Faculty and Staff
We are proud of our teachers and staff longevity, with our ten-year average tenure. Country Montessori School strongly supports staff development and promotion from within.
As a certified Montessori School, our teachers must also be formally trained. We sponsor the majority of our teaching staff to obtain the necessary credentials.
Montessori Teaching Credentials
Teachers receive their Montessori teaching credentials from a Montessori Accredited Center of Teaching Education organization such as AMS (American Montessori Society) or AMI (Association Montessori Internationale).
Montessori teachers study a rigorous curriculum of child development and Montessori philosophy. AMS Montessori credentialing requires a 9-month practicum and a series of written and oral exams. A Montessori-credentialed teacher is trained to recognize a child’s readiness according to age, ability, and interest in a specific lesson and is prepared to guide individual progress.
All lead teachers at Country Montessori School are Montessori-credentialed for their teaching programs. Some of our teachers and Classroom Assistants are in training and completing their practicum under the guidance of an experienced teacher. All lead elementary teachers must have a minimum college education of a Bachelor’s degree.
Adela Corrales
Admin
Jose Bolaños
Admin
Susan Kolle
Admin
Heidi Forhan
Admin
Karin Osterberg
Admin - Director of Montessori Center for Teacher Education
Wendy West
Early Childhood Teacher
Hirona Tsang
Early Childhood Teacher
Ana Cristina Corrales
Early Childhood Teacher
Reyna Estrada
Early Childhood Teacher
Ashika Patel
Early Childhood Teacher
Katie Marr
Early Childhood Teacher
Erika Dukes
Lower Elementary Teacher
Mandy Odenwalder
Lower Elementary Teacher
Jess Stanphill
Lower Elementary Teacher
Josh Cortez
Lower Elementary Teacher
Vicki Rehkopf
Upper Elementary Teacher
Kathy Rader
Upper Elementary Teacher
Ninette Roji
Upper Elementary Teacher
Ekaterina Sagakova
Assistant Teacher
Jessica Mikhail
Assistant Teacher
Karla Ochoa
Assistant Teacher
Kimberly Solorio
Assistant Teacher
Tracy Rendon
Enrichment Teacher
Nadia Salas
Enrichment Teacher
Josh Rehkopf
Enrichment Teacher
Genesis Wasson
Enrichment Teacher
Sangeeta Das
Enrichment TeacherAdministration
Adela Corrales
Ms. Corrales is a fixture of Country Montessori School, beginning her time at CMS with the school’s 1989 inception. She started as an Early Childhood teacher, was an Early Childhood Curriculum Director, and since 2008 Ms. Corrales has led as the Head of School. She holds an NCME (AMS) Early Childhood (Preschool and Kindergarten) Montessori Teaching Credential and a BS in Human Services. Both of her daughters are alums and were participants in our entire program.
Jose Bolaños
Mr. Bolaños joined the CMS team in 2017 and is proudly now our Director of Admissions and Marketing. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Arts in English Literature. Mr. Bolaños has extensive experience overseeing educational programs and as a Program Director. He is passionate about learning, education, and his family.
Susan Kolle
Ms. Kolle is part of the administrative team, serving as the Director of Development & Administrative Coordinator. Coming from years of professional experience, she holds a multi-subject credential and a degree in Marketing.
Heidi Forhan
Ms. Forhan is part of the administrative team serving and the Business Manager. She brings her years of Accounting experience and enthusiasm for education to our community.
Karin Osterberg
Ms. Osterberg has worked at CMS since 2001. She served as an Early Childhood teacher in the Ladybugs classroom and holds an NCME (AMS) Early Childhood (Preschool and Kindergarten) Montessori Teaching Credential. Her youngest son and grandchild both attended CMS. Ms. Osterberg is stepping into a new role as Director of the Montessori Center for Teacher Education.
Early Childhood Teachers
Wendy West
Ms. West has worked at CMS since 1994. She holds an NCME (AMS) Early Childhood Education (Ages 3-6) Montessori Teaching Credential and has over 27 years of experience in Montessori Education. All three of her children have attended Country Montessori School.
Ms. West is very excited to see her returning students and looking forward to welcoming new Bumblebees to the classroom community.
Hirona Tsang
Ms. Tsang joined CMS in 2019 as a classroom assistant and is now an Early Childhood teacher in the Bumblebees classroom. Ms. Tsang holds a NCME (AMS) Early Childhood (Preschool and Kindergarten) Montessori Teaching Credential. She has always been passionate about art and has a huge interest and love for working with children.
Originally from Hong Kong, she attended a Montessori system school at a young age. Ms. Tsang studied at Utah Valley University and recently moved to San Diego to continue to pursue her education and career path in Early Childhood Education.
Ana Cristina Corrales
Ms. C joined CMS in 2021 and is an Early Childhood teacher in the Dragonflies classroom. She holds AMS Early Childhood (Preschool and Kindergarten) Montessori Teaching Credential.
