Toddler

Teacher: Kelly Banner

Years as an Educator: since 2016
Education: BGS, Texas Woman's University, Montessori Certification
Experience: Prior to working at MCDS I was a Sales Director for a power-sports company for 12 years. I found my true passion for working with children when leading a Forest School for ages 2-8. I’m excited to be at MCDS where I can use my combined experience in the classroom.
Family: I live with my husband and three children. We have a dog named Gary and chickens.
Enjoys: Spending time with my husband and children. I love nature and being outdoors. I also enjoy shopping and going to the movie theater.

Teacher: Rupika Lewis

Years as an Educator: since 1983
Education: Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education, AMS Montessori Certification.
Experience: Montessori teaching experience since 1993.
Family: Married with 2 kids
Enjoys: Reading, crafting, cooking, and baking

Teacher: Fatima Mercado

Years as an Educator: since 2018
Education: Majoring in Bilingual Early Childhood Education
Experience: I have been teaching and working with a variety of age groups such as infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and second graders since 2013.
Family: I live with my wonderful boyfriend since 2019 & our adorable german shepherd/great pyrenees puppies. I was born & raised in Plano, TX & now reside in Las Colinas, TX.
Enjoys: Exploring restaurants/new foods, traveling, exercising, spending time with friends and family.

Teacher: Kristen Carpenter

Years as an Educator: since 2013
Education: AMI Montessori Certification
Experience: Montessori education experience since 2013
Family: Married with 4 wonderful children
Enjoys: Enjoys spending time with family, exploring new restaurants, reading and cooking

Teacher: Sami Windham

Years as an Educator: since 2018
Education: Bachelors of Science in Child Development and Family Studies
Experience: I have many years of experience working with infants and toddlers through high schoolers. Some of my educational time was also spent working with preschools around the world to assist in performing developmental assessments in their classrooms. Prior to teaching at MCDS, I worked in a Montessori environment for 3 years.
Enjoys: Spending time with family and friends, being outdoors, exercising, and eating really good food.

Teacher: Klebbie Wood

Years as an Educator: Since 2015
Education: Degree in Business Administration
Experience: Before transitioning to education, I worked for eight years at the Secretary of Hydrocarbons in Bolivia. I discovered my passion for teaching young children while serving as the Lead Teacher at Alpha Montessori School in Frisco.
Family: I have a wonderful family that includes my husband, three children, and our dog, Archie.
Enjoys: I am passionate about working out, listening to music, dancing, and outdoor adventures with my husband and kids. I also love playing with them, laughing, and going shopping.

Primary

Teacher: Anne Orcutt

Years as an Educator: since 1997
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Communications, University of Alabama, Major in Advertising, Minor in Marketing, Montessori Certification
Experience: Montessori teaching experience since 1997
Family: Married since 1985, mother of 2 children with 3 grandchildren
Enjoys: Travel, jogging, cooking, Alabama Football (Roll Tide)

Teacher: Manisha Shah

Years as an Educator: since 1995
Education: Bachelor of Science (Microbiology) from Bhavnagar University, India, Pre-Primary Teacher's Training (India), Montessori Certification
Experience: Teaching experience including Montessori & traditional classrooms since 1995
Family: Happily married since 1985. Mother of a daughter who is a Physician & specializes in Infectious Diseases
Enjoys: Spending time with family and friends, traveling all around the world, reading, cooking and walking for fitness

Teacher: Neelam Bathe

Years as an Educator: since 2011
Education: BA Economics, Montessori certification (American Montessori Society)
Experience: Working with primary age group children in a Montessori environment since 2011. Worked in Human resourcing for 8 years.
Family: Married since 2002, mother of a sweet teen daughter and a dog mom
Enjoys: Spending time with family and friends. I also enjoy shopping, traveling and cooking.

Teacher: Grace Hall

Years as an Educator: since 2022
Education: Emergency Medical Technician, currently training in the Montessori Method
Experience: Worked with children in a variety of settings, as a nanny, as a camp leader and for many years in my church.
Family: Single with 2 rabbits and a lizard
Enjoys: Outdoor activities and fitness

Teacher: Hannah Ferris

Years as an Educator: since 2016
Education: Montessori Certification in Early Childhood, 3-6 years old.
Experience: 6 years of working in the Montessori classroom, 1 year working with children with learning difficulties.
Family: Two brothers and three sisters.
Enjoys: I love spending time with my family, reading, and being outside.

Teacher: Zoe Fuller

Years as an Educator: since 2011
Education: Worked in Montessori schools with children of various age levels.
Experience: Worked in Montessori schools with children of various age levels.
Family: Married to a wonderful husband and we have two dogs named Stormy and Cinder.
Enjoys: I enjoy spending my time gardening, camping, shopping, seeing plays, watching movies, and video/board game competitor.

Teacher: Debbie Becker

Years as an Educator: since 2011
Experience: Experienced in working with children of all ages and working as an office assistant.
Family: I live with my husband and little Shorkie named “Misty”. I have three grown children and six grandchildren.
Enjoys: I enjoy spending time with family, watching my grandchildren in their activities. I love the outdoors, hanging with friends and shopping.

