The Desert Willow Classroom

Wendy Clary

3-5 Lead Teacher

Ms. Wendy was born in Brooklyn, New York. She later relocated here to New Mexico where she met her husband and started substituting for APS. She was eventually introduced to the Montessori Method and fell in love. Ms. Wendy received her National Center for Montessori Education (NCME) Primary Certification in Los Alamos, New Mexico. She is also a current member of the American Montessori Society (AMS), The Montessori Foundation, The New Mexico Montessori Network, and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Ms. Wendy has two daughters, and is a grandmother of four. In her free time, she enjoys leisurely reading, interior decorating, and fashion design.

Rosalba Jimenez

3-5 Assistant Teacher

Ms. Rosalba is from Costa Rica and studied Sociology before moving the the United States in 1998. Ms. Rosalba worked at Montessori of the Rio Grande in the toddler room. She then went to Academy Montessori and was the assistant in the 3-6 classroom. When Academy closed down, Ms. Rosalba came to Mountain View Montessori. Ms. Rosalba likes to travel and working with children.

The Juniper Classroom

Renee Sedillo

3-5 Lead Teacher

Ms. Renee was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She received her 3-6 certificate from the World Wide Montessori online training program. She also has her certificate in Early Care, Education and family support. Ms. Renee has been working for over 18 years as an assistant and lead teacher in toddler and 3-6 environments and absolutely loves it. She and her husband have been married for twenty years and have two wonderful sons. Both of her children attended Montessori schools and are now excelling academically. In her spare time, you can find Ms. Renee volunteering at her church.

Raven Medina

3-5 Assistant Teacher

Ms. Raven was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  She completed her secondary education at Sandia High school in 1999. Upon graduation, she decided to gain experience in the childcare field through babysitting and volunteering.  Working with children quickly become her passion.  She worked 10 years as a floater and aftercare teacher at Sandia Montessori School before they closed their doors.  She enjoys spending time with her family and 15 year old daughter.  They like to have movie nights and hang out with their dog Tade.

The Pinon Pine Classroom

Tammy Sexton

2-4 Lead Teacher

Ms. Tammy was born in Lovington, New Mexico. She has 2 adult sons.  Children have always had a very special place in her heart. She greatly enjoys taking care of them as well as the elderly. Ms. Tami has been teaching at MVM for over 7 years now and continues to use her kind, nurturing personality to lead the toddlers on their path to success. In her free time, Ms. Tami enjoys taking nature walks and watching football.

Aftercare Program

Emma Williams

3-5 Aftercare Teacher

Ms. Emma was born in Farmington, New Mexico.  She moved here to Albuquerque to attend the University of New Mexico and is currently majoring in sign language interpreting and mass communications and broadcast journalism.  Her passion for working with children started at a young age, while she was helping her mother at her preschool.  She enjoys helping and watching children’s minds grow as they take on the world.  In her free time she enjoys traveling and spending time with her friends and family.

Vanessa Jackson

2-4 Aftercare Teacher
Ms. Vanessa has 15 years experience as an early childhood educator. She grew a passion for teaching young children as she began working for head start and other daycare programs. During her time as a head start teacher, she received her CDC equivalent through CYFD. She has a great love for animals and has 6 dogs and a cat of her own. Horseback riding and playing the piano are some of her favorite things to do. Working at a Montessori school is new and has been a pleasant experience for her. She has been with MVM for almost a year now.

Substitutes

Barbara Sundby

Substitute Teacher

Ms. Barb was born in Santa Fe, NM but has lived in three different states, California, Arizona and New Mexico.  She enjoys meeting new people from all over the world.  Ms. Barbara has experience working at a Montessori School in Los Alamos and has spent 25 years at Zia Credit Union.  She has 2 grown children, a daughter and a son with 2 beautiful grandchildren and 1 great grandson.  Ms. Barbara loves helping and working with children.

Dina Urbina

Substitute Teacher

Administration

Erika Lugo

Director

Ms. Erika was born and raised in Ruidoso, New Mexico.  She came to Albuquerque in 2004 and attended college at the University of New Mexico, graduating with a Bachelors of Science in Special and Elementary Education.  In 2012, she began working at MVM in the aftercare program and quickly moved to a teacher assistant position in the 3-6 classroom.  There she fell in love with the Montessori philosophy and method and was eager to take the training to get certified.  While completing her Montessori certification, she had the opportunity to take on an administrator role for the school and then after 4 years decided to move to California.  She worked for a year at a Montessori preschool in Alhambra as a Director and then taught 1st-5th graders for 2 years at another Montessori school in Orange County.  After having her son in 2020 she decided to move back to New Mexico to be closer to family and became a stay at home mom before making the decision to return to Mountain View in 2022.  Erika enjoys going to the movies, vacationing with family and spending time at home with her son and 15 year old cat and dog.

 

Zina Nez

School Secretary

Ms. Zina has lived in New Mexico all her life and grew up in Sedillo, NM.  She has completed many Early Childhood Development courses and seminars throughout the years.  Zina has 3 adult children and 2 grandchildren.  She is involved in a women’s ministry at her church and is very thankful to be a part of the staff here at MVM.

Zina has lived in New Mexico all her life and grew up in Sedillo, NM.  She has completed many Early Childhood Development courses and seminars throughout the years.  Zina has 3 adult children and 2 grandchildren.  She is involved in a women’s ministry at her church and is very thankful to be a part of the staff here at MVM.