Elementary

Lower Elementary I:

Erika Lasmarias is originally from Canada and comes to TRS with three years of Montessori teaching experience. she attained her B.A. in French and B.Ed. in French Elementary Education, prior to moving to the Bay Area. Erika is a certified AMI Elementary guide and is completing her M.Ed. in Montessori Integrative Learning. She has always wanted to be a teacher, ever since she was a young child. When she is not teaching, Erika enjoys scrapbooking, bike riding, cooking, singing and playing musical instruments. This is Erika's 2nd year at TRS.

Nancy Wentworth grew up in San Francisco.  She taught six years as a primary guide before moving to Maryland to become an Elementary Guide.  Nancy taught in Oregon for three years before moving back to the Bay Area. She has a B.S. from the University of San Francisco in organizational behavior.  This is Nancy’s 5th year at TRS.

Ramiro Ruiz was born in Colombia. He received a B. A. in Philosophy and Literature from the University Pontificates Bolivariana.  He is also a specialist in Educational Planning and Personalized Education. He has taught at the university and high school level. He also worked as a school superintendent and assistant principal. He is currently enrolled in an AMI Elementary Montessori training program.This is Ramiro’s 4th year at TRS.

Lower Elementary II:

Delphine Bize was born in Paris, France and lived there until the age of eight. She then moved to California with her family and attended the Lycee Francais La Perouse in San Francisco. Delphine has a B.A. in History from Arizona State University. Since she graduated, Delphine has been working with children as an after school French teacher and as a Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes clinician. She also speaks fluent Spanish, and loves music, traveling and hiking. This is Delphine's 2nd year at TRS.

Ruth Castaneda is a credentialed Elementary School and Special Education teacher from Mexico. She is a Speech Therapist for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired and is an Interpreter in Mexican Sign Language.  She has a master’s degree in Educational Research from the Center for Pedagogical and Social Investigations in Jalisco, Mexico. Ruth has 23 years experience as a teacher in Mexico. She is currently enrolled in an AMI Elementary Montessori training program. This is Ruth’s 9th year at TRS.

Wellington Franklin Pontes Filho is from Fortaleza, Brazil. Wellington received a degree in Business Administration and a degree in Education with emphasis on Math from the Universidade Estadual do Ceara. He also has a degree in Special Education,  specializing in the hearing-impaired from the Universidade Estadual Vale do Acarau in Brazil. Wellington taught elementary through high school students for five years before coming to the U.S.  Since arriving, Wellington has completed the AMI Montessori training in Mountain View as well as an  AMI Elementary Montessori training program. Wellington has two sons at TRS. This is Wellington’s 6th year at TRS.

Upper Elementary:

Juan Antonio Valdez is an Elementary Montessori guide from Mexico. He received his AMI certificate in 1999 from Centro de Estudios de Educación Asociación Montessori Internacional. He also has a degree in computer programming. He worked at Vasco de Gama Montessori Elementary School in Acapulco and other schools for nine years before moving to the Bay Area. This is Juan Antonio’s 4th year at TRS.

Nathalie Colin, holds an AMI French primary guide diploma.  Nathalie comes from Paris, France where she worked for seven years in a bilingual school as a “traditional” teacher. Nathalie also holds an AMI Elementary Guide certificate..  A graduate of Sorbonne University in English literature, she likes reading, knitting, cross stitch and singing.  This is Nathalie’s 6th year at TRS.

Nathalie Hites returned to the Bay Area after living in Belgium and Brazil for ten years, and joined the Elementary team at TRS.  She brought with her a background in science, including a master’s in Biology, five years of research toward a doctorate, and a love of the arts.  She also  holds an AMI Elementary Guide certificate.   Nathalie also enjoys any activity which takes her into nature and spending time with her two sons, both of whom attend TRS.

Additional Montessori Support for Elementary

Lisa Maruna is an AMI certified Montessori guide from Chicago, Illinois. She received her Primary training in Mountain View, California. Lisa holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Columbia College in Chicago. She previously worked as a Montessori guide and taught English in Japan, prior to joining TRS. This is Lisa's 2nd year at TRS.