Reyna Estrada
Ms. Estrada joined CMS in the summer of 2022. She is an Early Childhood teacher in the Dragonflies Classroom and holds a NCME (AMS) Early Childhood (Preschool and Kindergarten) Montessori Teaching Credential. Ms. Estrada is passionate about Montessori education and enjoys the dynamic nature of the Montessori learning environments.
Ms. Patel joined the CMS community in the summer of 2022 as an Early Childhood teacher in the Ladybugs Classroom. She is passionate about education and is excited to share her love of learning with her students.
Ms. Patel holds an NCME (AMS) Early Childhood (Preschool and Kindergarten) Montessori Teaching Credential.
Katie Marr
Ms. Marr joined CMS in 2020 as a classroom assistant and is now an Early Childhood teacher in the Ladybugs classroom. Ms. Marr enjoys the creativity of the Montessori Method and is passionate about learning.
Lower Elementary Teachers
Erika Dukes
Ms. Dukes has worked at CMS since 2006 and is currently a Lower Elementary teacher in the Eagles classroom. She holds an AMS Early Childhood (Preschool and Kindergarten) Teaching Credential, Associate of Arts in Child Development, Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, a CA Single Subject Credential, and an age 6-9 Elementary Montessori teaching credential. Her two sons are CMS Alumni.
Mandy Odenwalder
Ms. Odenwalder has worked at CMS since 2000 and is currently a Lower Elementary teacher in the Eagles classroom. Ms. Odenwalder holds an AMS Lower Elementary Montessori Teaching Credential and a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies. Her three children attend CMS.
Jess Stanphill
Ms. Stanphill joined CMS in 2019 and is a Lower Elementary teacher in the Eagles classroom. Ms. Stanphill holds a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in Elementary Education, and a concentration in Art. She is currently completing her Master of Education in Educational Leadership. Ms. Stanphill is excited to be part of the CMS team.
Josh Cortez
Mr. Cortez joined CMS in 2021 and is one of our Lower Elementary teachers in the Eagles classroom. Mr. Cortez has extensive experience working with children and is passionate about creative writing and journalism.
Upper Elementary Teachers
Vicki Rehkopf
Ms. Rehkopf has worked at CMS since 1991, where she is an Upper Elementary teacher in the Owl’s classroom. Ms. Rehkopf holds an AMS Lower Elementary Montessori Teaching Credential, AMS Upper Elementary Montessori Teaching Credential, AMI Primary Montessori Teaching Credential, and a Bachelor of Science in Child Development. Both of her sons attended CMS.
Kathy Rader
Dr. Rader has worked at CMS since 2010. She is an Upper Elementary teacher in the Owl’s classroom. Dr. Rader holds a Lower Elementary Montessori Teaching Credential, Upper Elementary Montessori Teaching Credential, and Bachelor of Arts in Biology and a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences. Dr. Rader and her husband have been very involved in CMS since 2004, with both of their children attending our school.
Ninette Roji
Ms. Roji joined CMS in 2023 as an Early Childhood teacher in the Dragonflies classroom. She has an Infant/Toddler Montessori Teaching Credential, is AMS Early Childhood (Ages 3-6) Montessori trained and has recently completed her AMS Elementary II Training (Ages 9-12). She is excited to step into her new role as one of the Upper Elementary Teachers. Both of her sons currently attend Country Montessori School.
Assistant Teachers
Ekaterina Sagakova
Ms. Sagakova joined the CMS community in the spring of 2023 as an Early Childhood assistant teacher.
Jessica Mikhail
Ms. Mikhail joined the CMS community in 2023 as an Early Childhood assistant teacher
Karla Ochoa
Ms. Ochoa joined CMS in the fall of 2024. Ms. Ochoa has extensive Montessori and child development experience. She is excited to bring her creativity to the CMS community.
Kimberly Solorio
Ms. Solorio joined CMS in the fall of 2024. Ms. Solorio has had many roles in Montessori education both with early childhood and elementary students.
Enrichment
Tracy Rendon
Ms. Rendon has worked for CMS since 2007. She is the Elementary and Kindergarten Physical Education teacher and Eagles classroom assistant teacher.
Nadia Salas
Ms. Salas is excited about resuming her original role as the school’s Spanish teacher, where she will be working with all CMS students. Nadia is a native speaker; her enthusiasm and Montessori experience add to her natural ability to teach a foreign language. Ms. Salas holds a MA in Public Health and a BACHELOR OF ARTS in Communications. Her three children attend CMS.
Josh Rehkopf
Mr. Rehkopf has worked at CMS since 2011. He is the Elementary Art teacher and also teaches Elementary Computers. Mr. Rehkopf holds a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts and has previous experience at various art school. He is a proud CMS alumni.
Genesis Wasson
Mr. Wasson joined CMS in 2021 and is excited about his new role as the computer teacher. He is passionate about computers and technology and enjoys sharing his passion with his students.
Sangeeta Das
Ms. Das joined CMS in the winter of 2023, and is the Music Teacher for Early Childhood and Elementary students. She has extensive experience with music programs in educational environments and is excited to share her passion for music with the CMS community.