About Us
Following Children's Natural Curiosity
Welcome to Highlands Montessori, where we’ve been inspiring young minds since 2014. Our authentic Montessori program serves children from 8 weeks to six years old, providing a warm, thoughtfully prepared environment through our Nido, Toddler, and Primary Community programs, as well as before and after school care. With a dedicated team of highly trained and experienced educators, we are committed to helping each child reach their full potential. Our mission is to foster a lifelong love of learning by nurturing natural curiosity and a passion for discovery in every student.
At Highlands Montessori, we are dedicated to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion within our community. We believe that every individual deserves a safe and supportive environment where their unique backgrounds and perspectives are celebrated. Together, we strive to create an inclusive educational experience that empowers every learner to thrive.
Our Story
Founded by two passionate Montessori educators (Emily Farley and Natalie Anderson), our school was born from a shared vision of providing high-quality, authentic Montessori care for young children.
After meeting while teaching in the public sector, Emily and Natalie enrolled together in the Assistants to Infancy (0-3) Montessori training program. During this time, they recognized a significant need for exceptional early childhood education in the Denver metro area. In 2014, they opened Highlands Montessori in a small house in the vibrant Highlands neighborhood of Denver, starting with just one classroom of 10 toddlers and their steadfast dedication to nurturing young minds.
As the Highlands Montessori community grew, so did their commitment to creating a nurturing environment where all children can thrive. Today, Highlands Montessori proudly serves 80 children, from infants through primary, in a spacious and welcoming facility. Although Emily and Natalie have transitioned into administrative roles, they remain deeply involved in the classrooms, ensuring that the Montessori philosophy continues to guide their approach.
At Highlands Montessori, we believe in putting children first, fostering a love for learning, and creating a supportive community for families. Join us on this incredible journey of growth and discovery!
Meet The Team
Emily Farley (she/her)
Founding Director
Emily Farley graduated from Regis University with a degree in Elementary Education. She received her Montessori Primary training from The Montessori Institute of North Texas (AMI) and spent six years as a lead primary guide in Title 1 schools within Denver Public Schools, where she dedicated herself to supporting diverse and underrepresented student populations before opening Highlands Montessori in 2014.
Emily completed her Assistants to Infancy (0-3) training through The Montessori Institute of Denver (AMI). She completed her M.Ed. in Montessori education through Loyola University.
As a Colorado native, Emily enjoys hiking, snowboarding, and spending time with her husband and two children.
Natalie Anderson (she/her)
Founding Director
Before opening Highlands Montessori in 2014, Natalie Anderson was a lead Montessori primary guide for five years in Title 1 schools within Denver Public Schools, where she worked to support diverse and underserved student populations. She received her Primary Montessori training from the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies (AMS), and completed her Assistants to Infancy (0-3) training through the Montessori Institute (AMI).
Natalie graduated from Regis University with a Bachelor's degree in Sociology and Criminology, and also holds a M.Ed. in Montessori education through Loyola University.
Natalie spends most of her free time with her husband, two children, and dog. She enjoys sewing, hiking, and enjoying the Colorado outdoors.
Administrative Team
Ingrid Mendez (she/her)
Nido Lead Guide
Ingrid Mendez was born in Texas but lived most of her young life in a small town in Mexico called Nuevo Casas Grandes. She moved to Colorado at the age of nine. Prior to joining Highlands Montessori, Ingrid worked as a teacher assistant in both traditional and Montessori schools. She loves working with children and considers it one of the most greatest experiences of her life. Ingrid completed her Assistants to Infancy training at The Montessori Institute of Denver (AMI).
Ingrid loves music, painting, educational videos and spending time with her family.
Bri Vigil (she/her)
Nido Assistant
Bri was born and raised in Denver, Colorado and graduated from Westminster High School. She was initially introduced to Highlands Montessori by her stepmom (Ms.Lexie). After pursuing education and a full time career in cosmetology, Bri felt a different career was calling her name, and realized her true passion was working with children. She eventually ended up finding her way back to Highlands Montessori, where she has loved being around children again.
