Our Team

Our Executive Team

Rohini Rustogi, 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 team 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 16 years, and has spent nearly 25 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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Lisa Auza, 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 holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Child and Family Relationships from Arizona State University. She has earned her Childcare and Preschool Facility Director Credential 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 a successful Early Head Start Program and also a corporate childcare 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 the RMS Elementary Program and an adorable little boy who attends RMS Preschool.

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Laurie March, Director

Ms. Laurie March is the Director for The Brandon Montessori School and also serves as the schools' Public Relations Coordinator. She has earned her Child Development Associate Credential and her Director Credential. Ms. Laurie is certified in Infant & Child CPR and First Aid. She has 20 years experience in management with the Air Force.  Ms. Laurie holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Bellevue University, Nebraska.  She has completed graduate level coursework in Business Administration as well as Behavioral Psychology.  She is a proud mother of two lovely daughters, one who graduated from BMS and the other attending Kindergarten at BMS. Ms. Laurie thoroughly enjoys gardening with the children 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 Bachelor of Arts 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 five years. She currently is a Lead Teacher at Brandon Montessori, and was named Teacher of the Year for 2009. Ms. Beth is a gifted teacher and brings wonderful new ideas to the classroom. She earned her Pre-Primary Montessori credential through the American Montessori Internationale. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology and has also 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 youthful 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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Alex Urra

We are happy to announce that Ms. Alex is returning to our schools. After opening our Riverview school in 2005, she took maternity leave and then completed her American Montessori Teacher certification. Ms. Alex began her Montessori teaching at the Hyde Park Montessori School in Tampa where she developed her love for the Montessori style. Her older daughter is a RMS graduate and her younger daughter currently attends RMS.

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Shannon McSwain

Ms. Shannon has over three years of Lead Teacher experience, first as an American Montessori Society certified Primary teacher, and now as a Lower Elementary teacher. She received her undergraduate degree with a double major in Music and International Studies from UNC Chapel Hill, and her AMS certification from Clemson Montessori School in South Carolina. Ms. Shannon lives with her husband, who is a pilot in the Air Force, and her dog, named Darcy. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, going to the beach, decorating, and traveling. She is very excited to begin a new chapter in her life at Riverview Montessori!

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Debra Donkin

Ms. Debbie is an exceptional Lead Teacher with over 15 years experience in Montessori education. She comes highly recommended and has served as a Lead Teacher for 9 years. Ms. Debbie earned her Early Childhood Certification through the American Montessori Society. She attended Palm Beach Community College where she received her Montessori training, earning her Degree. Ms. Debbie is meticulous, she has wonderfully creative ideas, and the children truly love her. Ms. Debbie has a dachshund puppy named “Hershey” and enjoys reading and gardening. She has two grown girls and a 2 year old granddaughter

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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 nearly 25 years of teaching experience; 14 years of certified Montessori teaching. She loves to share her passion for gardening, music, and culture with the children. She has a special wit and humor that not only the children enjoy, but also the staff and parents thoroughly appreciate.

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Teaching Specialists

Ms. Barbara and Mr. Charley Knight

Our dear husband and wife team have been teaching their ever-popular Art Classes since our Brandon school opened in 2001. They are talented local artists with their own professional studio. They run the Berkley Prep, Flemings Art camp each summer. They hold Bachelors Degrees from the University of South Florida. Mr. Charley and Ms. Barbara’s classes teach multicultural lessons, art history, color composition and proportion. Their specially designed art curriculum develops children’s eye-hand coordination, motor skills and most importantly their creativity. We can’t wait to see the new Art lessons they have in store, and we’re looking forward to our Children’s Art Exhibition this spring.

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Mr. Richard Jacobs

All the children love Mr. Richard’s music classes. His choral vocal classes have everyone singing joyfully. He stresses the importance of proper breathing and vocal range while performing various children’s folk songs, cultural songs and holiday favorites from around the world. Mr. Richard holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, and a Master’s Degree from Florida State University. His teaching experience ranges from preschool to college level, and has taught private piano lessons, classical guitar and improvisation. His vast music background includes choir director, church organist, voice coach as well as public performance. Thanks to Mr. Richard, our Children’s Holiday Program is such a joy for young and old!

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Ms. Wanda Carlton

Ms. Wanda teaches rhythm instruments to the Kindergarten classes at both schools and also to the Elementary Class at RMS. She has an Associates degree in Arts, and has been teaching music for over 20 years. She is a certified Kinder Music Instructor and also a private music tutor. She is very proud to have raised four children, all four are home schooled and the oldest attends college. She truly has a passion for music, and the children love her and look forward to an exciting performance for our Holiday Program.

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Ms. Katherine Natividad

We welcome Ms Katherine, known as “Ms. Kaye”, our new PE Coach. She loves teaching young children and has taught not only PE but also English for several years. She earned her Montessori Credential and also a degree in Elementary Education. Her daughter will be attending our Brandon school. Ms. Kaye comes from a long line of athletes. Her father was a member of the Olympic Gymnastic team and was also on the panel of judges for the U.S. Olympics.

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