Celia Parga
Toddler Community Assistant

Celia was born in California but spent most of her childhood in Mexico where her parents are from. Celia studied Criminology and has worked with children since she was a teenager–babysitting and nannying.

Celia has been in a Montessori environment since 2018. She joined the MIT community in 2023. The hands-on approach reminds her of her childhood, but what is more appealing to Celia is the respect for the child in terms of allowing them to work and learn at their own pace while treating them as people. She has two daughters, both of whom attend Montessori In Town, and a teenage son.

Sandra Cruz
Toddler Community Assistant

Sandra was born in Georgia, she went to Georgia State University and studied Applied Linguistics to receive a TEFL Certificate. Sandra began working with children in the midst of the pandemic. She learned about Montessori through a conversation with a co-worker, the more she learned the more the philosophy made sense to her. After working with toddlers and Primary-aged children for two years Sandra joined MIT in 2022.

Sandra enjoys going to festivals and visiting family in Mexico. In her spare time, she enjoys volunteering in the Latin community and spending time with family and friends.

Jennifer Ray
Toddler Community Assistant

Jennifer was born and raised in Chicago and moved to Georgia in 2018. Jennifer was working as an office assistant at a Montessori school when she was asked to help in a classroom. She loved it so much, they asked her to stay in the classroom.

Jennifer, who has always loved working with children, has worked with children for seven-plus years and joined Montessori In Town in 2023. She has taken many online courses to learn more about early childhood development. She has three children; Joseph (15), Jiselle (9), and Jada (8). Jennifer loves to read and bake with her girls.

Mari Carmona
Toddler Community Assistant

Mari was born in San Diego, CA, and came to Atlanta in 2005 When Mari’s first son was born a good friend introduced her to Montessori by giving her a basket of Montessori materials. Soon after, Mari observed a Montessori Toddler classroom, she was amazed at how independent the children were–at that point, she fell in love with the Montessori method.

Mari began as an assistant teacher in a Toddler classroom in 2016 and has since worked in both Toddler and Primary classes. Mari enjoys hiking, running 5ks, taking care of her chickens, and doing arts and crafts. Mari has three children who attend MIT.

Renata C. Dickerson
Toddler Community Guide

Renata was born in Brazil and moved to the U.S. in 2001. Renata has always loved children. When her first daughter was born, she enrolled her in a Montessori school. Renata volunteered as the room parent, and then became a substitute, shortly after she was employed as an assistant. Inevitably, Renata enrolled in the AMI Toddler training.

In the 20 years Renata has worked with children, she has never stopped being amazed, and amused with the way human beings are in the process of developing and constructing themselves. Renata loves the curiosity and power of observation of the children. Renata has been with Montessori In Town since 2022.

Presently, Renata has earned her M.Ed in Montessori Early Learning. In her free time, she loves to hike in the woods and spend time on the beach. She enjoys painting with watercolors and working with felt.

Dixita Shah
Primary Guide

Dixita is originally from India and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2010, and her AMI Primary Diploma in 2011. Working with children has always been her passion. After completing the AMI training Dixita taught in India, Australia, and Albuquerque, NM, before arriving at Montessori In Town in 2021.

Dixita’s global perspective and depth of experience are tremendous assets in the classroom. She believes there is nothing more rewarding than teaching and being a part of a child’s learning journey. Dixita appreciates the outdoors and relishes the time spent with her family and friends. Dixita’s son also attends MIT.

Lindsay Rauen
Primary Guide

Lindsay is from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Arts. She studied Fine Arts in Italy and Botany in Costa Rica. Lindsay was working on her second degree in teaching 1st - 8th grade when she had the opportunity to observe a public Montessori school. She loved what she saw, researched Montessori, and enrolled in an AMI Primary Montessori training.

Lindsay has been working with children in various roles for 20 years. She has worked in public schools as a Montessori guide and as an art teacher. Lindsay, who has two boys who attend MIT, joined our school in 2022. She enjoys spending time with her family, camping, hiking, cooking, and listening to live music.

Rebecca Matulich
Primary Classroom Assistant

Rebecca has been a valuable and experienced assistant in the primary community of Montessori In Town for more than ten years. She holds a BA in early childhood along with Montessori Assistant training courses. She took a hiatus in 2017 to pursue an important opportunity but thankfully returned to us in 2021. Lynn generously shares her Native American heritage with the children. Lynn is a mother of four children, who are each a source of pleasure and pride.

Lala Ahmed
Remote Elementary Guide

Lala holds both AMI primary and elementary training, a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of Karachi, Pakistan, and a Masters in Education from Loyola College, Baltimore, MD. She has served on the board of directors for peace organizations, Women's Action for New Directions and South Asians for Unity. Throughout her adult life Lala has been committed to promoting peace through education. She is married and a mother of two grown children.

Lala had worked as a primary guide in the Atlanta since 2007. She joined MIT in 2011 after completing her elementary training. She created a thriving lower elementary classroom that speaks to the imagination of the child and sets them up for a lifelong voyage of learning and discovery.

Tasha Kay Wedderburn
Upper Elementary Assistant

Tasha Kay is an experienced educator with over 10 years of teaching expertise. She attended Georgia State University, where she developed a strong foundation in education. Tasha has spent five years teaching in China, expanding her global perspective and understanding of diverse educational systems.

For the past four years, she has been a valued member of the Montessori In Town community, where she teaches children ranging from nursery age to 13 years old. Tasha is passionate about fostering a love of learning in her students and creating an inclusive, engaging environment where all children can thrive children.

Rosa Ayala
Spanish Teacher

Rosa is originally from Puerto Rico. She was a theater major and loves the arts. She utilizes her performing skills to engage children. Teaching her language and culture has been more than a job for Rose–it is her passion and mission.

Rosa has been working in Montessori schools for the past eight years, first with the Toddler community and then as a Spanish guide. She joined the MIT community in 2021.

Rosa enjoys exercising regularly because it brings her peace and purpose.

Ellen Barneycastle
Elementary P.E.

Bio Coming Soon

Carmen Draper
Maintenance

Carmen is a highly skilled craftsman whose skills across the construction industry - electric, plumbing, carpentry, and finishing have been invaluable to the renovation of the three buildings that now comprise Montessori In Town. Carmen had thirty-five years of experience in construction before coming to Montessori In Town.

Carmen ensures that the three buildings are all well maintained and everything is in good working order.