Meet our Teachers at Cypress Creek

The Cypress Creek campus is home to faculty working in early education for nearly 25 years. The school is situated on an acre of land, nestled far away from main traffic. The backyard boasts towering pine trees, a deck, and covered patio for ample outdoor fun.

The Toddler Community

Meet Ms. Carmela (left) and Ms. Laura (right)

Ms. Laura is the Lead Montessori Guide for our Toddler community and leads the day-to-day operations of the Cypress Creek campus. She was recently recognized by Governor Greg Abbott as a “Teaching Superstar” for her work in Toddler Curriculum Development and Material Making. Ms. Carmela is the Assistant Montessori Teacher in the Toddler Community. She also serves as the school’s Art Guide and helps curate our annual Children’s Art Show.

Ms. Laura works with one of her students. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ms. Laura wears a mask and uses a blue rectangle to indicate individual work spaces for her students.

Meet Ms. Laura, Lead Montessori Guide and Associate Director

What do you do for fun? I love music, and I love to dance! I especially love to salsa dance with my family and friends. (At work, Ms. Laura is always the life of the party!)

What’s your favorite dessert? I really enjoy fresh fruit, especially mangoes with powdered chili. I enjoy sweets, but I prefer fresh, ripe fruit.

Why did you become a Montessori teacher? I really value a child’s independence. I believe children are capable of doing basic tasks on their own, and we must encourage children to do more. As parents, we always want to help, but that affects our children’s ability to be independent. I also feel a special privilege to be invited to be part of my students’ lives.

Were you born in Texas? No, I was born in Toluca, Mexico. Toluca is known for its cold weather. Toluca is also home to a dormant volcano and beautiful Spanish colonial architecture.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? I want to visit Israel to follow the path of Jesus Christ. I value my faith, and it guides my family and me.

Ms. Carmela works alongside one of her students in the Practical Life section of the Montessori classroom. Ms. Carmela also serves as the Art Guide and leads the campus Art Program.

Meet Ms. Carmela, Assistant Teacher and Art Guide

What do you do for fun? I really enjoy table games with my family and friends. I play Jenga and Lotería. My family is very close knit.

What’s your favorite dessert? I LOVE chocolate cake. With frosting. No boxed cake mixes for me. I make it all from scratch, and I have the BEST recipe.

Why did you want to work in education? I like to see how children grow and develop. Child development is fascinating to me, and I like to help children achieve their developmental milestones. I have children as well, and when I moved from Chicago to Houston, I realized that I especially loved supporting my own children’s development. That’s what led me to Montessori education.

Were you born in Texas? I was born in Guerrero, Mexico. It is a very mountainous place with lots of beautiful trees. Many of our parents may have visited my home state, when they visited Acapulco!

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? I want to go to Costa Rica. I enjoy beautiful places that inspire me and my art, especially places with lots of natural beauty. I also like that Costa Rica is eco-friendly.

The Children’s House

Meet Ms. Emma (left) and Ms. Jackie (right)

Ms. Jackie is the Lead Montessori Guide for our Children’s House community, which includes Kindergarten. Ms. Jackie is well-known in our schools for her articulate nature and her very detailed, studious observations in the Montessori classroom. Ms. Emma is the Assistant Montessori Teacher in the Children’s House. She also serves as the school’s Spanish Guide and leads the school’s Spanish Program.

Ms. Jackie works with a student on their phonics. The child places letters at the top of their individual work space and playfully identifies the initial sound of small objects.

Meet Ms. Jackie, Lead Montessori Guide

What do you do for fun? I really enjoy reading and restaurants. I especially love fantasy novels and enjoy Cheddars Restaurant. I always enjoy a good meal with friends and family.

What’s your favorite dessert? Give me all the desserts! I have a big sweet tooth, and I love anything considered “turtle,” like Turtle Cheesecake.

Why did you become a Montessori teacher? I really enjoy being with children. I have worked with each major age group in a Montessori school, and I have enjoyed watching children grow and develop before my eyes. I especially love discussing child development. (Ms. Jackie is especially known in our schools for extremely articulate and specific observations. Her rich vocabulary is especially helpful with our oldest students.)

Were you born in Texas? I was born and raised right here in Houston, Texas.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? I want to travel everywhere. I’ve been particularly interested in Italy lately along with my students. I want to see the beautiful vistas and experience the rich cultural heritage throughout the country. I also want to see the historic architecture, which was a foundation for western civilization.

Ms. Emma works with a student on the constructive triangles, a series of sensorial, geometric exercises to understand that an equilateral triangle can be formed from other triangles. This activity prepares the child for understanding more complex polygons and the concept of “equivalence” in geometry.

Meet Ms. Emma, Assistant Teacher and Spanish Guide

What do you do for fun? I am very family-oriented, and I enjoy time with my family and friends. I am especially proud of my children and their accomplishments. (Ms. Emma is known in our school for her incredible sense of humor and ongoing laughs! She is always smiling and laughing in school).

What’s your favorite dessert? I always want ice cream, especially strawberry ice cream.

Why did you want to work in education? I love working with children. I like watching how children learn, and I learn so much with them too. I am very passionate about quality education.

Were you born in Texas? No, I was born in San Francisco Gotera, Morazán, El Salvador. We are a small town with big open markets and very friendly people. We have lots of farms nearby, where I used to get fresh milk and vegetables.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? I want to visit Europe, especially Venice, Italy. I can’t wait to ride a gondola!