Your Sunrise Team

Born in Southern California, I didn’t move to the Austin area until I was 32 years old with my husband, Rob, and 3 month old son, John, and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. We LOVE living here! Texans are remarkably friendly and go out of their way to help one another, plus all the trees (beautiful) and seasons (it’s cold in the winter…woo hoo!) are a bonus. Sunrise was born when I couldn’t find a great Montessori school for my muse, John (you can see his picture of him working on a world map after he turned three in our entryway). Rob has also been influential in the success of Sunrise as well. In addition to his emotional support and laid-back nature, he is talented at fixing things (he used to help his father and grandfather make furniture and build houses) as well as designing/programming websites (the perfect spouse for a small business owner!). Although I loved being a math teacher once upon a time, I love being a business owner even more. Providing the kind of school I would want my son to attend, would like to work as a team member, or learn as a student is an indescribable and addictive joy. My sincerest wish is that all of us here at Sunrise create exactly what you want for your child, so please let us know how we can improve your experience.

Although not a native Texan, I have called Texas my home for the last 25 years. Growing up in Texas, we often returned to California, where I was born, to visit family, beat the heat and enjoy the beautiful beaches. My fiancee and I have two children and love to take them to the park and spend time with family and friends. Early in my career, I worked in child development centers caring for a wide age range of children. In 2008, I discovered Montessori and began the quest to learn more! Through the years, I have worked in Administration and both primary and pre-primary environments, along with helping parents establish Montessori elements in the home. In 2017, I completed my training at the Mid America Teacher Training Institute in Nebraska. After receiving my AMS Teaching Certificate for the Infant/Toddler certification, it has been my goal to share my passion of Montessori. The Montessori Method continues to inspire and challenge me as an Administrator, educator and parent. I look forward to offering support and guidance to the families of Sunrise!

I am originally from Southeast Texas and moved to Austin in 2009 after earning my Bachelors in Psychology from Lamar University. My first teaching experience was at a Montessori school in central Austin and I remained there for six years. During that time, I fell in love with the Montessori philosophy and earned my Montessori Certification. While working as a Primary Lead Guide, I also discovered yoga and earned my 200 hour Yoga Teaching Certificate as well as a Children’s Yoga Teaching Certificate. In 2015, I begin leading adult classes and children’s yoga programs full time around the Austin area. This is when I discovered Sunrise Montessori, when I began leading their children’s yoga program. Three years later I decided to go back into the classroom, teaching Montessori full time and officially joined the Sunrise family! Now I have transitioned into Administration and it has been such a great experience. I cannot wait to see Sunrise continue to grow! In my spare time I enjoy hiking, reading, listening to music and exploring movement modalities in yoga. I live in Round Rock with my husband Zachary and my two dogs, Cooper and Lily.

I am the mother of four amazing children ranging in the ages of 15-24. I was born in Houston, Texas but raised in Louisiana. My family and I are big fans of LSU football...Geaux Tigers! I have worked with children for most of my adult life in different areas including childcare, children’s ministry, and substitute teaching. I first began as a Primary Assistant at Sunrise Montessori and this world was completely new to me. I was impressed initially with how warm and inviting the school felt, from the exterior details to the classroom set-ups. Secondly, I loved how friendly the staff was and how well the classrooms operated. What I love most about teaching is helping to facilitate those “Ah ha” moments for children. I love witnessing the growth process from when a child first joins our Primary program to where they are when they leave us. I want to be the person that when your child grows up and reflects on their lives they can say, “Hey, I remember Ms. Angela and she made a difference because...:”. My goal as your child’s teacher is to create a safe and loving space for your child to build confidence and self-awareness. I look forward to creating many lasting and wonderful memories for both you and your child. Thank you for choosing to become part of our Sunrise family!

