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.

Christine Parson

Director of Education

Christine Parson brings experience as an Anthropologist, Social Worker, and seasoned Montessori Guide to her role as Director of Education.  During her 15+ years in the classroom, Ms. Christine has taught lower elementary, upper elementary, and combination classes.  She also taught adolescent Montessori classes as the lead guide, English teacher, and Humanities teacher.  She specializes in ensuring all aspects of the child’s experience is rooted in authentic Montessori pedagogy.  As Director, Ms. Christine is responsible for coordinating and facilitating Montessori curriculum across all levels.  She also facilitates Montessori training for staff and workshops for parents.  Ms. Christine is a graduate of the University of Central Florida with a BA in Anthropology.  Inspired by the Montessori education her three sons received, she attended the Montessori Training Center of Minnesota and received her elementary certification from Association Montessori Internationale in 2009.  She attended AMI/NAMTA’s Orientation to Adolescent Studies in 2016 to become certified to teach Montessori for ages 12-18.  Ms. Christine started at Montessori ONE Academy as a virtual elementary teacher while living in Florida and moved to Albuquerque with her family in 2021. 

Emily Chavez

Operations Coordinator

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.  Ms. Emily continues to indulge her love of the arts through drawing and painting.

Shivaani Gardner

Director of Operations

Ms. Shivaani graduated from the George Washington University in Washington, D.C. where she majored in Art History and International Relations of the Middle East. Shivaani grew up a Montessori child in Albuquerque and is thrilled to be back! She enjoys baking, reading, hiking and working with children. 

Maggie Spencer

Administrative Coordinator

Ms. Maggie is a graduate from Montana State University in Bozeman, MT with a Bachelors in Community Health and Native American Studies. Before working for Montessori ONE Academy, Maggie worked for The Ohio State University – Wexner Medical Center as a research coordinator in the HRS department. She recently moved to Albuquerque to be closer to family and enjoys the Sandia Mountains in the evening, the Balloon Fiesta, and all things heat. She also enjoys spending time with her husband Virgil and their puppy, Pepper.

Anne Watkins

Lead Guide, Lower Elementary

Ms. Anne is originally from Germany where she earned a degree in sociology, psychology, and economics. Upon moving to the United States in 2007, she developed an interest in the field of education and earned her Master of Education degree with a specialization in English as a second language from the University of North Carolina. Ms. Anne has been working as a Montessori Lead Guide since 2013. She holds a lower elementary teaching certificate from the American Montessori Society and an upper elementary teaching certificate from the Center for Guided Montessori Studies. She is also an experienced language instructor, after-school tutor, and children's yoga instructor. 

Sachin Devaraja

Lead Guide, Upper Elementary

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.

Veronica Berano

Lead Guide, Lower Elementary

Ms. Veronica is a proud graduate from the University of Florida. Her passion for Montessori was ignited after she enrolled her son in the primary classroom. She holds a Montessori Elementary 1 certification from the American Montessori Society. The last 3 years she was a lower elementary lead guide at a Summit Questa Montessori school and, most recently, a lead guide at Guidepost Montessori school for the past two years. She is looking forward to joining our community and connecting with our families. During her free time, Ms. Veronica enjoys reading, the outdoors, off roading and spending time with her son.

Dolores Guerra

Spanish Guide - Primary & Elementary

Ms. Dolores is a native of La Havana, Cuba. She studied at the Higher Technological University of La Havana. She began her career as a Mechanical Engineer and then went on to teach in the College and a Technical School. In the College she was a Gymnast and a gold medal winner in a track and field events. She has postgraduate degrees in Public Relations and Social Communication. Additionally, Dolores is an accomplished singer and performed with several bands throughout Havana. Dolores believes in encouraging spontaneity and creativity consistent with the Montessori approach to education. When not teaching, Dolores enjoys spending time with family, cooking, singing, dancing and hiking.

Pam Ketner

Lead Guide, Primary

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.   

Yang Chen

Lead Guide, Primary

Ms. Yang was born and raised in China. Working with children is her life's passion; she has been teaching children 0-6 years old for six years. She has a M. Ed from Loyola University with a specialty in Montessori Studies. She also just completed her AMI primary guide training last year. She loves to spend time with her husband, an aviation mechanic and soon to be aerospace engineer, and their two daughters Eva (8 years old) and Sophia (4 years old). They love to hang out in the nature, visit libraries,  and explore parks and museums.

