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Administration
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Monica N. LePort - Chief Operating Officer
Since joining LePort Schools in 2000, Ms. LePort has been running the operations of all the campuses. Her duties include human resources, facility management, liaising with parents, and daily operations. With her supportive leadership style and commitment to excellence, Ms. LePort has helped LePort Schools become one of the leading educational institutions in Orange County.
Ms. LePort's enthusiasm for education, and life in general, has created a safe and caring environment where parents are pleased with their children's learning and social development. This environment also makes for a satisfying workplace for our teachers, who are committed to both LePort Schools and the Montessori philosophy.
E-Mail: MLePort@LePortSchools.com
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Lindsay Journo - Mission Viejo Head of School
Mrs. Journo received her Honors B.A. and B.Ed. from York University, and her Honors Specialist Certification in the Teaching of English from the University of Toronto. Before joining LePort Schools in 2003, Mrs. Journo worked as an administrator and teacher of English and history at private schools in Toronto, Canada, where she specialized in writing curriculum, leading teacher training workshops, and creating classroom resources.
E-Mail: LJourno@LePortSchools.com
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Lucia Tompkins - Irvine (Lake) Head of School
Mrs. Tompkins has been an integral part of the Montessori community in Orange County since 1972. She has first hand knowledge and experience in AMI school administration and classroom management. Mrs. Tompkins received her Montessori Primary Diploma from the Montessori Institute of Los Angeles. After teaching for over 20 years, she operated her own Montessori school in Orange County.
E-Mail: LTompkins@LePortSchools.com
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Jennifer Williams - Irvine (San Marino) Acting Head of School
Ms. Williams was first introduced to Maria Montessori’s method in college while assisting an AMI teacher in a lower elementary classroom. Throughout her college career, Ms. Williams continued to work as an assistant at both the primary and elementary levels. Inspired and curious she then became motivated to pursue her certification. Ms. Williams received her AMI Primary Diploma from the Montessori Education Center of Arizona in 1999. She also holds a B.S. in Speech and Language Pathology from Arizona State University.
Ms. Williams possesses a deep admiration and appreciation for the Montessori Method, believing that it is very fulfilling to help children develop, acquire knowledge, and build character.
E-Mail: JWilliams@LePortSchools.com
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Janine Miller - Yorba Linda Head of School
Mrs. Miller has been a Montessori teacher since 1987. She attended the Montessori Institute of Los Angeles and the International Montessori Institute in Sage, California. In addition, Mrs. Miller completed her Montessori Infant Toddler training and administrative certificate at UCLA in 1993.
Mrs. Miller began her teaching career in Manhattan Beach, California. She was given the opportunity to open a new Montessori School in Rancho Palos Verdes, California in 1993. Teaching has always been a very important part of Mrs. Miller’s life. She feels privileged to work with families to help young children develop intellectually, socially, and emotionally.
In her spare time Mrs. Miller volunteers with Meals on Wheels, helps stray animals, and enjoys spending time with her husband restoring their historic home. Mrs. Miller is the Administrative Director at our Yorba Linda campus.
E-Mail: JMiller@LePortSchools.com
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Kathy Davidson - Huntington Beach Administrative Director
Ms. Davidson is from Minnesota and has been an educator, teaching both lower and upper elementary students, since 1997. She completed her B.S. in Elementary Education at UWRF in River Falls, WI in 1996. Her philosophy of education led her to become a Montessori teacher; she obtained her M.A. AMS ages 6-12 certification from The Center of Contemporary Montessori Programs in St. Paul, MN. Ms. Davidson is passionate about making a difference in each child's life.
Ms. Davidson has experience in various leadership positions. This prompted her to further her education through an ED.D. Educational Leadership and Administration program. Outside of school, her interests include camping, running, horseback riding, gardening, writing, reading, and spending time with her daughter. Ms. Davidson is the Administrative Director at our Huntington Beach Campus.
E-Mail: KDavidson@LePortSchools.com
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Alan Alsworth - Finance Administrator
Mr. Alsworth has been with LePort Schools since 2000. He is responsible for payroll/accounting/billing and general financial operations. Mr. Alsworth studied Business Administration while attending North Country Community College.
