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Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.elitemindsmontessori.com/dreamteam daily 0.75 2026-09-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58bef2fd44024341e962e343/1eb56d66-e9ae-413b-882b-948342df2a42/Laurie_pic.webp Our Team LAURIE TORRES: FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Laurie completed her BBA in International Management with a minor in Spanish from Pace University. She completed her Montessori Leadership training from Montessori Teachers College in April 2025. She is presently pursing her M.S.Ed. Early Childhood Education Teacher (Birth - Grade 2) at Brooklyn College. Laurie was the owner of Baby Be Safe 2005-2023. She has over 25 years of experience as a Director in the health care field working for hospitals, wound care centers, and home care. Laurie was determined to be a stay home mom and nurture her premature twins (who are now young adults) so they could thrive to be healthy children while maintaining a flexible work schedule. Today Laurie and husband Ralph are proud parents of 4 boys. Laurie was PTA President and chaired the 5th grade committee at PS 230. She was also part of the School Leadership Team (SLT). As a parent, Laurie feels that providing education, support and resources to parents will strengthen the village it takes to raise our children. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58bef2fd44024341e962e343/d89274dc-9e8e-4337-b485-517461ebaa7a/Shari.jpg Our Team SHARI LEE CANCEL: EDUCATION DIRECTOR, DAFFODIL MONTESSORI LEAD GUIDE Shari Lee Cancél received her master's in Early Childhood Education from Brooklyn College. She has worked with children aged 18 months to 6 for 40 years and has found great joy in learning alongside her students. She has worked for 24 of those years in a Montessori classroom. She received her Montessori credentials from the Center for Montessori Teacher Education in New Rochelle. During her training, she learned how Montessori materials help children learn new concepts with concrete materials. Shari Lee was born and raised in Boerum Hill and now lives in Park Slope. She has a grown-up daughter who is also a teacher. Shari Lee lives with her dog, Riley, and her cat, Elektra. She loves going to the beach and spending time with her family and friends. Her favorite animal is a dolphin, and she likes to take long walks and create felted animals, jewelry, and art scenes in her free time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58bef2fd44024341e962e343/c2266263-0a6a-4302-bbf1-9f2168b4cdd2/image.png Our Team NATALIE VASQUEZ: INFANT / TODDLER EDUCATION DIRECTOR Natalie graduated from Brooklyn College and is currently pursuing her Masters in Early Childhood Education. She brings a decade of teaching experience to EMM, and is excited to continue learning with the Lilies and Buttercups. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58bef2fd44024341e962e343/a483271f-a51c-4889-9a33-7247f4b6161c/Katie+pic.webp Our Team KATELYN RIVERA: TODDLER (DAISIES) MONTESSORI GUIDE Katie holds a degree in Sociology/Anthropology with a minor in Spanish from the College of Staten Island and completed her Montessori Teacher Education Program at West Side Montessori. For the past seven years, she’s been a dedicated part of the Elite Minds Montessori family. A former competitive cheerleader, Ms. Katie brings energy, enthusiasm, and a spark of imagination to everything she does. She’s known for her creative lessons, love of food prep, and the way children naturally gravitate toward her warmth and guidance. Whether she’s leading an activity or dreaming up new ways to inspire her students, Ms. Katie makes learning joyful and memorable. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58bef2fd44024341e962e343/8b5a9ea3-2004-4da6-bed2-e7a6f3393c57/IMG_0838.JPG Our Team - Make it stand out NATALIA (NAT) DONIS: ASSISTANT GUIDE Nati joins us as an assistant teacher in all rooms. She is currently in school for mental health and human services at Kingsborough Community College. She is also a full time big sister which I genuinely enjoy. Her goal is to become a social worker or a child therapist, so she will be spending some time at Elite Minds as she digs deeper into her studies. She believes that children deserved to feel seen and heard, no matter the age, especially younger ones, who are frequently overlooked. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58bef2fd44024341e962e343/fef2388a-9998-41f1-8041-05655cc45fe9/Johanna+pic.webp Our Team JOHANNA RODRIGUEZ RAMOS: ASSISTANT GUIDE & PERFORMING ARTS GUIDE Originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, Jo has spent over 14 years working with children in New York and beyond. Her career began in the arts, performing and puppeteering with Teatro S.E.A. and teaching Spanish through music with Bilingual Birdies, before serving as Lead Spanish Immersion Preschool Teacher at Reade Street Prep for ten years. Introduced to Montessori three years ago, Jo blends its philosophy with her love of music, often incorporating original songs into daily routines. She holds a B.A. in Speech Communications and Linguistics with a minor in Theatre from the University of Puerto Rico and is a proud mom to her son, Céu. Jo is currently a floater across all classrooms, and leads our performing arts curriculum (Music Classes & Puppeteering / Drama classes). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58bef2fd44024341e962e343/9b773db3-1f96-49d0-a672-1075213c8906/Luz+pic.webp Our Team LUZ VEGA: ASSISTANT GUIDE Born and raised in Brooklyn, Luz is a proud mom of three grown children and a lifelong caregiver who speaks fluent Spanish. She’s spent her career working with little ones as a nanny, CPR instructor, and now as our beloved baby teacher. Creative at heart, Ms. Luz brings artistry, joy, and plenty of birthday party magic into the classroom, always making sure every child gets to experience a true, joy-filled childhood. With a background as a home health aide and personal care assistant, she brings a deep sense of care, patience, and safety to everything she does. Simply put: babies are her world, and it shows in every smile, cuddle, and moment she shares with them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58bef2fd44024341e962e343/226fa576-5df6-469b-a61c-26368dcfdda0/Amy.jpeg Our Team - Make it stand out AMY CARSTENSEN: ASSISTANT GUIDE, MUSIC GUIDE Amy Carstensen has 15 plus years experience working in preschool, elementary, special education, and music school settings. A professional musician herself, she has also played in several band-led music classes for young children throughout the city such as Songs for Seeds and Rockin Railroad. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from the New England Conservatory of Music and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education. She is passionate about creating a warm, nurturing environment where children can explore, discover, and develop their independence at their own pace. She especially loves connecting with young children through music, art, play, and creative expression, and is inspired by the Montessori approach to honoring each child’s unique interests and development. She is thrilled to be joining the amazing EMM team this year! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58bef2fd44024341e962e343/49cd1831-334d-4874-bbe5-a5d2914e50ba/6839a288-bbc6-4c1b-acb5-050b2eb4df07.jpeg Our Team - Make it stand out STEFANIA GAVIRIA: INFANT / TODDLER MONTESSORI LEAD GUIDE Stefania holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and Corporate Relations. Her passion for working with children and supporting communities has led her to volunteer with children from diverse communities throughout Latin America. She is an AMS-certified Infant & Toddler Montessori teacher and is currently pursuing her second Montessori credential in Early Childhood. Stefania is passionate about learning, nature, and creating meaningful connections with children and families. She enjoys being part of a supportive community and is always happy to help, collaborate, and learn from those around her. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58bef2fd44024341e962e343/70eddc16-a633-4e81-b44b-363e5c397b73/Marianny+arias+headshot++%281%29.jpg Our Team - Make it stand out MARIANNY ARIAS: ASSISTANT GUIDE Marianny is currently attending John Jay College, where she is pursuing a degree bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree as a licensed mental health counselor. She also brings several years of experience working with young children. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58bef2fd44024341e962e343/02b01f9d-1dba-434e-8100-b231ff49e083/IMG_2521+%281%29.jpeg Our Team - Make it stand out KRISTY: ART GUIDE Kristy Butler (she/they) is originally from Buffalo, New York and brings her love of learning and self expression to her teaching practice. 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