STAFF

 

Paula Fabian Leach
Owner, Director, Elementary Instructor
Aparna Ramohalli
Elementary Directress
Nohemi Thania Giraldo
Spanish Teacher, Dance & Drama Instructor
Tina Donovan
Primary Directress
Bailey DeAnda
Primary Directress
Jenny Tibbits
Toddler Directress
Ms. Mirtha Elliot
Lead Toddler Teacher
Lindsey Russell
Primary Directress

Owner, Director, Elementary Instructor

Paula Fabian Leach

Education

1990 – AMI Montessori Elementary Training Certification, Washington, DC
1989 – Community College Teaching Certification, State of Arizona
1988 – M.A. English/TESL, Arizona State University
1985 – B.A. Liberal Arts/German, Arizona State University
1984 – AMI Montessori Primary Training Certification, Phoenix, AZ
1979 – University of Vienna Institute for Translators & Interpreters, Vienna, Austria

Employment

2012 – Present.  Owner/Director/Elementary Instructor

1998 – 2012.  Owner and Director/Lead Elementary instructor, Dynamite Montessori, Inc.

1996 – 1998.  Elementary Instructor, Montessori Day Schools

1996.  Summer ESL Instructor, American Language & Culture Program, ASU.  English 071 Instructor, South Mountain Community College

1986 – 1996.  Elementary Instructor, Tempe Montessori School

1983 – 1985. Primary Directress, Khalsa Montessori School

1981 – 1983. Primary Directress, Small World Montessori, Dover, DE

1978 – 1981. ESL Instructor, Refugee Learning Center, Traiskirchen, Austria.  Coordinator of English language activities with Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration

1976 – 1981. ESL Instructor, Austro-American Institute,Vienna, Austria.
ESL Instructor, Vienna Volkshochschulverband, Vienna, Austria

Languages

English – mother tongue
German – fluent
Spanish – conversational

Elementary Directress

Aparna Ramohalli

She assists elementary students in the acquisition of conventional skills, such as cursive writing, reading, memorization of math facts, measurement and spelling. Ms. Aparna delivers “Cosmic Education” which inspires the children to research the wonders of the universe and transports small groups of students to the local library regularly. She has a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Development.

Summary of Experience

-Strong skills in assessing children’s behaviors and providing appropriate guidance and mentoring to make certain that their development meets social standards.

-Strong background in ethics, fairness and ability to determine the ‘right thing to do’

– Enjoy working with kids

Education

– AMI Elementary Training Completed Summer 2012

-Masters Degree in Child Development

-Maharaja Sayaji Rao University, Baroda, India 1986

-B.A in Child Development from Maharaja Sayaji Rao University, Baroda, India 1984

Career History & Accomplishments

-2012 – Present – Lead Elementary Teacher

-2000 – 2012 – Elementary Assistant at Dynamite Montessori School, Cave Creek, AZ

-1990-1994 – Director of Touchstone after-school program in Phoenix, responsible for managing the center

-1990-1992 – Teacher at Kinderberry School in Roseville, MN. Responsible for 3 year old curriculum planning, execution and guidance to assistants.

-1988-1990 – Assistant Teacher at Children’s World, MN Present

-Mother of 3 girls

Spanish Teacher, Dance & Drama Instructor

Nohemi Thania Giraldo

Ms. Nohemi Thania Giraldo

As a member of the DMS staff, I promote the Montessori way of being with patience, kindness, confidence, joy, respect for others and nature, appreciation of diversity in and outside of school.  I believe in commitment, communication, freedom and responsibility.  I take exceptional personal care and pride in my work with the children.

Objective:

Expand the Spanish language and culture in an enthusiastic way among children so they become bilingual and have the opportunity to get more doors opened throughout their lives.

Training Programs / Workshops

  • Health & Safety Issues: Medication Administration
  • Children First: Working with Children of all Abilities
  • Child Passenger Safety
  • Positive Discipline
  • Building Self-Esteem in Young Children
  • Rhymes, Rhythms, & Fun
  • Science in the Early Childhood Classroom
  • Math Mania: Math Across the Curriculum
  • Working with Children in Group Settings
  • Multiple Intelligences: Valuing the Individual Learner
  • Diversity of Cultures
  • Strategies to Support Social Emotional Competence in Infants & Toddlers
  • Primary care/ creating routines
  • The Developing Child: Infants & Toddlers
  • Fearful, Flexible and Feisty: The Different Temperaments of Children
  • Wired for Success
  • Olweus Bullying Prevention
  • Montessori Assistant Training
  • Montessori Language Refresher
  • First Aid and CPR certified

Education

  • Currently pursuing a degree program in Early Childhood Education at PVCC
  • University Mayor de Cundinamarca –   Colombia – Languages and Finance – Graduated with honors in 1983
  • University Los Andes –   Colombia 2004 – Customer Service
  • Systems Apel Institute –   Colombia 1997 – Lotus Notes, WP, Internet
  • Net Soft Computers Institute –   Colombia 1996 – Word, Excel, Powerpoint
  • Istituto Italiano di Cultura –   Colombia 1991 – Italian
  • Ballet de Colombia Sonia Osorio –   Colombia 1988 – 2001
  • Electronico de Idiomas Institute  –   Colombia 1983 – English and French
  • High School Inst. de Renovacion Educativa –   Colombia 1979 – Class Valedictorian

Work Experience

Dynamite Montessori School  –  AZ, USA,   Jan. 2006  –  Present
Working with children 2 – 10 year olds
In charge of organizing Cinco de Mayo show
In charge of June Spanish Immersion Summer Program
Spanish Instructor,  2010 – Present
Dance Instructor,  2006 – Present
Elementary Teacher Assistant,  2007 – Present

Primary Teacher Assistant,  2006

General Motors  –  Colombia,  1998 – 2004
Bilingual Executive Assistant

Bank Sudameris  –  Colombia,  1987 – 1996
Bilingual Executive Assistant
Attached Sub Director

Embassy of the Republic of Korea  –  Colombia,  198
Bilingual Administrative Assistant

Petrochemicals Aservin Ltd.  –  Colombia,  1983 – 1987
Bilingual Assistant

Hobbies

Dancing, reading, traveling, swimming, sewing, scrapbooking.

