Our Montessori Guides
Our wonderful Montessori guides are passionate, Montessori-credentialed educators with rich classroom experience. They create nurturing, engaging environments where children develop independence and curiosity, while building strong connections with families. Our teachers feel supported and appreciated, and that is why we enjoy our staff staying for may years, some for decades!
The Most Dedicated, Nurturing Teachers
Irene Areval , Lindsay Kuhlengel, and Erika Macias
CLYDESDALE CLASS – ELEMENTARY
Irene Arevalo has been a dedicated Montessori teacher at Alden since 2016, holding an elementary-level Montessori credential from the American Montessori Society. Irene holds a bachelor’s degree and a CPA license. Her passion for the Montessori philosophy was ignited while her own children attended a Montessori school, where she witnessed its profound impact on their development. This inspired her to pursue a meaningful career as a Montessori guide. Originally from southeast Texas, Irene now resides in Highland Village with her husband and three children, where they share a love for traveling and exploring new places. Irene has been teaching for nine years, all here at Alden!
Lindsay Kuhlengel, after working in the public school, was looking for a new educational philosophy to support and teach children. Upon her arrival she fell in love with the Montessori Method. Lindsay embraced working in our toddler and primary communities for many years and has now found her joy and passion with the elementary community. She loves that she can support them with the beautiful hands-on materials, foster independence, and guide them with respect and patience. Lindsay loves spending time with her wonderful husband and two teenage boys. Lindsay has been teaching for seventeen years with eight years at Alden.
Erika Macias embarked on her Montessori journey in 2023. Serving as an assistant teacher at both primary and elementary levels, she is currently pursuing her Montessori certification alongside a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Deeply inspired by the Montessori philosophy, Erika is committed to nurturing independence and confidence in children as they develop. As a devoted mother, she embraces Montessori principles in raising her son, fostering his growth with the same passion she brings to her classroom. Erika has been teaching for two years with this being her first year at Alden.
Adriana Hernandez & Andrea Jimenez
LOS BRONCOS CLASS – PRIMARY: BILINGUAL ENGLISH/SPANISH
Adriana Hernandez’s Montessori journey began while exploring schools for her young daughter. She quickly fell in love with the philosophy and approach which inspired her to pursue certification through Montessori Education Program International at the Early Childhood level. She is passionate about fostering independence, curiosity, and the love of learning for all children. She enjoys eating healthy, running, traveling, and spending time with her two beautiful daughters, and two grandchildren. Adriana has been teaching for twenty-six years with fourteen years at Alden.
Andrea Jimenez has dedicated herself to fostering young minds. Her passion for Montessori education was sparked while researching schools for her own toddler. Now a junior at Texas Women’s University, Andrea is pursuing a degree in Child Development, specializing as a Child Life Specialist to support children’s growth and well-being. Originally from Mexico, but raised in Texas, she brings a vibrant cultural perspective,and as a native Spanish speaker she is a great asset to our bilingual classroom. Andrea has been teaching for four years with three years at Alden.
Sabrina Mills & Sara Friedman
MUSTANG CLASS – PRIMARY
Sabrina Mills, a lifelong Texan, resides in the Lone Star State with her husband and their three wonderful children. Together, they embrace the vibrant energy of city life and the serene beauty of the countryside. Always eager for new experiences, Sabrina cherishes adventures with her family and their two spirited dogs. Holding an American Montessori Society Early Childhood credential, she has been a dedicated educator since 2003. Sabrina is deeply committed to the Montessori philosophy, which empowers children to develop independence and a lifelong love of learning. Sabrina has been teaching for twenty-three years with ten years at Alden Montessori.
Sara Friedman is a recent convert to the Montessori philosophy and embraced it wholeheartedly! First as a parent and then as a teacher, and is currently pursuing her Early Childhood Credential through the International Christian Montessori Institute. Sara’s passion for Montessori was sparked by her daughter’s early experiences, inspiring her to dedicate herself to guiding children in their unique journeys of discovery. Together with her daughter, she enjoys traveling, sports, and cherished family time. This is Sara’s first year teaching and is loving it!