Prior to working at LePort Schools, he was in the medical billing field for 12 years. He then went on to pursue a career in law enforcement. He attended Syracuse University to study law enforcement for major crimes investigation, as well as other schools where he gained his credentials in criminal forensics. Originally from New York State, Mr. Alsworth moved to California in 1988. While in New York he was a major crime Investigator for over 20 years. Mr. Alsworth enjoys golf, auto racing, and going to the gym.
E-Mail: AAlsworth@LePortSchools.com
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Gail Cosby – Director of Administrative Operations – Montessori Division
Ms. Cosby has been an administrator with LePort Schools since 2007. Her responsibilities include supporting the Chief Operating Officer and Montessori Academic Director, as well as assisting families and staff at the San Marino campus. While her education and background is in business and accounting, she appreciates and admires the Montessori approach to educating children. After joining LePort, Ms. Cosby returned to school to obtain her ECE credentials at Vanguard University in Orange County, California. She also frequently attends Childhood Education and AMI conferences to further her own education.
Ms. Cosby enjoys being with her family, hosting frequent gatherings for friends, dirt-bike riding, and spending weekends at the ranch riding horses. Ms. Cosby is the Director of Administrative Operations – Montessori Division.
E-Mail: GCosby@LePortSchools.com
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Judi Chimits - Marketing and Special Events Coordinator
Before having children, Judi worked as a publication coordinator and in the field of public relations. Long interested in early education, Judi entered Vanguard University to obtain her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology (emphasis in Human Development) in 2000, graduating in 2001. Still dissatisfied with the developmental philosophies she had learned in college, she began to study different methods of education—when she discovered the Montessori method. Judi joined LePort Schools in 2003, with the purchase of our Irvine (Lake) campus.
After witnessing firsthand the benefits of a Montessori education for her daughter, Judi began to realize what a tremendous opportunity the philosophy offered. She transferred to the Mission Viejo campus in 2007, working in the Administrative Offices.
Judi enjoys spending time with her husband of 15 years, Bob, and her daughters (both LePort students)! She can most often be found riding her bike, reading, camping, shopping, or shuttling her children to a variety of activities. Judi is also a Girl Scout leader, and coordinates several activities throughout the year to support the U.S. Marines serving around the world.
E-Mail: JChimits@LePortSchools.com
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Andy Robles - Administrative Support/Facilities Manager, Mission Viejo
Andy has been with LePort since January of 2009. Before joining LePort schools, Andy worked in the non-profit sector for three years assisting developmentally disabled adults and other underserved populations with career placement and job training. Andy holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California State University, San Bernardino and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Redlands. In his spare time, Andy enjoys spending time with his wife, playing sports, attending sporting events and concerts, reading, exercising, and cooking various foods on his BBQ grill. Andy is thrilled to be a part of the LePort Schools family and is excited to see what the future will bring as the school continues to grow.
E-Mail: ARobles@LePortSchools.com
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Teachers - Mission Viejo
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Stacy Blailock - Montessori Teacher and Academic Liaison
Mrs. Blailock began her teaching career in Flagstaff, Arizona, where she earned a B.S. in Elementary Education. Upon graduation she worked in a primary summer program for a Montessori school and was amazed with the individualized education that each child received, and the various materials that helped each child understand core lessons. It was these experiences that lead her to take her Montessori training through CMTE in Phoenix, Arizona to attain a 6-12 years old certificate and her M.A.
Mrs. Blailock’s teaching experience since 1996 has ranged from primary through sixth grade. . Mrs. Blailock is honored and excited to be a Head Lower Elementary Teacher at our Mission Viejo Campus.
E-Mail: SBlailock@LePortSchools.com
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Andrea Magistrado - Primary Teacher
Ms. Magistrado is currently a Primary Directress at our Irvine (San Marino) campus. We’re excited to announce that she will be transferring to our Mission Viejo campus in September.
