Faculty & Staff
Meet the Toddler Team
Yazmin Alicea holds a BA in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Universidad MesoAmericana in her native San Luis Potosi, Mexico. After having her first child she quickly became fascinated with the Montessori philosophy. She was attracted by the intellectual and spiritual preparation the adult must have in order to meet the development needs of children. Yazmin entered her first Montessori environment in 2014. She earned her AMI Certification in 2016 and became a Lead Guide for both Nido and Infant Community/Toddler Programs at a Montessori school in the Dallas area. Yazmin emphasizes in a more holistic approach of guiding and parent education. She is married and enjoys visits to the public library with her children, family game nights, kick boxing and traveling abroad. She is thrilled to guide the new Toddler Program and connect with the WRM families!
Fernanda Arredondo was born and raised in Chihuahua, Mexico. She is a Speech-Language Pathologist and a 0-6 AMI Montessori guide.
Fernanda has worked with children since 2006, especially toddlers and young infants. She believes that young children are the future of humanity and that we all have the responsibility to guide them with love and respect through our example. Fernanda recognizes how fortunate she is to be part of such an essential stage of the children’s lives and is constantly working and transforming herself to offer the best of her to the community. She is currently undergoing Embracing Equity training and is committed to preparing an inclusive, safe, and respectful environment for all children and families.
Fernanda enjoys spending time with her two children and husband when not at school. She enjoys doing picnics, yoga, and running or riding her bike around White Rock Lake. She is very excited about being part of the WRM community as a parent and as a Toddler Guide!
Dana Rogney is originally from Dallas. She attended the nearby St Johns before her family moved to the Park Cities, where she went through HPISD and graduated from Highland Park High School. Dana moved to Colorado where she received a B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies through Colorado State University and taught at their ECC lab school. She then moved to Minnesota where she continued her career in Early Childhood Education.
Dana has engaged in a variety of roles in the Early Childhood field, such as educating children from infancy to Pre-Kindergarten, coordinating a weekend childcare program, and most recently, the Program Director for an Early Childhood Center. She has worked mainly with Regio Emilia schools, however, she has always been passionate about the Montessori philosophy and is thrilled to become a part of the Montessori community. She has received many certifications related to child development, parent communication, and special needs, and holds a Director’s Credential through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). She was formerly a board member of the Music Association of Minnetonka, as well as the Families as Partners Program at Children’s Minnesota Hospital.
Dana and her family moved back to Dallas from Minnesota in October 2022. She lives with her husband, Jef, their three-year-old twins, James and Vera, dog, Doug, and two cats named Mali and Luna. Dana is thrilled to join the team at White Rock Montessori and share this experience with her two children.
Natasha is native Houstonian and has lived in Dallas for 11 year now. Natasha graduated from the University of Houston with a bachelors in Business. After graduation she worked at a non-profit as a community coordinator and office manager. Natasha has been in the education industry for over 10 years as a preschool teacher and literacy tutor for various school districts in Houston and Dallas.
Natasha is married with two children, a 5 year old little boy and a 2 year old little girl. In her spare time she loves to travel and explore the outdoors with her family.
Erika Vargas Estrada, a Dallas native, has worked as an assistant at WRM since 2022, and sits on the Strategic Planning Committee and Quality Improvement Team. She holds a Bachelors in Interdisciplinary Studies, specializing in ESL, from the University of North Texas and a Masters of Humanities, with a concentration in Psychology, from the University of Dallas. During her time at UD, she had the opportunity to study Art and Architecture in Italy, Spanish, Culture, and Literature in Cuba and Costa Rica, and Human Flourishing at Harvard University. Her certifications include: ESL Generalist (EC-4), Generalist (EC-6), Family and Consumer Sciences (6-12), and Human Development and Family Studies (8-12). Erika has over 15 years of experience in education; her experience ranges from infant care to high school in both private and public schools, and in various nonprofits. She has received training in Positive Discipline and AMI Montessori 0-3 Orientation. She served on the board of the Dallas Chapter of the Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas as Historian and Education Cochair and has been involved with its community outreach program, Latinas in Progress, for the past ten years. She enjoys yoga, reading, and adventuring throughout the city with her two children.