Lorena Ramirez & Emma Warren
ARABIAN CLASS – PRIMARY
Lorena Ramirez holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Primary-level Montessori credential from the Prepared Montessori Institute. Like so many of us, Lorena discovered Montessori through her children and quickly embraced its philosophy. Since beginning her teaching journey in 2021, she has developed extensive experience nurturing children’s academic and social growth. Fluent in Spanish and conversational in Portuguese, Lorena brings a diverse perspective to her work. Outside the classroom, she enjoys cycling, traveling, and spending quality time outdoors with her family. Lorena has been teaching for four years with two years at Alden Montessori.
Emma Warren’s journey is truly unique! Raised in a Montessori school where her mother served as director, she later attended the elementary program here at Alden Montessori, gaining a child’s view into the Montessori philosophy. Her time as an aftercare teacher at Alden during her early college years further enriched her understanding. Having traveled with her husband in the army and having a child, she is thrilled to be back in Texas near her family and especially to be teaching at Alden Montessori. Emma has been teaching for three years, all of those here at Alden!
Nitziel Baez & Afaf Al-Asmar
THOROUGHBRED CLASS – PRIMARY
Nitziel Báez began her Montessori journey as an assistant guide and quickly developed a deep appreciation for the philosophy leading her to earn her Montessori credential through The Prepared Montessorian at the Early Childhood level. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications with a focus on Advertising and Public Relations. She is the proud mother of tow young boys an enjoys teaching, traveling with family, and exploring new restaurants and coffee shops. Nitziel has been teaching for four years with this being her first year at Alden.
Afaf Al-Asmar is dedicated to fostering a nurturing and respectful learning environment. Her passion is to create a prepared environment where children ca cultivate independence, embrace a love of learning and develop a peaceful community. The Montessori philosophy has touched her heart. She is excited to share that she is pursuing her International Montessori Council Early Childhood credential! Originally from Jordon, she enjoys traveling and exploring new places with her husband and four children. Afaf has been teaching for three years with two years at Alden Montessori.
Vesna Dizdarevic & Kinga Podsiadl
SHETLAND CLASS – TODDLER
Vesna Dizdarevic is originally from Bosnia Herzegovina. She began her Montessori journey twenty-six years ago and discovered the joy of toddlers. She earned her American Montessori Society – Infant Toddler Credential and is a wealth of knowledge for parents and staff alike. Outside of teaching, she enjoys life with her wonderful husband, son and two daughters. Together they love cooking (she makes amazing baklava!), playing board games, and watching movies. Vesna has been teaching for twenty-six years with thirteen years at Alden.
Kinga Podsiadlo was born and raised in Poland, where she earned her Master’s degree in Business Marketing and Management. She has called Texas home since 2002. Her passion for Montessori education began when her first child was born. After teaching in public school, she found Alden Montessori where she always belonged! She enjoys her days with toddlers who bring cuddles, curiosity and joy. Outside of school, she loves spending time with her husband and two sons and loves traveling, baking, cooking, and curling up with a good book! Kinga has been teaching for ten years with four years at Alden.
Monica Wissinger & Lesley Lomas
APPALOOSA CLASS – TODDLER
Monica Wissinger is certified by Association Montessori International in Assistant to Infancy since 2018. She was captivated by the Montessori philosophy after enrolling her daughter in a Montessori school. She also holds a Bachelors in Advertising with a background in Performing arts and communication. Utilizing those schools with her Montessori she hopes to transform the world one child at a time. Native to the Dominican Republic, Monica enjoys teaching Spanish, tasting cuisines for diverse cultures and replicating them at home, and immersing herself in fantastic stories from good movies and great books next to her twelve year old daughter and their rescue dog, Mick Jagger. Monica has been teaching for seven years with two years at Alden.
Lesley Lomas is a born and raised Texan. She is one of our newest members here at Alden and is excited to begin her journey by beginning Montessori certification at the toddler level. With her previous experience as a Montessori assistant experience, she has become a invaluable asset to the community. She is a native Spanish speaker and loves to share her language with the children. Lesley loves to travel and looks forward to enjoying new adventures. Lesley has been teaching for two years with one year at Alden.