Our Staff

Marcia's career in teaching began in 1997. She received her BA at FSU in Political Science and her MA at The American University in International Communication. She then earned her teaching certificate from the Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies (IAMS). She is accredited by the American Montessori Society (AMS). She also received her certification in Phono-Graphix from the ReadAmerica Institute. She calls teaching her calling and finds nothing more fulfilling than watching her students' eagerness and excitement for learning blossom and grow every year.

Ingrid is the co-owner and administrator of the Montessori School of East Orlando. She was born in Breda, Holland and came to America when she was 15 years old. As a child, she attended the Workplaatz--a Montessori school run by Bette and Kees Boeke. After a lifetime of working in such diverse fields as a nurse, Captain, wife, mother, grandmother, small business owner, etc., she now enjoys working with the amazing students at MSEO. Her joy is ensuring that all of her students are nurtured with love, understanding, and joy.

Marisol was born in Cali, Colombia, and holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration (1992) and a specialist postgraduate qualification in Finance (1997). She enriched her professional career for 10 years before moving to the United States in 1999 due to her husband's job transfer. In 2008, while her daughters were studying at MSEO, Marisol volunteered for a year. She had the privilege of starting the Spanish program and working with primary, lower, and upper elementary teachers. Over the years, every teacher has profoundly contributed to her understanding of the Montessori system. Marisol has fallen in love with Montessori, awakening her passion for positively changing the lives of many children. She believes that observing the essence of the human being in children is essential to building a good future. The best reward for her is the personal, academic, and professional development of the children she guides. Currently working with younger children, Marisol's responsibilities have become exponentially larger, reflecting the importance of the first steps in a human's development. These changes take many forms, including their first hug, first smile, and first tear.

Anuette received her BA at Bayamon Central University in PR, in Social Worker. She received her Master of Social Work in Clinic Area in Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico in 2009. She has the Florida Early Childhood Professional training and is also accredited by the American Montessori Society (AMS) in Early Childhood Education 2 1/2 to 6 years old. Anuette enjoys being around children as she has not only worked since 1997, but until now focused on children between the ages of 1 to 6 years old. She grew up around children because her dad was a teacher and her mom dedicated her life to child care. For her, being in the school is her happy place.

Alta is the Lower Elementary directress and a lead Lower Elementary 6-9 teacher. Alta received her BA from Queens College (CUNY), in Elementary and Early Childhood Education. She earned her Montessori Elementary I credential from Maitland Montessori Teacher Education Program in 2013. She is accredited by the American Montessori Society (AMS). Alta shares her love of nature with her students by going on weekly nature walks and gardening. In her personal time, Alta enjoys exploring Florida’s springs, snorkeling, kayaking and paddleboarding. Like Maria Montessori, she believes “One test of the correctness of educational procedure is the happiness of the child.”

Paola joined MSEO in 2023 as a lower elementary teacher. Initially discovering the beauty of Montessori for her own three children, she realized that this style of teaching not only fit her own personal philosophy of education, but also meshed perfectly with her love of helping others and making a true difference in the world. She loves that she has finally found her calling and is looking forward to learning and growing each and every day right alongside her students.

Tania joined the faculty of the MSEO in 2018. She initially worked as an assistant in the Primary classroom and as the science and history teacher for the Upper Elementary Students. From 2019 - 2023, she was the lead Upper Elementary teacher. Now, she is the co-lead teacher for Upper Elementary and the Middle School. Prior to joining the MSEO, she had a career as a commissioned officer in the United States Public Health Service. She served in the Indian Health Service on the Navajo Nation in Crownpoint, New Mexico for eighteen years; Tania and her husband were the only pediatricians for the Crownpoint service area, providing care for 20,000 people. Tania was honorably discharged in 2018 as a Captain, and happily switched careers to teaching children. She has a B.S. in biology from Florida State University and an M.D. from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.

Our dedicated staff member is currently working on their biography. In the meantime, we appreciate their valuable contributions to our school.

