Our Staff

ANNA MARIE RUIZ

Owner, Director 2, Montessori Guide, Consultant

I was born and raised in Bastrop, Texas. I attended the University of Texas night school, where I studied Psychology and English. I was employed by the State of Texas for 30 years and after retirement, opened my own Montessori School in Bastrop, which I owned for 17 years. I am the founder of three Montessori schools in Austin and have been a Montessori Guide for over 17 years. I received my director’s license in 2005 from the Child Care World Wide Institute and I am also a member of Professional Administrator & National Credentials. I received my Montessori certification for Ages 3-6 from the United Montessori Association in 2006 and Montessori certification for ages 0- 3 from NAMC in 2022.

DOLORES MARTINEZ

Owner, Bookkeeper, Montessori Guide

I am a retiree from the Texas Workforce Commission after 30 years of service. I retired from IRS after eight years. I attended ACC and studied Accounting, Computer Science, and Child Development and received my Montessori certification through the North American Montessori Center in 2006. As a grandmother of 4, I am very involved in their upbringing. The Montessori philosophy takes full advantage of the child’s motivation to learn self- discipline and independence at a young age.

LETICIA CRESPO

Director, Montessori Assistant

Hello, I am a proud mother of a wonderful 25 -year-old. My family is originally from Bayamon Puerto Rico, but at the age of 15, we moved to San Antonio, where I graduated from Judson High School. After high school, I enlisted into the USAF and served 4 years. I later moved to Bastrop and started my career as a substitute teacher at an early head start program for over three years. Additionally, I worked as a toddler and infant teacher at Bastrop School of Montessori for over 4 years and applied for my director’s license. I am also a member of Professional Administrator & National Credentials. After much reading, writing, and testing, I earned my director’s license and became the school’s director. I then received my permanent director’s license after 6 years in the position. I also have an Associate degree in Business, have been in childcare for over ten years, and look forward to many more years. I am a firm believer in the Montessori philosophy and am currently working toward my Montessori certification for ages 3-6 through the United Montessori Association.

Yuleidy Gonzales

AMI Certified Assistant, Guide Candidate in Training

Yuli will function as the Lead Guide in the Montessori classroom ages 3-6. In her experience she has worked with infants and young toddlers. Yuleidy received her 3-6 AMI Montessori training from Montessori Stoppani Institute, Tijuana, BC, Mexico. She is continuing to receive her certification through AIM a MACTE certified course. “I love to work with children because I love to teach them new things and am fascinated by how fast they learn everything.” Yuleidy is from Cuba and her first language is Spanish.

Barbara Undurraga

Lead Teacher,24 mos – 35 mos

AMI Certified Assistant, Guide Candidate in Training

Barbara loves to teach children different things because she sees how quickly they learn. She is currently the lead teacher for the 12-24 month classroom. She has been working towards her AMI certification and it is very evident in how she presents lessons and practices her Montessori education in her classroom. Barbara has 4 years teaching children. She began working toward her AMI Certification in 0-3 Ages at Stoppani Institute of Mexico in 2023. Barbara will finish her AMI stuidies in 2024. She is from Chile and is fluent in Spanish since it is her first language.

Ana Tyler

Teacher, 12 Mos – 24 Mos

Candidate for AMI Certified Training Assistant

I have over 9 Years of Childcare Experience working as a nanny and at childcare centers. I think that children are very kind and real. I like to interact with them and teach them my beautiful Spanish. I was born in Monterrey, Mexico. Spanish is my first language and I enjoy singing and speaking to children in Spanish. I am excited to see that they are learning the language quickly because they respond to me when I speak to them. This tells me that they are learning. I will be transferring from Itzcali Montessori School to Xochitl and look forward to continuing my employment with School and look forward to learning all I can about the Montessori way of teaching. I plan to begin my AMI Montessori Training as soon as possible.

Valerie Pena

Montessorian, Assistant Director

Director CertifiedAges 3-5

Hola Amigos! I have over 22 years of experience caring for children and writing curriculums for ages 3-5-year-olds. I was born in Carrizo Springs, Texas. I grew up learning and speaking Spanish through my father who is from Mexico. I am excited to be hired as the Art and project Coordinator for both Xochitl and Itzcali Montessori and Spanish Immersion Schools. It is exciting and challenging for me because I get to teach these wonderful children the beautiful language of art. I am a certified Montessori Guide for ages 3-6 Years from North American Montessori Center. I also hold a Director’s license from the Child Care World Wide Institute and I currently serve as Assistant Director and Montessori Guide.