- Meet our Staff -
highly trained professionals eager to serve you and your children.
BethAnn Slater
Head of School
BethAnn Slater, the Head of School, loves children and the development of children. She is the mother of 4 children, all of whom attended Montessori. She has an AMI Montessori 3-6 Diploma, a B.S. in Family and Child Development from Virginia Tech, as well as a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education. She has taught for over 25 years both in public and private settings. Most recently, she earned her AMI 3-6 Trainer status. Currently, she trains adults in both Cape Town, South Africa and Dallas, Texas.
Maria Valdivieso
Nido & YCC Lead
Maria Valdivieso, YCC Lead Guide, earned her AMI 0-3 Diploma at the Montessori Training Center of St. Louis. She is passionate about her work. In the YCC environment she speaks solely Spanish, allowing our children to be immersed in the Spanish language throughout their day. She has completed her AMI Primary Assistant training and is a loving Montessori mom of two!
Cassella Slater
Elementary Lead & Adolescent
Cassella Slater is the Financial Officer, Elementary Classroom Lead Guide, and pedagogical director of the Upper School. While teaching agriculture in Ghana for a year, she unexpectedly fell in love with teaching and the adolescent age. She has a B.S. in Animal and Poultry Sciences from Virginia Tech, and completed her NAMTA/AMI Adolescent Training in Chihuahua, Mexico. She earned her AMI 6-12 Diploma from the Montessori Training Center of Minnesota. She has also earned her Masters of Education from St. Catherine's University.
Alejandra Guzman
Children's House Assistant
Alejandra has been working with MMS since 2019. She has been an amazing addition to our staff and loves working with the children each and every day. Alejandra speaks solely Spanish throughout the day so the children have an immersive experience with two languages. The children love being around her positive and happy energy.
Melissa Berumen
Children's House Assistant
More about Jenn coming soon!
Kaitlyn Lehan
Children's House Lead
Kaitlyn Lehan has a B.S. in Family and Consumer Sciences with a concentration in Child Development from Bridgewater College. She loves working with children and helping to foster their development each and everyday. She wants to make known that learning is a joyful and exciting experience we get to take part in everyday. Currently, she is working through her AMI 3-6 training at MINT.
Lupita Gutierrez
Elementary Assistant
Lupita Gutierrez has energy that is unmatched. Lupita has earned her AMI 6-12 Assistant Certificate. She makes the each day engaging and exciting for the children. With a smile always on, the children love her! In the upper school and extended day environments she speaks solely Spanish, allowing our children to be immersed in the Spanish language throughout their day.
Ashleigh Burnell
Nido & YCC Assistant
More about Ashleigh coming soon!