Teacher: Rupal Bhagat

Years as an Educator: 8 years (since 2016)
Education: Montessori Certification - American Montessori Society Electronics Engineering - P. V. Polytechnic Mumbai, India.
Experience: As a dedicated Montessori guide, I have eight years of experience in nurturing and educating young minds according to the Montessori philosophy. I am committed to continuing my journey in Montessori education, fostering environments where children can thrive and reach their fullest potential.
Family: I am married and have two daughters. My youngest daughter is in the MBA program at UT Dallas, and my oldest daughter, Rajvi, is a dentist doing her residency in pediatric dentistry in New York.
Enjoys: I enjoy spending time with my husband and daughters. I love nature and being outdoors, particularly gardening, working out, and cooking different cuisines.

Elementary

Teacher: Celine Dinh

Years as an Educator: since 2000
Education: American Montessori Society, Teacher Certified. Montessori Teacher and Training Instructor Certifications (MACTE)
Experience: Montessori Primary and Elementary teacher since 2002 and MACTE Teacher Trainer since 2018.
Family: I have been happily married to my husband for 26 years now. Together we have a college graduate son, a high school senior daughter, and 2 lovely dogs.
Enjoys: Spending quality time with family and friends. I also love traveling around the world for great adventures and memories with my daughter.

Support Staff

Teacher: Rachel Ames

Years as an Educator: since 2003
Education: Association Montessori Internationale, Primary Certified
Experience: Experience working with all ages, including toddler, primary, and lower elementary. Also, experience as a school director for several years. Presently a lead teacher with the primary age group.
Family: Married with one son born in 2010
Enjoys: Exercise, health/fitness, traveling and spending time with family

Teacher: Katy Teter

Years as an Educator: since 2005
Education: Early Childhood Education Certified
Experience: Currently training in the Montessori Method
Family: Married with 2 amazing sons. I’m Raeylyn’s nana!
Enjoys: Spending time with my family.

Directors

Enrollment Director: Whitney Ball

Years as an Educator: since 2001
Education: BA Elementary and Special Education, Washington State University, Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education, Eastern Michigan University
Experience: 16 years as an elementary teacher, 1 year as Admissions Director, 5 years as Principal of Evergreen Academy Elementary School
Family: Married since 2008, two children and one ill-behaved beagle
Enjoys: Travelling, trying new recipes, golfing, college football and spending time with friends and family

Financial Director: Audrie Martinez

Years as an Educator: Worked with the Head Start Program for a year
Education: Attending Center for Guided Montessori Studies (CGMS) for Leadership IMC Certification, MACTE. Attending Liberty University for M. Ed. Leadership. BA Child and Family Studies, American Military University
Experience: 15 years in the U.S. Army including 2 years in Operations over Cyber School of Excellence, Fort Gordon, GA and 2 years in Operations over Basic Officer Leadership Course, Fort Sill, OK
Family: 7 nephews, 10 nieces, 3 brothers and 2 sisters
Enjoys: Spending time with family, reading, cooking, crafts

Head Director: Geneva Jones

Years as an Educator: since 2003
Education: BA in K-12 Music Education, American Montessori Society (Primary 3-6)
Experience: Primary age classroom teacher and Montessori school director, music teacher in Montessori schools, accompanist, private piano teacher and studio owner
Family: Husband and 2 daughters
Enjoys: Coffee, dance parties, spending time outside, baking

Office

Administrative Virtual Assistant: Lian Orphilla

Education: BS in Business Administration - Major: Computer Science
Experience: Was a Tech Support Rep for Dell, Sprint & Netgear since 2004-2011; was a Project Coordinator for Auditca(Accounting Software project) in Pasadena, US; Currently as a General Virtual Assistant since 2012
Family: Married since 2004 with 2 wonderful boys
Enjoys: Netflix with kids, beach, videoke & playtime with kids.

Director: Leslie Jenkins

Years at Montessori Country Day School: 3
Years as an Educator: 14
Education: Attended University of Texas at Dallas for childhood learning and development
Experience: Worked in the Montessori environment for 13 years, hands on in the classroom for 4 years, and in managerial positions for 9 years.
Family: Married, live in Bartonville with our family of 5.
Enjoys: Spending time with family, organizing and decorating, being outdoors.

Owners

Owner: Bill Vesterman

Years as an Educator: since 1999
Education: BA Economics, Harvard, 1991, involved in Montessori since 2006
Experience: Education experience includes K-12 Administration and Montessori training, business experience includes Wall Street firms, international firms (Hong Kong), Fortune 50 firms, small businesses, military experience includes 2 tours in Iraq with US Marine Corps Infantry
Family: Married since 2008
Enjoys: Spending time with family, friends, Veterans, runners, triathletes, and watching movies.

Owner: Lisa Vesterman

Years as an Educator: since 2008
Education: BA in Communications from San Diego State University, Studied Montessori Education
Experience: Current Residential Real Estate Agent, worked in the Real Estate Industry for 30 years
Family: Married since 2008
Enjoys: Cooking, gardening, horseback riding and DIY projects, love spending time with family and friends, especially if it involves the beach or water sports.