Montessori in the Home Orientation

Berenice earned a bachelor's degree in History from Tulane University and a Master's degree in Education from Loyola University Maryland. She also holds a Montessori Assistants to Infancy certification from the Association Montessori Internationale and is a trained Doula. Ms. Saint-Saens served in the Peace Corps as a Youth Development Volunteer and has since worked in early childhood education. She discovered the Montessori Method 7 years ago and worked as an assistant & head teacher in infant & toddler classrooms. She then work to empower families to begin Montessori at home and from birth and spends her time training our 0-3 guides and working to support parents to bring Montessori practices into their lives. In her free time, Ms. Saint-Saens loves practicing yoga, hiking and dancing West Coast Swing.

As a child, Emily attended Montessori programs in Portland, OR through middle school. She credits her education with fostering a love of learning that continues to serve her today. After earning a bachelor's degree in English Literature from Occidental College, Emily traveled the world and found her way back to her roots. She received her Montessori 3-6 and 6-12 certification from the Association Montessori Internationale, as well as an M.Ed. from Loyola University. She is currently working on completing her 0-3 training. Emily has worked with children ages 18 months to 12 years in Montessori settings and most recently served as Communication Manager at Montessori Northwest training center. She hopes to use her background as a Montessori child turned educator to advocate for high quality education for all children.

Joel Mendes is our Executive Director. He has worked in the school setting since graduating from California State University with a BA in English Education and Literature and a California Teaching Credential, and over the years has taught and had leadership roles in schools serving both children and adults. It was when Joel became Head of a Montessori school that things really changed for him. Not only did he have the chance to work with remarkable Montessori children, he witnessed first-hand the benefits of Montessori as a father to three children attending the same school. Joel dove into Montessori completely, earning his Montessori Certification from Montessori Insitute of San Diego and mentoring his colleagues along the way. Today, Joel leads the Prepared Montessorian team, and uses his expertise to create and deliver high-fidelity training and resources to practicing Montessorians.