Meet Our Staff

Judi Dunlap
Judi.dunlap@keysschools.com

Judi has been involved in Montessori education for 28 years. She holds Montessori teacher certification in Early Childhood Education from National Center for Montessori Education and Elementary Education from the American Montessori Society. She has taught students from three years old to twelve years old in Montessori environments for twenty-five years. She is a graduate of Penn State University with a BS in Human Development and earned an MA in Gifted Education from the University of South Florida.

Judi has worked as a Montessori consultant and teacher trainer. Before coming to Key West, she was the Elementary Dean at New Gate School in Sarasota for 11 years. She has one daughter, Rachel, who was a Montessori student from ages 15 months to 14 years old. Judi volunteers with the Guardian ad Litem program here in Key West and enjoys yoga, gardening, biking and walking around the island.

In a world where our children are caught up in the rampant consumerism pushed by advertising, I love the different perspective offered by Montessori's cosmic education. Elementary age children are schooled in the interrelationships and interdependency of all living things. The emphasis on universal values will help our students take the lead in creating a more peaceful and sustainable future.

Maria Caballero
Hammerhead Shark Room, Upper Elementary
Maria.caballero@keysschools.com

Maria has been working as a Montessori teacher for almost five years, however she has been involved in the education of children for many years and holds a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She continued her education studying Linguistics and English Literature and finishing her Master's in Translation from the Complutense University of Madrid in 1998. She recently has accomplished her second Master's degree in Montessori Education at Loyola College in Maryland.

Maria was part of the Montessori staff of VI Montessori School in St. Thomas as a Lower Elementary teacher for four years. She moved to Key West this year and happily enjoys this new growth opportunity as an Upper Elementary teacher. She has three dogs, loves riding her bike to town, and enjoys movies at the Tropic.

Angela Castonguay
Wahoo Room, Lower Elementary
Angela.castonguay@keysschools.com

Angela has been a member of the Montessori Elementary Charter School Staff since 2004. After first being introduced to the Montessori philosophy as an assistant teacher, Angela completed training at the Seacoast Center for Education. She has been a classroom teacher for two years.

Angela has earned a B.S. in Physical Education from the University of Tampa, and is currently working on a Masters Degree in Montessori education. Angela is a Montessori certified teacher through the American Montessori Society.

Angela sincerely enjoys the island life Key West offers. She enjoys boating, gardening and athletics. "I feel honored to be working with students as they encounter the many challenges learning offers. Every day is ripe for a multitude of discoveries. The prospect of those ah-ha moments keeps me energized."

Amber Jemly
Sea Turtle Room, Lower Elementary
Amber.jemly@keysschools.com

Amber earned her B.S. in elementary education from Andrews University, where she minored in Spanish and language arts, after studying English literature and physics at Walla Walla College. She has also obtained her Florida, Michigan, and S.D.A. teaching certification. Including this current school year, she has taught every grade from kindergarten up through high school over the past nine years.

Amber has participated in many mission trips, including a year teaching English in Ecuador. Her passion is traveling to different places and learning about new cultures. She spends a great deal of time volunteering at her church, while using vacations to backpack, kayak, scrapbook, read, and visit family.

Tracy McDaniel
Angelfish Room, Lower Elementary
Tracy.mcdaniel@keysschools.com

Tracy graduated from the University of Central Florida with a BS in Elementary Education. In addition to her teaching certificate she holds a K-12 endorsement in ESOL and is currently working on her Reading endorsement. This is Tracy's first year teaching at MECS. Before teaching at MECS, Tracy taught in the public schools for seven years in grades first and fifth in Orlando, Florida. She has a son and a daughter. Her son is currently a Montessori student. Tracy enjoys spending time with her children, going to the beach, and exercising.

Eliza Blatt, Teacher Assistant
Wahoo Room, Lower Elementary

Eliza is currently attending St. Leo's University and plans a career in education. She also works with students as a mentor through the Take Stock In Children Program. Eliza recently began working with Mrs. Angie and the students in the Wahoo room.

Eliza grew up in a small town on a farm in Pennsylvania. Her two favorite places are on the farm and Woman Key (an island off the coast of Key West). She loves to spend time with her dog Sunny, cooking good food, and spending time with friends.

Ashleigh Cline, Teacher Assistant
Starfish Room, Lower Elementary

Ashleigh holds a B.A. in Psychology, which she earned at the University of Central Florida, and a Statement of Eligibility (Elementary Education, K-6). She has worked extensively with children from infancy to adolescence. Her experience includes but is not limited to: Pre-school Teacher/Caregiver, Summer Counselor, Elementary-level Tutor, Substitute Teacher (Orange and Monroe Counties), Nanny and Family Support Worker. Ashleigh appreciates the independence, enthusiasm, and creativity of the students at MECS.

Joy Figueroa, Teacher Assistant
Sea Turtle Room, Lower Elementary
joy.figueroa@keysschools.com

Mrs. Joy completed her Montessori Early Childhood training with the North American Montessori Center. She has worked as a primary teacher's assistant in several Montessori schools in Florida since 2001. She feels blessed that as a young child she was introduced to the Montessori Method and had the opportunity to learn, from wonderful mentors…the true meaning behind the method. Mrs. Joy's love and dedication is to her family, God and working with young children.

Pam Niles, Administrative Assistant
Pam.niles@keysschools.com

Paula Niles, affectionately knows as "Pam" has lived in Key West for 9 years. Pam was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, and came to Key West in March 1998. She is married and her daughter, Sarah-mishel is a first year student in Ms. Angie's class. Pam joined MECS in February of 2002, and has enjoyed being of service to this remarkable school. She loves to cook, and among her local favorites are Cuban roast pork, picadillo and key lime pie.

Bobbie Tichenor, Teacher Assistant
Hammerhead Shark Room, Upper Elementary
Administrative Assistant
Bobbie.tichenor@keysschools.com

Bobbie has her associates in Business Administration and is currently finishing a Bachelor's degree in accounting. Bobbie has been a MECS parent for the past 4 years. She is an administrative assistant and teacher's assistant for the upper level elementary class. She has lived all over the U.S. and in Europe. Bobbie has lived in Key West for the past 5 years and enjoys the water and weather of the Keys.