Ms. Magistrado has been a Montessori teacher for 15 years. She received her AMI primary diploma in 1991 in Toronto, Canada. In addition, she has Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees, from the University of the Philippines. She earned this credential from the Foundation for Montessori Education under the direction of Mrs. Renilde Montessori, the granddaughter of Dr. Maria Montessori.
Ms. Magistrado enjoys working with children. It is her primary goal to create a classroom where your child can explore, make independent decisions, develop self control, and use his or her creative imagination to make each school day a joyful discovery.
E-Mail: AMagistrado@LePortSchools.com
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Teachers - Huntington Beach
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Fatima Asghar - Primary Teacher
Mrs. Asghar has been working in Montessori classrooms since 1989. She received her AMI Diploma in 1997 in Hydernbad, India, her hometown. After teaching at a Montessori School in College Station, TX for two years, she moved to California and joined our staff in 2000. Mrs. Asghar is a Head Primary Teacher at our Huntington Beach Campus.
E-Mail: FAsghar@LePortSchools.com
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Lisa Bonazza - Lower Elementary Teacher
Ms. Bonazza has been an AMI elementary teacher since 1971. She feels privileged to have taken her elementary training under Mario Montessori in Bergamo, Italy and to have graduated with honors. Prior to those studies she majored in foreign languages at UC Irvine and UC Berkeley. She has taught children ages 6-12 in Seattle, San Francisco, and most recently in Orange County, California. She is a California CBEST teacher.
Ms. Bonazza has Montessori graduates attending M.I.T., Stanford, USC, Purdue, UCLA, and many other prestigious schools, as well as those pursuing interests in music, fashion, and travel. Remarkably, many of these graduates continue to stay in touch with Ms. Bonazza. Ms. Bonazza is a Head Lower Elementary Teacher at our Huntington Beach Campus.
E-Mail: LBonazza@LePortSchools.com
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Janet Chung - Pre-primary Teacher
Mrs. Chung has been an Assistant Teacher with the toddlers since May of 2006, became a Co-teacher in the toddler classroom in February of 2009, and is now a Head Pre-primary Teacher. Mrs. Chung received her training from the St. Nicholas Foundation, Malaysia under the British Montessori Center International in 2002.
She enjoys learning and continues her own education in early childhood development. Mrs. Chung is a dedicated, responsible and enthusiastic Head Pre-primary Teacher at our Huntington Beach Campus.
E-Mail: JChung@LePortSchools.com
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Teachers - Irvine - Lake
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Rosanne Fernando - Primary Teacher
Mrs. Fernando received her AMI Primary Diploma from Good Shepherd Maria Montessori Training Center, Sri Lanka in 1996 and her AMI Assistants to Infancy Diploma from the Montessori Institute Northwest, Oregon in 2007. She has been working since 1996 as a primary teacher in Sri Lanka, Hong Kong and San Mateo, California. After completing the Assistants to Infancy training course, she worked in a toddler classroom in Naples, Florida.
Mrs. Fernando had the following to say about why she loves being a teacher: "Teaching is a rewarding career, as it gives me the opportunity to assist in the development of the children under my care. I take great pleasure in watching them grow to their full potential." In addition to teaching, she enjoys gardening, sewing, and being involved in sports such as table tennis, swimming, and hiking. Mrs. Fernando is a Head Primary Teacher at our Irvine Lake Campus.
E-Mail: RFernano@LePortSchools.com
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Karyn Heckendorn - Primary Teacher
Ms. Heckendorn received her B.A. with Honors in Travel and Tourism and a Minor in Ethnic Studies from St. Cloud State University, Minnesota. After receiving her B.A. she worked for two years as an Assistant Teacher at Highland Park Montessori School in St. Paul, Minnesota. In 2009 she graduated with her AMI Primary Diploma from the Montessori Training Center of Minnesota. She will also receive her M.A. in Education, with emphasis in the Montessori Method, from Loyola College, Maryland in the winter of 2009.
Montessori and its methods are very near and dear to her heart, for Ms. Heckendorn began her life journey as a Montessori child. Today she continues her involvement in Montessori education to assist young children during a very vital time in their lives. Ms. Heckendorn is a Head Primary Teacher at our Irvine Lake Campus.