Meet the Primary Team
Maria Montes is originally from Spain and earned a teaching degree in Primary and Secondary Education with a major in Social Studies while living there in 1991.
In 1996 Maria came to the United States with a program cultural exchange. She started to work as a bilingual teacher, and in 2001 the Science Museum offered her the opportunity to work at the Science School as a bilingual science teacher for 11 years. The experience of observing how children learn by doing motivated her to get her Montessori certification in Early Childhood in 2013.
Maria has been working as a Montessori Teacher for 10 years at Lakewood Montessori, and Mt. Saint Michael Catholic School. She also developed and facilitated after school and summer programs at both schools. Maria is a strong believer that education should be based on a foundation of respect for the potential of each individual and the belief that is fundamental to allow the children to pursue and explore their interests.
Maria enjoys nature, cycling around White Rock Lake, and hiking, traveling, visiting new places, and learning about different cultures. She thinks that every child gives us the opportunity to learn something new.
Coach Teddy has served as a coach, the Director of Coaching, and most recently the Director of Soccer Shots Central Dallas since 2017. Previously he was the Program Director for the Soccer Start program through the Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club and was a Soccer for Success Facilitator for the US Soccer Foundation. Coach Teddy holds licenses with the United States Soccer Foundation, the United States Soccer Federation, and the United Soccer Coaches Association. He has a Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree with an emphasis in Education from Colorado Christian University.
Coach Teddy has interacted with our students and faculty/staff for the past three years before he joined the staff full time. His demeanor, professionalism, and presence with the children brings a strong component to our team. Teddy enjoys all things soccer, being outdoors, disc golf, and spending time with his wife, daughter, and their dog and cat to recharge.
Lisa Williamscraig received her BA in English Literature from the University of Dallas in 1996 and her AMI Montessori diploma in 2008. She joined WRM in 2018 after spending ten years teaching in bilingual-immersion Montessori schools on the west coast. She is married and has two children, both of whom are Upper Elementary students at WRM.
Lisa enjoys hiking, birding, camping, and spelunking. She recently completed the Texas Master Naturalist certification program with Texas Parks and Wildlife, and volunteers with the DFW Wildlife Coalition.
Emily Gutierrez graduated from Dallas College with an Associate of Arts degree and an Associate in Early Childhood Education degree. She has also received certification from Trillium Montessori. Emily is currently working on obtaining her Bachelor's in early childhood education. She began her Montessori journey when she visited White Rock Montessori during the 2018 student showcase, and was enamored with the Montessori philosophy. In her spare time, Emily enjoys traveling, learning about different cultures, art, and going to cafes.
Cindy Rivera
Primary Assistant, Before and After School Care Teacher
Cindy Rivera is a Texas native, born and raised in the Dallas area. Austin became home during her high school and college education but has since found her way back to the Dallas area. Cindy has an Associates of Applied Science in Child Development and is currently going for a Bachelors degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. She also has a certification through the Montessori Institute of North Texas and is anxious to earn more along with any other opportunities that come her way. She has an extensive background working with children and is going on 18 years. While in college she took a position at the YMCA of Greater Williamson County as a Counselor for their after-school program. She was soon promoted to Site Coordinator and served as the Assistant Director of summer camp operations. Cindy has worked as a preschool teacher, children’s swim instructor and has nannied for numerous families. She then transitioned to working as a Photographer for the Marketing and Communications department for Children’s Medical Center. During her time there, she worked with and around children of all ages and diagnoses. Cindy attends a CrossFit gym and is excited to take up archery while also running a photography business on the side. When she isn’t busy she loves relaxing at home with her two dogs.
