Lucia Tompkins
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.

She has always loved the ocean since she was a child. She is a Whale Watch naturalist in Orange County and an education volunteer at the Aquarium of the Pacific.

Megan Haggard
Administrative Support

Ms. Haggard currently resides in Southern California with her Fiancé and their dog Toffee. She has her Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Social Behavior, along with a minor in Education. She first realized her passion for working with children when she was doing her field study at Brywood Elementary in Irvine. In her free time, Ms. Haggard enjoys crocheting blankets and watching movies.

Lindsay Journo
Vice President of Academics

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. As Vice President of Academics, Mrs. Journo focuses on curriculum development and implementation for all of our schools, and oversees the schools' academic staff.

Cornelia Lockitch
Montessori Curriculum Coordinator

Mrs. Lockitch has been fortunate to have the opportunity to teach children from ages two through fourteen in a variety of settings. In 1995, she earned her Honors B.A. in Philosophy from the University of British Columbia, and, soon after, her AMI Primary diploma. After several years of leading a Primary class, Mrs. Lockitch earned her AMI Elementary diploma as well as her Masters of Education. Thereafter, she taught in both Montessori and private schools, guiding children and developing curriculum in a range of subject areas.

In 2005, Mrs. Lockitch stepped away from classroom teaching so that she could devote time to her own young children. During this period, she remained active as an educator through tutoring, consulting, and publishing a parenting newsletter that applied Montessori ideas to the home setting.

As LePort’s Montessori Curriculum Coordinator since 2010, Mrs. Lockitch guides curriculum projects, develops parent education materials, and works with the Montessori staff at all campuses to help make LePort an outstanding school.

Ana Rivas
Montessori Preprimary Head Teacher

Ms. Ana Rivas was born in Peru. She studied child development and general education at Fullerton College. Later, she went on to pursue a biology degree at California State University - Fullerton as well as her AMI Montessori training from the Montessori Institute of San Diego. Ms. Rivas has been teaching young children, from infants to preschool children, for over ten years, and has been with LePort Schools since 2008.

Ms. Rivas loves outdoor activities with her husband and two children, such as hiking, camping, and going to the beach. For her, the Montessori method is a way of life. She believes that empowering children to discover their own potential is the foundation of a successful society.

Maricela Espinosa
Assistant Teacher

Maricela Espinosa has been working with children since 2001. Her primary focus and her favorite age group has always been infants and toddlers. Ms. Espinosa received her human development education at Rancho Santiago Community College. In her spare time, she loves to spend time with her family, including her six children and four grandchildren, who are truly a source of joy.

Jessica Kim
Montessori Preprimary Head Teacher

Jessica Kim received her B.A. degree in Liberal Studies and her teaching credentials at California State University, Northridge. After teaching in public schools and private schools across southern California, she finally found her true passion when she encountered the Montessori method. Jessica loves the arts and the outdoors and meeting new people.

Anabella Tirado
Montessori Preprimary Assistant Teacher Floater

Anabella Tirado was born in Venezuela. She earned her degree as a preschool educator from the University of Zulia in Venezuela and taught at several preschools before opening her own school. Ms. Tirado moved to California in the early 90s, but continued her work with children, enrolling in education courses to further her understanding of early childhood development. She joined LePort Schools in 2005. Ms. Tirado is the mother of two and grandmother of four! As a mother, grandmother, and teacher she fully understands the importance of early childhood education. She works actively to provide a positive learning environment and to encourage each child to develop his or her own individuality and self-worth.

Michelle Orsillo
Montessori Primary Head 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 she earned her 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

Kabita Sonowal
Assistant Teacher

Kabita Sonowal grew up in India, and moved to America with her husband in 1997. Ms. Sonowal has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Chemistry, as well as a Master's in English literature. Although she had already been teaching at traditional schools for many years, Ms. Sonowal first encountered Montessori in 2002, when she took a job teaching at a Montessori preschool where she had enrolled her son. She was inspired by what she saw, and went on to complete the Montessori training program offered by the University of California - Irvine. She continues to be amazed at how powerful the Montessori philosophy can be in guiding children to attain joyful independence.

In her personal life, Ms. Sonowal enjoys travelling to beautiful places, spending time with her husband and two sons, cooking and entertaining

Andrea Dias
Montessori Primary Head Teacher

Mrs. Andrea Dias received her AMI Diploma in 1987. She also has an Associate Diploma in Drama from the prestigious Trinity College of London. Andrea joins LePort with over 20 years of experience - first in Sri Lanka, where she grew up, and later at a Montessori school in Florida where she ran a Primary classroom for 9 years. She is passionate about every aspect of teaching, and takes a particular interest in organizing and implementing children’s art exhibitions.

In her personal life, Andrea is happily married, the mother of an 18 year old son and 12 year old daughter, both of whom were educated in a Montessori environment. She is an excellent cook and loves art and handicrafts. She also enjoys reading and gardening.

Rosemarie Tsutsumi
Assistant Teacher

Ms. Rosemarie Tsutsumi was born and raised in Romania. In 1969, she immigrated with her family to the United States and settled in New York City. There, she worked her way through school. Later, Ms. Tsutsumi moved to Orange County with her husband, where they raised two daughters together. Ms. Tsutsumi became interested in Montessori education when she was looking for a school to enroll her first daughter. She followed up on her interest by pursuing child development courses and becoming a teacher herself. Ms. Tsutsumi has been working with Montessori preschool children for 21 years, and has been with LePort Schools since 2006. Her daughters attended Montessori school through 5th grade. In her personal life, Ms. Tsutsumi enjoys spending time with her family, reading, traveling, photography, and crafts.

