Staff
Tina Patel – Founder and Director
Ms. Patel is the Founder and Director of Montessori ONE Preschool Academy. Prior to opening Montessori ONE in November of 2007, Ms. Patel was co-founder and director of a Charter school here in Albuquerque. But her inspiration for Montessori ONE reaches back to the days when her eldest daughter attended a Montessori school, and she was “hooked” on the authentic Montessori approach to education. Currently Ms. Patel’s youngest daughter is a student at Montessori ONE.
As both an educator and administrator, and as a mom, Ms. Patel has extensive knowledge and experience working with students, parents, and teachers in a variety of programs. These include working with at-risk students of all ages, students who dropped out of high school, post-secondary students, and educators nationwide. From 1999 to 2003, Ms. Patel served as Vice President of the Rio Grande Educational Collaborative, where she founded and directed a re-engagement program. This highly successful program prevented 450 students from dropping out of high school and equipped them for further study.
Ms. Patel’s additional experience in developing innovative curriculum and writing programs that encourage students to take ownership of their education has proven beneficial in the creation of Montessori ONE’s Distinctives.
Before her foray into the field of education, Ms. Patel obtained a Master’s Degree in Architecture from the University of New Mexico’s School of Architecture and Planning in 1993. A tour through the impressive, new 14,000 square foot state-of-the-art Montessori ONE facility reveals this background, as well as her successful blending of both passions by applying her knowledge of design and engineering concepts to improve learning opportunities.
Sarita Prabhakaran – Primary Lead Teacher
Originally from India, Sarita Prabhakaran brings nine years of Montessori teaching experience to Montessori ONE. Ms. Prabhakaran brings a broad perspective, having taught at Montessori schools in India, New York, and Chicago. After obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Mumbai in India, Ms. Prabhakaran successfully completed the AMI primary teacher training program. She was promptly offered a position in the teacher’s training centre to assist her trainer in delivering the primary Montessori course—a testimony to her enthusiasm for and knowledge of the Montessori method.
Mr. Farren – Primary Lead Teacher
Mr. Farren leads one of our primary classrooms. His background in teaching, particularly in the Montessori method, is extensive. Specifically, Mr. Farren has taught traditional Pre-K and First Grade classes, modified Montessori Kindergarten classes, and Primary Montessori classes. His formal academic training includes a Bachelor’s Degree from Lake Erie College in Ohio, a Master’s Degree from Loyola College in Maryland, and an International AMI Montessori Diploma from the Ohio Montessori Training Institute. He also has completed PhD level course work in educational policy and leadership at Marquette University in Wisconsin.
Angela Gutierrez - Primary Lead Teacher
Angela received her BA in Psychology in 2002 from Colorado College. After graduation she began working with children and decided to become a teacher rather than than a child psychologist. Angela completed her Montessori training through Montessori Center International in 2005. She discovered her conviction for the Montessori method when she began teaching her oldest child, and discovered the beauty of philosophy and doctrine coming to fruition. Angela has been working with children for over six years, including five years of teaching at a Montessori school.
Originally from India, Ms. Fernandes brings eight years of teaching experience to Montessori ONE Preschool Academy. In her previous position in India, she taught the lower elementary students as a speech conversational interactive teacher, and quickly rose to the position of Centre Head for a Montessori School in Central Mumbai. After obtaining a dual Bachelor’s degree in sociology and education from the University of Mumbai India, Ms. Fernandes successfully completed the A.M.I. primary teacher training program. She has a special passion for teaching children and tending to their individual needs.
Jessica Baca - Toddler Lead Teacher
Ms. Baca comes to us with over four years of experience working with children, from birth to age three. She worked for early intervention programs in Houston and Albuquerque before deciding to make the switch to the classroom. Ms. Baca received her BS in Child Development and Family Studies from Baylor University in Waco, TX and is currently taking education courses at CNM.
Jodi Gherardini-Welker - Toddler Lead Teacher
Ms. Gherardini-Welker holds a certification from American Montessori Society for infants and toddlers. She started working with children back in 2003, and in 2004 found her passion for Montessori. She worked for a Montessori program which was designed primarily for at-risk and disadvantaged children, and spent the summer of 2005 in Boulder, Colorado attending the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies. After a year practicum, Ms. Gherardini-Welker earned her infant/toddler certification from American Montessori Society. She is also working towards her BA in Early Childhood Education.
Christie Jackson - Teacher’s Assistant, Toddler Room
Ms. Jackson is the Toddler Room’s Teacher’s Assistant. She has over four years’ experience working with infants through pre-school age children. A strong advocate of Montessori, two of Ms. Jackson’s daughters attend Montessori ONE. A graduate of Texas Tech University, Ms. Jackson has a degree in Human Development and Family Studies, with a specialty in Child Development. At her former home in Lubbock, TX, she was the Director of a Parent’s Day Out and Preschool program.
Marleen Odenwald-Smith - Primary Teacher Assistant
Ms. Odenwald-Smith serves as an assistant to one of our Primary Lead Teachers, as well as the after-school-care supervisor at Montessori ONE. She received her BA in American Studies and British Studies from the University of Frankfurt, Germany and is currently attending CNM to obtain her degree in Elementary Education. Her five year experience ranges from working with toddlers at various Child Development Centers, to her role as an in-home caregiver, to counseling teenagers at a Juvenile Court, and substituting for Rio Rancho Public Schools. At Montessori ONE, Ms. Odenwald-Smith is happy to experience the joy of children, in addition to being part of their personal development.
- Education for a New World :: Clio Press, 1988 :: p. 69