Cynthia Barraza is our Head of School. She is originally from Chihuahua, Mexico. After finishing high school she studied a two year course in Montessori Elementary (6-12) in her hometown, giving her a Diploma accredited by the Tecnologico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey. She then decided to move to El Paso, TX. There she earned...
Angelica Costello is the Directress of the Toddler Community. She was born and educated in Mexico and graduated from Escuela Normal para Maestros de la Universidad del Estado de Morelos in Mexico with a degree in Literature. After graduation she taught literature and reading to Junior High students. She has lived in the United States...
Karol Diniz Cunningham is the Sunflower Primary Directress. She is originally from Manaus, Brazil. Since a young age she has been involved in teaching, and interested in languages and child cognitive development. Karol holds a bachelor’s degree in Education and a licentiate degree in Psychopedagogy from the Federal University of Amazonas. Recently, she earned her...
Claire is the part-time receptionist. She helped start Columbia Community Montessori in Columbia, Missouri with her husband in 2007 and now resides on a farm near Sparta, MO where she raises a variety of animals, including goats and alpacas, and hosts visitors through AirBnb. She is a graduate of Glendale High School and the University...
Lexi Miles is originally from Whitefish, Montana. After moving to Missouri for college, she graduated from Cottey College in 2012 and moved to Springfield a few short years later. Lexi began her Montessori journey after applying for a part-time office position here at Discovery Garden, only to be presented with many more opportunities for growth...
Heather O’Sullivan has taught dance for 10 years for organizations such as Tulsa Ballet, Tulsa University and Oral Roberts University. As a faculty member at Tulsa Ballet Center for Dance Education, she collaborated with then Director Stephanie Murrish to create Creative Movement curriculum designed to prepare young movers for pre-professional ballet training by inspiring a...
