STAFF

Primary
Nicole Bossy-Meadows
Ms. Bossy has been an active member of Montessori Visions Academy since 1999 and is an Administrator and Early Childhood Coordinator. She is Montessori certified in the Infant/Toddler, Primary, and Elementary levels. Ms. Bossy holds a BA in Early Childhood Education with an emphasis in Montessori. She enjoys connecting with nature by doing yoga and exploring outside. She has a passion for working with children and loves implementing the Montessori Philosophy in all aspects of her life, including raising her 3 children.
Melina Garza
Melina Garza has worked with children of varying ages over the years prior to coming to Montessori Visions Academy. She enjoyed leading an after school program for middle school children where she focused on academic and enrichment activities. Her role included helping to provide children a safe and supportive place to learn, grow, and achieve, while offering the opportunity for children to develop skills, build mastery, and achieve in school and in life. She also worked as a Summer Camp Director for the Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada, featuring archery, confidence courses, art and crafts, hiking, backpacking, STEAM challenges, and campfire fun. Ms. Garza fell in love with Montessori when she learned about Montessori's five principals, inlcuding respect, helping children become independent thinkers, and helping children develop a positive attitude towards school. She is excited to bring her past experiences to support MVA in helping children build life skills to become their best selves, while also helping them build fluency in Spanish. Ms. Garza's hobby is cooking healthy and nutritious meals, which also includes healthy desserts. She loves to exercise and her interests are kickboxing, dancing, and strength training.
Isabel Garcia
Ms. Garcia was born and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil. She moved to the United States in 2006 and began working as a nanny until eventually discovering Montessori education. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Physiology and is a Montessori trained teacher. She has worked in a Montessori school for eleven years. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her son, cooking and doing crafts.
Leslie González
Ms. González was born in Sonora, Mexico, and moved to Las Vegas recently. She holds a Bachelor's degree in law and a Master's in oral judgment. She worked for many years as a lawyer in Mexico and even with child-related scenarios.
When she was young, she helped students at the school where her parents were the Principal and the PE teacher for over 15 years. She also spent many years working as a nanny.
She became interested in Montessori education when one of her nephews joined Montessori Visions Academy. She is happy to be part of a Montessori community and incorporate the Montessori philosophy into her daily life. In her free time, she likes to read and learn new things.
Lydia Hall
Mrs. Hall joined Montessori Visions Academy in 2012 and is a certified Montessori Infant/Toddler and Primary teacher. She studied in Arizona towards a BA in Psychology and a Minor in Music from the University of Arizona. She has worked with children since 1998, specializing in dance and gymnastics. She has worked with families of students with special needs and has spent time in Korea where she became fluent in the language. Mrs. Hall is an instructor for adults at Montessori Training of Southern Nevada. She is excited to raise her children in the Montessori philosophy.
Rachel Jensen
Rachel Jensen is a certified Montessori Primary Guide and has been teaching in Montessori classrooms since 2017 when she graduated from the Southwest Institute of Montessori Studies in Phoenix, Arizona. Rachel recently moved to Las Vegas from Scottsdale, Arizona where she has lived most of her life. She graduated from The University of Arizona with a BA in Psychology and Family Studies/Child Development. She spent time doing social work in behavioral and mental health, advocating for children and families in need of support before finding her way to Montessori education. This work has left her with a deep understanding for the importance of a positive Early Childhood experience, and enhanced her already empathetic, observant nature. She is dedicated to making a positive shift in the world and whole heartedly believes that through the Montessori philosophy, meeting each child where they are at, and providing a rich nurturing environment where learning and growth organically takes place, we make a strong impact on the lives of children and by extension, their families. Her passion for the Montessori Method is evident in every interaction she has with children of all ages.
Ms. Jensen is very excited to join Montessori Visions Academy and be a part of this wonderful authentic Montessori community! She is looking forward to settling in and making Las Vegas her new home. She loves reading, writing, nature, creating and designing, swimming, the ocean, and spending time with her cat, Kitty, and her partner, Bret!
