Primary

Ms. Jenn has worked with children in a variety of ways since 2006. She owned a bakery in Texas when she first joined the Montessori community as a parent to two children, but rediscovered her love for the classroom watching the joy they both found in learning. After moving to North Carolina, Ms. Jenn joined the team at Phoenix Montessori Academy in 2023 as an assistant in the Primary 4 classroom, and is currently working to achieve her Primary Credential. Ms. Jenn is very passionate about meeting children where they are in their social and academic lives and learning how to best follow the child. She is inspired by the way children continue to rise to the next new challenge, and she hopes to model that in her own life as she serves the Phoenix community. In her free time, Ms. Jenn loves reading, playing board games with her husband and their two boys, and snuggling with her cat.

“The greatest gifts we can give our children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence.” 
- Maria Montessori 

Born and raised in India, Pratibha Durgam brings a wealth of cultural diversity and experience to our Montessori community. A devoted mother of two daughters and a proud grandmother of four grandchildren, she seamlessly blends her passion for education with her love for family.

With a strong academic background, holding a degree in science with a chemistry major, Pratibha's journey in Montessori education began in 2000 when she completed her Montessori training at the renowned Adrian Montessori Training Center in Adrian, Michigan where she trained and mentored Montessori interns for five years, leaving an indelible mark on the next generation of educators.

Pratibha's love for learning extends beyond the classroom walls. In her free time, she indulges in the creative pursuits of cooking, quilting, and knitting, nurturing her artistic talents and finding joy in handcrafted creations. Before joining PMA, Pratibha shared her expertise at St. Catherine's Montessori School in Houston.

With a rich background in architecture and education, Ms. Elizabeth brings creativity, innovation, and a deep passion for Montessori education to Phoenix Montessori Academy.

She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from I.S.Y.T.A.C - LA SALLE in Gomez Palacio, Dgo., Mexico, and later expanded her expertise with postgraduate studies in Educational Investigation at UNAM - UJED and Software Applications for Classrooms at ESCYTA-UJED. Her journey into Montessori education began as a way to support her daughters' learning, ensuring she was a guide rather than an obstacle in their educational path. This dedication led her to become an AMS Montessori Certified Lead Teacher in Early Childhood through The CEM Montessori Training Center in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico.
Ms. Elizabeth is the Founder and Lead Teacher of the Spanish Immersion Program at the Primary Level. Her diverse experience includes roles as a Primary Montessori Lead Teacher, Assistant Teacher, After-School Teacher, and Substitute Teacher across preschool and lower elementary levels. She has also led her own Montessori Primary environment, fostering a love of learning in young children.

Beyond education, her background in architecture has shaped her ability to design and create dynamic learning spaces. As an architectural designer, she has contributed to projects ranging from custom homes, commercial developments, and university libraries to Montessori school designs and historical preservation projects.

Her diverse skills extend to reading, dancing, crochet, knitting, painting, and gardening, all of which enrich her classroom environment and inspire her students. Through her commitment to learning research and curriculum design, Ms. Elizabeth continually seeks innovative ways to enhance the Montessori experience.
At Phoenix Montessori Academy, Ms. Elizabeth combines her architectural creativity with her deep understanding of Montessori principles to provide an engaging, immersive Spanish-language learning environment where children thrive.

Jessie received her undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of New Hampshire with a minor in Spanish. Following graduation, Jessie spent 12 years in the elementary education setting as a speech and language assistant. During that time, she enjoyed working with students ages Preschool through Grade 5.

Jessie excitedly joined the Phoenix Montessori Academy family in the fall of 2022. She has a passion for being a part of the journey in a young child's growth and development. Her role at PMA is that of a Floater, supporting the Toddler and Primary classrooms at Children's House.

In her free time, Jessie likes to go hiking, spend time with her two cats and husband James, and travel to new places. She loves bringing a positive energy to the world around her.  

"As we observe children, we see the vitality of their spirit, the maximum effort put forth in all they do, the intuition, attention and focus they bring to all life's events, and the sheer joy they experience in living." 
- Maria Montessori, from The Child, Society and the World (Unpublished Speeches and Writing)

Lilee received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre with a Concentration in Stage Management from the University of North Carolina - Greensboro. She focused on work in Theatre with Young Audiences during her college career. Covid struck right after graduation and completely altered her life trajectory. Lilee joined Ms. Roxanne in the classroom full time when all the children returned in person after quarantine. She spent two wonderful and wild years in Primary 1, learning the Montessori way in the aftermath of Covid. In 2022, Lilee became the lead teacher of a new primary classroom and has continued her Montessori journey at PMA!

Outside of the classroom, Lilee spends a majority of her time outdoors hiking or rock climbing. She enjoys visiting every art museum she can find in new cities and collects post cards at each to add to the mini gallery at home! She has two dogs (a senior and a puppy) that couldn't be more different and equally perfect! 

Ms. Anna is an experienced early childhood educator with over five years of hands-on experience supporting children in structured learning environments. She currently serves as an Assistant Teacher at PMA, where she oversees daily classroom activities, supports individualized learning, and helps maintain a positive, developmentally appropriate environment.

