The Child who has felt a strong love for his surroundings and for all living creatures, who has discovered joy and enthusiasm in work, gives us reason to hope... hope for peace in the future.

Faculty

 

  Debbie Evans Warkentien – Head of School

Her love for children and passion for the Montessori Method of education inspired her to start the Rancho Viejo Montessori School in 1996. She received her Montessori early childhood certification from UCI and her elementary training through the North American Montessori Training center. She has raised two sons with the Montessori education and lifestyle. Miss Debbie believes her mission is to serve children and their families through Montessori. It is her delight to watch so many of her students succeed throughout their entire academic career.
  Rick Warkentien

Mr. Rick joined his wife Debbie at Rancho Viejo in 2000. They have two wonderful sons, Hunter 18 and Cole 16. In addition to his administrative duties, Mr. Rick enjoys working with the upper elementary and middle school students in physical education. “What I enjoy most is working with the children and seeing their smiling faces as they enter the door each morning.”
  Aileen Tuazon – Teacher, Children’s House

Miss Aileen is originally from the Philippines where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication and her Montessori Teacher Certification. This is her 18th year as a Montessori lead teacher and her third year at Rancho Viejo. Miss Aileen loves her class and believes that every child is unique. She enjoys being with the children and has a positive and fun style and admits that she learns from the children, too. Miss Aileen has received a number of awards for teaching and always looks forward to attending the yearly Montessori conference.
  Enoka Weerasuriya – Teacher, Children’s House

Miss Enoka grew up in Sri Lanka and has always strived to improve her education. In High School she participated in 22 extra curricular activities. Miss Enoka obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture from Aquinas University, in 1981 and her Montessori Teaching Certificate from Woodlands Training Center, in 1999. Miss Enoka has taught for 24 years - both at Aquinas University and in Montessori Schools. Her family came to California in 1999, and she took additional early childhood classes at Santa Ana College. Miss Enoka has been with our school for six years and believes teaching is the noblest profession. “Montessori is the best avenue because it gives the child the whole world.”
  Becky McLeod – Teacher, Children's House

Miss Becky was born and raised in California. At 16 she began working as a daycare supervisor at a Montessori school near her home in Villa Park. "I became fascinated with the ideas and materials behind the Montessori Method. A 6th grader taught me fractions using the materials. It made so much more sense than the way I was taught." She obtained her Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education at Fullerton and her Montessori Teaching Degree at AMI Montessori College in Santa Monica. Miss Becky taught at a Montessori school for ten years then started her own in-home Montessori school, which she had for six years. After taking some time off to be with her own two boys she is happy to be back in a real Montessori environment.
  Shah Adhami – Assistant Teacher, Children’s House

Miss Shah grew up in France and graduated from the University of Paris with a bachelor’s degree in Child Development and International Relations. She began teaching in a Montessori School in Paris in 1980. Miss Shah moved to the United States in 1990 and continued teaching in Montessori, always enriching her classrooms with lessons in French. She is entering her third year with our school and appreciates the order and structure of Montessori and loves working in such a peaceful and productive environment.
  Thashika Perera – Assistant Teacher, Children’s House

Miss Thashika was born and raised in Sri Lanka and attended Montessori School as a child. She has lived in California since 1993, receiving her early childhood education at Los Angeles Mission College. Miss Thashika has 20 years of experience in Montessori childcare education as lead teacher and assistant teacher and has been with Rancho Viejo for over 3 years. She attributes her passion for Montessori to the wonderful teachers she had growing up. Both her children attend RVMS.
  Ericka Kiss – Teacher, Beginner’s Class

As a child, Miss Ericka attended a Montessori school. Experiencing Montessori education first hand gave her the desire to help young children reach their full potential. Miss Ericka received her Bachelor of Science in Child Development from Cal State Fullerton in 2000 and her Montessori Infant Toddler teaching certificate from UCI in 2004. She has been a kind and loving teacher in our Beginner’s Class for over 8 years. 
  Sharon Olson – Teacher, Beginner’s Class