Ruth Stephens
Montessori Primary Head 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.

Tzu Yu Hung
Assistant Teacher

Originally from Taiwan, Ms. Hung earned her B.A. in Human Development from Washington State University, and went on to graduate from the Montessori Institute of San Diego with her AMI Primary Diploma.

Ms. Hung was delighted when she discovered Maria Montessori and her remarkably philosophy of education. She wholeheartedly believes that the Montessori Method is the best means of fostering a child’s development, enabling him or her to grow and mature happily, independently, and confidently in the carefully prepared Montessori environment.

In her spare time, Ms. Hung enjoys drawing, and specializes in still life compositions. She finds that drawing relaxes her, and focuses her mind so that she can observe and appreciate the world around her – a skill she uses every day in the Montessori classroom! Ms. Hung also enjoys hiking through the beautiful California landscape.

MinHee Lee
Assistant Teacher

Ms. MinHee Lee earned her bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from DukSung Women's University in South Korea in 1992. A few years later, she earned her AMI Montessori diploma from the AMI training center in Mountain View, California. Ms. Lee taught for ten years as a Montessori Primary Teacher in South Korea. When her family moved to California, Ms. Lee took a hiatus from teaching in order to help her children adapt to the new school system. She couldn't stay of the classroom complete though! She volunteered for her children's school, and remained actively involved in their education. Once she was confident that her own children were thriving, Ms. Lee was delighted to re-enter the Montessori world. Ms. Lee now lives in Irvine with her husband and two teen-aged children. She loves cooking, reading, and going to the movies with her son and daughter.

Katherine Hamilton
Montessori Primary Assistant Teacher Floater

Ms. Katherine "Kat" Hamilton is originally from Seattle, but is very happy that she now calls Southern California home! Ms. Hamilton has been interested in teaching since she was a little girl, and used to watch her mother come home with piles of schoolwork to grade. Ms. Hamilton's grandmother was a Montessori teacher as well! Ms. Hamilton enjoys reading the latest research concerning child development in order to give LePort students the best learning experience possible. In her time away from work, she can be found studying one of her numerous early childhood development textbooks, trying out a new recipe, or taking pictures with Mickey Mouse at Disneyland.

Clare Tucci
Assistant Teacher Floater

Ms. Clare Tucci has 13 years of experience teaching children, as well as 12 years of experience in the medical field. Ms. Tucci earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development from the University of Arizona. She is a long-time Orange County resident, and currently lives in Aliso Viejo with her husband of 13 years. Her caring and thoughtful approach to her work, as well as her positive energy, make her an asset to LePort Schools. Ms. Tucci enjoys exercise, entertaining, and travel.

Veneranda Mayo-Larkin
Assistant Teacher Floater

Ms. Veneranda Mayo-Larkin is originally from the Philippines. She earned her B.A. in elementary education from the Philippine Normal University in 1977, and spent her early career working with elementary students. Later, Ms. Mayo-Larkin migrated to the United States, settling in California in 2001. In the next decade, she worked at two different Montessori schools, gained substantial experience working with infants and toddlers, and studied Early Childhood Education at Irvine Valley College. Finally, in 2011, Ms. Mayo-Larkin happened upon LePort Schools. She was delighted to join the team as a floater working with the toddler classrooms, putting to use her extensive experience with young children.

Umasha Gunawardena
Assistant Teacher Floater

Ms. Umasha Gunawardena was born in Sri Lanka, and earned her Bachelor's Degree in law. She first encountered the Montessori philosophy while her three children were attending Montessori schools in their early childhood years. Very quickly, she discovered that her life's passion was in working with young children, applying the Montessori philosophy. She completed a two-year Montessori diploma back in Sri Lanka in 2000, and later also earned her AMS credential from the Montessori Teacher Education Center in San Francisco. Umasha has also completed 40 units of Early Childhood Education at De Anza College in Cupertino, California. Umasha moved to the United States with her family in 2004. For eight years, she taught at a variety of United States Montessori schools, before she discovered LePort Schools and eagerly joined the team in 2012. Umasha lives with her husband and their three children. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her family.

Angela Kang
Assistant Teacher

Angela Kang was born in Toronto, Canada, and moved to California when she was 15. Since she was a teenager, she has always found herself working with young children, from summer and after-school jobs, to weekend Bible Study. She graduated from California State University, Fullerton with a B.A. in Liberal Studies (Education) and went on to get a multiple-subject teaching credential, with the goal of teaching young children.

Ruchira Fernando
Montessori Teacher

Originally from Sri Lanka, Mr. Ruchira Fernando has traveled and studied around the world in such countries as Switzerland, Australia and the United States. In 2008, Mr. Fernando co-founded a tiny Montessori school in Northern California. Although his initial role was more administrative, Mr. Fernando found himself increasingly impressed by the Montessori method, and was surprised at how much he enjoyed assisting in the classroom and interacting with the students. Mr. Fernando’s interest grew to the point where he resolved to take the Montessori training and pursue a Montessori career for himself. He earned his AMI Primary Diploma from the Montessori Institute of San Diego.