Contact us: (505) 582-3898
Call now to schedule a tour!
2025-2026 School Year with Aftercare:
M-F 7:30 am - 5:30 pm
Instructional hours 8 am - 2:30 pm
OUR STAFF
Ms. Caitlin
Director
(she/her) After pursuing my BS in psychology at the University of New Mexico, I have been passionately curious about education. I’m particularly interested in the inner workings of the early childhood experience, such as developmental milestones and effective educational techniques. I have my Montessori Credential and am completing my Child Development Certification at CNM.
I now have 10 years of first-hand experience in how students learn best, including how to organize the classroom, and the ways in which school support structures are crucial for each child’s educational success. I have served as a support staff, a lead teacher, an assistant director, and acting director at two different preschools. I joined SMMS in 2022 and accepted the director position in 2023. I love how the Montessori environments imbed the respect for the child & self and the environment into the routine. These are foundational corner stone to a peaceful journey through life! At St. Mark’s Montessori School, I look forward to continuing good working relationships with the staff, students, and families here.
I will focus on my responsibilities as director with care, intention, and understanding. I want to lay a foundation where our students can blossom and feel at home in their learning environment.
“Our care of the child should be governed, not by the desire to make him learn things, but by the endeavor always to keep burning within him that light which is called intelligence.” - Maria Montessori
I enjoy serving the growing community of St. Mark’s Montessori School and leading the school into new chapters of student achievement. In my free time, I enjoy hiking and fossil hunting with my husband and pampering my bunny.
Administrative Staff
Ms. Rocio
Operations Manager
(she/her) Ms. Rocio has been working in childcare centers since 2019. She has learned from children while also teaching/guiding them. She loves watching children grow through different stages and celebrating milestones. She has her Child Development Certification and Early Childhood Program Administration Certification. Ms. Rocio's personal goals for the future and for life are to cultivate gratitude and positivity with the people around her. She enjoys going to walks with her husband and kids. She also like to spend time alone watching movies and cooking.
Ms. Jenny
Administrative Assistant
(she/her) Ms. Jenny is an Albuquerque native but spent time living in Colorado, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. She has over 15 years of experience in childcare and early education, and is also experienced in office administration. She enjoys guiding young children in learning about themselves and their environment. It is incredible to watch them grow and gain confidence. She plans to return to CNM in January to continue her degree in early childhood education. In her free time, she loves to garden, do puzzles, explore new restaurants and spend time with family.
Primary Program
Ms. Laura
Primary 1 Lead Guide
Primary Classroom 1
(she/her) Ms. Laura is a keystone of our St. Mark’s Montessori School family. She has been a Montessori teacher since 2008, both as a Lead Montessori Guide with St. Mark’s Montessori School since its inception in 2013 and as an Assistant Montessori Guide at St. Timothy’s Montessori School from 2008-2013. Ms. Laura obtained her MACTE /AMS Associate Early Childhood Credential in 2013. She was the Lead Guide in our Toddler Classroom for many years before moving to the position of Primary Lead Guide in 2019.
Ms. Laura has a special knack for creating a beautifully prepared Montessori classroom environment and is proudly providing an authentic Montessori experience to our Primary students. When you step into Ms. Laura’s classroom you will likely find a calm and peaceful energy. Her patience and caring nature with the children are remarkable and her students often report that she is quite “funny”.
Ms. Laura is the mother of four children and two grandchildren whom she travels to visit during her free time. Ms. Laura enjoys spending time with her dog Lilly, family and friends. Attending music concerts, shopping at Dollar Tree, and thrift stores.
Ms. Maya
Primary 1 Assistant Guide
Primary Classroom 1
(she/her) Ms. Maya was born in Santa Fe and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She holds an Associates of Arts degree in Secondary Education from CNM and recently graduated with her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Communications with a Minor in Sociology from UNM. She loves how children are given options and limited choices in the Montessori environment while there is still structure. Her future goals are to expand her education and learn more about Montessori and early childhood education. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, running her small business and hanging out with her dog.
Ms. Kathia
Primary 2 Lead Guide
Primary Classroom 2
(she/her) Ms. Kathia is a mom of two children (ages 6 and 3 years old). She is bilingual in Spanish and English. She has been working at SMMS since 2023 and has achieved her Montessori credential. She loves to see how many different ways of learning children engage with and to see how well they care for their environment. She is attending CNM for my Child Development Certificate and is learning more beautiful ways to implement the Montessori method in our space. She likes to spend time with my children and family doing gardening and cleaning our home.
Ms. Kaiya
Primary 2 Assistant Guide
Primary Classroom 2
(she/her) Ms. Kaiya is from Taos and enjoys photography and going to the gym. She is working to excel in everyday life and her career! She is currently working towards receiving her associates degree in early childhood education and development. She loves that the Montessori environment provides structure and is focused on the individual. It is exciting to work with our future leaders! Her goal is to receive her degree in ECE and eventually open her own photography business.
Toddler Program
Ms. Morgan
Toddler 1 Lead Guide
Toddler Classroom 1
(she/they) Ms. Morgan is our Lead Toddler 1 Montessori Guide. Ms. Morgan began with our school in 2020 as an Assistant Montessori Guide in our Primary Program, followed by the Lead Toddler Guide in our 2021 Summer Program. Ms. Morgan has also led a variety of Enrichments at our school including music, movement, art, and foreign language. She has been our Lead Toddler Montessori Guide since 2022.
Ms. Morgan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in University Studies with focuses in special education and psychology from the University of New Mexico. Additionally, she has earned her Infant/Toddler Montessori Certification from the North American Montessori Center. Ms. Morgan brings seven years of experience working with children and is passionate about early childhood education and the Montessori Method.
