Meet Our Staff
We love our Teachers
Dedicated to authentic Montessori education, the administration and staff at
are highly trained, talented, and love working with children. We are a school filled with joy!
Administrative Staff
Monica MacDonald
Founder And Head of School
I began my career as a counselor for children and families and was introduced to Montessori during a trip to India in 1986. It changed my life and its direction. I saw in Dr. Montessori’s work her life ambition; that children be treated with respect and dignity and be given the tools they need to be successful and happy adults.
I have worked with infants, toddlers, primary (3-6) and elementary children as both assistant and teacher. I have served as Head of School and Consultant. My Montessori career spans over 30 years now.
I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Social Work and Psychology and received my AMI diploma from the Montessori Training Center in St. Louis. I am the proud parent of an adult daughter who attended Montessori programs through the 8th grade. I am also now a “YaYa” to a beautiful grandson.
“We shall walk together on this path of life, for all things are part of the universe and are connected with each other to form one whole unity.”
—Maria Montessori
Mikali Rhinehart
Site Director
I have been working in childcare for 15 years. I earned my Associates degree in Early Childhood Development in 2019, and I received my Site Supervisor permit in 2020. I started working at Nature's Way in 2021 and started my journey with Montessori. I instantly gravitated toward the belief of order and independence for the child, that's when I knew I found my home. Now I get the pleasure of going into every classroom each day and watching the children learn and grow as our Site Director.
I am also a mother to a 14 year old girl and I have a fiance and a dog at home. We are a pretty busy family that is in several after school sports and activities. On the weekends we enjoy as much family time as we can fit in.
“Children are human beings to whom respect is due, superior to us by reason of their innocence and of the greater possibilities of their future.”
—Dr. Maria Montessori
Primary (3-6)
Barbara Pappas
My career in education began in 1991 and for the first 10 years I tested the waters of different philosophies and approaches to serve children and families. In 2001 I met Ursula Thrush and I immediately began the AMI Montessori Teacher Training in San Francisco with her. Ursula was a demanding and detail oriented leader, a master of understanding Maria Montessori’s vision and mission, and simply a person and personality we rarely meet in our lifetime.
Since then I have meticulously honed and practiced the art of the Primary Montessori Teacher. I have kept the Montessori vision and mission alive as best as I could and throughout all these years it is always the calling and the obligation to this incredible source of education that drives me forward and keeps me honest.
I chose Nature’s Way to be my final professional home for all the above criteria. It takes a strong commitment to comprehend and nurture a methodology that began in 1870 and evolved for years across several continents. Most forces of the modern world will deny, ignore or dismiss the profound value of a Maria Montessori education, but not so at Nature’s Way.
I sense that my best years in the classroom are yet to come!
“The children are now all working…as if I didn’t exist.”
—Maria Montessori
Ana Ceja
My name is Ana Ceja, I have had the privilege to work with children and their families for 12 years. Being a mother myself, I always hoped to have the opportunity to bring my daughter into NWM. I am thankful that she is here alongside me. I chose to work at NWM because I have the opportunity to work with children who are actually excited to learn and so that I can learn more about the Montessori method.
“It shouldn’t matter how slowly a child learns as long as we are encouraging them not to stop."
—Robert John Meehan
Toddler (2-3)
Vanessa Harris
I’m originally from Spain and moved to California eight years ago. I earned an Associate degree in Social Work and began my teaching career over 20 years ago when I started my own company in Spain. I discovered the Montessori Method while pregnant with my wonderful son Oliver several years ago. I began to work as a Montessori Guide in 2019. Then, I got my Credentials in Early Childhood Education from the American Montessori Society. The magic of Montessori for me is observing each child individually and wondering how they flourish, following their pace, and being part of their journey respectfully. Being part of Nature's Way Montessori is an honor because I love the spirit and philosophy of Montessori education and how it guides and spreads the philosophy to the children, parents, and our community.
"The goal of Early Childhood should be to activate the child's own natural desire to learn."
—Maria Montessori
Madi Guevara
I was raised in Waldorf education, where I developed an appreciation for holistic learning and creativity. I worked for a few years as a pastry chef, then in the film industry, but it wasn't until I more recently stumbled upon the Montessori philosophy that I felt I'd found my calling. I embarked on a new path in education, becoming an AMI Certified Assistant Teacher. Now, as part of the vibrant community at NWM, I'm grateful for the opportunity to learn from our experienced lead teachers who ignite curiosity and foster growth in the lives of our young learners.
"We see the figure of the child who stands before us with his arms held open, beckoning humanity to follow."
—Dr. Maria Montessori
Toddler (18 months-2)
Citlaly Padilla
I am pursuing a career in child development studying at Napa Valley College. I have 2 years of experience working with children. I work with them because I understand how important it is to have an adult in your life listen, see, and care for you. I always tell people that if I can make a difference in one child’s life throughout the entirety of my career then it would have all been worth it. Nature’s Way is a great place for me because of its value for seeing and caring for the whole child.
“Our care of the child should be governed, not by the desire to make him learn things, but by the endeavor to keep burning within him that light which is called intelligence.”
Andrea Ortega
I have been working in the early childhood education field since 2017 when I earned my Child, Family, and Community Services degree. I am certified in working with multicultural families, incorporating music and movement in the classroom, and working with infants. I attended a Montessori course and now have 80 hours towards my Montessori certification and look forward to being fully trained.
I started working at NWM in 2021 and quickly realized how much I appreciate what Montessori has to offer each child. The pedagogy is so inspiring and I love learning from children every day. I live in Napa with my husband and two sons. When I'm not at work, you can always find me out on a baseball field or a soccer field.
