Elementary age chilren deserve a teacher that is supportive and attentive to the students. During her free time she loves spending it with her family and friends and loves hiking. Dariayn is new to Montessori and she is excited to learn more about the philosophy and incorporate it into her work with the children. She loves Montessori, and has learned that, it is important to allow for the children to have independence in their actions and efforts because they are more capable than we realize. A quote that resonates with Dariayn is “The Teacher does not rank students. She lets each student reach his own highest potential, regardless of how his peers are performing.” Montessori Maddness
Alexia Munoz, Toddler Aftercare Assistant
Serving you since 2020
Alexia is currently attending Arizona State University majoring in Psychology with a Minor in Family and Human Development. After she receives her Bachelor’s degree, she intends to pursue a Master’s degree in Applied Behavioral Analysis and would like to become a BCBA (Board Certified Behavioral Analyst). In addition to working at Tempe Montessori, she also works as a Direct Care Worker for children with special needs. She is passionate about helping children and looks forward to a rewarding career in the behavioral health field. In her spare time, Alexia enjoys reading, exercising and spending time with her family and friends.
Primary Education – 3-6 years
Smita Devani, Lead Primary Teacher
Serving you since 1997
Ms. Smita was born in Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa. After finishing high school, she moved to England to further her studies in computers. She married her wonderful husband and moved to Canada, 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 alumnae. Her broad awareness clearly perceives the many activities all around her as she guides and coaches the work of the children. With many years of experience and expertise in her field and with her love and passion for the Montessori Pedagogy and Philosophy, she helps guide the children daily. She loves observing the children grow and develop into their fullest potential.
Dhara Parekh, Primary Assistant
Serving you since 2017
Dhara was born and raised in Mumbai, India and moved to the USA in 2009. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Home Science with specialization in Early Childhood Care and Education. Dhara completed the AMI Primary Diploma from the Southwest Institute of Montessori Studies in Phoenix in 2013. She has four years of experience working in a Preschool in Mumbai, India and has been a Teacher assistant at an After-school Program in NJ. Her hobbies are Swimming, Hiking and Watching Movies. “I am very motivated to apply my knowledge and experience and commit myself in making a difference in a child’s life by understanding children’s needs and guiding them in their development during the early years.”
Jennifer Kossman, Primary Aftercare Assistant
Serving you since 2014
Jennifer has been with the Tempe Montessori Community since 2014. She has been helping assist the Primary students during the day and with the Elementary students in the Aftercare program. She loves being around children of all ages and especially getting to know each one through their love of learning. Jennifer grew up in an Air Force family and that’s how she developed a love for traveling and meeting new people. She has attended Scottsdale Community College and has a passion for all aspects of film making, creative writing, and the art of storytelling. She loves 80’s and 90’s movies and loves all Keanu Reeves movies.
Ashlee Saenz, Lead Primary Teacher
Serving you since 2011
Ashlee first joined Tempe Montessori in 2011 working as an assistant in the Primary classroom. She completed her AMI training from the Southwest Institute of Montessori Studies in 2016. She is a mother to a 9-year-old son who is a Tempe Montessori Alumni. She truly believes the Montessori philosophy provides the most natural way for children to learn. The hands-on, individualized materials and methods are what allows the Montessori child to understand concepts to their core. She loves the passion and understanding that she sees from her students. The community that is developed in a Montessori classroom is so unique and real-world. For three years she is with a student and their family. She observes them interact as a learner and a teacher as they progress from the first year to the third year. It truly is a community of learners and teachers.” During her free time, she enjoys crafting, hiking, water sports, and spending time with her family.
Kimberly Reyes-Arroyo, Primary Assistant
Serving you since 2015
Kimberly is currently a student at Arizona State University focusing her studies to Major in Psychology and a minor in Social Work. She has a certification in food chemistry, and some CNA experience. She loves Montessori because of the rawness of letting the child explore and learn from their environment without the pressures of a traditional schooling experience as well as allowing the child to naturally develop their intellect at a young age with a natural interactive approach and connection with the world around them. In her personal time, she loves cooking, baking and DYI projects. She is a new mother to her wonderful son Dante and loves him dearly and is excited as he navigates his self-construction in the Montessori environment. She is excited to work with present and future families in the TMS community.
Jazmin Torrez, Primary Aftercare Assistant
Serving you since 2018
Jazmin is a senior at Arizona State University majoring in Criminal Justice. After graduation, she will join the Phoenix Police Department to gain experience to become a detective. She comes from a family of nine with five sisters and one brother. She is an aunt to three beautiful nieces and 1 nephew. In her free time, she loves to spend quality time with her family and work out.
Madison Mills, Primary Aftercare Assistant
Serving you since 2020
Madison was born and raised in Mesa, Arizona. She is currently pursuing her Bachelors in Speech and Hearing Science at Arizona State University and will be finished in May 2022. She will eventually pursue a Master’s Degree in this field to pursue a career in Speech Pathology for children with special needs. She loves being around children of all ages and loves to watch each child individually grow. In her personal time, she loves spending time with her family, working out, and studying for school.
Elementary Education – 6-12 yrs
Eric Tsai, Lead Elementary Teacher
Serving you since 2020
Eric was a High school math, physics and chemistry teacher in Taiwan, and majored in industry engineering. He came to Arizona to pursue a Montessori teaching accreditation because he saw the value and the need of true education. He is full of energy and has tons of interesting ideas to share with children. He speaks both English and Mandarin. Eric has an inherit Taiwan’s multi-cultural background and it is easily discoverable from his way of guiding children. He is also a person with variety of interests, from cooking to sports. He is willing to dedicate all his patience into Montessori environment and students!
Kaili Smith, Elementary Assistant
Serving you since 2020
Kaili recently earned her degree in health and human physiology with a double minor in psychology and human relations. After graduate school, she plans to pursue a career in occupational therapy. Throughout her undergraduate years at the University of Iowa she has completed research and study with preterm infants. She has also examined and studied areas of different learning types such as, autism, tics, ADHD and other learning styles. While job shadowing, she has observed many hours of occupational therapy and creating different ways to aid children with different learning styles. With the variety of research in pediatrics, she feels most drawn to continue her work with children and help them develop into independent and confident adults. Kaili is excited to work with the Elementary children and to learn more about the Montessori method.
Phone: 480-966-7606