KHALSA MONTESSORI - Key Persons


Amy Page

Job Titles:
  • Lead Teacher

Angie Martinez

Job Titles:
  • Assistant
  • Elementary Teaching Staff Member
  • Lower Elementary North Assistant
Angie joined Khalsa Montessori for the 2022-23 school year. She loves working with the students and enjoying her time assisting Ms. Carie in Lower Elementary. Prior to joining Khalsa, Angie worked with children in Pre-K and Kindergarten for over 25 years. She believes children thrive in a Montessori classroom and enjoys seeing it each and every day.

Ashley Burns - Founder

Job Titles:
  • Co - Founder
  • Creative Director
  • Yoga Instructor
  • Yoga Teacher
For Los Angeles native Ashley Burns, yoga is curiosity, trust, and freedom- her soul has been rich with these elements her whole life! Thankfully, the practice focused these energies toward shaping a balanced and conscious lifestyle. As co-founder and Creative Director, Ashley has been sharing yoga and creating accessible and inclusive spaces to expand the systemic boundaries of the practice in the valley with her organization DiRTYOGA since 2012. She received her first 500-hour Yoga Teacher Training at The Southwest Institute of Healing Arts. In 2015 she was gifted the opportunity to continue her education in Costa Rica with Jenn Chiarelli's Anahata Soul 200-hour Intensive. And most recently, in 2021, Ashley received a 60-hour Yoga Nidra certification from Tracee Stanley + Chanti Tacorante- Perez with the Empowered Wisdom Yoga Nidra Teacher Training. Ashley is a BELIEVER driven to serve her community and is enthusiastic about upholding yoga with the Khalsa students and teachers.

Ayden Huerta

Job Titles:
  • Assistant

Belen Martin

Job Titles:
  • Spanish Teacher
Founder of the preschool Spanish immersion program curriculum, "Funny Sunny Spanish", Belen has had the privilege of teaching and entertaining young children in the San Francisco and Phoenix areas for many years. She is grateful to have discovered this opportunity to combine her experience, love of children, and her abilities to create and interactive Spanish immersion program for students. Belen is orginally from Argentina.

Brittney Munroe

Job Titles:
  • Assistant

Bryan Murphy

Job Titles:
  • Representative
Bryan Murphy is a Community Representative and former parent representative on the KMPS and KMES Board of Directors. He has a B.A. from Yale University and received his J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley. He has practiced law with a Phoenix firm since his admission to the Arizona Bar in 1980. His two children have both attended the Khalsa Montessori School.

Candy Cotto

Job Titles:
  • Assistant

Carie Modeer

Job Titles:
  • Elementary Teaching Staff Member
  • Lead Teacher
  • KMS Board of Directors, Member
  • Lower Elementary North Lead Teacher
Carie joined the Khalsa School in 1999 as a Lower Elementary assistant. After graduating from Penn State University with a degree in Elementary Education and traveling across the country, she decided to head west to Arizona. Her immediate family, along with a change of environment, brought her to Phoenix. Outside of gaining her degree in education, Carie worked for six years as an assistant teacher in a Christian Daycare in Pennsylvania. She also held part-time positions in childcare throughout her college years. After experiencing Montessori for the first time at Khalsa and gaining a passion for the Montessori method she made the choice to become trained as a Montessori Lead Teacher. Carie has been a Lower Elementary Lead Teacher since 2004. In her free time, Carie enjoys playing Taiko (Japanese drumming) and has been a member of the Phoenix Taiko dojo since 2001. She also enjoys reading and spending time outdoors hiking and camping.

