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.
Claire Byrne
Claire Byrne graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a Minor in Linguistics from Michigan State University in 2011, and a Master of Arts in Speech Pathology from the University of Iowa in 2013. She has practiced as a Speech-Language Pathologist with children and adults across the lifespan, with a particular interest in working with children and their families. She first became interested in Montessori when her oldest daughter was entering preschool, and admires the work ethic, independence, and ordered environment that Montessori emphasizes. She decided to become a Montessori certified primary teacher to expand her skillset in working with young children. Ms. Byrne also enjoys working as a fitness instructor for moms, and enjoys travel, dance, aerial arts, and jigsaw puzzles.
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 certified Early Childhood 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 Early Childhood 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.
Lily Hurley
Ms. Hurley attended Dixie State University towards a BS in History and Art. She has experience working at a children’s museum, helping children explore history and science. The opportunity for children to learn hands-on and explore at their own pace are some of Ms. Hurley’s favorite concepts in Montessori. She is excited to watch her daughter attend MVA and learn to be a creative and independent thinker. Ms. Hurley enjoys going on hikes and spending time outdoors.
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.
Ashley Owens
Ashley Owens is a Las Vegas native who has years of experience in customer service and administration. While practicing her own goals of peace and growth through yoga and self-discovery, she learned about the Montessori philosophy. Through additional exploration, she realized that educating children in the Montessori way met with her own personal values and decided to pursue a career as a Montessori teacher. One of her favorite premises in Montessori is that children are capable if they are given opportunities to be independent and responsible. Ms. Owens enjoys art, crafts, crocheting, nature and gardening.
Madison Patrick
Ms. Patrick was raised in the Las Vegas Green Valley community. She has a passion for supporting creative thinking, with experience in caring for newborns to 8 years. She believes that the Montessori way of teaching is such an essential form of education that is still not assimilated in schools today. Being a part of the future development of youth brings joy to Madison as a young individual herself who sees a lack of community in the youth around her.
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.
Mariah Smith
Ms. Smith originates from Cincinnati and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music from the University of Evansville. She worked for many years as a nanny caring for children of all ages, including children with special needs. She appreciates the Montessori goal of allowing children to learn at their own pace and the freedom it offers to children. In her spare time, she enjoys being in nature, attending concerts, and playing video games.
Sara Reynoso
Mrs. Reynoso was a professional accountant in Mexico. She followed her heart to Las Vegas where she lives with her husband and son. Ever since her son was born, she has been learning about Montessori in order to help strengthen her son's growth, development, and self awareness to help him be an independent person. This led her to take courses in Montessori education in order to apply her knowledge at home. With her new knowledge, Mrs. Reynoso practices positive discipline and strongly believes that there is no better way than Montessori to nurture and educate your child, starting at home. She is continuing to further expand her knowledge in Montessori and hopes to help other families with respectful parenting.