Meet the Lower Elementary Team
Emily Gomez has been teaching Lower Elementary at White Rock since 2017. She is a Texas Native who studied Anthropology at the University of North Texas while on an athletic scholarship for springboard diving. She has a Masters degree focusing on Early Literacy and Montessori Education from Southern Methodist University. Emily's previous careers include work as a Massage Therapist, teaching English abroad, Reading Recovery, Special Education, and children’s Sailing Instructor. Emily loves the outdoors, traveling, and family time. She is joined at school by her daughter Penelope.
Hello, I'm Kim Mason. I will be joining the staff at White Rock Montessori as a Teacher's Assistant to Emily Gomez in LE1. I grew up in East Texas and moved to Dallas to attend college. I completed my AMI certification for Primary from the Montessori Institute of Atlanta. I have two sons, who attended Montessori, as well. I also have one dog, who goes by the name Sugar Elaine. In my free time, I love to listen to Audiobooks and Podcasts, with a good cup of tea, as well as binge watch Netflix on the weekends.
Tricia Bell holds a BA in Language Arts with a minor in Elementary Education from St. Edward’s University, and has taught elementary students for over 25 years. Inspired by her older daughter's positive experience at WRM, she transitioned from traditional education to Montessori in 2007, and has taught in White Rock Montessori Lower Elementary classrooms ever since. Tricia’s interests include creative writing, art appreciation and jewelry design, hiking and connecting with nature, and sustainable living. She is also a dance and nutrition enthusiast who recognizes the importance of the mind-body connection to academic growth and mental wellness. Tricia is the proud mother of two talented daughters~ both products of WRM!
Regina Swerts is a native Texan who graduated from Midwestern State University with a Bachelors and a Masters in History. She then moved to Belgium for eight years with her husband Koen where she taught high school English and elementary for the US Department of Defense. In 2005, they moved to Ohio with their two small boys, Matthew and Andrew, and started their Montessori journey. She is certified with the American Montessori Society for both Upper and Lower Elementary and has been teaching Upper Elementary since 2009. This year, she is looking forward to rounding out her elementary experience by moving to the LE2 classroom. Regina also works with aspiring Montessori teachers during the summer as a Montessori instructor at the Shelton Montessori Teacher Education program. She was recently accepted into the AMS Instructor Academy to become a certified Montessori Teacher Instructor. Regina enjoys spending time with her family, reading, taking walks, and traveling back to Belgium to visit her husband’s family.
Meet the Upper Elementary Team
Jane Brass grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee, and developed a love of nature with countless visits to the Great Smoky Mountains. She earned both a BA in Art History and an MEd in Elementary Education with an Art Education emphasis from Texas Christian University. During her time at TCU, she interned at the Fort Worth Modern Art Museum and the Fort Worth Museum of Science & History. She began teaching in public school in 1996 and has been an Upper Elementary teacher at WRM since 2006. Ms. Brass completed AMS certifications in both Lower and Upper Elementary. She enjoys reading, cooking, writing, listening to music, watching old movies and cozy mysteries, and playing games with her family. She also loves visiting Estes Park, Colorado, and the Rocky Mountains in the summers. Her husband Neil, along with both of their daughters, Zoe and Eve, are WRM graduates. Ms. Brass lives in Richardson with her family which includes their rescued sighthound Wesley.
Ginger Wyatt came to Montessori through the education of her three sons and fell in love with the discovery and respect at the foundation of the philosophy. She has a deep appreciation for nature, education, and wonder and has worked in various roles across the country. She has been a guide in the Rockies, led raptor rehabilitation education programs in Alaska, ran invasive plant surveys in wilderness areas for the USFWS, managed greenhouse horticulture at the University of Alaska as well as several offices, always enjoying the people she meets and new things to learn. Ginger holds a Bachelors of Arts in Environmental Studies and is completing her Upper Elementary AMS credential at the Shelton Montessori Teacher Education program. She is also a certified positive discipline educator. After teaching Environmental Education for five years, she is excited to transition into the classroom and connect our incredible outdoor environment with students’ work and curiosity. Her tank is filled with spending time with her family and dogs, backpacking, biking, playing music, knitting, making jewelry, botany, and all things outdoors.