Carmen Barba

Job Titles:
  • Assistant

Chloe Clift

Job Titles:
  • Lead Teacher

Cynthia Huebscher

Job Titles:
  • KMS Board of Directors, Secretary and Treasurer
  • Primary School Assistant Director
Cynthia Huebscher joined Khalsa Montessori School in April 2016 as a Primary Guide. Her 25+ years of experience in education as a teacher, trainer, mentor, and tutor to students of all ages offers her a wide perspective. She understands where children begin and where we can help guide them for success in school and life. Cynthia received her American Montessori International Diploma from the Montessori Institute of La Jolla. She obtained her California Teaching Credential from National University and her BS in Liberal Studies from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Cynthia enjoys sharing her knowledge and experience to the Primary and Toddler classrooms and staff at Khalsa. Cynthia Huebscher joined Khalsa Montessori School in April 2016. She enjoyed 5 1/2 amazing years in the classroom before COVID began. During the challenges of COVID, Cynthia oversaw the transition to preparing packets for children to work on at home to coordinating online classes for distance learners while supporting in-classroom instruction and cohorts. Keeping everyone safe while also guiding the children on their journeys of self-discovery was hard. But as we tell the children - "You can do hard things." And, with an amazingly dedicated staff and supportive parents - we did. Currently, Cynthia supports the teachers and staff at Primary and Toddler while also guiding the charter school kindergarteners. Cynthia received her American Montessori International Diploma from the Montessori Institute of La Jolla. She trained with Sylvia Dubovoy, an AMI trainer, consultant, and examiner. Cynthia has over 25 years of experience in education as a teacher, trainer, mentor, and tutor to students of all ages. She obtained her California Teaching Credential from National University and her BS in Liberal Studies from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Cynthia is looking forward to continuing to support the Khalsa community and excited to see what this year's challenges will bring. Cynthia's favorite down-time activity is reading.

Dawn Scheurn

Job Titles:
  • Admi Ssions Coordinator
Dawn joined Khalsa in 2009 as the Elementary Receptionist and enjoyed that role for 5 years. She left to work at a Charter Middle School-High School closer to home where she worked in Administration for 5 years. She returned to Khalsa in 2019 as the Toddler Site Coordinator for 2 years and now works as the Admissions Coordinator. Dawn has 2 adult granddaughters as well as a new grandson that she is eager to spend more time with! In her spare time she enjoys hiking, art festivals, concerts and travel.

Dawn Tapia

Job Titles:
  • Reading Specialist
  • Physical Education
Dawn has served Khalsa since 2006, in various roles. She's worked as a Classroom Assistant, Substitute, After Care Assistant, and as a Lead Teacher in Primary South and Transitional Kindergarten classrooms. Dawn has 6 years' experience as a tutor for Sylvan Learning Center and a B.A. from Austin Peay State University in Tennessee. A sincere love and appreciation for teaching, many years' worth of knowledge and experience teaching reading, and a desire to serve the Khalsa community, Dawn is happy to be back at Khalsa.

Donna Koenig

Job Titles:
  • Assistant

Dyanna Jiron

Job Titles:
  • Lead Teacher

Erika Grady

Job Titles:
  • Toddler School Site Coordinator
  • Toddler Site Coordinator
Erika joined Khalsa in 2022 as the Toddler Site-Coordinator. She recently moved back to Arizona from Illinois and is happy to be back. Erika attended ASU and lived in Arizona for 15 years before moving to Illinois after her daughter was born. Erika is a Mom to a 4 year old daughter, Lennon, and two cats, Biscuit & Gravy, who keep her busy. In her spare time, Erika enjoys spending time with her daughter and friends.

Heather Kimbell

Job Titles:
  • Primary School Site Coordinator
  • Primary Site Coordinator
Heather joined Khalsa Primary School in April 2018 as the Primary Onsite Coordinator. Married for several decades, she is the mother of 4 (now adult children) , foster mother of 3 (now adult children) and adoptive mom of 1 adorable Lower Elementary Khalsa student. Heather is pleased to be working with very young children again in an administrative support capacity. In her spare time, Heather enjoys being part of the Phoenix storytelling and theatrical communities. She recently took up square dancing and kayaking and hopes to add an artistic endeavor such as painting or pottery to her future.

