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 7 and 3. 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. 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.
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 7 years of Montessori teaching experience. She enjoys hiking, camping, scrapbooking, photograpy and spending time with friends and family. Yvette lives with her husband and 8 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 seven 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.
Lead Primary Teacher
Lura Nixon holds a Bachelors of Arts in Sociology with a concentration in Education from Illinois College. She also received her Early Childhood Credential in Montessori education. She loves spending time with her husband, her dog and two cats. She enjoys going to the gym, shopping and going to dinner with friends. Ms. Lura comes from a large family. She has 6 nieces, 2 nephews and has a true love for being with and learning from young children.
Primary Co-Teacher
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 3 years and is currently co-teaching with Ms. Gina Whitefoot in a primary classroom.
Shana lives in Capo Beach, enjoys music including playing the harmonica and learning to play the guitar. She also loves to hula dance, working out, traveling and spending time with her family.
Primary Co-Teacher
Ms. Kera Arnold graduated Cum Laude from Vanguard University with a BA in Psychology, has acquired 18 units in Early Childhood Education and is enrolled in the credential program at National University. Ms. Kera currently assists Ms. Yvette in one of our primary classrooms and has 4 years previous preschool teaching experience. Kera lives in Laguna and enjoys reading, going to the beach, walking her dog, Yoga and spending times with friends and family.
Primary Assistant
Ashleigh Moore attended Pepperdine University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre and Television. Ashleigh also attended Saddleback College to study Early Childhood Education. She enjoys playing sports, singing, going to church and even competed internationally in trampoline! Ms. Ashleigh is also a newlywed and resides in Mission Viejo. Her favorite scripture is Psalm 91:11.
Infant/Toddler Teachers Aide
Ms. Meredith Weber holds a BA in English from Cal Poly, has completed 8 units in Early Childhood Education and has been recently accepted to the Masters Program at UC Irvine. Meredith has worked at Mission Montessori since October 2009 and currently assists in the infant and toddler programs part-time.
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.
Infant/Toddler Aide
Ms. Lauren Carroll graduated from Saddleback Valley Christian High School and now attends Child Development classes at Saddleback College. Lauren enjoys caring for and riding her horse, going to the beach, going to church and loves spending time with friends and family. She is also very excited about starting the Montessori training program next Summer!
Lead Infant Caregiver (3-24 months)
Mrs. Dina Taruc is a true “Baby Person” and is loved by parents and children alike. It is obvious that she loves her job and takes great pride in caring for our babies. Dina holds a BS Degree in Elementary Education and has received 25 units in early childhood education, infant development and Montessori education. Ms. Dina has worked with Director Sara Hooper for 9 years.
Ms. Dina lives in Irvine with her husband and their 2 children. Ms. Dina loves spending time with family and friends and describes herself as friendly, simple and hardworking.
Lead Pre-Primary Teacher (ages 2-3)
Mrs. Marivic Gonzalez holds a BS degree in Computer Science, has acquired 16.5 Early Childhood Education units and attended several Montessori and Child Development workshops. 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.She enjoys shopping and spending time with family including her husband and 7 year old son.
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, attending church at Mission Viejo Christian and spending time with friends and family.
Infant Aide
Mrs. Tina Allen joined Mission Montessori in November 2009 and assists in our infant program. Tina ran a home childcare business for over 15 years and loves children of all ages but especially enjoys working with infants. Ms. Tina lives with her husband in Mission Viejo. She enjoys spending time with family and working on her home.
Art Instructor and Toddler Co-Teacher
Mrs. Joanne Peterson graduated from UC Irvine with a BS in Psychology and Social Behavior with a minor in education in 2002. She received her Primary Montessori certificate from UC Irvine in 2004 and has 6 years of teaching experience. Joanne is a natural artist and has been blessed with creativity and an appreciation for art. She teaches art on Mondays to our primary classrooms and assists in the toddler program with Marivic and Celine.
Joanne lives in Irvine and enjoys crafting, gift wrapping, making greeting cards, riding bikes and spending time with her husband and 3 year old son.
Toddler Assistant
Ms. Jordan VanSchaik has 18 ECE units and is currently attending Saddleback College to obtain her AA in Early Childhood Education and then plans to transfer to Cal State Fullerton to obtain her BA. She has over 3 years of teaching experience (mostly with Toddlers). She has always loved children and has a lot of experience with them starting at a young age especially being the oldest of five. She lives in Mission Viejo with her family and three dogs. She loves spending free time with her family and friends, going to the beach, watching movies, and swimming, riding bikes and walking.