Ms. Anna also brings strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills to her role. She is known for her reliability, professionalism, and ability to create a welcoming, well-managed environment. Her goal is to continue growing professionally while making a meaningful impact on the children, families, and communities she serves.

Cielo Sides holds a B.S. in Psychology and a Montessori certification for children ages 3-12. She received her Montessori credential in 1988 from O.B. Montessori Center in Manila, Philippines. After 14 years of teaching in Manila, she moved abroad to gain broader experience and new perspectives. Driven by her passion for Montessori education, she relocated to Huntersville, NC, where she worked as a Lower and Upper Elementary Guide and later as a Primary Guide at the Christian Montessori School of Lake Norman. She served as the primary-level academic coordinator for over 10 years. 

In 2009, she established the third primary classroom at Phoenix Montessori Academy and taught there for three years. In 2025, after several years, Cielo returned to resume her role as a lead guide in primary four. 

Dr. Maria Montessori once said, "The greatest gift we can give our children is the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence.” After teaching the first two planes of development, she came to appreciate this quote. Cielo’s passion for the Montessori philosophy and her belief in building strong, trusting relationships between children (and their families) and their teachers are essential during their formative years, helping them become lifelong learners.   
Cielo has been a dedicated educator since 1988 and a proud mother of three adult children who attended Montessori schools. Her only daughter, Justine Patricia, continues her love of Montessori as a Toddler guide at Phoenix.  

When she's not at school with the children, Cielo enjoys spending quality time with her family, and traveling has become a regular activity for them. Her long-standing hobbies include cross-stitching and photography.  

Leidy Arévalo is a bilingual Montessori guide with five years of experience in traditional and public education. As a guide in the bilingual classroom at Phoenix Montessori Academy, she is committed to honoring the child’s natural capacity for independence and self-construction within a carefully prepared environment. Born in Colombia and raised in California, Leidy is a native Spanish speaker who values the role of language and culture in shaping a child’s identity and sense of belonging.

Leidy holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication from California State University, Fullerton, and brings a thoughtful, collaborative approach to her work with children and families. As both a guide and a mother of two, she is continually inspired by Maria Montessori’s reminder: “The child is both a hope and a promise for mankind.”

My name is Ms. Mariaelena, and I am a highly enthusiastic and creative Montessori teacher with a passion for nurturing young minds and helping them grow. I obtained my Montessori training from MTTI in Miami, FL in 2013-2014.  I started my Montessori journey as an aftercare teacher during my last year of high school and fell in love with its unique approach. I have been teaching since 2008, and every year I am humbled to learn so many things from children, teachers, and peers. 

I believe that every child is unique and has their own learning style and pace. I strive to create a warm, welcoming, and inclusive classroom environment where children can explore, learn, and have fun. My teaching approach is centered around play-based learning, as children learn best when they are engaged and having fun.

In my spare time, I love to bake, paint, and spend time with my 3 huskies. I also enjoy traveling, going to the beach, and concerts. I am excited to be a part of your child's learning journey and look forward to creating a nurturing and stimulating learning environment for them to thrive in. 

Yesenia earned her degree while pursuing certifications in archaeology and anthropology, with specialized studies in religious and art history. She also minored in Counseling Psychology to deepen her understanding of the individuals and cultures she encountered throughout her fieldwork and research.

With experience in teaching since 2003 in the New Jersey and North Carolina school systems, Yesenia dedicated her career to bringing history to life for her students. Her passion for learning and cultural exploration led her to travel globally, working with educational and cultural programs to gain deeper insight into some of history’s most significant events and civilizations.

In September and October of 2019, Yesenia fulfilled one of her lifelong dreams by backpacking through France, immersing herself in the country’s rich historical landmarks, art, and culture.

In addition to teaching history, she independently developed museum workshops designed for underprivileged children who might not otherwise have the opportunity to explore world cultures and global history due to educational budget limitations.

A fun fact about Yesenia: she is an avid gardener who enjoys growing food and flowers both hydroponically and traditionally. She also loves watercolor painting and collaging.

Originally from Louisiana, Carla earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from the University of New Orleans. She holds a Montessori Primary Certification from the American Montessori Society. Carla began her Montessori career as an Assistant Primary Guide when her son was two years old. Teaching since 1996, she is now a veteran of Montessori Toddler, Primary, Elementary and High school (with two years of Traditional Middle School). 

During her time in the classroom, Carla was named a Mentor Montessori Guide by her peers and was selected by Administration to be the Primary Level Coordinator, serving as the communication liaison between Administration and Guides.  She co-wrote with a colleague the school’s Montessori Assistant and Substitute teacher’s course as well as the school’s protocol for Special Needs students.  Carla was certified in 1998 as a Redirecting Children’s Behavior parent educator.

When she is not in the classroom, Carla enjoys reading, sewing, writing, and listening to music. She also occasionally joins her son in RPG (gaming).