In Bri’s spare time she enjoys listening to music, babysitting, watch her favorite shows, doing her makeup, and spending time with her crested gecko Montgomery (Monty) and her beloved family dog Watson!!
Aliyah Carrasco (she/her)
Nido Assistant
Aliyah was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. From a young age, she demonstrated a passion in working with young children. At the age of 13, she discovered that spending time with children brought her a large amount of joy.
Aliyah began working part-time at Highlands Montessori while attending Arvada Senior High School. After graduation, she decided to transition to a full-time position at Highlands Montessori. In Aliyah’s free time she enjoys spending time with family and friends, taking her two dogs on a walk, and shopping.
Nido (Infant Community) Team
Gilda Garcia (she/her)
Toddler 1 Lead Guide
Gilda Garcia was born and raised in Colorado until the age of 13, when she moved with her family to Chihuahua, Mexico, where her family is originally from. She attended Eastern Arizona College for two years in the small town of Thatcher, Arizona. After college, Gilda returned to Colorado, where she discovered the Montessori philosophy in 2020. Since then, she has grown within the Montessori community at Highlands, working as a Teacher Assistant and Float in both the Nido and Toddler classrooms.
Gilda is excited to step into her new role as the Lead Teacher in Toddler 1 while continuing her Montessori education through AMI training at The Montessori Institute for ages 0–3.
During her free time Gilda enjoys spending time with her husband, their two sons, their two dogs, and friends.
Simen Brumback (she/her)
Toddler 2 Lead Guide
Simen was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. Simen has worked many different jobs, from bartending, landscaping, and cleaning houses. She developed a passion for working with young children after accepting a position at a small Waldorf-inspired childcare.
When an opportunity to attend a Waldorf ECE teacher training presented itself, Simen jumped at it! She has over a decade of experience working with young children and has brought her background in Waldorf education into her more recent work in Montessori schools.
Simen completed her Montessori Infant/Toddler teacher training through the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies (AMS).
Catherine Jacobs (she/her)
Toddler 3 Lead Guide
Catherine moved to Colorado from Texas to complete her degree in criminology. Catherine gained experience working with children as a nanny and tutor for many years. Post-graduation she developed a love for the classroom after taking an assistant position at Highlands Montessori. She completed her Assistants to Infancy (0-3) training with The Montessori Institute of Denver (AMI).
In her free time, Catherine enjoys camping, hiking, cooking, watching horror movies, and drawing. She is a proud mother of two twin boys.
Lorena Robles (she/her)
Toddler 1 Assistant Guide
Lorena is originally from Zacatecas, Mexico. She grew up in California before moving to Denver, Colorado 20 years ago. Lorena has always had a passion for taking care of young children, and often babysat her friends and neighbors. After working for many years cleaning offices she was very excited to have an opportunity to work with children again.
In Lorena's free time she enjoys spending time with her family, especially her four grandchildren. She loves going to Disneyland with and also enjoys knitting.
Sallie England (she/her)
Toddler 2 Assistant Guide
%20(1)_edited_edited.jpg)
Julia Rohner (she/her)
Toddler 3 Assistant Guide
Julia was born and raised in Colorado and first discovered Montessori as a preschooler at Cornerstone Montessori School in Golden. When she was 13, she returned to Cornerstone as a summer intern, where she fell in love with working with young children and developed a deep appreciation for the Montessori approach. As soon as she was old enough to work, she spent her summers back at Cornerstone—starting in the Primary classroom and later joining the Toddler community in 2023.
Julia went on to attend Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, graduating with a degree in Sociology/Anthropology. She continued her Montessori journey in the PNW at Sunstone Montessori, supporting a toddler community and growing her passion for early childhood education. After recently moving back home to Colorado, Julia has been working in the aftercare program at Compass Montessori on the afternoons she is not at Highlands.
