Our Team

Tina Patel

Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Ms. Tina is the Founder and CEO of the award-winning Montessori ONE Academy, Albuquerque’s premiere Montessori academy offering infant care, preschool, and elementary programs. Prior to opening Montessori ONE Academy in November of 2007, Ms. Tina co-founded and directed two Albuquerque Charter high schools dedicated to serving at-risk youth. Her experience in developing innovative curriculum and writing programs that encourage students to take ownership of their education was a natural fit for Montessori pedagogy that empowers child independence, responsibility, and inspired learning.

Ms. Tina and Montessori ONE Academy are the recipients of a number awards and recognition including a 2017 Diverse Business Leader Honoree, 2017 Woman of Vision, 2017 Best Preschool, 2018 Best Preschool, 2017-2019 Top Private Schools List, 2017 – 2019 Top Private Companies List Honoree, 2019 Reader’s Choice Award, and more.

Kate Kacou

Chief Operating Officer

A native New Mexican, Ms. Kate has an undergraduate degree in Art Studio from the University of New Mexico. She began her journey in Montessori Methodology while working for Escuela del Sol as the After Care Director and teaching children’s art classes at the Harwood Art Center. Her experiences led her to attend the Washington Montessori Institute where she earned her AMI certification. She earned her Master’s of Education from Loyola University. Ms. Kate has worked in a number of Montessori environments and is regarded as an expert at Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) curriculum implementation and execution. Before arriving at Montessori ONE, Ms. Kate worked in Washington, D.C. where she assisted the city’s public schools in implementing AMI-Montessori programs and accreditation.

Dr. Christopher Luna

Director

An Albuquerque native, Chris has a Ph.D. with a concentration in Curriculum Design and Instructional Techniques from the University of New Mexico. Dr. Luna is a Danielson Framework trained observer and practitioner of developmentally appropriate pedagogy who understands Montessori education from a learned experience as a student. Dr. Luna found the joy of teaching and education in his first teaching post an elementary school teacher over 15 years ago, he has taught Elementary, Middle, High School, and College courses. Dr. Luna has experience supervising student teaching practicums as a University Supervisor as well as Site Supervisor/Principal of a large teaching cohort and the first UNM/APS in-school student teacher cohort. Dr. Luna served as President of a statewide consortium of U.S. Dept. of Education College matriculation programs where he led task forces and congressional leadership teams in Washington, D.C.  Dr. Luna’s research agenda includes “Challenge Courses and the Relationship to First Generation College Students”. Dr. Luna’s work has delivered educational opportunities to Albuquerque students at many schools on nationally recognized lists of highly selective colleges throughout the United States. Chris enjoys an active family life where he dedicates time coaching his son’s baseball teams and volunteering for his daughter’s volleyball teams. Chris enjoys traveling, research analytics, swimming, jogging, sports, the outdoors, and exceptional gastronomy.

Jodi Gherardini

Enrollment and Nido Coordinator

In 2004, Ms. Jodi began work with a Montessori program designed to support and educate at-risk and disadvantaged children. Inspired by Montessori’s holistic approach to child growth and well-being, she attended the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies where she earned her AMS-certification for infant and toddler education. Ms Jodi has been with Montessori ONE Academy since 2009 and worked as a Lead Toddler Guide prior to becoming the Nido Coordinator. Ms. Jodi is currently working towards her Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education. When she is not in the classroom, she is spending time with her family.

Beth Brodie

Office Manager

Betty Garza

Administrative Assistant

Ms. Betty has been with Montessori ONE Academy since 2008. She began as a Primary program assistant in the Preschool and now works as administrative support in the office.  She has watched the school grow from only two preschool classrooms to the thriving community it is now-- serving infants, preschool, and elementary students. With over 20 years in Early Childhood Education, Ms. Betty has a deep seeded passion for children and education. She was born in Mexico and raised in New Mexico. She is a wife, mother, grandmother and enjoys all things family.

