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.

Christine Parson

Academic Coordinator

Christine Parson brings experience as an Anthropologist, Social Worker, and seasoned Montessori Guide to her role as Education Coordinator. During her eleven years as a Guide, Ms. Christine taught lower elementary, upper elementary, and combination classes. She specializes in English, the Humanities, and ensuring all aspects of the child's experience is rooted in authentic Montessori pedagogy-- even when that experience has to be virtual. As Education Coordinator, Ms. Christine is responsible for coordinating, assisting, and facilitating all aspects of the development and implementation of curricula and associated educational initiatives. 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 International in 2009 and attended AMI/NAMTA’s Orientation to Adolescent Studies.

Andrea Mitchell

Enrollment and Communications Coordinator

Andrea Mitchell is a graduate of the University of New Mexico with a BA in Psychology. Before joining the Montessori ONE team, Andrea worked in the corporate offices of Gap Inc. for almost two decades where she held various roles including a trainer, technical writer, accountant, project manager, and merchandiser (to name a few). After working in New York City for almost a decade, Andrea returned to New Mexico and is excited to start a new chapter in the education field. 

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.

Peter Casanelli

Lead Guide, Upper Elementary

From Philadelphia to Somalia; New Mexico to Ireland; Georgia to El Salvador; and Florida to Bolivia, Mr. Peter's life and career has taken him all over the world-- broadening his view of travel and culture. Born into a family of educators and himself a product of Montessori education, Mr. Peter earned a B.A. from New Mexico State University. He earned a Masters degree from Florida Atlantic University before obtaining his Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) certification in Dublin, Ireland. Prior to joining Montessori ONE Academy this October, Mr. Peter spent a combined 14 years teaching Upper Elementary at Montessori School at Emory in Georgia and Little Flower Montessori School in Florida. He travels frequently in support of a humanitarian organization and is involved with the Big Brother/Big Sister organization. He is the proud father of a college-aged daughter and plays tennis. He is thrilled to return to New Mexico and with the opportunity to join Montessori ONE Academy.

Anne Watkins

Lead Guide, Lower 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.

Sachin Devaraja

Guide, Lower 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.

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 Guide, Primary

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 Guide, Primary

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.

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.   

Jovanna Andrade

Lead Guide, Primary

Susan Sumac

Lead Guide, Primary

Ms. Susan's love of learning began as a child while attending a Montessori school. That love of learning and her own Montessori experience inspired her to become a Montessori Guide. Passionate about supporting children through the joy of discovery and their burgeoning independence, Ms. Susan found her calling teaching Primary students. Ms. Susan holds a B.A. in Ecology and has been a student of Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) training. When not serving her students in the classroom, she enjoys hiking, photography, and exploring the Southwest.

Monica Sandoval

Lead Guide, Toddler

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 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 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.

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.