Originally from Laredo, TX and have lived in Austin for the past fourteen years. I always knew that I wanted to work with children but was unsure in what capacity. While studying at Texas State, I began volunteering at the San Marcos Housing Authority’s Kids Against Drugs (KAD) Program. It was then that I realized that becoming a teacher was something I HAD TO do! After graduating from Texas State, I began working at a charter school in Austin. I learned so much about myself while working as an assistant teacher there. I learned that I could help children learn and succeed by setting high expectations for them. I learned that I am patient and creative. I learned that although I am a very quiet and reserved person, I could be fun and silly when around children. I learned that they bring out the very best in me. I began working at Sunrise in July of 2008 and received my Montessori teacher certification the following year. I absolutely love the warm and friendly environment here at Sunrise. I worked at Sunrise for eight years and loved every minute of it! In June of 2016 I decided to pursue other interests and began working as a Pre-Literacy teacher for a non-profit organization, which provides housing and education for low income families. While working there, I learned about the Pre-K curriculum currently being used at AISD and helped implement it into the Pre-Lit Program. Although my time as a Pre-Literacy teacher was incredibly rewarding and fulfilling, returning to Sunrise was always on the back of my mind. I am beyond excited to be back and to have the opportunity make a difference in the lives of the children at Sunrise.

I was born in Charlottesville, VA, and moved to Texas while still a young child. I happily grew up here in Central Texas and attended Pflugerville High School. I moved to Louisiana in 1994, where I attended Southeastern Louisiana University and majored in Sociology. After living for a while in both Pennsylvania and Virginia, I returned to Texas in 2005 to be closer to my parents. I was joined by my husband Casey, who is an English teacher here in Round Rock. In my time away from teaching, I enjoy hiking, reading (I am bookworm!), movies, travel, and getting exercise with our two dogs Django and Moby (a black lab and a pit bull mix). I have been working with young children professionally since 1993. I was introduced to the Montessori Method in early 1994, when I accepted a position as an Assistant Teacher at a private Montessori program in Baton Rouge. I received a wealth of training and knowledge during my years at Our Children’s House, as well as a life mission. In addition to Montessori schools, I have taught in other types of early childhood settings such as a NAEYC-accredited child development center and several Head Start programs. I came to Sunrise Montessori in May of 2007, and it is a genuine pleasure to work with caring and professional educators every day. The core of Montessori philosophy for me is the respect it shows for children and the amazing efforts they make during development. Montessori asks, “What kind of adult do you want your child to be?” and then shows us a path toward that vision. I have worked with all ages of young children, from infants to 6-year-olds. I have held multiple positions in the early childhood field: lead teacher, assistant teacher, and, here at Sunrise, assistant director. I returned to the classroom as a lead teacher in September of 2010 and could not be more pleased to have done so. I also act as a trainer and coach for other Sunrise teachers. I hold Montessori teaching certificates for both Early Childhood (NAMC) and Infant-Toddler (AMS) levels. I have continued to study the Montessori Method independently over the years since my first assistant position, delving into Dr. Montessori’s own writings as well as those of experienced Montessori educators/ researchers. I also regularly attend Montessori conferences, Early Childhood workshops, and stay informed of current education research. I am a member of the American Montessori Society. I strongly recommend AMS ( https:// amshq.org ) as a resource for Montessori parents as well as teachers. I chose to go back into the classroom because my heart is most happy when I am working directly with the children, observing and guiding as each child creates the person, he or she will become. It is my goal to help your family have a wonderful experience here at Sunrise! I look forward to getting to know you and your child.

My name is Leticia Sanchez. I am a mother of three amazing children Stacy 24, Liliana 13 and Alejandro 10. My husband and I spend all of our free time running the kids around to all their spots. ( Soccer, Baseball, Basketball and Volleyball) As a family we enjoy going to the movies and just spending time together. I have worked in the early childhood field for over 20 years. I have worked with ages 6 weeks to 3 years as well as in administration. I find that the 6 weeks to 12 months is my favorite age. Watching the babies develop from sleep all-day to walking and exploring is an amazing thing. Seeing their personalities develop is also a joy of mine. I am excited to be here at Sunrise Montessori and to learn more about Montessori philosophy. Thank you for allowing me the privilege of caring and loving your child.

Growing up, I was fortunate enough to have several amazing Teachers who inspired me so greatly that I realized early on that I was meant to teach. As I grew older, I found that my passion lies with the early stages of childhood. For this reason, I majored in Child Development and Early Childhood Education in Los Angeles, CA. While studying, I worked and had internships in multiple settings, with different curriculums and philosophies. I found my passion to be a mixture of several philosophies including Reggio, Waldorf and Montessori. After moving to Texas in 2016, I searched for a preschool that reflected my same passion for children, and although it took longer than I had hoped for, I am happy to say I have truly found it in Sunrise! I have been working in the classroom for more than 10 years and there is nowhere else I would rather have my own two children than with this loving and intentional group of Teachers and team.