Miss Sharon has been a part of the Montessori community for 16 years, working in Children’s House and Lower Elementary before finding her true calling with Toddlers. “I love the Montessori philosophy ‘Follow the Child’. I’ve found they will always lead you where they need to be.” Miss Sharon has an Associates Degree in General Education from LA Valley College, and another AA in Interior Design from the Fashion Institute of Design. She then studied early childhood education including the Montessori Infant Toddler training at UCI.
  Talia Farber – Assistant Teacher, Beginner’s Class

When Miss Talia enrolled her toddler son at RVMS, she was impressed with the structure and beauty of the program. She remembers marveling that “all the children are at peace”. Miss Talia has a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science from Chapman University and her Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology, graduating Cum Laude from National University. She took her Montessori training at UCI and is starting her third year at the school.
  Iumi Urrego – Teacher, Lower Elementary

Like so many, it was Miss Iumi’s children who led her to discover Montessori. She never would have imagined that choosing our Montessori school for her children would lead her to fulfill her personal desire to work with children. “What I love most about Montessori is that it serves the needs of every child.” Miss Iumi holds a Bachelors of Arts in English Literature from Cal State LA. She received her AMS Montessori Elementary Teaching Credential in 2005. Miss Iumi has been a part of Rancho Viejo for over 6 years and looks forward to continuing her journey for a long time.
  Michael Dunkin – Assistant Teacher, Lower Elementary

Mr. Michael’s two passions in life are music and teaching. He earned his Bachelor of Music Degree at U. C. Irvine, studied conducting at Cal State Long Beach, completed his early childhood education at Irvine Valley College, and is working toward his teaching credential at Concordia University. Mr. Michael began teaching in a Montessori classroom in 1997 and has been with us since 2006. He has directed many children’s musicals and has formed and directed children’s choirs, including our own Children’s Chorus. Mr. Michael believes that “every child holds the potential to be a successful and productive citizen in our society.”
  DyAnn Parham – Assistant Teacher, Lower & Upper Elementary

DyAnn chose Montessori for her son, Logan, and enrolled him at Rancho Viejo in 2002. She immediately embraced the method and began volunteering at school wherever she could. She was delighted last year to work and train under Miss Iumi as an intern in the Lower Elementary class and is looking forward to another wonderful year. DyAnn’s formal training and experience is in business with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Pepperdine University and experience in the real estate industry. “I fell in love with Montessori and am thrilled to be a part of the Rancho Viejo family.”
  Ginifer Cole – Teacher, Upper Elementary

Miss Ginifer grew up on a small farm in Casper, Wyoming. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education and her Wyoming Teaching Credential from the University of Wyoming in 2003. She taught 6th grade there for a year before moving to Maui, where she obtained her Hawaii Teaching Credential and taught 6, 7 & 8 grades for 4 years. She married into a Montessori family and discovered her true calling saying she was “amazed at the quality of education Montessori provides.” Miss Ginifer joined us as a Montessori intern mid-term last year and just completed her Montessori Elementary training.
  Robin Cheney – Teacher, Middle School

Miss Robin joined Rancho Viejo Montessori School in January 1998, teaching first the lower elementary, upper elementary and now middle school. Montessori’s emphasis on real work and experiential learning attracted her to the philosophy. Miss Robin has a Bachelor of Arts in English, with a minor in Art History, from Cal Poly Pomona. She received her Montessori Certificate of Adolescent Studies in 2002 from NAMTA, studying at the Hershey Farm School in Ohio. Miss Robin has traveled to 21 countries and speaks 4 languages.
  Doug Nason – Science Teacher, Upper Elementary & Middle School

Mr. Doug holds a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and Biology from Cal Poly Pomona. He also has a California Science Teaching Credential. He has taught middle school science for many years and is entering his 5th year with us, teaching both science and art. Mr. Doug (aka Mr. Nye, the science guy) brings enthusiasm, creativity, and hands on science to our school. He has two children and volunteers his time at the United Methodist Church in RSM.