Round Rock

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.

I am very excited to be a member of the Sunrise Montessori family! My whole career has been within the Early Childhood Education field. Working with children is my passion, and I believe the early years set the tone for a life full of learning. For 12 years I was a lead teacher in both Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten classrooms at Mrs. Mac’s Shining Stars in Georgetown. I gained valuable experience through a variety of roles and responsibilities, such as organizing fundraisers and sponsorship projects, opening and closing the school, and being an afternoon supervisor. With the effort to advance a future management career, I transitioned to another preschool in Cedar Park and served as their Assistant Director for almost 6 years. This path has now brought me here. I live in Liberty Hill with my husband of 15 years, Billy, and our two boys Christopher and Kevin. Our evenings and weekends are busy and filled with baseball games, homework, and family gatherings. A few of my favorite things are: Cowboys football games, any beach, and reading magazines. It is very evident that Sunrise Montessori is a school full of happy children, pleased parents, and committed team members. I am blessed to be a part of it and look forward to building a fruitful and lasting relationship with you!

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.

Growing up in the Austin area with a large extended family of cousins, I have always loved working with and caring for children. When I entered college, I started completing courses to one day become a kindergarten teacher. I found Sunrise Montessori as I began my sophomore year, working part time. I loved seeing the children everyday, and as I observed the magic of the Montessori Method and the connections they made, I made a connection of my own: working with this age group was exactly where I wanted to be. I switched my focus and happily started down the path as a Montessori teacher. When I was offered the Lead teaching position, I ecstatically accepted! I look forward to teaming up with you and your family as we create an academic foundation that will help your child be a confident learner in the years to come! Please reach out if you have any questions and welcome to the Cardinal’s class!

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.

Under constructions, please check back soon!

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 (13) and Braydan(16). 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!

Welcome to the Hummingbirds classroom! Growing up I moved around quite a bit. I lived mainly in Taylor, Texas as well as Paris, Tennessee and I even moved to Honolulu, Hawaii for 10 years. In high school I was the President of my dance team and during that time I gained so much teaching and leadership experience. We won state, national, and international competitions. I was also the supervisor of two retail stores for the same surf company. After high school I moved back to Texas to be with family again. I started working at Chick fil A to get a steady income and became a Training Lead there. After some time I really wanted to try something new. There are two things I’ve always had a passion for, children and animals. Currently I have two huskies and they are my pride and joy! Once I started researching I found Sunrise Montessori and fell in love with the Montessori philosophy. Experiencing it first hand was completely new and eye opening. I started as an Assistant at Sunrise and discovered quickly how much I love working with children. Before I knew it, I became a Lead Teacher for my very own classroom. Although this is my first time in child development, it has all felt very natural to me and I am utilizing the skills I gained through my other leadership roles. I have grown and learned so much since being at Sunrise. It is such a joy and a privilege to see the children grow and develop as well. I have absolutely love my time here and can’t wait for more to come! Please let me know if I can ever answer any questions or make your family more comfortable. Again, welcome to the Hummingbirds classroom!

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 am very excited to be at Sunrise! I am from Austin, but live in Pflugerville. My mom always said I’ve never met a stranger (because I talk to everyone). I am married and have three grown children; Bailey (22), Reagan (19) and Brynn (18). My youngest just graduated high school. I was extremely fortunate to be a stay-at-home mom while my kids were growing up, but I’ve also spent 30+ years volunteering at different nonprofits. I started volunteering in middle school with my mom with MADD (Mother’s Against Drunk Drivers) and I fell in love with volunteer work. My biggest passion is serving people and I have been fortunate enough to travel with various humanitarian groups to Zambia, Africa, Port-au-Prince, Haiti (after the tragic earthquake of 2010) & various Mexico cities several times. I volunteered at Mission Possible in East Austin for 4 years several times a week with the homeless population and many times it was with the young children. I took my own kids there to volunteer the same way my mom did. Two of my children now work with kids. When my youngest was in middle school I became a full time nanny for a 6 week old baby up until he was 4. After that I decided to switch things up and began working with adults who have Alzheimer’s or dementia. I really enjoyed it and have some treasured memories, but decided I wanted to go back to working with children for good. That’s when I found Sunrise. Even though I’ve worked with all ages, babies have my heart. There is nothing sweeter than a cuddly hug or a baby laugh. I find it fascinating to watch them explore and discover the new world around them. Being with them all day reminds me of being with my own children when they were small and that fills my heart. The first two years are so vital to child development. Each day is a new opportunity for more growth. I deeply value the trust parents place in me and in my classroom. I am excited to come to work every day and provide exactly what you want for your child. I am so grateful to be at Sunrise and can’t wait to serve you and your family!

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!

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 RooRoo. 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! 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!