AVOCADO MONTESSORI ACADEMY Admin Team

Hello, my name is Caity Carrillo and I am the lead teacher of the Elephant toddler classroom. I graduated from Oregon State University in June 2023 with a BA in science. I majored in biology with a pre-education option. Previously, I worked at Linn-Benton Community College where I was an assistant volleyball coach and a tutor in psychology, chemistry, and biology. I have always loved working with kids and I am passionate about supporting the development of their purpose, identity, and self-regulation. Currently, I am taking courses through MEIPN to gain my certification as a Montessori lead teacher. Even though I am not yet certified, I have gained lots of experience working under our Toddler Director, August Teng, and I am continuing to learn about Montessori philosophy through class work and classroom experience. Outside of the classroom I enjoy playing volleyball, making puzzles, cooking and gardening. My goal is to bring my passion for learning to the classroom to support the individual growth and development of each child that enters my classroom.

Ms. Gina is a dedicated Montessori lead teacher with an AMS training background, and entrepreneur. She is passionate about fostering growth in both children and animals. Ms. Gina is an early educator with almost 20 years of experience. With expertise in communication, leadership, and classroom management, Gina creates an engaging, developmentally appropriate learning environment that encourages independence, curiosity and compassion. She loves working with her team and parents to embark on a journey of exploration, development and fostering a love for learning. Besides work , Gina loves to spend time with her family and enjoy traveling.  

Hello! I’m Ms. Xiange, and I’ve always been passionate about education. After earning my bachelor’s degree, I continued this path by pursuing a Master of Education. I view education as a lifelong journey and hope to further deepen my impact through future doctoral studies. 

Although my academic training is not specifically in early childhood education, my introduction to the Montessori philosophy about four years ago marked a turning point in my professional journey. Its emphasis on child-led learning, respect for individual development, and the use of purposeful materials deeply resonated with me and inspired me to focus on early childhood education. I am currently enrolled in the MEIPN Montessori Teacher Certification Program at the Infant and Toddler level and have over two years of classroom experience in early childhood settings in the United States. 

As an educator, I find great joy in working with young children, valuing the mutual trust and growth in our relationships. At the toddler stage, I prioritize fostering independence as a fundamental goal. My aim is to create a safe and healthy environment that offers engaging, developmentally appropriate experiences to support each child’s fullest potential. 

One of my favorite quotes from Dr. Maria Montessori is: “The greatest gifts we can give our children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence.” It is a privilege to be part of each child’s journey, helping them unfold into who they are meant to become.

Hello, my name is Alisa!

I was born and raised in Japan and moved to Seattle in 2023. 

I graduated from Kwansei Gakuin University with an early childhood education bachelor’s diploma in 2021.

Through my education, I began to earn interest in the Montessori Method and I am really excited to start my journey as lead teacher at Avocado Montessori Academy!

I really enjoy seeing children smile wide when they see their parents come pick them up. I want to support children to feel happiness and joy through learning and playing with friends and teachers, so that they may go home with a big smile on their face:)

In my spare time I enjoy playing with my two beautiful cats, traveling, reading, and studying Spanish!

Hi I’m Vanessa Valdespino, I came into this school with a passion to help kids grow. I have always loved being around kids and i find it really inspiring to see how fast they learn and grow within the right environment. This is why I understand the values this Montessori academy has and why I will stand by them. I don’t have much experience working with kids, but I have learned a lot about the Montessori technique and have seen how this Montessori academy has helped your kids learn more about their potentials and what they strive for. I am excited to see how they develop over the years.

Hello, my name is Sami, I was born in Japan and when I was 7 I moved to Brazil. I speak Japanese, Portuguese, and English, and I'm hoping to start learning Korean/Mandarin. I was taking psychology classes when I was in Brazil before COVID (2019 -2020) happened. I had my first experience with children back then, assisting in therapy sessions for special needs kids. In 2021 I moved to US, and since then I've been working in child care and now have 6 years of child care experience. I'm super excited to start working at Avocado Academy, and I hope that my experiences can add to the rich community of this school.

Hello, my name is Cathy, and I’m thrilled to be joining Avocado Montessori Academy! I grew up speaking three languages, which has given me a strong appreciation for diversity and communication. I absolutely love working with children and have over four years of experience with toddlers, preschool, and pre-K age groups. Being around kids brings me so much joy, and I’m passionate about helping them learn, grow, and thrive. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, traveling, and relaxing. I’m excited to bring my enthusiasm and experience to this amazing community!