Helen Williams

Job Titles:
  • Lead Teacher
  • Lower Elementary East Lead Teacher
Teaching is my calling. I joined Khalsa Montessori as Lead Teacher in the summer of 2020. While born and raised in Sweden, I have spent most of my adult life in the U.S. My husband and I have made a home with our three children in ten different states over the span of three decades. I earned a Bachelor's degree in English at the University of Massachusetts in Boston, and later a teaching certificate in Elementary Education at Eastern Michigan University. I entered the education field after many years as a stay-at-home mom. My teaching experience includes elementary, middle school, and adult education. Very proud to be a teacher and life-long learner, I have obtained Arizona teacher certification and a Montessori teacher certification by American Montessori Society. The road here was long, but I feel as though I was meant to be a Montessori teacher. Besides teaching, I love healthy cooking, hiking, and visiting my three adult children who are spread out across the country. My special interests are language learning (French and Spanish) and children's literature.

Jenni Gorman

Job Titles:
  • Assistant
  • Upper Elementary Assistant Teacher

Jill Woodhull

Job Titles:
  • Business Manager
Jill joined Khalsa in March of 2018 in the accounting department. In addition to her accounting role, Jill is the Outdoor Environment Teacher at the Primary campus. Jill grew up in Arizona and graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Fine Arts. She has been a parent of Khalsa children for the past 7 years. She enjoys travel, hiking, reading, and any activity that is with her family.

Kaitlyn Galindo-Rodriguez

Job Titles:
  • Assistant

Karen Paxton

Job Titles:
  • Director
  • Director / KMS Board of Directors, President
Karen has been a familiar face around Khalsa School since the early 1980s. She began as a young parent, PTO Board member, and finally a staff member, substituting at every campus in the Khalsa School system in the 1990s. Her three daughters have all graduated from Khalsa School. In addition to her role at Khalsa School, she enjoys gardening, cooking, yoga, and meditation. She is a certified Kundalini Yoga Teacher. She graduated with a Bachelor's degree from Millsaps College in 1977 and worked as a VISTA volunteer before moving to Arizona in 1979. She worked in the medical field and administered a multi-site primary care practice for eleven years. She has completed graduate courses in business and education. In 2002, Karen completed her AMS certification as a Montessori Middle School teacher at the Houston Montessori Center. As the Director of Admissions for the charter elementary and the private primary/toddler schools, she coordinates the application and registration process for both campuses. She is the primary contact for communicating information about Khalsa School to prospective parents as well as maintaining effective contact with them throughout the year. She also conducts tours of the school for prospective parents. As a young parent in the early 1980's I began searching for the right school for my first child. Khalsa was lovingly recommended to me by a member of the Khalsa community. I was intrigued and enrolled my child as a two year old. My main goal was that she love learning and school and she did. Since that time, I have served in almost every role at Khalsa Montessori School. I was asked to start the middle school program in 1999 and completed my Montessori Secondary I training with Houston Montessori Center. I created the gardening program and subsequently joined administration as the Admissions Director, Primary School Director and Head of School for both the private and charter schools. My bachelor's degree was a double major in history and political science. I joined others in creating a primary care multi-specialty medical group in downtown Phoenix where I was the chief administrator. There were three locations. In the mid-1990's, I sought a change of careers that led me to Khalsa Montessori School. I believe in the transformative power of a Montessori education. I have seen my own children as well as my students who are all adults, benefit from its many facets. My commitment comes from my experience and observation of these qualities: independence of the child, the power of choice, nonviolent methods of problem-solving conflicts and a living community of learners.

Kate Sigman

Job Titles:
  • Assistant
  • Elementary Extended Care Assistant
Kate recently moved to Phoenix from San Rafael, California. She will support in Elementary Extended Care. She has over twenty years of experience assisting in Montessori primary and elementary classrooms. Kate has traveled all over the country and actually did seasonal work at five of our National Parks including Grand Canyon, Denali and Yosemite before settling in the bay area to raise her family. She enjoys drawing, food and film!

