Our Team

Our teachers, also known as Guides, are professional educators. They are dedicated to authentic Montessori education, the administration and staff at Smart Start Montessori are compassionate, highly trained, talented, and love working with children.

  • Catherine Mathis

    Our Director (AMI Primary Lead Guide)

    Graduated from The Bahamas Hotel Training College and Florida International University with a degree in Hotel Management. She also has a degree in Early Childhood Education.

    She is AMI Montessori Trained Primary Guide (3-6) from the Montessori Institute of North Texas (MINT), and she is AMI Elementary (6-12] trained from the Southwest Institute of Montessori Studies (SIMS) in Arizona.

    She has been working with children for 20 years.

  • Mrs. Ashley Mathis

    AMI Toddler Lead Guide

    Mrs. Hufford graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She received her Primary (3-6) diploma from the Montessori Teachers Training Institute in Dallas. She holds her AMI Assistants to Infancy (0-3) diploma from the Montessori Institute of North Texas (MINT).

    She has worked as a Primary and Toddler guide at Smart Start Montessori School for 8 years.

  • Mrs. Shereece Cordeiro

    AMI Lead Elementary Guide

    Mrs. Cordeiro graduated from Ashford University Global Campus with a degree in Early Childhood Education and a specialty in Administration.

    She holds her AMI Elementary (6-12) diploma from Southwest Institute of Montessori Studies (SIMS) in Arizona

    She has been working with children since 2006 as a lead preschool teacher. She joined Smart Start Montessori in 2021.

  • Ms. Monica De Los Santos

    Spanish Teacher

    Mrs. Monica De Los Santos graduated from the College Hispano Americano with her Bachelor's Degree in Administration and accounting.

    She has been working with children for 11 years. In March 2023, she completed the “Introduction to Language in a Montessori Classroom” workshop. She teaches Spanish and assists in all areas of the school.

    She joined Smart Start Montessori School in 2019.

  • Ms.Genesis Robles

    Assistant to Mrs. Mathis

    Ms.Genesis Robles holds the Montessori Core Principles Certificate from the Montessori Institute of North Texas (MINT) in Dallas.

    She joined Smart Start Montessori in February of 2023.

  • Ms. Sita Bazinga

    Assistant Teacher

    Mrs. Sita Bazinga has a Degree in Early Child Education (ECE). She holds the Montessori Core Principles Certificate from the Montessori Institute of North Texas (MINT) in Dallas.

    She joined Smart Start Montessori in February 2023.

  • Mrs. Mariame Diessongo

    Assistant Teacher

    Mrs. Mariame joined Smart Start Montessori in January 2019. She has worked with infants and toddlers for 5 years and believes in the principles of Montessori teaching.

  • Mrs. Esther Fosua Danso

    Assistant to Mrs. Hufford

    Mrs.Danso has a degree in Integrated Developmental Studies (Social and Development Administration Option). She holds the Montessori Core Principles Certificate from the Montessori Institute of North Texas (MINT) in Dallas.

    She joined Smart Start Montessori in January 2020.