Ms. Morgan was born and raised in New Orleans and moved to Albuquerque to study at UNM. She had always wanted to become a teacher but was inspired to become a Montessori Guide after working with Ms. Laura. When she is not at school, she enjoys reading and spending time with her husband, dogs, family and friends and she enjoys traveling, hiking, and cooking.
Ms. Madeline
Toddler 1 Assistant Guide
Toddler Classroom 1
(she/her) Ms. Madeline is an Assistant Montessori Guide in our Toddler 1 Classroom. She has worked at SMMS since 2019 and has held many different roles in her time here. She has achieved her NAMC Montessori teaching diploma for children ages 0-3 years old and is attending Highlands University to complete her associate degree in early childhood education. She enjoys the prepared environment of the Montessori classroom and how it nurtures children’s curiosity and desire to learn.
Ms. Madeline is a native New Mexican who attended Montessori school from preschool through middle school, graduating from Albuquerque High School in 2018. While not working, Ms. Madeline enjoys hanging out with friends, taking her dog on walks, and doing crafts. She is excited to continue her education in early childhood and continue to grow at SMMS!
Ms. Lena
Toddler 1 Assistant Guide
Toddler Classroom 1
(she/her) Ms. Lena is joining us as an Assistant in Toddler 1. She is currently pursuing her bachelor degree at UNM in business management with a minor in early childhood education. When not working, Ms. Lena is a full-time student and enjoys spending time with her family. She is looking forward to getting to know the children and families of SMMS!
Ms. Melanie
Toddler 2 Lead Guide
Toddler Classroom 2
(she/her) Ms. Melanie is our Toddler 2 Lead Guide after completing her Montessori credential earlier this year. She brings not only a familiar face to the students and staff, but a long history of experience in a variety of childcare settings including as a nanny and with the St. Mark's church children's program. Ms. Melanie has found following the child in the Montessori environment and nurturing their enthusiasm for learning to be inspiring and enjoys the fresh perspective that each child brings to her world.
Ms. Melanie is a graduate of the Albuquerque Academy, earned a BA in International & Intercultural Studies from Pitzer College. She also has a Master of Business Administration from Strayer University. She brings with her the invaluable experience of motherhood as a proud mom of a teenaged daughter. Ms. Melanie enjoys jammin’ out to all kinds of music, attending concerts, spending time outdoors, and being with her family.
Ms. Liz
Toddler 2 Assistant Guide
Toddler Classroom 2
(she/her) Ms. Liz is joining us as a Toddler 2 assistant after being a substitute with us and a summer camp teacher since 2024. She brings over 10 years of childcare experience and is currently continuing her education at CNM for her Child Development Certification. Ms. Liz grew up in northern New Mexico and her family lives nearby. She enjoys road trips, music, cultural events, and spending time with her family.
Aftercare
Ms. Giovanna
Toddler 2 & Aftercare Assistant Guide
(she/her) Ms. Giovanna is joining us as an assistant in Toddler 2 and Aftercare. She brings a nurturing presence for the children as she takes college courses in veterinary technologies and early childhood education. She resonates with the respect dynamic that Montessori offers to children and she strives to give children the autonomy to learn and grow into their own person. Ms. Giovanna is a colorful girly who loves learning about and working with children, plants, and animals. In her free time, she volunteers with Wildlife Rehab and spends time in nature!
Ms. Laura
Aftercare Lead Guide
(she/her) Ms. Laura is a nursing student at the University of New Mexico with a passion for working with children. With 7+ years of experience in childcare, She is dedicated to helping children explore, learn, and expand their perspectives on the world. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys painting, cooking, crocheting, and playing games with family.
Chapel Leaders
Mother Sylvia
Associate Rector
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
Sylvia Miller-Mutia (she/her) serves as part time assisting priest at St. Mark’s with a focus on outreach, evangelism, and family ministry. She has previously served as Rector of St. Thomas of Canterbury Episcopal Church in Albuquerque, NM (2015-2018), Assistant Rector at St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church in San Francisco, CA (2010-2015) and Pastoral Associate for Youth & Families at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Belvedere, CA (2002-2009). She is married to Donnel (grief counselor, couples coach, artist, best dad ever), and they have three awesome kids: Lucia, Johanna, and Alex.
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Sylvia holds a BFA in Ballet Performance from the University of Utah, an MA in Liturgy and the Arts from Pacific School of Religion, and Certificates of Anglican Studies and Theological Studies from Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley, CA. As a priest, dancer, and mother of three, she is passionate about inviting people of all ages to join in seeking the divine through worship, prayer, and practice that is embodied, sacramental, participatory, and inter-generational. Creation, creativity, and connection with family and friends are the gifts by which God nourishes, stretches and sustains her. You can learn more about Sylvia and explore various resources she’s created to support your spiritual growth at www.mothersylvia.com.
Deacon David
Deacon
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
David (he/him) grew up in Hannibal, Missouri. He attended the University of Kansas and lived in Kansas City, New York City, and Santa Fe before settling in Albuquerque. He has worked as an architect, interior designer, writer, waiter, bartender, male nanny (“manny”), and a church musician.
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David was ordained as a Vocational Deacon in June of 2017 and is happy to serve at St. Mark’s – a parish filled with diverse and wonderful people. As a married gay man, David knows how organized religion has made many people feel unwelcome at church or unworthy of God’s love. It is David’s mission to spread the true message of the Gospel: – that God’s mercy and love are available to everyone – regardless of how they identify, where they have been, or what they have done. David finds it especially important to impart these principles to youth. Through his position as our Director of Christian Education, David works to make sure every young person knows they are a blessed child of God and loved for exactly who they are.
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Having needed help through difficult times, David knows what being a part of a loving, supportive, spiritual community has done for him. He wants everyone to understand they can have the same experience.