Ms. Lenora Alvarez, a San Diego native, currently resides in Huntington Beach with her boyfriend and dog, Coca. She acquired her Early Childhood Education units through Theoria Technical College and is presently pursuing a degree in Social Work. With nearly 2 years of experience, she has been actively engaged in working with children. Apart from her passion for childcare, she finds joy in reading, watching movies, spending quality time with her dog and boyfriend, as well as honing her culinary skills.

Mrs. Andor was born and raised in Huntington Beach and attended a Montessori school, which inspired her passion for early childhood education. She completed her Early Childhood Education units at North Orange Community College, where she especially enjoyed learning about early childhood development. She finds great fulfillment in working with young children and supporting their growth during these important early years. Outside of the classroom, Mrs. Andor enjoys cooking and trying new recipes, spending time in nature, caring for animals (especially her two cats), and spending quality time with her husband.

Alma Arzate joined us in 2012 and is excited about becoming a valuable addition here at LePort Schools. Ms. Arzate has gained experience by volunteering as a Child Life Specialist from 2010 through 2012 at Miller Children’s Hospital at Long Beach Memorial Hospital. There she had the opportunity to interact with infants through adolescents. She also earned her certificate of completion in Careers with Children, which involved an additional year of experience at the LBCC Children’s Center. Ms. Arzate completed her AMI Montessori teacher training for the 0 to 3 age group at the Montessori Institute of San Diego. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her fiancée, creating personalized jewelry, cooking, and enjoys meditating every morning.

Mrs. Asghar has been working in Montessori classrooms in some capacity since 1989. She was immediately drawn to Maria Montessori’s ideas after she first observed a Montessori environment-she was amazed at the level of concentration and independent work displayed by the children. Mrs Asghar quickly came to appreciate the uniqueness of the Montessori Method, and to believe deeply in the difference that it can make in the lives of children. In 1997, Mrs. Asghar received her AMI Diploma in her then hometown of Hyderabad, India. After moving to the United States, she taught for two years in a Montessori school in College Station, Texas. She then moved to California in 2000 to join LePort’s Huntington Beach campus team as a Head Primary Teacher. In 2008, Mrs. Asghar was promoted to the position of Montessori liaison. While continuing to teach a full class, in her new capacity she also took on the role of offering teachers both administrative and academic support. Over time, her quiet leadership and genuine dedication to students and staff earned her the deep respect of teachers, parents and management. In 2010, Mrs. Asghar was offered, and heartfully accepted, the position of Head of School at LePort School Huntington Harbor. As the Head of School, Mrs. Asghar oversees all operations, and ensures that each student at the school receives the highest quality Montessori education. In her spare time, Mrs. Asghar enjoys playing basketball and tennis with her family, cooking, sewing, and decorating.

Ms. Barragan was born and raised in Huntington Beach and earned her ECE credits through Goldenwest College and Theoria. Ms. Barragan will be continuing her education this spring. Growing up, she always knew she wanted to work with kids. Ms. Barragan is still new to the Montessori philosophy but has enjoyed watching children gain independence at such a young age. Outside school, she likes to spend her free time with her family. She enjoys traveling and trying new coffee places.

Mrs. Bhutta was born & raised in Mumbai, India. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting & Business Management from University of Mumbai. However, it was her passion & love for teaching young minds that inspired her to explore Montessori Education. Mrs. Bhutta completed her American Montessori Society (AMS) training in the Primary level from Columbus Montessori Education Center and began her journey as an educator. With over 15 years of experience guiding children in the prepared environment, Mrs. Bhutta brings a deep commitment to nurturing confident, independent learners. She believes in fostering intrinsic motivation & self discipline, while creating joyful, engaging learning spaces. She is fluent in English, Hindi & Gujarati. In her free time she enjoys traveling, cooking, playing badminton, and doing art with kids. She loves being a mom and a teacher.

Mary Boatman has been teaching for 26 years. She started her teaching career as a substitute teacher for Orange County Unified School, and has also worked as a Preschool teacher. During this time Ms Boatman also gained experience as a personal trainer. She now devotes her teaching time to physical education.
In her free time, Ms Boatman enjoys playing sports and working out. She supports the Lakers whenever she can and also enjoys gourmet cooking.

Ms. Butler was born and raised in Orange County. She studied early childhood education at Fullerton College and Theoria Technical College. She has been working with children since 2020, ranging from infants to primary. She enjoys gardening, baking, and spending time with family and friends.

Mrs. Carmona is a compassionate Infant Assistant Teacher with over 10 years of experience caring for young children. She is also a proud mother of two, which deepens her understanding of children’s needs and the importance of patience, consistency, and genuine care. Throughout her career, she has built a strong reputation for creating safe, nurturing, and supportive environments where infants feel secure and valued.

