Mrs. Dawn - Primary 1 Head Guide

Fun Facts: My parents and I are from Colorado, and I have lived in the Denver area for the last six years. I have also lived in California, South Australia, and Namibia. I moved to beautiful Roxborough Park last summer. I love baking, reading, traveling, camping and hiking with my partner James and dog, Roxy. 

Teaching has always been my first love. I have more than ten years of teaching experience and completed my Master’s in Early Childhood Special Education in December 2017. 

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with you and your child in this year's learning adventures. My priorities are helping your child meet his learning goals and helping your child to enjoy the learning experience. Every child deserves to meet her learning potential and to love learning. 

Mrs. Jun - Primary 1 Assistant Guide

My name is Jun. I immigrated to the States from China in 1995. I have been married for more than 25 years to my husband. I have a daughter, Connie, who graduated from the University of Minnesota and a son, Kevin, who is also in college! I have worked at this school since 2006. In the beginning, I worked only two to three days a week as a floater because our kids were so young. In 2012, I started working with Ms. Laura as her assistant for three years and have been in the Primary 1 community since then. Through these years, I have learned a lot from each Head Guide and from participating in lots of workshops. I love the Montessori method, and I love every single child. ​

Mrs. Kabita - Primary 1 Assistant Guide

Hi! My name is Kabita Gyawali. I have been working at Centennial Montessori since April of 2008. I used to prepare food for the children as the kitchen manager, but I am now an assistant in the classroom. I was born and raised in Nepal and attended college at Tribhuvan University for my Bachelors in Economics. I worked for the government of Nepal in the Agriculture Development Office as a junior technician for almost 13 years before moving to the US in 2006. I am married and have two wonderful children. I work at Centennial Montessori because I love children and love providing them the help they need as they grow at such an important time of their lives. ​

Ms. Nicole -Primary 1 Assistant Guide

Hello! My name is Nicole Roschbach and I have been working in a classroom with children since 2013. I started as a teaching assistant in a general education classroom. Recently, I have been working with children with special needs in a classroom and building programs for the children and their families. I am currently going to graduate school to receive my Master's in Early Childhood Special Education.  I live at home with my boyfriend and Great Dane, Max. We love to hike, camp, ski and enjoy a good movie. I am thrilled to be joining the Primary 1 team! 

Mrs. Natalie - Primary 2 Head Guide

I have been working as a lead Montessori teacher for almost a decade now and have a degree in Early Childhood Education as well as obtained my Early Childhood credential through Santa Monica Montessori Institute. I absolutely love spending my days watching children discover life and all of its wonders! I took a small break from teaching when I moved from Chicago to Colorado so that I could fully immerse myself in all this colorful state has to offer. On any given weekend, you can find me in the mountains or on a lake! I have a yoga background and was so proud of the afterschool yoga classes for intercity schools I rolled out in Chicago. I love to incorporate body awareness and breathing techniques into my daily lessons as well as being a big advocate of health through food!  I am so excited to be back in the classroom and a part of this beautiful family here at Centennial Montessori and look forward to meeting all of you!   ​

Ms. Jerrie - Primary 2 Assistant Guide

Hello! My name is Jerrie! I was born in Dover, Delaware, but I’ve lived in a lot of different places. I finally settled in Colorado about 13 years ago, and now I live in Aurora with my one year-old son and our two cats. I’ve spent about three years working with kindergartners as well as an aftercare program with children aged five to ten years old. I’ve always had a passion for working with kids, and I love watching them learn and grow! I’m very excited to learn more about the Montessori way of caring for children, especially now that I have one of my own. I hope to learn lots of new things and implement some Montessori learning into my own home. If I’m not busy being a mom or doing schoolwork, I love to crochet or read whenever I get a free moment! I also really enjoy watching hockey, or hiking with my son, and I’m currently working on writing a novel.

Ms. Ana - Primary 2 Assistant Guide

Hello my name is Ana I’m originally from Mexico but Colorado has been my home for most of my life. I started my career in early childhood education in 2007 and got certified shortly after. I also received my Child Development Associate Credential in 2018.
Outside of the classroom I enjoy spending time with my son and exploring the wonders and beauty that our state has to offer. Teaching brings me great joy and my goal at Centennial Montessori is to bring a safe and nurturing environment where children can grow & thrive. 