E-Mail: KHeckendorn@LePortSchools.com
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Michelle Orsillo - Primary Teacher
Ms. Orsillo is elated to have discovered the Montessori approach to education and is proud to be an AMI trained primary teacher. She was granted her AMI Primary Diploma in 2009 from the Montessori Institute of San Diego and is working towards completing an M.A. in Montessori Education through the Loyola College in Maryland.
Prior to coming to the field of Montessori education, Ms. Orsillo earned her B.A. in Sociology from the California State University, Long Beach and worked as an administrative project specialist for the Institute for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research at USC. Ms. Orsillo is a Head Primary Teacher at our Irvine Lake Campus.
E-Mail: MOrsillo@LePortSchools.com
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Becci Rees - Primary Teacher
Ms. Rees graduated with her AMI Primary Diploma in 2005 from the Montessori Training Institute, London, England. She received her B.A. Honors in Early Childhood Studies from Sheffield University, England.
Prior to arriving in California, Ms. Rees worked in several childcare settings throughout England; she is particularly proud of her time spent working with children and parents in deprived communities as part of a British government initiative. Ms. Rees is dedicated to encouraging and enhancing each child's individual experiences, interests and explorations, and to guiding them through a path of knowledge, understanding and discoveries within the Montessori environment and the world.. Ms. Rees is a Head Primary Teacher at our Irvine Lake Campus.
E-Mail: BRees@LePortSchools.com
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Ruth Stephens - Primary Teacher
Ms. Stephens, born in Erith, Kent, England, came to the U.S. in 1980. She received her A.A. in Early Childhood Education from State University of New York, Farmingdale, and her B.S. in Education from C.W. Post, Long Island University, New York. After four years in New York, Ms. Stephens moved to Southern California. She continued her education and earned her AMI Diploma from The Montessori Institute of Los Angeles in 1986.
Ms. Stephens brings to her teaching a wealth of enthusiasm, experience and talent. She is deeply committed to the Montessori method and continues to attend seminars, refresher courses, and lectures to deepen her understanding and appreciation of Maria Montessori’s approach to education. She has long been an active equestrian, and has a great interest in travel, the arts and nature. Since 1986 Ms. Stephens has been a teacher right here in Orange County, and has been a Head Primary Teacher at our Irvine Lake Campus since 2009.
E-Mail: RStephens@LePortSchools.com
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Teachers - Irvine - San Marino
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Christy Cook - Primary Teacher
Originally from New Jersey, Christy Cook has spent the last 11 years traveling, studying and working in different areas of the United States and abroad. Mrs. Cook received her B.A. in Political Science from Rutgers’ University. Mrs. Cook completed her AMI Montessori training at the Montessori Institute of San Diego and is completing her M.A. in Education at Loyola College, Maryland.
Mrs. Cook has four years of experience working with autistic children, and has worked as an assistant in a Montessori classroom. She is delighted to be a Head Primary Teacher at our Irvine San Marino Campus, and to have the opportunity for her three year old daughter to attend a superb institution like LePort Schools that is devoted to the Montessori method.
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Elizabeth Darst - Primary Teacher
Mrs. Darst graduated in 1993 from Oregon State University with a B.S. in History, and she received her AMI Diploma from the Montessori Institute Northwest in 1995. She then taught at a Montessori school in Portland, OR for the next twelve years.
Mrs. Darst grew up in Irvine and graduated form Irvine High School. She is very happy to be back in Irvine with her family and friends. Mrs. Darst is excited to be a Head Primary Teacher at our Irvine San Marino Campus.
E-Mail: EDarst@LePortSchools.com
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Shailina Dhanini - Lower Elementary Teacher
Ms. Dhanani is originally from India. She graduated from Mata Gujri Girls College RDV University with a B.A. in Finance. Her love of teaching first began in 2001, while doing some volunteer work in her community. She has also worked professionally for AKDN, which is presently the second largest NGO in the world, working towards the holistic development of humanity in various parts of the world. She finished her AMI Primary Montessori Training in 2006, from the Montessori Research and Training Centre in Hyderabad, India. She then went on to pursue Elementary Training certification and graduated in 2007 from the AMI Montessori Institute of Milwaukee, WI. After graduating she worked at a Montessori school in Texas as an elementary lead teacher.
