Tempe Montessori School
Administration
Ms. Irma Letson
Owner & Executive Director
Serving you since 1978
Irma Letson is the founder of TMS and though she has officially retired as the Administrator of the school she remains the business manager from home. An Arizona State Certified Teacher with over 40 years of teaching experience, Mrs. Letson has a Masters Degree in Special Education from ASU and a BA in speech from California State College at LA, and is a reading specialist. She has two AMI teaching diplomas in the Primary and Elementary levels. In 1977 she was introduced to Maaika Van Theil, a teacher at a Montessori School in Tucson who worked with Maria Montessori. Her presence and school were an inspiration and Irma knew what she had to do. Irma founded TMS in the summer of 1978 and is now preparing for its 31st school year. She has always provided an even and steady perspective as she guides the School into its next 30 years.
Ms. Ada Iris Jaime
Head of School
Elementary teacher
Serving you since 2009
Ada is the TMS Head of School with two children and 20 years teaching experience. Ada has achieved several degrees: B.A. in Spanish and M.A. in History from Indiana University, an AMI Montessori Elementary Teaching certificate and a Master of Education degree in Montessori Education from Loyola University, Columbia, MD. She is bilingual and has designed and taught Spanish and English immersion programs to k- 12 grades in Seville, Spain, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Dallas, Texas, Chicago, Illinois, Indiana University and for several government agencies in the DC metropolitan area. She has a dynamic background in administration demonstrating effective leadership abilities in the design and implementation of educational programs. Ada has also worked with parents of children who learn differently, and has participated in the design of individual educational programs that resulted in the increase of the child's learning performance. Her experience demonstrates an ability to successfully bring people together and act on the best interest of the child.
Lauren Bolar
Administrative Assistant
Serving you Since 1999
Lauren Bolar is a graduate from Arizona State University with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration. She has been a part of Tempe Montessori School since 1985. She attended TMS from 1985- 1994. She is an alumni and a true believer in the Montessori Method and philosophy and will take her AMI for Assistance to Infancy this summer in La Jolla, CA.
Teaching Staff
Primary
Ms. Smita Devani
AMI Primary Teacher
Serving you since 1997
Smita is the head teacher in room P2B. Smita was born in Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa. After finishing high school she went to England to further her studies in computers. She got married in England and moved to Canada with her husband, where she pursued her career in computers. She moved to Arizona in 1994 and joined TMS in 1997as an assistant. Smita has completed her AMI training in May 2004. She enjoys children and has two girls who are TMS alumni. Her broad awareness clearly perceives the many activities all around her as she guides and coaches the work of the children. Her 12th year at Tempe Montessori School promises to be a brilliant one.
Ms. Rola Maalouf
Teacher's Assistant
Serving you since 2009
Bio to come
Susan Smith
Primary Assistant
Serving you Since 2007
Susan comes to us with a wealth of life experiences. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education and Social Studies from Morehead State University in Kentucky. She has administered several businesses. Has taught kindergarten and fifth graders in all subjects, developed and implemented lesson plans to adhere to National Education Standards. She was Regional Director of Licking Valley Girl Scout Council for several Years. She has served as TMS Recreation Director for after school in the 07-08 season and has been a teaching assistant for our primary classes in the 08-09 school season. She is great fun to be with and we are excited to have her at our school.
Ms. Eun Kyung Lim
AMI Directress
Serving you since 1993
Eun is the Primary Substitute Teacher. She has earned her AMI Primary Diploma and has a BA in Christian Education from Presbyterian Seminary in Korea. Eun has two children, a daughter at U of A and a son who is attending Annapolis Naval Academy. She served 18 years working at a Korean school on weekends and has served TMS for 16 years. Eun serves Tempe Montessori in many ways. She is with the afternoon classes and afterschool Programs. Attributes for our popular directress are her bright spirit, willingness to serve and gentle countenance with the children.
Ms. Mala Bhat
Head Teacher of the Second Primary Classroom
Serving you since 2009
Ms. Mala has her AMI certification in both the Primary and the A to I Toddler programs. Ms. Mala has been teaching with the Montessori Method for many years. She is pleased to be one of our Head Teachers and is excited to have a classroom that is fit for children ages 2- 6 years old. This is her first year as a head teacher at Tempe Montessori School; however, she did her student training here. Her children also attended TMS in their primary years- she is excited to be a part of the Tempe Montessori Community!
Toddler
Ms. Cindy Draper
AMI Directress, Toddler Certified
Serving you since 1998
Cindy is a toddler teacher who completed her Assistants to Infancy training (A.I.) in 2002. She has a background in the toddler community as an assistant for 3 years and has studied child development from North Pioneer College. She has also worked with Head Start Programs for seven years. Cindy is an active member in the Navajo Community and has taught Navajo arts and culture. Ms. Cindy has three daughters, who are TMS alumni; her son and daughter are in the elementary program. Cindy will teach the toddler class in her 11th school year with Tempe Montessori. Her patient presence is perfect guidance for the toddlers that are with her age18 to 36 months.
Laura Montes
Toddler teacher
Serving you Since 2009
Ms. Laura recently was AMI Certified in Assistance to Infancy receiving her training under Dr. Silvana Montanaro at The Montessori Institute of San Diego. For the past 20 years she has been involved in child care in the Phoenix area. We all look forward to this opportunity of working with toddlers in a bilingual class at Tempe Montessori.
Sara Kako
Toddler Assistant
Serving you Since 2007
Sara graduated from high school in Baghdad, Iraq where she was raised and later worked as a preschool teacher and office secretary. She left Baghdad in 1992 and traveled to Jordan, Turkey, and Bulgaria. She went from Greece to San Diego, CA in 1993. In 1994 she studied with the Union of Pan Asian Communities, UPAC, where she received training in Pan Asian Children Family Services and Family Day Care. She is a mother of 3 ages 12, 15, and 20 years, and handles children very well. She volunteers at her church as usher and Sunday school teacher. She is Arabic fluent and speaks the Chaldean language. Sara is partnered with Cindy in the toddlers and is thoroughly experienced and most comfortable with children of this young age.
Felicia Molinar
Toddler Assistant
Head of After Care Program
Serving you Since 2009
She is born and raised in AZ. She graduated from Globe High school in 2006 and moved to Mesa to pursue a higher education at MCC. She has worked with the Boys and Girls club. She also instructs Arts and Crafts and homework guidance. She enjoys working with kids and sees a career in the education of children. She looks forward to being a part of the TMS community.
Nattiauna Tsosie
After care assistant
Serving you Since 2009
Natti is a TMS alumni and has come to share her Montessori experience with the children of our aftercare program. She has three siblings, who have all attended TMS as well. She has experience with art, music, dance and loves children. She is excited to help the program.