Rob Lewicki graduated from Texas A&M and received his AMS Montessori certification in 2012. He worked in outdoor education and public elementary school before working at White Rock Montessori. Mr. Lewicki drives to school every morning with his three children who attend WRM. His hobbies include reading, doodling, and playing games with his friends and family.
Lisa Jackson was raised in Paris, TX but considers herself a Dallas native. Being in retail management for over ten years specializing in health, wellness, and nutrition before staying home to homeschool her twins, Levi and Lola, she has only recently discovered her passion for guiding children. She began her Montessori journey as a substitute in the Nido environment at Liberated Children’s House as well as a substitute in Primary and Upper Elementary at White Rock Montessori. She also has assisted in the After School Care program as well as the Year Round Primary program at WRM. She is currently immersed in learning all things Montessori, working toward getting credentialed. She enjoys spending her free time with her wife and children.
Meet the Middle School Team
Katrina Gamber is a lifelong learner and native Dallasite. She completed her B.A. in Psychology and Education before going on to earn her M.S. in Counseling and M.Ed with concentrations in Montessori and STEM at Southern Methodist University. In 2022, she was awarded the Texas Instruments STEM Innovation Teaching Award. She holds her AMS Secondary I/II certification. She completed her training at the Houston Montessori Center. Katrina loves to try food from all around the world and testing out new recipes. She is an avid reader and enjoys trying new hobbies. She is passionate about connecting with her local community and playing with her children.
Rebekah Melton holds a B.A. in Spanish from Wheaton College (IL), an M.S. in Speech and Hearing Sciences from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and holds her Certificate in Clinical Competence as a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP). Rebekah brings her background as an SLP coaching caregivers of children who are neurodiverse, as well as her wide range of experience and roles at a public Montessori school in Wisconsin, to her current work of partnering with students and their families at White Rock Montessori. Rebekah has completed the AMI Montessori 12-18 Orientation and is working to complete the AMS Secondary I/II Program through the Houston Montessori Center. She also has experience leading canoeing and backpacking trips for adolescents in the northwoods of Wisconsin, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and the Boundary Waters between Minnesota and Canada. She loves to be outside (especially when she can see the stars!), get her hands dirty in her ever-evolving garden, bake, read, and spend time with her family. Rebekah’s family includes her husband, four children (two of whom currently attend White Rock Montessori), one dog, and six chickens.
Erin Taber has a B.S. in Economics from Arizona State University and a Masters in Public Affairs from the LBJ School at UT Austin. She began her working life in the government and nonprofit sectors before deciding to switch gears and become a teacher. She completed a teaching certification with the Texas Teaching Fellows in Mathematics 8-12 and Special Education EC-12. She also completed a certification for Social Studies Composite 8-12. Erin taught Algebra I and II, as well as Math Models at Del Valle High School outside of Austin. She also spent two years teaching a College Transition course to help high school students prepare for and apply to college.
She lives in East Dallas with her husband and two children who are currently students at WRM. She enjoys walking on White Rock Lake, yoga anywhere, reading at home, and Maine in the summer.
Meet the Extended Curriculum Team
Amy Cele began her music studies as a student at the Hartford Conservatory, studying Suzuki violin with Lani Bortfeld. It is from those formative years that she first developed a love of playing violin and an understanding that music itself is a powerful instrument of personal development and human connection.
Amy studied Music Therapy at Marywood University before traveling to South Africa in 1992 where she worked with Pietermaritzburg Community Arts Project (CAP). Through her involvement in this grassroots arts organization in post-Apartheid South Africa, she witnessed the power of music to give voice to marginalized communities and to bring people from different backgrounds to a place of peace.
