Keely Wirries

head of school

Erin Cherry

assistant director

Erin is serving as an administrator for her fifth year, after two years of teaching primary students at DMS. A graduate of UCLA, she taught elementary-aged art programs throughout California for five years, worked in costuming for film and television, and founded + ran a successful graphic design business where she learned all things administration. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, oil painting, and renovating her mountain home with her husband, two dogs, and four cats.

Abbie Foley

Program Director

Abbie brings a history of over eight years at DMS working in Elementary classrooms to her role of Program Director. She has her Montessori Teaching Certification from the North American Montessori Center as well as certificates in Understanding Interventions and Therapies in a Montessori setting from MMPI, and the Science of Reading from AMS. She is excited to be expanding her work at DMS to all classrooms where she will be supporting and promoting the Montessori methodology implementation, facilitating professional development, and supporting families and students with accommodation plans. 

DeAnn Meadows

Los pollitos Classroom lead

DeAnn has her Early Childhood Development Certificate and Associates in Arts of Early Childhood Education, as well as her Infant/Toddler Certification through NAMC. She has worked in the Early Childhood Development field for over twelve years, and is currently in her tenth year at DMS. She is native to New Mexico and resides outside Santa Fe with her husband and their son.

Rhonda Lozoya

Los pollitos Classroom Facilitator

Rhonda has always enjoyed being around children. In addition to babysitting, she has worked with children in different capacities since she was a teenager. She resides in Santa Fe with her husband and two children. She enjoys cooking with her family and reading in her spare time, and will start at SFCC this Fall semester to receive her NM Early Childhood Education certificate. She is excited to start at Desert Montessori School and work with the toddlers and their families!

Holly wilson

Roadrunner Classroom Lead

Molly Jenkins

Roadrunner Classroom Facilitator

Mariana Mendoza

aspen classroom Co-Teacher

Mariana was born in Phoenix, Arizona, during the hottest month of the year and was raised between Phoenix and Santa Fe. She is a proud mom to her 3-year-old son, and most of her free time is spent being his best friend. They love the water, trampoline parks, and just about any park they can find – he truly brings out the child in her! Her interest in Montessori education began when her son was diagnosed with a speech delay. She realized his learning style was different from what traditional schools typically offer, and Montessori’s personalized, self-paced approach was exactly what her son needed to thrive. That experience opened her eyes to how many other children could benefit from this method, and sparked her passion to be part of their learning journeys.

Maricela Miranda Carreon

aspen classroom Co-Teacher

Maricela was born in Mexico, grew up in California, and moved to Santa Fe in 2004.
She is a mom of four and loves spending time with family. She loves the outdoors and photography, and took photography classes at SFCC. She recently received an AA in Early Childhood Education from the Santa Fe Community College and is pursuing her BA in Early Childhood Education. Maricela has worked with infants, toddlers and PreK students. She wants every child to feel welcomed, safe and loved. 

Ellen Gore

pinon classroom Lead

Ellen has decades of experience in Montessori education. After earning a BA in political science and initially planning to study law, a part-time job in an after-school program revealed her true passion: supporting children’s growth and learning. She discovered the Montessori method in 1996 and immediately enrolled in training, launching a lifelong career.
She holds AMI diplomas at both the Primary and Elementary levels, along with additional
training in structured literacy, executive function, and positive discipline. Ellen is dedicated to supporting a wide range of learners. Raised in Arizona, she has lived in New Mexico for over 20 years, including the last decade in Santa Fe. Outside the classroom, she enjoys hiking, biking, and exploring nature with her partner and their dog. Her daughter, a Montessori graduate, is now in college—an experience that continues to inspire Ellen’s commitment to Montessori education. She’s excited to be part of the DMS community.

Aria Chiodo

pinon classroom facilitator

Aria has worked with young children since high school in Taos, her first job being at the Taos Ski Valley day care in 2000. Since then, she has worked in various childcare settings, including a day care facility during college and as a personal nanny and tutor for families in New York City. She has a BA in Cinema Studies and an MFA in Writing, and has also taught Writing/English on the college level. This is her third year at DMS and she is excited to continue working in the Piñons classroom with returning and new students. 

Judith Mace

Lower Elementary Classroom Lead

Judith has a Master’s in Education from the University of Tulsa with emphasis in teaching foreign language and holds an AMI Montessori Certification from the Southwest Institute of Montessori Studies. She has 30 years classroom experience in public, private, international, Waldorf, and Montessori Education. She enjoys nature walks and is a member of the New Mexico Track and Sign Club. She has a level one wildlife track and sign certification, NOLS Wilderness First Aid Training, and recently attended the Coyote Mentoring Program at Wilderness Awareness School in Duvall, Washington.

Iris Thornton Gonzales

Lower Elementary Classroom Facilitator & Spanish Teacher

Mark McGregor

Upper Elementary Classroom Lead

christine boston

Upper Elementary Classroom facilitator

Christine has worked in education in many capacities for over 12 years, starting as an Environmental Educator and Forester in the Peace Corps. Christine has primarily worked in a Waldorf Educational setting as a Gardening Teacher, Preschool and Kindergarten Teacher and as a Substitute Teacher working in Music, Language, Science and Math. Christine enjoys all the wonderful outdoor activities that New Mexico has to offer. In the wintertime she works as a ski instructor at Ski Santa Fe and enjoys a good cup of tea while knitting, sewing and doll making.

Daniel Lockley

Music teacher

Zaba Angel

Librarian, Music teacher, & In-House Substitute Teacher

Zaba has worked at a variety of school settings including public school, Montessori, and preschool. He has also tutored in music, gardening & chess.   Zaba is originally from Montana and has been in Santa Fe off and on for 25 years.  He has a BA in Music Performance and has also studied photography, art, carpentry, natural building, farming, bicycle maintenance, yoga, meditation, massage & doula work.  He enjoys being outdoors, films, cats & learning.  Zaba is currently enrolled at SFCC taking Spanish, swimming & early childhood education classes. 

Rupama Kroma

Art Teacher & Glass Art Instructor

Rupama has a B.A. in Education, specializing in mental health and art therapy. She has worked in diverse educational and creative settings, including mentoring students in the arts, teaching adults with disabilities, and volunteering in multi-age classrooms. Her background also includes a year of mindfulness practice at an ashram in India,  running a successful art gallery and wholesale business for 35 years. With additional training including certification as a hypnotherapist, she brings a calm, holistic approach to the classroom that supports emotional growth, creativity, and hands-on learning.