Meet Our Montessori Educators

It is our mission to build a school community that embraces the diversity of our students, parents, and teachers. Through our community, we will nurture the individual spirit of each child through the Montessori Method.

OUR EDUCATORS

Earth Classroom                9:00 am – 3:00 pm 

Ms. Elizabeth May, Lead Teacher                                                                     

Montessori 3-6 Teacher Certification
Degree in Early Childhood Education

Ms. Elizabeth is Montessori trained in early childhood education and is a valuable asset to Sundance Montessori. Ms. Elizabeth’s immense experience and knowledge in Montessori and her natural passion for teaching young children encourage confidence in her students.  Ms. Elizabeth guides her young students with graceful ease as they engage in their early learning experiences.

 

 Ms. Miranda Restivo, Assistant Teacher 

                                                                   

 

 

 

 

Mars Classroom                  8:30 am – 2:30 pm

Ms. Jonna Crowder, Lead Teacher

Degree in Early Childhood Education

Montessori 3-6 Teacher Certification

Ms. Jonna has been teaching in early childcare since 2013.  Her love for art, music, and movement inspires children to get creative and build their imagination. Ms. Jonna’s top priorities are to keep her students safe, happy, and independent.  She also enjoys teaching her students sign language and incorporating it into their weekly lessons.

 

Ms. Andrea Holden, Assistant Teacher

BA in Special Education

Montessori 3-6 Teacher Certification
Certified in Understanding Interventions & Therapies in a Montessori Setting

Ms. Andrea has been working with children for the past couple of years and has been around the Montessori environment her whole life.  She finds joy in working with children and watching them evolve into smart, confident, and creative individuals. She graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2022 with a degree in special education and is beginning her Graduate program at Sacramento State to get a Master’s in Elementary Language and Literacy focusing on Dyslexia.

 

Mercury Classroom                 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Mrs. Doreen Holden                                                                                               

Director, Lead Teacher

Montessori 3-6 Teacher Certification
Preliminary Designated Subject Adult Education Teaching Credential

Mrs. Doreen has worked with children for over 20 years.  She is a Certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator, and this expertise has helped create a classroom environment that is vibrant with the hum of happy, engaged students. Mrs. Doreen has taught with Sundance for many years and as a result, has had many families returning with their younger siblings to enjoy the benefits of her dedicated teaching.  Mrs. Doreen works with staff to implement curriculum needs and program support. She works with the faculty to develop and implement student status and progress-tracking procedures.  Mrs. Doreen helps maintain and foster positive and constructive interactions with students and parents.

 

Ms. Olesya Rozhenko, Assistant Teacher 

BA in Child Development

Ms. Olesya has been working with children for the past 2 years. She finds it important to cultivate a lifelong love for learning and focus on developing cognitive, social, and emotional skills in children. Ms. Olesya is also enthusiastic about incorporating music and art into the students’ daily routines. She graduated from Sacramento State University in 2023 with a degree in Child Development. Ms. Olesya is also working on getting her Montessori 3-6 year certification.

 

AFTERSCHOOL TEACHERS

 Ms. Jennifer Schmidt                                                                                               

Moondance Afterschool Teacher

 

 

 

 

Ms. Jeovanna Ulloa

Moondance Afterschool Teacher

 

 

 

 

All Sundance faculty are CPR and First Aid certified.