Amy is a registered Suzuki violin teacher with The Suzuki Association of the Americas. She has studied Suzuki pedagogy with Edward Kreitman, Christie Felsing, and Dr. Susan Baer, and has studied Suzuki Early Childhood Education with Lynn McCall. She founded and served as Executive Director of The Music School at Sound Crossing (MSSC) for 15 years. Through her work at MSSC, she developed and implemented string programs in under-resourced communities in the greater Hartford, CT area.
Amy relocated to Dallas, TX in 2022 where she now lives with her husband, Michael, and daughter, Lindi. She has served students and families in the greater Dallas area through her work with Dallas Symphony’s Young Musician Program, Broadway Dallas, the Callier Center for Communication Disorders at UTD, and Rockwall School of Music. She is thrilled to be joining White Rock Montessori as the new music teacher and looks forward to sharing musical discoveries with the students!
Steven Vasquez grew up in Arizona and Texas. They came to their love of fitness and outdoor education through camping, water sports, and spending time in nature as a child. Steven became a licensed massage therapist which allowed them to apply their knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and kinesthesiology to their clients to improve their health and wellbeing. As a climbing coach, they empowered individuals to conquer their mental barriers and strengthen their mind-body connection. They were drawn to Montessori education by the pedagogy’s focus on independence, learning through movement, respect of the child, and connection to nature. Steven is excited to apply their expertise on health and nutrition, athletic training, and love of the outdoors to educate students about exercise and wellness. They look forward to making a positive impact at White Rock Montessori.
Holly Weinstein is a native Texan who grew up in Richardson. The arts have always been an important and vital part of her life. She attended The College of Art and Design at Lesley University in Boston, Massachusetts, and received her BFA in illustration. Holly has worked as a freelance illustrator/ graphic designer for businesses ranging from one-person companies to multinational corporations; she has also illustrated over a dozen children’s books. While simultaneously working as an illustrator, Holly also taught art for eleven years at a private studio in North Dallas. Holly loves tending to her garden, and enjoys doing any creative work with her hands, including knitting, crocheting, painting, and drawing. She lives in East Dallas with her son, daughter, husband, and dog.
Nallely Ruiz-Gutierrez is originally from Allende, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Ms.Ruiz has been at White Rock Montessori since 2016, During her time with WRM she has assisted with the B/ASC classroom, primary program and as a substitute teacher. She received her BA in Psychology at The University of North Texas at Dallas in 2019. During her time at WRM she was introduced to the Montessori philosophy which led her to earning her AMS Early Childhood Credentials in 2021. Currently Mrs. Ruiz serves as the Spanish Teacher for the Primary, Elementary and Middle school students. She enjoys spending her free time traveling with her husband and camping with her family and her two dogs (Nova & Achillies).
Lisa Jackson was raised in Paris, TX but considers herself a Dallas native. Being in retail management for over ten years specializing in health, wellness, and nutrition before staying home to homeschool her twins, Levi and Lola, she has only recently discovered her passion for guiding children. She began her Montessori journey as a substitute in the Nido environment at Liberated Children’s House as well as a substitute in Primary and Upper Elementary at White Rock Montessori. She also has assisted in the After School Care program as well as the Year Round Primary program at WRM. She is currently immersed in learning all things Montessori, working toward getting credentialed. She enjoys spending her free time with her wife and children.
Meet the Administrative Team
During her 32-year career as a Montessorian, Brenda has served as a Head of School, Primary classroom teacher, Montessori Curriculum Director, Montessori Building Coach, Director of Student Services, and Interim Head of School. Brenda served on the Board of the United Montessori Schools of Indiana for ten years, taught Child Growth and Development courses for Purdue University, and served on the American Montessori Society School Accreditation Commission for six years. Her educational background includes a Master's Degree in Special Education, an AMS Primary Credential, AMS Lower Elementary training, and an AMS Administrator's Credential.
Montessori Mission-driven education and serving children and families have been Brenda's life work. She is passionate about beautifully prepared environments, community, and life-long learning.