Ms. Mai - Primary 3 Head Guide

​My name is Mai Her. I'm originally from California but fell in love with the beauty of Colorado's mountains! In 2016, I obtained my Bachelor degree in Psychology at Chico State University in California. I have experience working with special needs children, supporting them with social skills and academic skills. In addition, I have worked as an assistant coordinator and as an assistant director of before and after school programs with primary kids. Besides working with children, I have also worked with low-income first generation students, providing them with academic advising as well as college resources. No matter where my career path takes me, I always seem to end up where it makes me the happiest, surrounded by little ones. I believe that every child has great ideas and potentials, and we as adults are there to only help them put it into action. "Help me to do it myself."

Mrs. Rita - Primary 3 Assistant Guide

Hi! My name is Rita Gyawali. I was born and raised in Nepal. In 2011, I immigrated to Colorado with my husband. That is when I started my journey here at Centennial Montessori. It has been a great experience to see children grow each and every day. The children are so full of happiness and joy. In my free time, I love spending time with my husband and three beautiful children.

Ms. Htoo - Primary 3 Assistant Guide

Hello, my name is Htoo Paw. I was born and raised in Mae LA Refugee camp in Thailand. I came to Denver, Colorado with my family when I was 10 years old in 2008. I graduated high school from Denver Center for International Studies in 2015. I ventured out to Pueblo to find my callings soon after. There I discovered that I love working with children. I completed my CDA and became a lead teacher working with children ages 3 to 5 years old. Family and life brought me back to Aurora. I am an adventurous person and love trying new activities and food. I like to go hiking, fishing, and being outdoors during my free time. I also love music and singing. I am very excited to be a part of the Centennial Montessori as a teacher assistant and continue my career. ​

 Ms. Kathy - Primary 3 Assistant Guide

​Hello! My name is Kathy Bell. I have experience both as an intern and an employee in child care facilities. I am so happy to be back to working with one of my favorite populations, children!
I received my Masters Degree in Social Work from Colorado State University and have worked for over a decade in various settings including mental health and hospice.
After spending the past 14 years raising my children and caring for my family, I am now very excited to be taking on the role of being an assistant teacher!
I like to garden, camp and spend time with my family.
I live with my husband Carter, son Roman (14), daughter Lucia (12) and two pugs, Ruby and Star

Mrs. Kristin School Wide Float

Hello! My name is Kristin Prescott and I am excited to be the new assistant in the Primary 1 classroom. I am from central Illinois and a U of I alumni. My husband Sam, our cavapoo Mia, and I moved to Centennial from Chicago a little over a year ago. We are enjoying our first yard and garden. Most recently I worked as an assistant in lower elementary at a Montessori school downtown. Although I will miss it, I'm very excited to work with the Primary age group and be able to ride my bike to school! I can still remember much from my own Montessori years. I can't wait to join in the fun and help guide the kids as they discover and grow. A little more about me: I am also a yoga and kettlebell instructor. I worked all over Chicago for 8 years after ditching the corporate scene to be a "city hippy". I ran a small SUP (Stand-Up Paddleboard) company on the side and spent many summers on Lake Michigan and hosting SUP yoga and events. I still have a few boards and am excited to see what unfolds here. I enjoy many kinds of movement. Hiking and climbing have been my new Colorado favorites. I taught kids yoga for Chicago schools ages K-8th the past 3 years and realized how much I missed working with children. I recently got my formal kids yoga certification and want to implement some classes (and test out my puppets!). If I'm not at school I'm usually camping, decorating/crafting, or studying yoga. I look forward to getting to know and be a part of the Centennial Montessori Community!

Ms. Courtney - School Wide Float

My name is Courtney. I graduated with a BA in psychology and philosophy from UCCS. I've been working with kids for about 7 years in all different kinds of settings. I'm native to Colorado and love hiking, paddle boarding, boating and camping with my dog Tayla.