Laurie Alejo

Job Titles:
  • Elementary Teaching Staff Member
  • Lead Teacher
  • Lower Elementary South Lead Teacher
Laurie joined Khalsa Montessori School in 2019 as an elementary extended care assistant then transitioned as a lower elementary assistant teacher. After falling in love with the Montessori philosophy and wanting to learn more, she decided to become a trained Montessori educator. She completed a year-long training through the Arizona Montessori Teacher Education Program in June 2022. Aside from her accreditation in Montessori, she also has a Bachelor's Degree in elementary education from New Mexico State University and tutored students at Sylvan Learning Center for 8 years. In her spare time, she enjoys baking, listening to music, and reading inspirational books.

Lavender Bailey

Job Titles:
  • Administrative Assistant
Lavender first joined Khalsa in July of 2017 as the Front Office Secretary. They then moved into the Administration Office, taking on the role of Adminstrave Assistant. After 4 years, they left Khalsa to explore the Pacific Northwest. In 2023, they returned to Khalsa in their former role. Lavender is excited to be back helping the school grow and creating a welcome environment for everyone! Lavender enjoys creating ink-based art, crafting, reading, music, walking in nature, and playing with their cat Willow Bea.

Mark Dugan

Job Titles:
  • Assistant
  • Physical Education Teacher & Extended Care Assistant
Mark Dugan started at Khalsa Montessori Elementary School in the fall of 2007 as a substitute and as the elementary physical education teacher. Mark has been the van driver on many field trips and school outings. He has worked as a sub at all age levels and as an Elementary Assistant Teacher. He is currently the Elementary P.E. Instructor, Outdoor Environment Instructor and Elementary Gardening Instructor. As of 2022 the garden and sustainability program has a renewed focus on community service with Mark as the special project leader. Mark worked at the Gentle Strength Co-op for several years; he has also worked for Life's A Garden Organic Landscaping Company and the Green Goddess Nursery.

Monica Galvez

Job Titles:
  • Assistant

Nadia Tovar

Job Titles:
  • Assistant

Ninfa Hartley

Job Titles:
  • Assistant

Rasha Alebrahim

Job Titles:
  • Associate Director
Rasha has been a dedicated Montessori educator since 2009. She completed her training at the Montessori Centre International in London, UK, and subsequently piloted the first Montessori Center aimed at serving students with learning differences. Rasha moved with her family to Arizona in 2011 where she taught at Villa Montessori for four year. She then became a teaching Head of School at St. Peter's Montessori School in Litchfield Park, where, for three years, she mentored teachers, grew enrollment, and opened Infant and Toddler programs. She earned her BS and MA in Psychology from the University of Damascus, Syria. She now lives in Phoenix with her husband and two children who are attending in the Khalsa Primary Program.

Renee Soldanels

Job Titles:
  • Lead Teacher

Revay Cargo

Job Titles:
  • Lead Teacher

Satwant Singh Khalsa

Job Titles:
  • Director Emeritus
Satwant Singh began his long tenure at Khalsa in 1973. In 1980 he became the school's Director and oversaw Khalsa's Elementary program transition from private school into a public charter school. Please read more about Satwant Singh and his rich history with Khalsa Montessori here.

Shannice Price

Job Titles:
  • Special Education Director

Shannon Pursell

Job Titles:
  • Lead Teacher

Thomas Caglio

Job Titles:
  • Representative
Thomas Caglio is a Community Representative and former Parent Representative on the KMES and the KMPS Board of Directors. He serves as the Vice-President for both boards. Tom recently retired from the Phoenix Union High School District where he served as a Systems Analyst in the Curriculum Division and gained expertise with regard to computer programming and statistics. Two of Tom's children attended and graduated from Khalsa Montessori School.

Treasure Howie

Job Titles:
  • Assistant

Wendy Ramirez

Job Titles:
  • Assistant
  • Elementary Teaching Staff Member
  • Lower Elementary South Assistant
Wendy was born in Mexico, but has spent most of her life here in Phoenix. She discovered Montessori when researching what school would be best for her oldest son, who was three at the time. Wendy loves to spend time with her family, dog and bearded dragon.