Kayla Kirk
Mrs. Kirk is a Las Vegas native. She has a BA in Psychology from Boston University, is an IBCLC (Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant), and has worked with infants and children throughout her career. She was drawn to the Montessori method when she first studied educational philosophies during her undergraduate Child Development & Psychology courses and knew she wanted to join the Montessori community after having her own children. She enjoys hiking and camping with her husband and two children.
Esmeralda Marquez
Ms. Marquez was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. She is currently attending College of Southern Nevada to obtain her BA in Elementary Education and is a certified Montessori Early Childhood teacher. Ever since she could remember, she knew she wanted to be a teacher. Esmeralda is so excited to be at Montessori Visions Academy and to share her love of learning!
Karen Merino
Mrs. Merino started teaching Early Music Stimulation classes in 2001 in Mexico City at the Artene Institute, Sala Chopin, Music and Arts and Montessori Schools among others. She has a background in Child Psychology and Music Pedagogy and has taught other educators from all of Latin America at the Latin American Forum of Music Education (FLADEM). In the US, after becoming a mom to two amazing kids, she has worked in Early Intervention and ABA therapies, applying musical therapies and also taught a workshop to other ABA therapists and Child Development Resources in CA. Currently, she is collaborating with Child Abuse Prevention in California and Nevada. Her and her husband have created KIMET (Karen Iniciación Musical Estimulación Temprana) teaching once again, babies and parents, continuing her passion for kids, music and education. Mrs. Merino is excited to be teaching in a Montessori Spanish immersion classroom!
Nina Mousel
Mrs. Mousel was born and raised in Luxembourg, where she attended Technical Administration and Business School. During her schooling years she studied 13 years of French and German, currently she’s fluent in 5 languages. She loves traveling and experiencing different cultures, she’s visited 11 countries. Learning about early childhood psychology has always been her aspiration and she fell in love with the Montessori Philosophy at first sight. She always felt a deep connection to children, she loves teaching Montessori values and she feels she can make a significant difference in a child’s life. Teaching the French language according to the Montessori Philosophy at MVA has become her vocation and her true passion. Mrs. Mousel is certified in Montessori Early Childhood. Her favorite hobby is cooking French and Italian cuisine.
Kirsten Roes
Ms. Roes is both an educator and a 'creative inspirer'! From a very young age she loved helping children learn and grow. What drew her to teaching is her love of taking care of her younger siblings and teaching them. It all started when she helped teach her younger brother and sister to read. Since then she has gone on to study Elementary education, discovered Montessori and become a certified Montessori Primary teacher. In any spare time Ms. Roes has, she likes to sing, read books watch old and new movies, eat breakfast food for any meal anytime, visit museums or places she's never been and go on hikes.
Maryann Russell
Ms. Russell is a Las Vegas native, living and growing up in Nevada. She has been interested in the Montessori lifestyle and community since she learned about it and is so grateful for the education and independence it’s given her son. She is excited to learn with the children and express her love and appreciation of the Montessori philosophy. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Art from UNLV and has a business in Photography working with children and families and also is growing to love weddings! She is a Montessori Infant/Toddler and Primary certified teacher, she loves being a part of the family here at Montessori Visions. Along with learning and teaching the children, she is excited for them to teach her as well. In the last 6 years, Maryann has learned so much about the world around her because of Montessori. She truly loves every aspect of the community, philosophy and family.
Sofia Serrato
Mrs. Serrato was born and raised in San Jose, Costa Rica. She has a BA in Early Childhood Education with an emphasis in Bilingual Education and a minor in Special Education. She is a mother of three boys who she has been raising under the Montessori Philosophy and therefore, she decided to become a Montessori Certified Teacher in Infant/Toddler and Early Childhood. Mrs. Serrato is currently pursuing her Master of Education with an emphasis in Montessori. Some of her hobbies are running, yoga, hiking, travel, vegan food, and making memories with her family.