"The Child is both a hope and a promise for mankind"
—Maria Montessori
Mira Spendlove
For the past seven years, I've had the privilege of teaching children in various environments, including homes, dance studios, and classrooms. My journey began with a Bachelor's degree in Family and Human Services, supplemented by minors in Psychology and Special Education.
What drives me in my work is my deep-seated love for children. Witnessing their growth and development brings me immense joy and fulfillment. I am honored to be a part of NWM, where teachers create nurturing and inclusive spaces where every child feels valued and empowered.
“It is not nature alone, but nature and the environment together, that give us the miracle of the little child, the miracle of the little child who speaks”
—Maria Montessori
Leeann Cox
I have enjoyed serving children, families and the community in various roles. I come to Nature's Way with a background in Social Work and a passion for serving others. I have over 10 years experience learning, guiding, and facilitating growth in young children as an Early Childhood Educator. I have also had the privilege of working with children and families, in an Early Intervention and ABA setting.
I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, with a predominant focus on Child Development and Behavioral Science. I live in Napa with my husband, young daughter who attends Nature's Way Montessori and our Border Collie, Selly
“Let us treat them [children], therefore, with all the kindness which we would wish to help to develop them.”
—Maria Montessori
Infant (12 weeks-18 months)
Katya Martinez
During my preschool experience I was asked “what do you want to be when you grow up?” and I said I wanted to be a teacher, I knew it then and I still live it now. I have studied Child Development and Abnormal Psychology since graduating high school in 2014 and have had different job titles from Substitute Teacher, Head Preschool Teacher, and RBT working with children of all ages and developmental stages. I am excited to continue to work and learn alongside the children at Nature’s Way Montessori.
“Even though I have studied this question for a long time, I am continually surprised. I understand more and more how advanced and able small children can be.”
—Maria Montessori
Diana Flores
Bio Coming Soon!
Tracy Szeto
In 2010, I began working as a Nanny and fell in love with working with children. In 2017, I attended college where I took courses in Child Development andI received an Associates Degree in Business Administration. In 2019, I received a Bachelor's degree in Sociology. During my time in the child care industry, I have experience working as a nanny, an aide in an in-home daycare and a Head Start Teacher. As of August of 2024, I am a Teacher's Assistant at NWM.
“While we teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.”
-Angela Schwindt
Emelyn Ojeda
I am extremely excited to work at Natures Way Montessori with all your children. My mom worked with children for over 2 decades so I decided to follow in her steps, I saw how much it excited her to see the children grow and learn. I have been in early childhood education for 7 years and have continued to love it! I am passionate about guiding children to be their most authentic selves and learning from them to be a more kind and patient human. I have 2 little ones of my own and as a family we find interest in exploring nature, trying new foods, going on adventures, and spending lots of time with our family!
“Who dares to teach must never cease to learn.”
—John Cotton Dana
Brenda Talavera
I have worked with children for 18 years. I took my child development classes at Napa Valley College. I attended a Montessori Assistant Workshop and became a certified Montessori Assistant. I started working at Nature's Way in 2017. During my time here I have worked as an assistant in the toddler and primary classroom. Recently, I became the Lead Teacher in the infant classroom. I love working at Nature's Way Montessori because I enjoy being around the children and seeing them learn through hands-on play
“The greatest gifts we can give our children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence.”
—Dr. Maria Montessori
Edna Mejia
I’ve worked and volunteered with children in various age groups and programs for many years.. I believe that Nature’s Way Montessori has a great environment that allows for both staff and children to grow. My experience at NWM has been great! I love working with infants, they inspire me to not give up, it is very beautiful and rewarding seeing them grow.
"How much fuller and richer life would be if we saw the child in all his greatness, all his beauty, instead of focusing on all his little mistakes?"
—Maria Montessori
Martha Santiago
My name is Martha Santiago, originally from Mexico. I moved to Napa two years ago when I married my husband, a resident of this beautiful city. I graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor's degree in Preschool Education and have over 10 years of experience in early childhood education.
I love observing the growth, personality, and intelligence of each child under my care and enjoy creating strategies to enhance their learning. I am creative, kind, and enjoy teamwork to achieve goals for the benefit of students and the work environment.
I am excited to join Nature’s Way Montessori, admire Maria Montessori's method, and look forward to expanding my knowledge through the experiences this school offers
Jessica Delgado
I have worked with children for 7 years and have my Early Childhood Education courses and continue loving it. I have worked at NWM since 2020 alongside many great Montessori teachers. I was an assistant for the Primary classroom and then I had the privilege to work in the walking infant class. I enjoy working at NWM because I am able to explore and expand my knowledge of different fundamental values and views on child development. I also love the community, to see how involved parents and staff are with each other.
“The newborn child is an inert being, but this inert being has this power and we must marvel at it. Our attitude must be to do what we can to nurture the creation of man.”
—Dr. Maria Montessor
Specialists
Kari Vann
Music
I am a Music Educator with a B.S. in piano from the Jacobs School of Music and a Master's in Musicology from the University of Oxford. Classically trained, I have studied and played in all styles and genres. I presently teach piano out of my home studio in Westwood Hills, and have been leading a music class at Nature's Way Montessori since 2022. I love watching my son Tigran thrive in the structured Montessori environment. Nature’s Way Montessori has offered the opportunity to explore music education at the preschool level. It’s been a great experience to see how much the children love singing.
"If you have a heart, you have rhythm. If you have a voice, you can sing."
—Anonymous
Dillon Vaughn
Enthusiast of all things nature born and raised in Napa valley. Live locally with my wife, teenage daughter, and dog Dipy. You can usually find me in some sort of garden.
“The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The next best time is today”
A old African proverb