FACULTY
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
“The children are now working as if I did not exist”- Maria Montessori
Our Dedicated Staff
The educational practices of our school and faculty are based on the principles taught by Dr. Maria Montessori. With the understanding that children hold within themselves a natural curiosity for learning, Alden Montessori teachers are well-trained to assist in the intellectual, emotional, social, and physical growth of each child within their care. The teachers thoughtfully and carefully prepare the classroom environments to be rich in content and materials.
We are fortunate to have experienced and dedicated staff devoted to the care and nurturing of each child, engaging them in activities to foster the growth of mind, body, and character. Our school is grateful to our staff, knowing the wide range of opportunities available to them; but each has chosen Alden as their preferred school community. Their commitment and dedication is illustrated in the following At-a Glance facts as of 2017:
- Total number of teaching/admin staff: 20
- Montessori credentialed teachers: 12
- Admin/Coordinator staff: 5
- Associate Degrees: 2
- Bachelor Degrees: 7
- Master Degrees: 3
- Average number of years teaching: 12.1
- Average number of years at Alden: 4
- Total cumulative years teaching: 242
Administrators and Program Coordinators
Jere Albanesi – Head of School
- Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design
- CME- Accredited Montessori credential
- Lower Elementary (ages 6-9)
- Montessori experience
- 6 years teaching
- 23 years administration
- 7 years at Alden
Karyn Dole – Head of School
- Bachelor of Science in Chemistry & Biology
- AMS- Accredited Montessori credential
- Early Childhood (ages 3-6)
- Montessori experience
- 3 years teaching
- 13 years administration
- 8 years at Alden
Ruth Austin – Director
- Undergraduate Studies in Childhood Education
- MEPI-Accredited Montessori credential
- Early Childhood (ages 3-6)
- Montessori experience
- 8 years teaching
- 14 years administration
- 7 years at Alden
Sarah Swartz – Admissions Coordinator
- Bachelor of Science in Psychology
- Graduate studies in Counseling
- AMS- Accredited Montessori credential
- Early Childhood (ages 3-6)
- Montessori experience
- 3 years teaching
- 1st year at Alden
Pam Kubie – Nutrition Coordinator
- Texas Food Manager certificate
- Montessori experience
- 15 years teaching
- 5 years at Alden
Alicia Schloudt – After Care Coordinator
- Undergraduate studies in Psychology and Nursing
- Motivational coach
- Military-trained crisis manager
- Montessori experience
Lower Elementary Community – 6 to 9 years
Paul Vinson – Clydesdale Class
- Bachelor of Arts in Literature
- Master of Education
- AMS-Accredited Montessori credential
- Early Childhood (ages 3-6)
- Lower Elementary (ages 6-9)
- Montessori experience
- 16 years teaching
- 3 years at Alden
Irene Arevalo- Clydesdale Class
- Bachelor of Business Administration
- Master of Business Administration
- AMS-Accredited Montessori training
- Lower Elementary internship (ages 6-9)
- Montessori experience
- 3 years teaching
- 1 year at Alden
Preschool/Kindergarten Community – 3 to 6 years
Michelle Blanchard – Arabian Class
- MEPI-Accredited Montessori Credential
- Early Childhood (ages 3-6)
- Montessori experience
- 17 years teaching
- 1 year at Alden
Magaly Garay – Arabian Class
- Primary Montessori credential
- Early Childhood (ages 3-6)
- Montessori experience
- 5 years teaching
- 2 years at Alden
Adriana Hernandez – Bronco Class
- MEPI-Accredited Montessori credential
- Early Childhood (ages 3-6)
- Montessori experience
- 20 years teaching
- 5 years at Alden
Lina Arbaji – Mustang Class
- Associate Degree in Civil Engineering
- MCI-Foundations of Montessori certificate
- Early Childhood (ages 3-6)
- Montessori experience
- 7 years teaching
- 3 years at Alden
Barbara Hayden – Mustang Class
- Bachelor of Science in Early and Middle Childhood Education
- Texas Certified Kindergarten-8th grade
- AMI-Accredited Montessori credential
- Early Childhood (ages 3-6)
- Montessori experience
- 19 years teaching
- 2 years at Alden
Samia Reeves – Mustang Class
- Bachelor of Arts in English
- AMI-Accredited Montessori training
- Primary internship (ages 0-3)
- Montessori experience
- 6 years teaching
- 1 year at Alden
April Nelson – Thoroughbred Class
- Undergraduate studies
- AMS-Accredited Montessori credential
- Early Childhood (ages 3-6)
- Montessori Applied to Children at Risk certification (2017)
- Montessori experience
- 10 years teaching
- 7 years at Alden
Helena Hakaste – Thoroughbred Class
- Master of Science in Engineering
- Montessori experience
- 13 years teaching
- 6 years at Alden
Toddler Community – 2 to 3 year olds
Bruna Fortune – Appaloosa Class
- Undergraduate studies in Education
- IMC-Accredited Montessori training
- Infant and Toddler internship (ages 0-3)
- Montessori experience
- 1 year teaching
- 1 year at Alden
Sharon Carlson – Appaloosa Class
- Associate of Xray Technology
- NAMC- Montessori credential
- Infant/Toddler (ages 0-3)
- Montessori experience
- 16 years teaching
- 4 years at Alden
Vesna Dizdarevic – Shetland Class
- AMS-Accredited Montessori Training
- Infant and Toddler internship (ages 0-3)
- Montessori experience
- 18 years teaching
- 5 years at Alden
Lindsay Kuhlengel – Shetland Class
- Undergraduate studies in Education
- AMI-Assistants Course for Assistants to Infancy
- Infant/Toddler (ages 0-3)
- Montessori experience
- 8 years teaching
- 1 year at Alden
After Care Program Teachers
