Meet The Staff
School Director
Angela Gray
Being a part of guiding this great Montessori school in its long tradition of excellence in education and helping to care for the development of the human potential within each child that walks through our doors is an incredible honor.
Before finding my way to Garfield Montessori School, I was a Director of a large traditional early childhood center and also ran my own part time in home Montessori Preschool at the beginning of covid. Before turning my interests to developing high quality education through the administrative side of things, I worked for ten years teaching in Early Childhood Education. Six and a half of those years include teaching in authentic Montessori programs.
I received my Montessori Certificate from the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies in 2018. I also hold a Bachelor’s Degree from Naropa University where I studied Fine Arts, Early Childhood Education, and Tibetan Language Studies. After graduating from the University, I spent time traveling in Dharamsala, India and teaching English to adult Tibetan refugees. I met my husband there and we now have two amazing teenage daughters who were lucky to have attended a Montessori school for their elementary school years. I was honored to be able to help bring my teaching experience to volunteer teaching the Tibetan language to Tibetan children at the Tibetan Children’s School here in the Denver/ Boulder area for two years.
I love spending time with my family at home and in nature. I rejuvenate through oil painting, reading, dancing, swimming and cooking.
Casa Luna
Miss Alex – Lead Guide
My name is Alex and I am thrilled to be part of the Garfield community as Lead Guide. I attended the University of Utah, where I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Following my graduation, I found my way to a Montessori classroom and never looked back. I have completed my AMS Montessori Credential in Early Childhood from the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies. My favorite aspect of the Montessori pedagogy is the individualized educational experience that each child receives. On the weekends, I like to spend time with my cat, Blackberry, as well as practice lots of self care. I am originally from Los Angeles, so I love to enjoy spending time outside during the beautiful Colorado seasons.
Miss Kaitlyn – Assistant Guide
Kaitlyn has been teaching young children for the past three years after graduating from the University of Colorado, Boulder with a B.A. in Environmental Studies and Geology in 2019.
She previously worked at Thorne Nature Experience, an environmental education nonprofit in Boulder, CO, as an Environmental Educator and then as a Nature Preschool Teacher from 2019-2022. Here she taught 3-6 year olds in an outdoor classroom and gained a love of hands-on, place based education. She believes that children grow best when learning in nurturing environments with an emphasis on social emotional learning.
She is excited to be working as an assistant teacher in Casa Luna where she hopes to continue to learn and grow as an early childhood teacher.
Miss Valeria – Assistant Guide
Hello! My name is Valeria I have been working with children for almost 5 years now. I have worked with infants to adolescents and have enjoyed every minute of it! Through my years I have gained experience as a lead and assistant teacher, as well as a youth counselor and a daycare attendant. Montessori was my first ever experience working with children and have been wanting to go back into a Montessori environment. I am so glad to have received the opportunity here and hope to achieve my Montessori training as well.
Working with children has been a meaningful experience for me. I am always eager to learn more and provide help as much as possible. I always find it super important for children to feel accepted and comfortable, specifically at their age, in order for them to thrive as they get older while they meeting new friends and experience different environments as well as emotions. I also feel it’s important to always have diversity and families with different backgrounds so that we can always learn something new from each other.
During my free time I enjoy a lot of down time which includes a lot of painting/drawing and baking for me! Being the oldest, I am super close to my siblings and enjoy spending time with them as well!
Ms Ashley – Assistant Guide
Casa Sole
Ms. Paola – Lead Guide
Hello, My name is Paola Cuevas and I am a co-lead teacher in Casa Luna. I finished my Montessori Primary Training at Montessori Education Center of the Rockies this spring. I have worked with children in Montessori schools for four years. One thing I love about GMS so far is the welcoming arms from all the staff and children. Garfield has already become my second home. I love the small community feeling.
You might be surprised to know that I love to play piano and bass. When I am not at school, I enjoy long walks with my dogs, drawing, and time with my family. My favorite food is Caldo de Res (Mexican Beef Stew).
I was born in Mexico and Colorado has been my home since age 5. Being in the United States has given me the opportunity to achieve this long dream of mine and I am thankful Garfield has been a great support and will continue to be a big part of me achieving my dream.
Ms. Gabriela – Lead Guide
Hi, my name is Gabriela Quezada or Ms. Gaby for short. I’m the assistant teacher in Casa Sole. I have been thrilled to have started here at Garfield Montessori School this year and have loved every moment. There is a saying out there that says ‘love what you do and you’ll never have to work a day in your life’ and I believe I am living it. I am enjoying my time here so much. I have taught your children as much as they have taught me. I never visualized myself in the childcare industry. I used to be a dental assistant aspiring to be a dentist, but life has different plans and I saw, when I had my daughter and she became the center of my universe, I became so cautious of the hands I was putting her in. I am a very spiritual person and when I was ready to return to work, I asked for a sign and there it was, a help wanted sign for a Montessori school. I immediately took the opportunity both to enroll my daughter and have the privilege to also be part of such a great school, and it’s been such an experience to see her develop with the lectures and techniques enforced here. I’m glad to be a part of the teachers as much as the parents so I get to see both perspectives and that’s always fun.
In my own time, I love reading a good book and drinking a good blend of tea. I enjoy the summertime. There is something about cooking out with the family and going on hikes, being in the sun, that just makes my heart glow. I enjoy nature, though, ironically, I am quite allergic to most of the outdoors.
Miss Zoe – Lead Guide
Hello! My name is Zoe. I have been a teacher for about two years and really enjoy it! I love waking up every day to something new and making connections with the children in my care. I especially enjoy singing songs with the students and dancing with them. I love to read, crochet, and play my guitar. I have a little kitten who is my whole life and a pet fish. I’m a really big animal person and love to talk with the kids about their favorite animals and animals in their home. I am very excited to be starting this journey!