Ms. Dhanani was honored to be a part of the Montessori Model Program (2009) at the United Nations, where she motivated students and facilitated their active participation in the program. She moved to California in 2009 and is now a Head Lower Elementary Teacher at our Irvine San Marino campus.
E-Mail: SDhanini@LePortSchools.com
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Yvette Fernandes - Primary Teacher
Originally from India, Ms. Fernandes received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Mumbai, India. She was introduced to the Montessori method by a friend and immediately knew she wanted to follow that approach. In 2003 Ms. Fernandes successfully completed her AMI Primary Teacher’s Training Program in Mumbai, India. Ms. Fernandes has been a teacher since 2003—having taught at Montessori schools in both India and New York before coming to LePort Schools.
Mrs. Fernandes enjoys listening to various types of music, as well as playing and watching cricket, hockey, and tennis. In regards to her career in education, she said: "I love being with children and teaching them. I truly believe that each and every child deserves love, respect, and an education." Ms. Fernandes is a Head Primary Teacher at our Irvine San Marino Campus.
E-Mail: YFernandes@LePortSchools.com
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Veronica Flores - Pre-primary Teacher
Ms. Flores was born and raised in Southern California. She has worked in the preschool setting since 1999. Ms. Flores has completed numerous early childhood education courses and continues to improve herself by participating in various courses and seminars.
Ms. Flores has worked as a head toddler teacher, program specialist, and school site director. She is a dedicated teacher, who loves and respects the children. She is supportive of each child’s unique individuality, and delights in watching their independence and love of learning grow. Ms. Flores is a Head Pre-primary Teacher at our Irvine San Marino Campus.
E-Mail: VFlores@LePortSchools.com
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Amy Kwong - Pre-primary Teacher
Ms. Kwong discovered her love of working with children while helping out in a summer school program when she was in high school. She graduated from State University of New York at Stony Brook with a B.S. in Business Management and a Minor in Child and Family Studies. Afterwards, Ms. Kwong interned at a Montessori Child Care Center in Islandia, New York for three and a half years, moving quickly from an internship to an assistant teacher position and then to a head teacher position all while training at Denver, Colorado to become certified in AMI Assistance to Infancy. Soon after, she received her M.A. in Education with emphasis on the Montessori Method from Loyola College in Maryland.
After moving to Southern California in 2003, Ms. Kwong continued to further her education and received her credentials for Elementary Education at California State University, Los Angeles. Ms. Kwong is a Head Pre-primary Teacher at our Irvine San Marino Campus.
E-Mail: AKwong@LePortSchools.com
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Elizabeth Trojack - Primary Teacher
Ms. Trojack received her B.A. in Liberal Arts from Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, California. As a child Ms. Trojack attended Highland Park Montessori School in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Upon graduating from college she returned there to work as an assistant teacher. After assisting in a Montessori classroom, Ms. Trojack decided to pursue her AMI certification at the Montessori Training Center of Minnesota. She then went on to receive her M.A. in Education with a focus on Montessori from Loyola College in Baltimore, Maryland.
Ms. Trojack is excited to be working as a Head Primary Teacher at our Irvine San Marino campus where she can use her training and experience to inspire the children’s love of learning.
E-Mail: ETrojack@LePortSchools.com
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Teachers - Yorba Linda
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Lorenia Flores - Primary Teacher
Mrs. Flores earned her AMI Diploma in 1998 from the Montessori Teaching Institute in Mexico City. She has a B.A. in Psychology from the University del Valle in Mexico City. Mrs. Flores has been a dedicated and compassionate teacher since 1998. She has a strong ability to individualize the curriculum to meet the needs of each student. Mrs. Flores has been a Head Primary Teacher at our Yorba Linda Campus since 2009.
E-Mail: LFlores@LePortSchools.com
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