I am Maggie, a graduate of the University of Washington with a major in Communication and Education. I volunteered extensively at two public elementary schools in Seattle during my undergraduate years. After gaining work experience, I pursued a Master's in Teaching at Seattle University to further my passion for education. I now hold a graduate diploma in education and a teacher's certificate in Washington state. I am thrilled to be a part of AMA, where I can learn and grow alongside my students and colleagues in the Montessori environment.

Hello, My name is Mia, I have more than 3 years of experience in the early educational field and this is my first year working at AMA. I used to work for a public school preschool program with 4-5 year age kids. I finished my bachelor's degree in China and associate degree in Dallas.

My two boys are now growing out of the 1-6 year age group so it is nice to have that constant here. The conversations that I have with the kids are the most fun parts. I love how trusting they are and they can come to me about anything. I love working at AMA because it’s a very warm and welcoming place. The first day I worked here I saw teachers and kids running around at the playground, having big smiles while riding ponies and dancing in the bubbles. I know this is the working environment that I want to stay in. I feel blessed to get to come to school everyday to see the joy of learning and exploration of ingenious materials.

Hello, my name is Allijah (pronunciation: uh-lie-yuh), and I am the English teacher on the Bee Preschool team. I was born, raised, and studied here in the Seattle area, where I also had the privilege of growing up in a Montessori school, which inspired my passion for this unique approach to education. I began working in Montessori education in 2019 and have since continued to deepen my understanding of children’s individual developmental journeys. I am passionate about teaching and supporting each child’s growth, appreciating the uniqueness in how they learn and thrive. As an English teacher, I strive to create a nurturing and engaging environment where children feel confident and excited to explore a new language. Seeing my students grow and flourish in their language development is both rewarding and inspiring, especially when children find the joy in learning something new.

Hi! My name is Annie Chi, and I am excited to join the school community this year. I was born and raised in the small town of Duvall, Washington, where I spent much of my time playing outdoors. After college, I spent 13 years in banking, volunteered extensively, and spent several years as a stay-at-home mom. Eventually, I felt called to Montessori education and began training for an AMS certification. In 2014, I earned my Associate Early Childhood Credential through MACTE.

Since then, I have loved being part of children’s growth—both in confidence and academics. I am passionate about Montessori education and the way it nurtures creativity and independence. I am committed to inspiring a love of learning and a deep respect for the environment through enthusiasm and dedication.

In my spare time, my husband and I enjoy biking, hiking, camping, traveling, cooking, and spending time with our two grown children.

Hi, my name is Xu Xu, and I’m delighted to be part of the Avocado Montessori Academy! I earned my bachelor’s degree in Education and graduated from Johns Hopkins with a master’s degree. After graduation, I taught at a bilingual school for three years and have always been passionate about nurturing children's minds during critical development periods.

I truly enjoy working with children and highly value the Montessori approach, which respects each child’s individual pace and potential. I received my Washington teacher certification this year, but to pursue a more professional role in teaching children here, I plan to obtain Montessori teaching certification. I look forward to exploring and growing together with the children in the AMA family!

Hello everyone!

My name is Vicky, and I was born and raised in Beijing, China. I’m currently majoring in Education at the University of Washington. I have a deep love for the Montessori approach because it nurtures children’s independence and curiosity through hands on learning and respectful guidance.

Previously, I worked as an assistant teacher in the Bee Class, where I had the joy of supporting young children as they grow everyday. That experience was incredibly meaningful to me and further strengthened my passion for the Montessori philosophy. It gave me a deeper understanding of how thoughtfully prepared environments and gentle guidance can truly empower children.

Looking ahead, I plan to pursue formal Montessori training through the AMS. I’m excited to deepen my knowledge and continue developing as an educator.

I’m so excited to be part of the Avocado community and look forward to connecting and growing together!

Hello, my name is Hannah.

I am thrilled to join the Avocado community! For the past eight years, I have had the privilege of working with children aged 2 to 6, fostering their growth and learning during these critical early years. I am a Montessori-certified educator and am currently in my final quarter at Highline College, where I am completing a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education.
In my teaching, I use a variety of tools, including music, art, and play, to create a joyful and nurturing environment where children feel confident to explore and learn. I deeply respect and value each child’s unique abilities and potential, and I find great fulfillment in witnessing their growth and success in the classroom.
With my experience and passion for early childhood education, I am excited to support your children on their journey to reaching their fullest potential. I look forward to contributing to their learning and development with care, creativity, and dedication

Hello, My name is Ms. Yim
I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Thailand and completed my Montessori teacher training at the Montessori Teacher Preparation of Washington in 2016. Since then, I’ve had the joy of teaching in Montessori classrooms for over 8 years.

