Our Staff:
Administrative Team
Emily Farley
Owner/Director
Emily Farley graduated from Regis University in 2006 with a degree in Elementary Education. She received her Primary Montessori training from The Montessori Institute of North Texas (Association Montessori Internationale) in 2010, and taught in Denver Public Schools for six years as a lead primary guide.
Emily received her Assistants to Infancy training through The Montessori Institute (Association Montessori Internationale) in 2014, and opened Highlands Montessori that fall. She completed her M.Ed. in Montessori Education through Loyola University in 2015.
Emily was born and raised in Colorado. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and snowboarding in the Colorado outdoors. She also enjoys spending time with her husband, two children, and her cat, Dotty.
.
Natalie Anderson
Owner/Director
Before opening Highlands Montessori in 2014, Natalie Anderson was a lead Montessori primary guide in Denver Public Schools for 5 years. She received her Primary Montessori training from the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies in 2009, and completed her Assistants to Infancy (0-3) training through the Montessori Institute (Association Montessori Internationale) in 2014.
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 and two children. She enjoys sewing, hiking, spending time with friends and family.
Nido Staff
Ingrid Mendez
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 in 2019, 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) in 2022.
Ingrid loves music, painting, educational videos and spending time with her family. Montessori has been one of the greatest influences in Ingrid's life. Working with children has allowed her to learn patience, empathy, and the desire to find a better way. She hopes to continue her journey and is happy to share it with all the wonderful people around her.
Gilda Garcia
Nido Assistant
Bio coming soon.
Kylie Russell
Nido Assistant
Kylie grew up in Illinois and moved to Colorado in 2018. She has always had a passion for working with children through volunteering and now teaching. Kylie has been a part of Highlands Montessori since 2020 and is enjoying her current role as an assistant in the Nido classroom.
In her free time, Kylie enjoys taking her dog for walks, baking and hanging out with friends.
Toddler Community Staff
.jpeg)
Catherine Wadley
Toddler Community Lead Guide
Catherine moved to Colorado from Texas to complete her degree in criminology. Post-graduation she developed a love for the classroom after taking an assistant position at Highlands in 2017. She completed her Assistants to Infancy (0-3) training with The Montessori Institute of Denver in 2020. Prior to working at the school, Catherine gained experience working with children as a nanny and tutor for many years.
In her free time, Catherine enjoys camping, hiking, cooking, watching horror movies, and drawing. She is a proud mother of two twin boys who also attend Highlands.
Jazmin Galvan Pacheco
Toddler Community Assistant
Jazmin was born in Durango, Mexico, and raised in Denver, CO. She loves taking care of the children and creating a safe space for people of all ages. She recently completed her certification as a yoga teacher, and is looking forward to completing her certification for sound healing. She has been a toddler assistant guide at Highlands Montessori since 2021.
Jazmin enjoys making handmade jewelry and loves dance, photography, spending time with family, friends, and her boyfriend as well as activities by the ocean and in the mountains.
Kate McAleer
Toddler Community Lead Guide
Kate McAleer was born in Washington D.C. and raised in Annapolis, MD before moving to Colorado in 2013. She is. "Montessori child," having gone to an AMI Montessori school from Nido through Upper Elementary. Kate obstained her BS in Biology and a BA in Psychology from Guilford College in Greensboro, NC. She completed her Assistants to Infancy training at The Montessori Institute of Denver in 2022 and is certified in Montessori Sports (AMI).
Kate, her husband TJ, her daughter Paige, and their 2 big dogs live in Arvada, CO where they spend a lot of time hiking, running, practicing yoga and spending time with family and friends. In her free time, Kate also enjoys coaching girls lacrosse and teaching yoga.
Erica Venor
Toddler Community Assistant
Erica was born and raised in Denver, CO. Growing up in Park Hill, she has always enjoyed being around and working with children. She has worked at both private and public Montessori schools as a teacher assistant prior to joining Highlands Montessori in 2020.
Erica loves being outside, especially hiking and kayaking. In her free time, Erica also enjoys photography and drawing.
Aneta Martinez
Toddler Community Lead Guide
Aneta was born in Poland and moved to London, England in her twenties, then to New York City, and finally to Denver in 2020. She has worked in Montessori schools prior to joining Highlands Montessori in 2022. Aneta received her Primary Montessori training from the Maria Montessori Institute in London (Montessori Association Internationale, AMI) and Assistants to Infancy training from the Montessori Institute in Denver (AMI). She graduated from the City University of New York with a Bachelor's degree in Childhood Studies and holds a M.Ed. in Montessori Education through Loyola University.
Aneta enjoys spending time with her husband and friends, being in the mountains, traveling, and reading."
Kourtney Mills
Toddler Community Assistant
Kourtney was born in Atlanta, Georgia where she has lived most of her life before moving to Denver on a whim in 2022. She has a Bachelor of science degree in Leadership and Communication studies and a Psychology Minor from Kennesaw State University in Georgia. Previously, Kourtney worked assistantship roles at nonprofits supporting underrepresented and marginalized groups and as a volunteer co-facilitator of an empowerment group for teenage girls.
Primary Staff
Erin Oliver
Primary Lead Guide
Erin Oliver has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Towson University in Maryland and obtained her AMI certification from The Montessori Institute in Denver, CO in 2013. She is a "Montessori child," having gone to an AMI Montessori school from primary though upper elementary and has worked in both private and public Montessori schools.
Erin was born in Washington D.C. and raised in Annapolis, MD. She moved to Denver in 2016 and has been enjoying all of the beautiful things Colorado has to offer with her Border Collie, Benson and Golden Retriever, Baylee! When not at work, Erin loves reading, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.
Stephanie Chacon
Primary Assistant
Bio coming soon
Leonela Barrios
Primary Lead Guide
Leonela is from California and came to Colorado in 2004. She has worked as a Montessori assistant for many years before joining Highlands Montessori in 2017. Leonela completed her Primary training at The Montessori Education Center of the Rockies in 2023. She is fully bilingual and enjoys teaching the children new words in Spanish.
In her free time, Leonela enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She loves traveling, family vacations, and all things Disney!
Chantel Merriex
Primary Community Assistant
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!
Aftercare/Support Staff
Lexie Cabral
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 is the aftercare coordinator where she loves taking care of and interacting with the students while creating a safe and kind environment for all.
During her free time she loves to travel and explore new places with her partner, as well as experiencing new art, music, and different cultures. She also loves spending time with her family and friends, and cuddling her sweet bulldog, Watson!
Kelsey Fagerberg
Float/ Primary Aftercare
Kelsey is a pre-service art education teacher studying at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. Montessori has influenced her teaching philosophy and she is eager to incorporate what she has learned at Highlands in her future classroom.
In her free time, Kelsey enjoys drawing, painting and reading as well as hanging out with her boyfriend and her cat, Griffin.
_edited.jpg)
Zoey Flores
Float Teacher Assistant
Bio coming soon.
Audriana Lucero
Float Teacher Assistant
Bio coming soon.
Dalilah Guerra
Float/ Toddler Aftercare
Bio coming soon.
Jenna Hill
Toddler snd Primary Aftercare
Jenna was born and raised in Colorado where she graduated from Arvada Senior High School. Jenna loves working with children and is very passionate about continuing a career in Montessori. During her free time she enjoys gardening and taking care of her house plants, as well as surrounding herself with family and friends.
Aaliyah Vigil
Toddler Aftercare
Bio coming soon.