Keely Wirries

head of school

Michele Biller

assistant director

Michele earned a BA in Education from Arizona State University and has spent much of her career in education, leadership, and administration. She previously served as the director of a nonprofit preschool in Santa Fe for more than a decade before owning and operating a successful real estate business in Tucson. Michele is excited to return to Santa Fe and continue supporting children, families, and educators in a community she has always loved. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time in nature, gardening, taking walks with her dog, and relaxing with a jigsaw puzzle.

Abbie Foley

Program Director

Rhonda Lozoya

Los pollitos Classroom Lead

Alyssa De La Garza

Los pollitos Classroom Facilitator

Alyssa recently moved to Santa Fe from San Antonio, Texas. She received her AA in Teaching EC-12 at San Antonio College and has six years experience working with children from infancy to 6 years old, in a variety of learning environments. She enjoys building legos, solving puzzles, hiking, and reading. Alyssa is excited to start this new chapter at DMS!

Holly wilson

Roadrunner Classroom Lead

Natalia Rathbun

Roadrunner Classroom Facilitator

DeAnn Meadows

Aspen Classroom lead

DeAnn has her Early Childhood Development Certificate and Bachelor 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 thirteen 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.

Mariana Mendoza

aspen classroom Facilitator

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.

Ellen Gore

pinon classroom Lead

This is Ellen’s second year at Desert Montessori School and her third decade of teaching. Raised in Arizona, she has lived in New Mexico for over 20 years, first in Silver City, and then more recently in Santa Fe. Ellen holds a BA in Political Science and worked for non-profit organizations before receiving her Montessori training through the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI-USA). She holds diplomas at both the Primary and Elementary levels. Ellen loves nature and the outdoors. She enjoys reading, hiking, creating, visiting family and friends, exploring new places, and learning new things.

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. She is excited to continue working in the Piñons classroom with returning and new students. 

Judith Mace

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.

christine boston

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.

Emily Wisniewski

Lead Aftercare Teacher & Floater

Zaba Angel

Librarian, Landscaper, Chess teacher

I have a passion for libraries and have worked in various school settings and visited over 100 libraries in the U.S. and Mexico. As a child I enjoyed playing chess with my dad and love to share how to play in the afterschool chess club.  I’ve worked in farming, gardening and landscaping for almost 20 years and feel most at home to be outdoors!  Here at DMS, I appreciate engaging with the kids through play, laughter and nature. 

Daniel Lockley

Music teacher

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.