Skills/Qualifications

Warm, positive personality, enjoy working and sharing with children.  Self-confident, flexible, sincere, responsible and reliable.  Work well with others, multi-lingual, dependable, open minded, cheerful and feel passion for my career.

Primary Directress

Tina Donovan

I am Dynamite Montessori’s most veteran staff member who has assisted in the Primary classroom since 1999. Many of the children come to Dynamite for their first school experience, and it is such an honor to be instrumental in their future!

Education

Graduate of Southwest Institute of Montessori Studies AMI primary teacher training Oct. 2011 to June 2012

Completed Olweus Bully Prevention Program – Spring 2009

BS in Marketing/Business Management from Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant MI 1991

First Aid and CPR certified since 2000

Experience

Strong communication skills

Primary soccer coach

In charge of Primary science experiments, musical instruments, drumming, outdoor environment and nature walks
Animal care: guide, grooming, feeding and handling

Coordinator of Field Day activities

Summer Camp Director – ages 3-10 years June and July

Graduate of Association Montessori Internationale Primary teacher training course

Career History

August 2012 – Present
Primary Directress at Dynamite Montessori School, Cave Creek, AZ

1999 – 2012
Teacher Assistant at Dynamite Montessori School, Cave Creek, AZ

1992 – 1999
Assistant Teacher at Sunrise Preschool, Cave Creek, AZ

Family
Mother of 2 boys, one of which graduated from Dynamite Montessori
Married 25 years

 

 

Primary Directress

Bailey DeAnda

OBJECTIVES

I have known I wanted to work with children since I was a child myself. It was when I found the Montessori philosophy that I felt there is nothing in this life that I would rather do. Being able to follow the child and keep their passion for discovery alive is something so valuable. As a teacher I pursue a goal to provide the highest quality of education for both students and their families, while building experiences to become a more successful teacher. I feel so fortunate to work with children everyday and am proud to be part of the Dynamite Montessori staff.

CAREER EXPERIENCE

August 2017 – Present – Primary Directress Dynamite Montessori School

2015 – July 2017 – Villa Montessori School: Paraprofessional/Primary Assistant

Facilitating learning for a specific student. Aiding in special education lessons as well as speech lessons. Guiding students to learning in a safe, peaceful environment.

January 2015 – August 2015 – University Animal Hospital, Tempe, AZ: Customer Service Representative

Focused on animal care, sanitary duties and clerical obligations all while being in an educational environment that allowed for opportunities of learning.

August 2012 – 2013 – Sunrise Elementary School, Yuma, AZ: Second Grade Teacher’s Assistant

Assisting elementary school teachers with delivery of class curriculum. Facilitating classroom projects and coordinating student activities. Communicating with parents.

EDUCATION

Southwest Institute of Montessori Studies – Primary Certification

Arizona State University – BA English

Arizona Western College – General Studies

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Toddler Directress

Jenny Tibbits

Education

Montessori Infant and toddler teacher credential course- Montessori Teacher Education Center, San Francisco CA – 2013

Early Childhood – Montessori Teacher Education Center, San Francisco.

Montessori Assistant Spanish training – 2009

Business – Paradise Valley College – Phoenix, AZ – 2000

Mt. Diablo High School – Concord, CA -1993

Career History

Lead Toddler Teacher (Bilingual) – Dynamite Montessori – 2013-present

Primary assistant-Spanish Instructor – Dynamite Montessori – 2009-2013

Substitute Teacher – Dynamite Montessori – 2006-2008

Office Manager – Class One Electric – 2000-present

Interests

Hiking, painting and traveling.

Memberships and affiliations

MACTE (Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education)

Lead Toddler Teacher

Ms. Mirtha Elliot

Committed to providing a safe, loving, educational environment that enables each child to develop naturally and acquire Spanish effortlessly.

Education:

Early Childhood Education – Associates Degree.  PVCC

Montessori Teacher Education Center San Francisco, Ca. AMS Certified: Infants and Toddlers.

Teaching Experience

2016 – present: Dynamite Montessori. Cave Creek, Az. Lead teacher. Responsible for all aspects of learning related to launching a new Spanish Immersion Program for toddlers.

2013 – 2016: Assistant teacher in bilingual toddler class at Dynamite Montessori.

2010 – 2012: Kindergarten and 1st grade volunteer assisitant.

Primary Directress

Lindsey Russell

Professional Profile:

Committed to providing the best educational program for each child so as to unleash his/ her unique potential

Education:

2016 – 2017: AMI Primary Teacher Training from SIMS

2005: Arizona State University. Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies

Experience:

2017 – present: lead primary directress at Dynamite Montessori

2012 – 2017: Dr. Sears Certified Family Wellness Coach

2005 – 2011: The Phoenician Resort – manager, coordinator, concierge