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
Lead Guide: Alex
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.
Assistant Guide: Martha Cuevas
Hello, My name is Martha Cuevas, I am a Teacher Assistant in Casa Luna. I have worked with children for six years. I was an Infant and Toddler Montessori Assistant Teacher for four years and an Infant and Toddler Montessori Lead Teacher for one year before joining Casa Luna here at Garfield Montessori School last year.
One thing I love about Garfield Montessori School so far is how welcoming the staff, children and parents have been. I also love the small community; It really feels like home.
You might be surprised to know that I love music and I love to sing.
When I am not at school I enjoy spending time with my family, going up to the mountains and a lot of shopping.
When I was little and my parents and teachers would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up I would always say ‘a nurse for children.’ As I got older, this love of working with children led me to teaching and I enjoy every second of it!
I am so happy to be a part of this community and I love being able to participate in the growth of our little humans.
Assistant Guide: Brianna Quezada
Hello, my name is Brianna Quezada, currently known in the classroom as Ms. Bri. I was born here in the beautiful city and state of Denver, Colorado, 26 years ago to be exact. I have spent most of my life coming back and forth from Mexico. I go back to visit my parents who live in a small town in Chihuahua. That is also where I have completed most of my education with three years of nursing and 2 years in bilingual education. I am a proud mama of an amazing 6 year old girl who is the reason I became interested in childcare.
I am new to early childhood education, but I love helping teachers nourish amazing little human’s brains, helping them absorb their knowledge and providing for them what I wish someone would provide for my daughter. When the opportunity of becoming a teacher’s assistant presented itself, I was more than happy to apply. So, now that I am here, here are a few of the things that I enjoy in my free time. I absolutely like long nature walks. Fall is my favorite season and I am a big sweater lover. Spending time with my daughter is my favorite thing ever. I also love cooking as well as gardening and having lots of houseplants. I love to be surrounded by nature. I am an extremely friendly person and I am looking forward to getting to know you as much as your little ones.
Casa Sole
Lead Guide: Laura Baglietto
Miss Laura Baglietto, who is originally from Lima, Peru, moved to the United States in 2001 when she was 16 years old. Her family settled in Miami Beach, Florida, a part of Miami that is known to be internationally and culturally diverse, with people not just from South America and the Caribbean, but also from Europe and the rest of the world.
She completed a Bachelors in Social Anthropology from Florida International University and a Masters degree in Elementary Montessori from Loyola University Maryland. She holds a Montessori Early Childhood Certificate from The American Montessori Society (AMS) and an International Montessori Elementary Certificate from the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI).
Miss Laura has been the Casa Sole Head Teacher at Garfield Montessori since August 2021. She has fourteen years of experience working with the Montessori philosophy in many different capacities. From early childhood and elementary educator, to program coordinator, adult trainer, field consultant and mentor teacher. She recently joined the board of directors at the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies (MECR) and spoke as a panelist at their recent “Montessori in the Mountains” conference and retreat.
Laura’s approach is to nurture a feeling of family in all the programs she leads, whether with children or adults, and strives for children to continue their love for learning through the Montessori philosophy. She places great importance on the social and emotional aspects of education and she’s an advocate of the Montessori Peace Curriculum.
In her free time, Miss Laura loves physical activities. She’s practiced yoga for many years, and also enjoys swimming, and biking. Since she moved to Colorado in 2020 she’s started rock climbing, skiing and hiking. But no matter where she’s lived, she’s always loved to travel and experience new cultures. She’s been to over 23 countries and her most memorable experiences so far have been in Indonesia and Morocco.
Lead Guide: Paola Cuevas
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.
Assistant Guide: Gabriela Quezada
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.