Bhairavi Saturdekar

Lead Guide, Primary

Ms. Bhairavi moved to Albuquerque from Mumbai, India where she earned an MBA in Human Resources Management. She also has a Masters in Organizational Development and Training from The University of Denver. After having her son in 2017, she became interested in the Montessori philosophy and received her AMI primary diploma in 2021. Ms. Bhairavi wants to be able to support children and make them independent in their early years of development by making learning fun and enjoyable. She is also a certified kids yoga instructor and in her free time she loves spending time with family and friends and enjoys art, music, hiking, photography, and spending time in nature. 

Sharda Behera

Lead Guide, Primary

Ms. Sharda is from Hyderabad, India and has over 6 years of experience as a Montessori lead guide for Primary students ages 3-6. She has a Masters in Computer Applications and loves fabric painting, embroidery, and playing chess. 

Rory Thomas

Lead Guide, Primary

Ms. Rory grew up in Austin, TX and after graduating high school, she moved to Chicago, IL and participated in Americorps and, during this time, was given the opportunity to work in a public school with middle schoolers. This was the first experience that made her truly passionate and interested in the realities of education and, soon after, she moved to Albuquerque to continue learning about and pursuing it. After briefly attending the University of New Mexico and working in childcare settings simultaneously, she discovered Montessori. Ms. Rory immediately became passionate and was drawn to the unique and effective pedagogy that was truly designed to serve the whole child. In 2023, while working at Montessori One part time, she received her AMI Diploma. Her mission is to guide and support children through their journey of developing independence, uniqueness, and a strong will. Ms. Rory also loves the outdoors, hiking and rock climbing, sewing, going thrift shopping, playing music, and seeing live music! She is so excited to continue learning and growing through the powerful experience of working as a Guide. 

Manasa Minna

Lead Guide, Primary

Ms. Manasa was brought up in a Montessori family. She found an inspiration in her mother and sister who are Montessori Guides themselves. Witnessing the dedication and impact on the life of the students motivated her to follow a similar path.

Ms. Manasa’s educational background includes an AMI diploma in Primary and Elementary levels and has also done orientation in Adolescent level. She has 4 years of experience as a Primary Guide and strongly believes in and respects the Montessori philosophies and the ability to nurture a child's natural curiosity and love for learning.

Beyond her academic achievements, Ms. Manasa is a multi-faceted individual with diverse interests. She is a gifted dancer and singer, using her artistic talents to create engaging and enjoyable learning experiences for her students. Additionally, she is a trained yoga teacher, specializing in yoga for children, promoting physical and mental well-being in her classrooms. When not immersed in the world of education, Ms. Manasa indulges her passion for travel and exploration.

Jeanne Trujillo

Lead Guide, Toddler

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 and when she is not in the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her family and shopping.

Gayle Byers

Lead Guide, Toddler

Ms. Gayle has over 20 years of experience working with children, including owning and operating a childcare business for 10 years. She is currently pursuing a degree in Child Development Multicultural Education and is excited to be a part of the Montessori ONE team. Her passion is working with children because she loves how they explore and learn new things every day. She loves spending time with family, crocheting, and playing with her grandchildren.

Belinda Garcia

Lead Guide, Toddler

Ms. Belinda was introduced to the Montessori Method when she was looking for a school for her own children. She was so impressed with the impact it made on her children that she began her Montessori training in Infant and Toddler. Ms. Belinda has been working with young children for over 20 years and has found it extremely rewarding to observe children work and explore their environment.

Debbie Alarcon

Lead Guide, Nido

Ms. Debbie has over 15 years of experience working with infants and finds it very calming. She especially loves watching them learn and grow as well as reach important milestones. When not in the classroom, Ms. Debbie enjoys cooking and going hiking and swimming with her 11-year-old son.

Brenda Reyes

Lead Guide, Nido

Ms. Brenda has been working with children for over 20 years. She loves seeing when the babies reach their milestones. It makes her happy when she sees them transition to eating solids and especially enjoys when the children give her hugs.

When not at school she enjoys spending time with her husband and is a big fan of his cooking and her favorite is when he makes ribs. If she could choose any place to travel to she would pick Paris.