Primary Staff

Yesenia Quintero-     Head-Teacher

Yesenia is from Los Angeles, California.  This is her 5h year at FMS in the Primary Spanish Immersion program.  She has a BA in liberal arts and is Montessori certified.  She has been teaching for 11 years.  She is trilingual:  speaking Spanish, Italian and English fluently. 

Lina Streit-     Co-Teacher

In 2006, Lina began at Foothills Montessori School in the Primary Spanish Immersion program.  She was born and raised in Costa Rica where she first became interested in education and began teaching.  She moved to Illinois and taught Spanish at Zion Benton High School and at a preschool during the summer.  She moved to Las Vegas 17 years ago and became a bilingual children's instructor.  She later worked for Merryhill School where she developed and taught Spanish curriculum. 

Alyssa Kapaona- Support Teacher

Alyssa was born and raised on the island of O'ahu in Hawaii.  She received both her BS in Family Resources with a concentration in Early Childhood Development and her Masters degree in Educational Administration at the University of Hawaii.  She has been working in education for more than eight years and is excited to begin her 3rd year at FMS.  

Diana Aguilar-  Co-Teacher

This is Diana's 7th year of teaching at Foothills Montessori School in the Primary Spanish Immersion program.  She loves working with children and was a nanny for 12 years prior to becoming a teacher.

Rosie Bushbam-  Head Teacher

Rosie has been teaching at FMS for 9 years.  Before moving to Las Vegas, she taught in Alaska for 11 years.  She taught in Montessori schools in Mass. and New Hampshire.  She has a BA in education and her Primary Montessori Credential.

McKenzie Otteson- Support Teacher

Kenzie was raised in Henderson, Nevada and graduated with a BS in Elementary Education from BYU.  She has experience teaching both kindergarten and middle school aged children.  Kenzie recently relocated back to Las Vegas and is excited to be working at FMS.

Michele Gorton- Support Teacher

Michele is a graduate from C.W. Post- Long Island University with a BS in Elementary Education.  Originally from New York, she has lived in Las Vegas for 16 years teaching mostly preschool and kindergarten in private schools.  One of her goals as a teacher is to provide a safe, nuturing environment where children feel comfortable and relaxed while they explore through new experiences.  Michele enjoys the beach and skiing with her family.

Alisa Peck-  Co-Teacher

Alisa began her Montessori teaching in California when her son was 3 years of age.  She was a support teacher for 4 years, studied early childhood education, and then taught as a co-teacher for 2 years.  She has been at FMS for 7 years.

Lisa Boyd-  Head Teacher

This is Lisa's 3rd year of teaching at Foothills Montessori School.  Lisa holds a BS in elementary education and is Montessori certified- ages 3-6.  Lisa taught both 2nd and 4th grades for several years.  She discovered Foothills in 2007 when searching for a school environment that would nuture her, then 3 year old daughter's love of learning.  Through her experience Lisa knows the importance of early education and the role it plays in creating a solid foundation from which each child can grow.   

Sandy Cannon- Co-Teacher (Half Day- AM)

Sandy holds a BA in art and an AMI certified Montessori teacher.  She has taught for over 11 years and has attended numerous AMS conferences.

Kat Klehm-  Head Teacher

A graduate of Kent State University with a BA in Psychology.  Her focus was on Developmental Psychology, Special Education and Speech Pathology.  Kat is AMS certified and supporter of Montessori philosophy.  She obtained her LEED AP and hopes to assist FMS with sustainability programs.

Pauline Well- Support Teacher (Half Day- AM)

Pauline holds a BA in jounalism and a minor in English.  Her introduction to Montessori was through her two nieces.  Her desire to learn more about Montessori education led her to Foothills.

Valerie DeCrescenzo- Outdoor Garden