My name Raejean Tarrant and I was born and raised here in Central Texas. My husband and I have two amazing children, Brooklyn and Braydan. We moved to Hutto about 15 years ago and completely fell in love with the small town feel. You will find us spending time with our family and watching all of our kids sporting events, currently football, cheerleading, and pole vaulting. I have worked in the early childhood education field for over 15 years now, with experience in all age groups from 6 months to 5 years old. With that being said, my heart always goes back to the babies. When starting my career at Sunrise Montessori as a part-time floater in 2017, I wasn't very familiar with the Montessori philosophy. As I was able to work and spend time in each classroom I observed how the Montessori philosophy and curriculum come together and it's amazing! I was so impressed with how calm and independent the children were in each class. I have learned so much from ALL the Teachers here at Sunrise, and honored to continue the educational legacy as the Lead Owlets Teacher. I can't wait to watch your child grow and explore this year! Thank you for trusting me to nurture and love your child. I am always happy to answer any questions that arise, and looking forward to a great year together!

Hello, my name is Jeanna (pronounced Jee-na). I’m a native to Southern California. My family and I just relocated to the Austin area in February 2021. We love it here and know it was meant to be. When I found Sunrise I knew immediately this school would be a perfect fit for my quiet and mellow nature. Throughout my teenage years I volunteered in my church nursery caring for infants through 5 years old. My husband and I married young and had two children of our own. Shortly after they were born I decided to go to a community college to earn my Associate's in Early Childhood Education. I’ve now taught preschool for the last 15 years. Since joining the Sunrise team I have enjoyed soaking up the Montessori method and look forward to completing my Montessori teaching certificate. It is a great privilege for me to be a part of your child’s formative years. Together, I look forward to setting them up for success!

Born and raised here in Texas, I would often come and visit family in the Austin area and decided later in life to make it my home. The best part about living in Round Rock (according to my son) is being so close to Round Rock Donuts! Having a ten year old boy means that I am often watching sports, superhero movies, YouTube and hearing non-stop about all of the fun new video games. Aside from basketball games and trips to the movies, I am in the process of earning my degree in Psychology. I’ve been working in Montessori now for 10 years and I absolutely love it! It is amazing to see what a child is capable of doing when given the opportunity to do so. The excitement and pride in their faces when they finish a challenging lesson is always such a wonderful sight to see. Along with the wonderful Montessori Method, the children are what make me happy to come to work. There is nothing like walking into a classroom full of loving children to tell you good morning! Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your child’s growth here at Sunrise!

My name is Betsy and I have over 15 years of experience working with children. The youngest child I've worked with was 2 months while the oldest was 14 years old. I have an Associate of Arts Degree in Education and plan on finishing my Bachelor's degree in the future. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my husband and daughter. We love going to the park, fishing and camping. I joined the Sunrise Montessori team in 2018 and have had a great experience ever since. My little one is currently in primary and seeing her grow and learn at Sunrise is such a joy. I enjoyed working in the primary and pre-primary classrooms but fell in love with the 0-12 months age group while co-leading with Ms. Leti. Being trained and mentored by such a knowledgeable and experienced lead has equipped me above and beyond the necessary skills to take on a lead role at Sunrise. I am excited to open the Doves classroom as a lead and look forward to meeting your little one and helping them reach their milestones!

I was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. It wasn’t until January of 2021 that I got the opportunity to call Texas my new home. Within the first week of me living here, I found Sunrise. The moment I walked through the doors I knew, this was the place I wanted to be. I have always had a passion for teaching. The first time I worked with children was in a developmental preschool, teaching children ages 3-5 with physical, mental and developmental disabilities. I was able to see the progress of each child and saw how big of an impact the teachers made on these children, and their development over time. From then on, I knew I wanted to make a career seeing the difference we made for those kids. I immediately changed my major to early childhood development. Eventually I was given the opportunity to step aside from the primary age and work with infants, and it was the best choice I could have made. I fell in love with the babies and saw how much knowledge and capability these children have and giving them the right tools they need to succeed is incredible to be a part of. I began my teaching here at Sunrise as an Assistant Teacher. I gained an immense amount of knowledge about the Montessori philosophy from many amazing teachers at Sunrise and am thrilled to now be the Starlings Lead! Please let me know if I can make your baby's time with us better. I cannot wait for what this next year has in store for your child!

