Primary
Lisa Reynolds
Head Montessori Teacher (Primary)
Ms. Lisa Reynolds has worked for LePort Encinitas since October 2017, when she was hired as an Assistant Teacher and After Care Coordinator. Her strong work ethic, dedication, and commitment to the Montessori philosophy made her the ideal candidate when a Head Teacher position came available the following school year.
Before she found Montessori, Ms. Lisa worked as an ESL instructor in Shenzhen, China for four years, with children ages 3 to 17. Prior to her work in China, she taught ESL for 18 months in Yonago, Japan. She moved back to America in 2016 to train as a Montessori Primary teacher at the Montessori Institute of San Diego. She is excited to share her Montessori training, as well as her experience abroad, with her students. Outside of work, Ms. Lisa enjoys running, reading, drinking coffee, and of course, spending time with loved ones.
Before she found Montessori, Ms. Lisa worked as an ESL instructor in Shenzhen, China for four years, with children ages 3 to 17. Prior to her work in China, she taught ESL for 18 months in Yonago, Japan. She moved back to America in 2016 to train as a Montessori Primary teacher at the Montessori Institute of San Diego. She is excited to share her Montessori training, as well as her experience abroad, with her students. Outside of work, Ms. Lisa enjoys running, reading, drinking coffee, and of course, spending time with loved ones.
Maimaiti Kamilai
Head Montessori Teacher (Primary)
Maimaiti Kamilai has been a resident of San Diego since 2015, though her origins can be traced back to China where she was born and raised. With a robust educational background, she obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Clinical Medicine before embarking on a journey to the United States. Upon her arrival, she not only embraced motherhood but also seized the opportunity to immerse herself in the world of early childhood and Montessori education. She successfully completed the Association Montessori Internationale Primary Teacher Certification program for ages 3 to 6, and gained teaching experience at LePort Montessori Solana Beach after graduation. Motivated by a passion for nurturing young minds, Ms. Kamilai opened her own family childcare facility while raising her own children. During those 3 years, she created a small, beautiful Montessori environment, providing family child care services within her community. Ms. Kamilai has 4 years of teaching experience across both China and the United States, and she is fluent in Chinese, Uyghur, and English. Beyond her academic and professional pursuits, she finds solace in physical activities such as gym workouts, surfing, hiking, bowling, and dancing. However, her true calling lies in her dedication to guiding independent growth in the hearts and minds of the children she works with.
Vrunda Patwa
Head Montessori Teacher (Primary)
Ms.Vrunda has lived in San Diego, CA. since 2017. She was born and raised in India where she obtained a B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies. Her first position in San Diego was in a Montessori school. Here she discovered the passion to learn more about Montessori education. Ms.Vrunda completed her AMI primary teacher certification program for 3-6 years, and also obtained a Positive Discipline certification. She has several years of experience working as a teacher, both in India, and in the United States. Ms.Vrunda has worked at LePort Solana Beach since May 2019 when she was hired as an Assistant Teacher. When offered the opportunity to become a lead guide, she jumped at the chance of running her own classroom. When not at work she likes dancing, singing, and yoga. She likes to travel and enjoys spending time learning different skills.
Roya Ebrahimi
Assistant Teacher
Ms. Roya has lived in San Diego for 38 years and is of Turkish and Persian descent. Prior to joining LePort, she worked in a hospital as a medical assistant. Ms. Roya has an associate degree in medical assistance and art photography. In childcare, she worked at a private preschool in Fremont, CA. She has worked with children for over 12 years now. She enjoys interacting with children and hearing about their experiences.
In her free time, she likes to take pictures of sunsets and landscapes. She also enjoys quality time with her family and especially with her only son.
In her free time, she likes to take pictures of sunsets and landscapes. She also enjoys quality time with her family and especially with her only son.
Elnaz Vandaie
Head Montessori Teacher (Primary)
Miss Elle was born and raised in Cupertino, California, and moved to San Diego from Silicon Valley where she earned two degrees, an Associate in Arts in Child Development Associate Teacher, and in Liberal Arts Emphasis in Social and Behavioral Sciences. Her passion is working with children and she hopes to continue her education by taking the training to become a Montessori Teacher one day. Miss. Elle is a pianist and taught piano to young children before she pursued her dream in education. Miss Elle is also bilingual in Farsi and English. When she is not working, she loves to garden and collect different plant varieties from her travels, and also has a passion for cooking!
Elga Chavez
Head Montessori Teacher (Primary), Spanish Immersion
Ms. Elga Chavez is originally from Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. She completed a bachelor’s degree in preschool education where she carried out fieldwork applying strategies on how to strengthen autonomy in preschool children. She began her career as a teacher in public schools at the preschool level and then continued on to a master’s degree. Her research was based on providing tools to young people in special education to use in work and daily life.
Ms. Elga was interested in Montessori education early on in her studies and she began to read about it. She incorporated some of Montessori’s principles in her classroom and was impressed by the results. As a result, she completed Montessori training in the U. S.
She believes in Maria Montessori for the construction of the man of tomorrow.
In her free time she likes to do yoga, swim at the beach, draw, cook, read, write, investigate, and listen to music. She likes to spend time with her family discovering new places, trying different dishes, and being in contact with nature.
Ms. Elga was interested in Montessori education early on in her studies and she began to read about it. She incorporated some of Montessori’s principles in her classroom and was impressed by the results. As a result, she completed Montessori training in the U. S.
She believes in Maria Montessori for the construction of the man of tomorrow.
In her free time she likes to do yoga, swim at the beach, draw, cook, read, write, investigate, and listen to music. She likes to spend time with her family discovering new places, trying different dishes, and being in contact with nature.
Arixel Zambada
Assistant Teacher
Ms. Arixel Zambada was born and raised in Tijuana, Mexico. During her middle school years she moved with her family to Phoenix, Arizona seeking better educational opportunities. She then went back to the city she grew up in and started her career in education. Arixel knows that the time she was able to commit to her education has been invaluable to her professional growth. She is also appreciative of the opportunities to discover multiple cultures while volunteering in public schools. She believes that adults need to have a positive influence on children and guide their development. She is looking forward to completing her education in Early Childhood Education and becoming a fully certified teacher. Arixel is passionate about music. In her free time she writes music, plays the piano and ukulele. She likes to travel and have new experiences. She also loves to cook and drink coffee.