Meet the Team

Meet Leticia

Hi, I’m Leticia. I’ve known I wanted to be in education since I was little. I’ve always loved children and had  a desire to help them in some way. I attended Westminster College, and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in the Arts in Elementary Education with a minor in Teaching English as a Second Language in 2012. I have my active teaching license with the state of Utah, and have taught in both traditional schools and in Montessori schools. I have my AMS credential in Early Childhood and Lower Elementary Montessori and attended graduate school for my Masters in Montessori Administration with a focus on Lower Elementary. My favorite quote from Maria Montessori is, “The child is both a hope and a promise for mankind” because I want this world to be better for my darling boys and hopefully leave it better than I found it. 

I have two adorable boys in elementary school and a husband I love dearly. Being able to be surrounded constantly by handsome men is just a perk! My family is my whole world! It was because of my boys and my experience in the classroom that I searched for something more. I came across the Montessori method and it felt like home. Montessori is not just a means of education, it is a way of preparing our children for life.

Meet Milly

Hello! I am Norma, also known as Milly, and I was born and raised in Houston, Texas. I had the most wonderful childhood being raised by parents who always strove to provide admirable examples for their children. I am very proud to say that I am happily married to my college sweetheart who now is also my best friend. We have been married for 28 years now, and we have two handsome sons.

During my earlier life before children, I was working in the thriving business of International Oil, working as an English/Spanish translator. My Life took a huge change in 1995 when my first son was born; now I was searching to find the highest quality education that was possible, which would provide the very best in every aspect for his future to shape him as a productive adult, a well educated person, and a son of good principles, taught to become a leader. I came across the Montessori method which was a pivotal moment for me that ignited my entire Montessori career.

My First Certification is Primary specialized in “Early Childhood”. Then I just wasn't able to stop obtaining my Elementary Montessori Certifications from Lower to Upper Elementary, which includes Pre k up to 6th Grade. This was followed by an Early Stimulation Certification in 2007 and last certification was Bilingual Positive Discipline. I have seen the actual, practical, and very real benefits this method has had with many children during my career, but most importantly with my own children. The effectiveness from a Montessori Education has proved in many ways, a superior and more individualistic way of guiding our children to and through the future.

Meet Cathie

I began my Montessori journey in 2000 when, as a homeschooling mother, I needed something different for my children with special learning circumstances. Montessori found me through a dear friend and it stole my heart. After homeschooling for seven years our children wanted to attend school outside the home, and I began teaching in a private classroom setting. I have received my Early Childhood Montessori Certificate from the Institute for Guided Studies and have worked in both Early Childhood and Elementary I classrooms. I continue to work in the Early Childhood classroom today, as well as consulting homeschooling families in the development of their home spaces for Montessori learning.

I began the Helpful Garden blog in 2011 when I saw a real need for quality printable materials on the internet. Since then the blog has seen nearly 3 million visitors and provided countless opportunities to share what I have learned through my years of work in the classroom. I have had the opportunity to join forces with Individuals, Colleges, and Montessori training programs in the development of training materials and intern planners. I am currently serving as a trainer for Institute for Guided Studies.

I have loved every part of my Montessori journey, from the transformation of myself as a person, to my work with children, to the creation of materials to use in my own classroom and sharing those creations with others, to the teaching and training of other Montessorians. The best things in my life are my family, and I find my greatest joy in being with them doing something special, or nothing at all.

Meet Katie

Hello, there! Since the time I was small my father, who was a passionate elementary teacher for 33 years, told me I’d make a great teacher. I laughed at that notion for years. Well, after receiving my Bachelors of Psychology and working a college job as a preschool paraprofessional in a title 1 school, I knew that I had a deep love for working with children. My first job after college was at a Montessori school and that is where I began my Montessori transformation. 

Since that time, I have been an active member of the Montessori community for over a decade. I had the opportunity to teach in an early childhood (3-6) classroom and am currently working toward receiving my Montessori credential. Some of my most favorite things about the Montessori Method is that it was developed by a strong, capable woman who was truly ahead of her time and when used correctly, can transform and heal you from the inside out. Montessori has truly been the gift that keeps giving in my life. 

My husband and two sweet children are my greatest gifts. I find so much joy in spending quality time with them and watching my children learn, grow and explore the world around them. One of my favorite pastimes is playing my guitar and singing songs with children at a line time or simply singing at the top of my lungs in the car. I am so glad you are here!