Alissa Leon

Lead Guide, Lower Elementary

Ms. Alissa's path to Montessori started at Arizona State University. Her first internship was with the well established Villa Montessori in Phoenix. Ms. Alissa left education and enjoyed a career in Commercial Real Estate for over 12 years until she decided to grow her family. It was motherhood that brought her back to Montessori. Her first born attended the very same school she interned at 13 years prior. The Montessori practices were appreciated during those early years of motherhood and she decided to graduate from classroom mom to certified Montessori Guide. Ms. Alissa graduated from the Caspari Montessori Institute with both her Primary and Lower Elementary certificates. Ms. Alissa believes that the Montessori ONE Academy community of parents, educators, and administrators are educating the Peaceful Citizens of Tomorrow and feels honored to be part of a such a daunting and noble task.
 

Anne Watkins

Lead Guide, Upper Elementary

Ms. Anne is originally from Germany where she earned her degree in Sociology at the Friedrich-Schiller Universität in Jena. Upon moving to the United States in 2007, she developed an interest in the field of education and earned her Master’s of Education degree with a specialization in English as a second language from the University of North Carolina. Since 2013, Ms. Anne has been working in Lower Elementary Montessori classrooms. She holds an AMS-certification in Lower Elementary teaching and is currently working on her Upper Elementary certification with the Center for Guided Montessori Studies. Ms. Anne is also an experienced language instructor, after-school tutor, and children’s yoga instructor. After 13 years on the east coast, Ms. Anne and her family are excited to explore the Southwest.

Christine Parson

Elementary Distance Learning Guide

Ms. Christine specializes in bringing an authentic Montessori experience to the virtual classroom.  A graduate of the University of Central Florida with a BA in Anthropology, Ms. Christine spent five months in Central America living in the jungle and working on a Mayan excavation in Belize. She also worked as a professional social worker for several years while taking graduate classes.  When she enrolled her three sons in a Montessori program, she became so enthralled by the teaching philosophy that she decided to become an elementary teacher.  She attended the Montessori Training Center of Minnesota, studying under Phyllis Pottish-Lewis, and received her elementary certification from Association Montessori International in 2009.  Ms. Christine has taught lower elementary, upper elementary, and combination classes. In 2016, she attended AMI/NAMTA’s Orientation to Adolescent Studies in Huntsburg, Ohio. She then became the lead teacher in an adolescent classroom, and also taught English and Humanities classes as a specialist. She has been teaching for eleven years to rave reviews from her students and their parents.

Gale Martinez

STEM Coordinator

Ms. Gale has degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame and University of California, Berkeley. She worked at Lockheed Missile and Space Company in California and Sandia National Labs in Albuquerque.  When her son was of preschool age, she became interested in the Montessori Method and changed career trajectory to complete a Montessori Early Childhood Education program. Ms. Gale has worked at Montessori ONE Academy for the last 7½ years and started as a teaching assistant in a Primary Preschool classroom.  When the elementary program opened, she was an assistant for the first two years before spearheading the elementary science lab.  Ms. Gale prepares science experiments, STEM projects, and Practical Life activities to supplement the Montessori curriculum.  In the Practical Life area, she teaches hand sewing, machine sewing, embroidery, knitting, crocheting, and weaving.  She has a son who is a Physical Therapist in Washington state and a daughter in the EMT program at CNM.  She enjoys hiking with her husband and dog, working out at the gym, sewing, and arts and crafts. 

Sarita Prabhakaran

Lead Primary Guide

Originally from India, Ms. Sarita has been teaching in Montessori classrooms across the globe for two decades. After obtaining her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Mumbai, Ms. Sarita obtained her AMI Primary certification. She was promptly offered a position at the teacher training center to assist in delivering the Montessori Primary certification course—a testament to her enthusiasm for and knowledge of the Montessori method. Ms. Sarita has taught in India, New York, and Chicago, before arriving at Montessori ONE Academy in Albuquerque. Her global perspective and depth of experience are a tremendous asset in the classroom. She believes there is nothing more rewarding than teaching and being a part of each individual child’s learning journey. In her free time, Ms. Sarita appreciates the outdoors and relishes the time spent with her family and friends.