In addition to her professional life, Brenda is the proud mother of a son, Peyton. Peyton will begin law school in the fall at Capital University where he received the academic merit scholarship award. Her cuddly best friend is Flyer, a 2-year-old, 80-pound Bernedoodle.
Emily Connery has been a Montessori educator since 2007. She graduated with a degree from St. John's College before getting her three AMS certifications for ages 3-12. Mrs. Connery is also a certified positive discipline educator. She is joined at WRM with her husband, her daughter, and her dog, Genevieve. Mrs. Connery enjoys reading, Lego, and continuously learning.
Melanie Dizdar was introduced to Montessori as a teenager when her mother worked at Montessori Children’s House and School. She fell in love with the Montessori method during college, while working as a teacher’s assistant in their summer program and working in the administrative office for a Montessor teacher training program. Graduating from the University of Texas at Dallas with her BS in Accounting and Information Systems, Ms. Melanie realized that supporting Montessori education was her true passion. Beginning at the front desk at WRM in 2009, she has fulfilled various duties in the administrative office and now works as the Technology and Business Coordinator. Melanie loves music, photography, and her family pets - all four of them!
A Dallas native, Toni Colin has worked in Montessori education since 2007. She was drawn to the pedagogy for its holistic approach to meeting the social, emotional, and intellectual needs of young children. Toni holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Dallas, a Master of Education degree from Southern Methodist University, and an Association Montessori Internationale elementary teaching credential from the Montessori Institute of North Texas. After teaching in Primary, LE, and UE classrooms for 14 years, she transitioned into administration. When not at WRM, Toni acts as a freelance educational consultant and is an adjunct professor in the School of Education at Dallas College. For fun, she enjoys reading, exercising, and traveling.
Julie Einstein is a Dallas native who grew up very near our school. She has been the Director of Admission at Rogers Park Montessori School (in Chicago) for the past 18 years. Her sons are former Montessori students and she came to this work, like many of us, through her children's experience at RPMS. A favorite Montessori quote of Julie's is "If hope and salvation are to come, they can only come from the children, for the children are the makers of men." This has always made her respect the ideas that children have as well as value their capabilities. The children are responsible for the future and it is our job as educators to protect and nurture their potential.
In addition to loving purposeful work, Julie is equally passionate about relaxing and having fun. She enjoys traveling with her husband (with limited plans in place) and hanging out with family and friends. She's a practitioner of contemplative photography which allows her to connect more intimately with the world around her and is very excited about joining the White Rock Montessori community.
Katie Catron received her Bachelors in Elementary and Special Education from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, where she met her husband, Jason. She taught special education in public schools for 7 years and second grade for 3 years in New Braunfels ISD and in Dallas ISD. After placing their son, Noah, into the new toddler program at WRM, Katie became fascinated with the Montessori philosophy, and was hired as the UE Assistant for the 2023-24 school year. Katie did her Upper Elementary training at Shelton in the summer of 2023, and now serves in administration. In her free time, Katie enjoys going on walks with her two boys (Noah and Liam), reading, singing in choir and Zumba.
Steve Peggs moved to Dallas in 2011 from Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he was a Division Chief for the Green Bay Fire Department. Since moving to Texas he has worked as the Director of Compliance and Safety for a local EMS service and is an adjunct instructor at the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh. Most recently, he was an Emergency Management Coordinator for the Dallas Independent School District. Steve received his Bachelor’s degree from UW - Oshkosh and his Master’s degree from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Steve’s Montessori experience began when his son was a Pre-K 3 student at Lumin Lindsley Park (his teacher was Melanie’s mom!). Steve and his wife, Lauren, quickly realized a Montessori education was a great fit for the family, and they enrolled both of their kids here at WRM. In their free time, Steve and his family enjoy camping and taking road trips to explore national parks and visit friends and family.
Where every child discovers the
highest version of themselves.
White Rock Montessori