After spending five years in Hawaii working with military child care establishments, Mrs. Carmona brings a strong sense of structure, reliability, and respect for families from diverse backgrounds. She is deeply committed to helping children grow emotionally, socially, and developmentally, and takes great pride in being someone families can trust with their children’s care. She has a growing interest in Montessori learning and enjoys continuing her professional development. In her free time, she enjoys painting, camping, and staying active.

Mrs. Catalano grew up in Santa Ana, California before moving to Riverside County as a teenager. After graduating from Citrus Hill High School, she studied photography at the Art Institute of California in Los Angeles. She has earned her core Early Childhood Education units and has experience working with young children in the Education field. Mrs. Catalano spent four years as a Board-Certified Autism Technician. As a mother of two children, Mrs. Catalano has long been drawn to the Montessori method, in particular its emphasis on nurturing individuality within a supportive learning environment. Mrs. Catalano is in the process of becoming a Montessori trained guide with Eagle Montessori Teaching Academy.

Ms. Catalano is fluent in English and Spanish. She enjoys baking bread, playing Scrabble, and taking trips to Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm with her family.

Ms. Mateo was born in Orange County and raised in the Inland Empire. She started her journey working with children as a freshman in high school by volunteering in an elementary after-school program. She studied at UCI and majored in Spanish Literature and Language. Working in a school setting is a lifelong goal for Ms. Mateo; to have a positive lasting impact on a child’s life and education by supporting and guiding them through their efforts to learn and grow.

One of Ms. Mateo’s true joy is watching a child learn and master a new skill or concept. She enjoys the arts and literature in all shapes and forms, which means she enjoys reading and singing every day. Some personal hobbies include studying linguistics, learning about different cultures, and learning new languages.

Mr. Jose De Jesus was born and raised in Michigan and graduated with a BA in sociology. In 2002, he began working with at-risk teenagers at Michigan State University and for several years afterwards in Chicago, as he saw a great need for mentors for future generations. A friend suggested he look into becoming a Montessori teacher, and upon researching Dr. Montessori’s method, he felt it was exactly where the traditional school system was failing. Mr. De Jesus graduated from the Elementary training course at the Montessori Institute of Milwaukee in 2010, and he and his supportive wife moved to California, where he began working for LePort Montessori as a Lower Elementary teacher. After the birth of his second daughter, Mr. De Jesus made the difficult decision to stay at home with his daughters, putting his teaching career on hold. Mr. De Jesus is incredibly proud to return to LePort Huntington Harbor to continue the important work of guiding Elementary students as they explore our amazing world!

Ms. Deepika Dubey holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce and brings a diverse professional background to her role. Before joining LePort, Ms. Dubey worked as an accountant in an insurance firm and later served as a store manager, where she developed strong organizational and leadership skills.

As a mother of two, her experiences at home deepened her interest in child development and inspired her transition into early childhood education. She believes that each child deserves a nurturing and respectful environment where they can thrive emotionally, socially, and intellectually.

Ms. Dubey is committed to growing as an educator and is passionate about supporting the unique journey of each child. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and learning new things.

Born and raised in El Salvador, Maria Duenas spent part of her childhood before her family migrated to the United States.

Unexpectedly, Maria enrolled in a Child Development course, where she discovered a passion for understanding child development, children’s behavior, and the importance of supporting young learners during their early years. This experience opened her eyes to the meaningful impact educators can have on children’s lives and inspired her to pursue a career in early childhood education. Today, Maria is committed to helping children learn, grow, and reach their full potential while creating a safe, nurturing, and supportive environment where every child feels valued, supported, and encouraged to succeed.

Ms. Duenas loves helping others, traveling and enjoys watching beautiful sunsets.

Mrs. Federwitz has been working with children since 1989, and loves the experience. Mrs. Federwitz earned her BA in Liberal Studies with an English concentration from Cal State University Long Beach, her AA in General education from Cypress Junior College, and her Early Childhood units from various colleges. When she first observed a Montessori environment, she was amazed at the level of concentration and independent work displayed by the children. Mrs Federwitz quickly came to appreciate the uniqueness of the Montessori method and to believe deeply in the difference that it can make in the lives of children.

In her spare time, Mrs. Federwitz enjoys spending time with her family and going shopping.

Ms. Christle Fells was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, and presently resides in Long Beach. With 13 years of experience, she has dedicated her career to working with infants and toddlers. She successfully completed the Child Development program at Los Angeles Southwest College, earning her Associate Teacher Infant & Toddler Certificate. Currently, she is enthusiastically pursuing her Montessori training specifically tailored for infant and toddler studies. Prior to her journey here at LePort, where she joined in August 2016, Ms. Fells had the privilege of serving as a childcare provider and substitute teacher. On a personal note, Ms. Fells cherishes the joy of being a mother to her daughter and son, who is currently attending LePort Huntington Harbor. Ms. Fells finds solace in her passion for baking and cherishes the precious moments spent with her beloved family.