Outside of the classroom, Julia loves spending time outdoors—skiing, hiking, and gardening—and also enjoys cozy moments with a good book, music, or a creative project.
Toddler Community Team
Nido (Infant Community) Staff
_edited.jpg)
Melina Morton (she/her)
Primary 1 Lead Guide
Melina was born and raised in New Mexico and has called Colorado home for the past nine years. Her background includes working as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), and middle school paraprofessional.
Melina is currently completing her Montessori Primary teacher training at the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies and will graduate in May 2027. .As the Lead Guide in Primary 1, Melina enjoys building strong relationships with each child and creating a warm, respectful classroom community where children are encouraged to explore.
Melina is also a mom of three children and enjoys spending her time outside of school with her family and exploring Colorado.
Leonela Barrios (she/her)
Primary 2 Lead Guide
Leonela was born and raised in California and moved to Colorado in 2004. She worked as a Montessori assistant for many years before joining Highlands Montessori in 2017. After working as an assistant in the Primary program, Leonela completed her Primary training at the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies. She is fully bilingual and enjoys teaching the children new words in Spanish.
In her free time, Leonela enjoys spending time with her husband, family and friends. She loves traveling, family vacations, and all things Disney!
Primary Community Team
Nido (Infant Community) Staff
Lexi Kelleher (she/her)
Primary 1 Assistant Guide
Chantel Merriex (she/her)
Primary 2 Assistant Guide
Chantel was born and raised in Colorado. She has a Bachelor's of Arts in Entrepreneurship. Chantel loves children in general and has created a safe space for the kids in her neighborhood, where she has babysat some of the children for 11 years.
In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with kids in the neighborhood, family, and friends as well as shopping and relaxing!
Classroom Support and Aftercare Team
Lexie Cabral (she/her)
Aftercare Coordinator
Lexie was born and raised in Denver, Colorado where she pursued her education at the Community College of Denver for a double major in Psychology and American Sign Language. During the day, she works for two counseling centers in downtown Denver. In the afternoon she loves taking care of and interacting with the students while helping create a safe and kind environment for all.
During her free time she loves traveling and exploring new places with her partner, as well as experiencing new art, music, and different cultures. She also enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and cuddling her sweet bulldog, Watson!
Katie Ota (she/her)
Aftercare Coordinator
Katie was born in Denver and has been a caregiver for the last 15 years, starting with babysitting and moving to professional nannying and teaching at a preschool. She especially loves babies but has worked with all ages from newborns to teens. In addition to working aftercare at Highlands, she also works as a night nanny and watches over her two nephews (who are her favorite people) during the day.
Outside of working with children, Katie spends her free time at museums or local events. She shoots analog photography and does filmmaking/producing for short films. She is also a practicing herbalist with a focus on clinical herbalism and skincare. At home, she relaxes by reading, watching movies, and caring for her plants and her cats.
Maria Torres (she/her)
Float Teacher
Bio coming soon
Sophia Friend (she/her)
Float Teacher
Sophia grew up in Indiana. She graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Social Work. She worked with children and families as a home-based caseworker until she moved to Colorado in 2023. Sophia's mother is a Montessori teacher and started bringing Sophia to work with her when she was 6 weeks old. As a result of these early experiences, she developed a love for Montessori at a young age.
Sophia welcomed her son in 2021 and experienced an even deeper level of appreciation for Montessori since becoming a mother. Sophia enjoys spending time with her family, antique shopping, and hiking.
Tiabeanie (Bean) Rutledge (they/them)
Aftercare Teacher
Bean is a Colorado native. They grew up in a small mountain town and moved to Denver to for school. Bean currently attends MSU Denver for human services mental health counseling, and plans to become a youth trauma therapist. They started working with kids at a young age volunteering at daycares and babysitting.
In Bean's free time, they enjoy going on walks, playing with their cats, caring for their leopard gecko and plants, and competitively dancing!
Riley Hope (she/her)
Aftercare Teacher
Nido (Infant Community) Staff