I was born and raised in the east bay area of California. I moved to Round Rock, Texas just over two years ago to pursue a better life for my two children. I have a daughter who is 9 years old and a son who is almost 5 years old! I have worked in the childcare field since 2008. I have a variety of experience from working in children’s ministry at a church, a crisis nursery, after school programs, to preschools. I have studied Early Child Development in college and obtained an associates teaching certificate. My goal is to continue my education to finish the last few classes that I need to get my degree. I knew I had a true passion for child development when my daughter was born. I was fascinated by how quickly children develop and how much they learn in their first few years of life. I have been with Sunrise Montessori since October and have loved my time here thus far! Welcome to the Robins classroom and please let me know if I can ever answer any questions or make your family more comfortable!

I was born in Tennessee and lived there until 2015 when I moved to Texas with my family. I grew up helping my mom with children in her salon in addition to taking a few child development courses in high school, which prompted me to begin taking college courses in early childhood development. When I moved to Texas, I put my classes on hold in order to stay home with my daughter. I loved having that time with her and seeing her reach her developmental milestones. When I decided to go back work, I found Sunrise and immediately fell in with the school and the Montessori method. My daughter who is almost three years old loves coming here! I also love seeing her grow at this school! Our teachers here are second to none. When my daughter is older, I plan to go back to school to become an Elementary Teacher, but until then, I’m so excited to guide our Chickadee children and help them learn and achieve through the Montessori method. Please let me know if I can ever answer any questions you may have or help your family in any way. Parents and teachers work best together! =)

I am so happy to be the Lead Teacher in the Sparrows classroom and I look forward to being a part of your child’s journey of discovery! In 2006 I earned my Montessori Certificate and have over 23 years of experience in Early Childhood. I fell in love with the Montessori method when I had my son and chose to have him attend a Montessori school. He was a special needs child and watching him thrive and be allowed to learn at his own pace, in such a beautiful environment, is what drove me to become a certified Montessori Teacher. My goal is to foster the joy of learning in young children and to guide them on their journey of independence. I enjoy spending time beading and making jewelry as well as walking my dogs, Soju and Roo Roo. My favorite place to be is at the beach listening to the waves crash. I also love learning about different cultures and hope to share that love with your child! Welcome to the Sparrows classroom! Please let me know if you ever have any questions.

I am very excited to be at Sunrise Montessori! I was born and raised in Sri Lanka and emigrated to the U.S. in 2013 with my husband. We have a beautiful daughter who is also excited to be at Sunrise Montessori. Fun fact about me… I love dancing, specifically the Sri Lankan traditional dance and fusion! I have completed higher studies in Information Technology at The National Institute of Business Management in Sri Lanka. After working as an IT officer, I moved into teaching at the International School of Sri Lanka. I got the opportunity to start my career as a Montessori Teacher and earned my certification from North American Montessori Center. I now have over 10 years of experience as a Montessori Teacher. I love to help children discover their talents and who they are. I am looking forward to guiding your child and helping them to succeed in their preschool education!

My name is Benae Hood and I am originally from Huntsville, Texas. I am the youngest of two children and come from a pretty large family so being around children is second nature for me. There are a couple of factors that influenced and shaped me into the woman I am today, my faith and my mother. Both have played a substantial role in everything that I do. I graduated High School in the top half of my class and jumped right into the role of Assistant Pre-Primary Teacher at Tomorrow’s Promise Montessori School in Huntsville. While working as a Montessori Teacher I also continued my education at Lone Star College. There is nothing that feels more right to me than teaching and being a part of a child’s early learning experiences. Dice moving to the Austin area, I re-enrolled in college to finish my Bachelor’s of Science in Early Childhood Education. I am excited to get to know you and your family and look forward to all the future endeavors and learning adventures to come! Please let me know whenever you have a question or concern.