I’m deeply passionate about guiding children through their early years—watching them grow, explore, and develop a love of learning brings me so much fulfillment.
I love making learning both fun and meaningful by offering hands-on activities that
spark children’s natural curiosity, and I strive to create a classroom environment
that nurtures their independence, confidence, and joy in learning. I enjoy supporting
each child as they discover their unique interests and strengths.

Outside the classroom, I enjoy going to the park, visiting the beach, and spending time at the dog park.

I’m thrilled to be joining Avocado Montessori Academy and feel honored to be part of your child’s early learning journey. I look forward to getting to know you and working together to support your child’s growth, development, and happiness.

Hello! I am Ms.Sue and have been working in Montessori classroom with children since 2013. It has been great joy to work in Montessori classroom where children are accepted for who they are and challenged to become the best possible person. I truly enjoy watching children gaining independence and blooming in their own. I aspire to observe where each child is and bring adequate topics or materials to better their growth. As a teacher and a mom of two, my mission is provide the best start to a lifetime of learning. I am very honored to be in beginning of your child’s journey into the world.

Hello, my name is Anna! 

A little bit about me - I was born and raised in Washington state, I have lived in Seattle since 2017. I enjoy spending time outdoors, listening to music, traveling, spending quality time with those close to me, and I am a fur mama to four sweet pets, two dogs and two cats. 

My love for children has always been near and dear to my heart. Children’s wide eyed curiosity of the world around them has always been infectious and enlightening for me to be around. I pride myself in being an adaptable individual and with that I have worked in many different fields during my time in the workforce. I initially pursued a job as an infant teacher while studying esthetics in 2022. Though after completing my program I found myself drawn back to early childhood education due to the profound joy and fulfillment it brings. 

I have worked primarily with infants for the past three years, during this time I have felt my love for teaching grow exponentially. I am passionate about providing the support as well as the guidance infants and young children need in those early months/years of life. Being a consistent and compassionate caregiver is what I strive for on a daily basis. I aim to nurture each child’s exploration and support their developmental milestones.

I am so excited to be a part of the Avocado Montessori Academy team and I look forward to building relationships with you all. 

Hello! My name is Ms. Miku and I am very excited to be a part of Avocado Montessori Academy!

Growing up exposed to many different languages in my life, I have a deep passion for language learning and feel the importance of having exposure from a young age. I have also always had an interest in working with children, previously in high school and university, I had the opportunity to student teach in a 4th-5th bilingual classroom. I began working with toddlers 3 years ago and have loved the experience ever since. I love that I am able to assist the children as they learn the necessary tools in becoming independent!

Hello, my name is Daniela. I was born and raised in Romania and moved to Seattle about six years ago. For the past 4.5 years, I’ve been working as a private nanny with children between 8 months and 4 years old, and I’ve loved every minute of it. During this time, I’ve gained valuable experience nurturing young children, helping them develop socially, emotionally, and cognitively. Now I’m really excited to take the next step and be part of a Montessori academy. I’ve always admired how the Montessori approach encourages independence, creativity, and confidence in kids. I’m passionate about supporting kids of all ages and backgrounds as they grow, learn, and discover the world around them. 

Hello! My name is Rio Koga. I was born and raised in Montana and moved to Washington several years ago. My family is originally from Japan, and I am fluent in both Japanese and English. While I am new to the Montessori approach, my experience in the Bellevue Bee Preschool classroom has shown me firsthand how Montessori practices nurture independence, confidence, and a love of learning. I am passionate about working with children, encouraging their curiosity, and supporting each child in discovering their unique strengths. I look forward to contributing to the classroom and helping create a positive, welcoming space for all learners.

Ms Lulu

Hello, my name is Lucy!

I was born and raised in Jiangsu China and have 12 years of working experience as a trainer. Since moving to Seattle, I have worked as a Chinese teacher at a Chinese school, teaching literacy reading, Pinyin, and first grade texts. In June 2024, I joined the AMA team, deeply attracted by the Montessori method, each child is unique, I will give children enough love enough support, respect each child's growth pace, so as to help children complete personality development and finally burst out teaching results!