Our Team

Our Executive Team

President

Rohini Rustogi is the owner and President of the Brandon Montessori (BMS) and the Riverview Montessori (RMS) Schools.  As well as operating both schools, she also runs the highly-appraised reading program and is the teaching mentor to every one of our nearly 30 wonderful staff members. She has a Masters degree in Economics and a Bachelor of Arts in English and Geography from Kumaon University in India.  In addition, Ms. Rohini has a Teacher’s Certification from the American Montessori Society.  Ms. Rohini has also done coursework at The University of Tampa and graduate level coursework at The University of South Florida.  Ms. Rohini has been teaching in Montessori Schools in the Tampa Bay Area for 13 years, and has spent over 20 years educating and challenging young minds.  She also speaks and writes fluent Hindi. Her passion for children is coupled with her love for gardening, nature and animals.

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Executive Director

Ms. Lisa Auza is the Executive Director for both The Brandon Montessori and The Riverview Montessori Schools as well as serving as the Director at RMS. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with an emphasis in Child and Family Relationships from Arizona State University. She has earned her Director Certification and is also certified in Infant/Child CPR and First Aid. Ms. Lisa has over two years of teaching experience and also has several years experience in childcare senior management positions. She planned and organized the opening of an Early Head Start Program and also a corporate child care facility. As well, she taught child development classes in parent education workshops. Ms. Lisa speaks fluent Spanish. She has a vibrant young daughter who attends RMS and an adorable baby boy.

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Director

Ms. Cari Ward is the Director of The Brandon Montessori School.  She began at The Riverview Montessori as an Assistant Teacher in August 2005.  Ms. Cari transferred to The Brandon Montessori School in May 2006 to assume the position as Assistant Director.  She earned the title of Director in October 2007.  She has earned her Childcare and Preschool Appropriate Practices Certification and is also certified in Infant/Child CPR and First Aid.  Her experience includes serving as a Nanny of three, Dental Assistant, Office Manager and Assistant to the Chief Financial Officer. Ms. Cari is the mother of two handsome sons, one who graduated from BMS and the other from RMS. In her free time, Ms. Cari enjoys going to the Buccaneer football games, scrap booking, fishing in the Boca Grande and spending time with her family.

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Public Relations Coordinator

Ms. Laurie March is the Public Relations Coordinator for the schools. She also serves as an Assistant at BMS conducting reading and writing with the children. She has earned her Childcare and Preschool Appropriate Practices Certification and is also certified in CPR and First Aid. She has 20 years experience in personnel and administrative management with the Air Force.  Ms. Laurie has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Bellevue University, Nebraska.  She has completed graduate-level coursework in Business Administration as well as Behavioral Science with an emphasis in Guidance Counseling.  She is a proud mother of two lovely daughters, one who graduated from BMS and the other still attending BMS. Ms. Laurie thoroughly enjoys gardening and landscape design and has earned a Florida Master Gardener certificate.

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Our Teaching Staff

Ami Rego

Ms. Ami is a bright and cheery teacher! She has been a Lead Teacher since 2004. She earned her Pre-Primary Certification through the American Montessori Society and holds a B.A. degree in Mass Communications with an emphasis in Education. She is certified in First Aid as well as Infant and Child CPR. Ms. Ami loves to teach and brings in a wide range of material for our hungry caterpillar children. Ms. Ami has an innovative style of teaching and is always coming up with new methods that make lessons interesting. She enjoys rollerblading, scrap booking and cooking. She has two wonderful children; her adorable daughter attends The Riverview Montessori School.

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Barbara Manso

Ms. Barbara has been a Lead Teacher since the opening of our flagship school in 2001, The Brandon Montessori. She earned her Pre-Primary Certification through the American Montessori Society. She has also completed her Child Development Associate credential. Ms. Barbara is kind and gentle. She has a great sense of humor the children really enjoy. Ms. Barbara does a wonderful job managing the classroom and has a special talent with the children. Ms. Barbara loves giving special projects to the children, making them feel proud. She is certified in First Aid as well as Infant and Child CPR. Ms Barbara is originally from Chicago and has three terrific daughters. One of her lovely daughters is an Assistant Teacher at The Brandon Montessori School. Her adorable grandson also attends BMS. Ms. Barbara enjoys traveling, reading and is talented with arts and crafts.

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Beth Campbell

Ms. Beth has been a Lead Teacher for over three years. She currently is a Lead Teacher at Brandon Montessori. She earned her Pre-Primary Montessori credential through the American Montessori International. She holds a B.S. degree in Sociology and has earned her Child Development Associate credential. She is certified in First Aid as well as Infant and Child CPR. Ms. Beth enjoys tennis, reading and swimming. As sweet as can be, the children just love Ms. Beth. Her childlike enthusiasm and passion for teaching are so evident to all who meet her. Ms. Beth is an avid reader, loves to play tennis, and is a wonderful role model for our little Montessorians.

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Sedoina Momparler

Ms. Sedoina has been with us for over 4 years. Along with her Montessori lessons, she also teaches the children Spanish. She has 16 years of experience working with preschoolers. She holds both a Pre-Primary Montessori Certification as well as her Child Development Associate Credential. Originally from Panama, Ms. Sedoina has lived in Florida for over 11 years. She is very ambitious and is pursuing an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Management from Southwest College. She is also certified in First Aid and Infant /Child CPR. She has a sweet daughter who attends BMS.

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Lylia Alderson

Ms. Lylia has been with us for nearly two years. As well as presenting Montessori lessons, she also teaches the children French and Spanish. She has 7 years of experience working with preschoolers including those with special needs. She has earned her Early Childhood Montessori Certification and completed her Florida Childcare training. Born in Algeria, Ms. Lylia has extensive international experience. She is dedicated to her profession and is eager to begin her Early Elementary Montessori training starting in the summer of 2008. She is also certified in First Aid and Infant /Child CPR. Ms. Lylia has two lovely daughters.

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Rohini Rustogi

Ms. Rohini wears many hats. She loves working with every one of the children at both The Brandon and The Riverview Montessori schools. Her uncanny sense of people and nature makes her so lovable. As well as her executive positions, she is a mentor to all the teachers with over 20 years of teaching experience; 13 years of certified Montessori teaching. She loves to share her passion for gardening, music, and culture with the children. She has a special whit and humor that not only the children enjoy, but also the staff and parents thoroughly appreciate.

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