Emily Chavez

Lead Primary Guide

A native of Albuquerque, Ms. Emily attend Albuquerque Academy before graduating from the University of New Mexico with Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Art Studio. She began her teaching career as an assistant in a Montessori school where she had an opportunity teach at the toddler, primary, and elementary levels and lead the Summer art program. Ms. Emily joined the Montessori ONE Academy teaching staff after completing her AMI Primary training in Portland, Oregon. When she is not in the classroom, Ms. Emily continues to indulge her love of the arts through drawing and painting.

Devyani Katkade

Lead Primary Guide

Born and raised in Mumbai, India, Ms. Devyani holds a degree from the esteemed Montessori Ratan Tata Institute (AMI). Ms. Devyani spent five years teaching at an Indian Montessori school before moving to the United States to join Montessori ONE Academy’s teaching staff. An enthusiastic teacher and student of the world, Ms. Devyani speaks conversational French and has completed three levels of French language studies from Alliance Francaise de Bombay. During her spare time, she loves to travel and dance.

Sachin Devaraja

Lead Primary Guide

Mr. Sachin came to Montessori ONE Academy from Bangalore, India where he earned his Master’s degree in Business Administration from Bangalore University and his Montessori Diploma from the Indian Montessori Centre. Mr. Sachin brings an enthusiasm for education and a sincere desire to nurture the young minds in his classroom. By utilizing a variety of strategies, his goal is not just to educate his students, but to develop confidence, foster socialization, celebrate diversity, and increase engagement. Mr. Sachin enjoys film, music, reading, and trivia.

Pam Ketner

Lead Primary Guide

After 25 years of teaching traditional preschool, Ms. Pam moved to Albuquerque where she discovered Montessori ONE Academy and the Montessori Method. Ms. Pam is a graduate of the Montessori ONE Teacher Training Institute in partnership with the Southwest Institute of Montessori Studies where she recieved her Primary Preschool AMI-certification in 2019. Ms. Pam is a passionate advocate for the Montessori Method and considers it an honor and pleasure to support each child's unique development. Ms. Pam enjoys spending time with her son, a graduate student at the University of New Mexico.   

Jovanna Andrade

Lead Primary Guide

Monica Sandoval

Lead Toddler Guide

Ms. Monica has been with Montessori ONE Academy since 2012. She began her career as an Assistant Guide and her work inspired her to pursue AMI-certifications for both Early Childhood education and Assistance to Infancy. In 2015, Ms. Monica became a Lead Toddler Guide at Montessori ONE. In her free time, Ms. Monica is an avid football fan and cook.

Jeanne Trujillo

Lead Toddler Guide

Ms. Jeanne’s extensive 17-year childcare experience ranges from working with infants through preschool. Ms. Jeanne joined Montessori ONE Academy in 2014 as an Assistant where she developed a love and passion for the toddler age group. After graduating from the Montessori Institute in Denver, Colorado with her AMI diploma in Assistant to Infancy Studies in 2018, Ms. Jeanne became a Lead Guide in the Preschool’s Toddler program. Ms. Jeanne has a son currently enrolled in Montessori ONE Academy’s elementary program. When she is not in the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her family and shopping.

Jodi Gherardini

Enrollment and Nido Coordinator

In 2004, Ms. Jodi began work with a Montessori program designed to support and educate at-risk and disadvantaged children. Inspired by Montessori’s holistic approach to child growth and well-being, she attended the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies where she earned her AMS-certification for infant and toddler education. Ms Jodi has been with Montessori ONE Academy since 2009 and worked as a Lead Toddler Guide prior to becoming the Nido Coordinator. Ms. Jodi is currently working towards her Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education. When she is not in the classroom, she is spending time with her family.

Gina Fox

Montessori Coordinator

Ms. Gina graduated from the first New Mexico satellite campus of the Southwest Institute of Montessori Studies and holds an AMI-diploma in Primary Studies. Her role at Montessori ONE Academy is transitioning from a Preschool Primary Guide to the Intergenerational Montessori Coordinator for Amaran Senior Living. There, she will help integrate Montessori methodology into a first of its kind memory care program that includes intergenerational activities between Amaran residents and Montessori ONE students. Since her grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's five years ago, Ms. Gina has been devoted to helping other families keep their loved one as they know them for as long as possible. Combining two of her passions is a dream come true. She is so excited and ready to make a difference for all generations.