Nancy joined our team as a full-time teacher in 2023, bringing her enthusiasm and expertise to our educational community. Her journey with us began through her daughter, who has been a delighted student here for the past four years and absolutely loves it. Nancy’s commitment to education is evident in the joy and dedication she brings to her teaching. A Chicago native, Nancy is a city girl at heart but has also embraced the charm of rural life during her time in Texas, where she developed a deep appreciation for the countryside and a passion for horses. This blend of urban and rural experiences enriches her teaching style and provides a diverse perspective to her students. Nancy is a devoted mother of two, who are the center of her world. In her personal time, she is an avid reader and an enthusiastic gardener, finding peace and inspiration in both books and nature. Her multifaceted interests and nurturing spirit make her a valued member of our team and a beloved teacher to her students.

Urania is a dedicated Spanish teacher from Nicaragua. She cherishes her small family of three, consisting of her two children and her supportive husband, who has been a pillar in both her personal and professional development. Urania is passionate about teaching and contributing to the growth and development of her students, aiming to shape the civic and social values of future generations for a positive global impact. She holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and is also a certified pastry chef. Urania has provided over three years of social services at a comprehensive development center for children with different abilities in Rivas, a rural area in southern Nicaragua with low-income children. There, she developed skills to understand children with special needs, their development, and behavior changes during various stages of childhood. Additionally, Urania worked with teenagers, helping them support their families economically by founding a small bakery. She taught artisanal bakery courses to more than 20 young people aged 15 to 17. Today, she is delighted to teach the Spanish language and be part of a team of educators with extensive knowledge and humanistic teaching skills.

Jace joined our team full-time in 2023, bringing a passion for organization, creativity, and color, Jace blends artistic insight with a meticulous approach to administrative tasks, ensuring our school runs smoothly and beautifully. As the office administrator, Jace captures the essence of our school through photographing events and productions, as well as maintaining our website and library. Jace is dedicated to fostering a love of reading among our students. By reading to the children, having them read in return, and ensuring they take home books that pique their interests, Jace helps inspire a lifelong passion for reading. Outside of work, Jace enjoys exploring Florida's springs, swimming, kayaking, camping, and biking. These adventures fuel Jace's passion for photography and bring a unique perspective to the work done at school. The outdoor experiences inspire creativity and contribute to the vibrant atmosphere Jace helps create in our school community.

Bianca joined our school late in the 2023-2024 school year and has quickly become an enthusiastic member of our community. Currently studying elementary education at UCF, Bianca is passionate about working with children. She believes art is a fun and effective way to connect with students, providing the perfect opportunity to nurture their creativity and offer an outlet for self-expression. Bianca is excited to see where the new school year takes her and looks forward to making a positive impact on our students.

Marcos joined our school in 2022 the PE teacher and coach, bringing a dynamic blend of athletic and creative skills to our community. He graduated from Orange Technical College with a film certification specializing in camerawork, photography, and lighting. Marcos leverages his diverse background to create engaging and visually captivating physical education lessons, inspiring students to excel both in fitness and in appreciating the art of sports.

Robert is a violinist, composer, and playwright who joined MSEO in 2009 as our Drama Director, Voice Teacher, and after-school piano and violin teacher. During his non-school hours, he is the full-time violinist at Walt Disney World, but loves nothing more than working with the students and seeing their transformation on stage. Robert writes the musicals that the students perform each year and often tailors the parts to the students that have literally grown up under his tutelage. You might also see Robert outside on a lawn mower, landscaping the grounds, or playing soccer with the students at recess. He holds a BA of Fine Arts from the North Carolina School of the Arts and a MA in Violin Performance from Tulsa University.

Our dedicated staff member is currently working on their biography. In the meantime, we appreciate their valuable contributions to our school.

Ross is what is most affectionately known as a Man-of-all-Work. He is a master carpenter, but will put his hand to almost anything. He is always on call and loves nothing more than to find ways to involve the students in discovering the beauty in the world around them. You might see Ross taking the students on a hay ride during Thanksgiving or saving a small wild creature from the elements. He is a conservationist at heart and is known to protect all life with gentleness and compassion.