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 17 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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Angie Sokari Aziz, Director

Ms. Angie Sokari Aziz is the Director of The Riverview Montessori School. Ms. Angie served as the Executive Director of the Brandon and Riverview Montessori Schools (2003-2006), and was also a mentor teacher for the teaching staff at both schools. She has a Bachelor of Science in Political Science with a minor in Italian from the University of Santa Clara, California. Angie was born in Egypt and has traveled the world extensively. She has a passion and a deep commitment for lifelong education. Angie is fluent in Italian, French, and Arabic, with a competent understanding of Spanish. She graduated from the Maitland Montessori School’s Teacher Education Program in 2005 where she was awarded her Lead Teacher Certification. Ms. Angie is married to a United States Marine Corps Officer. They have two darling daughters. Yasmine (11) is a Brandon Montessori School Graduate entering the 6th grade, and lovely Lailah (4) is attending the Riverview Montessori School. We are thrilled to have Ms. Angie back on our team!

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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 who both graduated from BMS. Ms. Laurie thoroughly enjoys gardening with the children and has earned a Florida Master Gardener certificate.

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Our Teaching Staff

Beth Campbell

Ms. Beth has been a Lead Teacher with our schools for six 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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Khairunissa Lalani

Ms. Khairu is a very gifted teacher originally from India. She has been teaching Montessori for nearly seven years and recently relocated to Florida from New York with her new husband. Khairu earned her Montessori Certification through the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) and also her Bachelor of Science degree from Kakatiya University. As a newlywed, and also new to our area, Khairu is thrilled to be starting a new chapter in life alongside her husband, and as part of our Montessori family.

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Trupti Lodha

Ms. Trupti Lodha is a talented teacher at our Riverview Montessori School. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Pune, India. Ms. Trupti is currently working on her Montessori Preprimary Certification at the Orlando Montessori Teacher Education Institute, an AMS school. Ms. Trupti speaks Hindi and Marathi, and is a gifted Artist with a passion for various paint mediums. Trupti’s son, Aadi, is a bright Riverview Montessori student and will be attending RMS Kindergarten this year. Trupti has been an avid supporter of our schools, serving as a parent volunteer for the past 3 years.

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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 North American Montessori Center. 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 Riverview Montessori School. Her adorable grandson also attends RMS. Ms. Barbara enjoys traveling, reading and is talented with arts and crafts.

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Tanya McArthur

In her second year with our school, Ms. Tanya McArthur is our Riverview Montessori Elementary Class Assistant. Tanya holds a Master of Science Degree in Speech-Language Pathology, from the University of Nebraska, at Omaha and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications Science. Tanya has over six years of experience working with children as both an English Teacher and also as a Language professional. She thoroughly enjoys assisting children in reaching their full potential and has extensive experience working with children to develop their reading skills and phonological awareness. Tanya’s two adorable children both attend our RMS campus. Attributing to her sense of service, Tanya was selected for the 2007 Joan Orr Spouse of the Year Award for her significant contributions to the military community.

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Sedoina Momparler

We are thrilled to have Ms. Sedoina returning back to BMS, after taking a year off to earn her Early Childhood Education degree. Talented with the children, Ms. Sedoina conducts the Reading and Writing Program and also teaches Spanish to the students. Sedoina holds a Montessori Teaching Certification for children 3-6 years as well as a Child Development Associate Credential. She is CPR and First Aid Certified. Her sweet daughter is a graduate of our Brandon Montessori School. Ms. Sedoina has lots of exciting new literary lessons she is anxious to share with our children.

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Disha Patel

Ms. Disha Patel is a sweet teacher at The Brandon Montessori School. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a Minor in Biology. Ms. Disha holds a FL Teaching Certificate for Prekindergarten – Primary Education (grade 3). She is also completing her teaching requirements to earn her Montessori Certification for Age 3-6. Disha has extensive experience working with children with special needs, and comes highly recommended by her employers, professor and peers.

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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; 17 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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Kelley Schrott

Ms. Kelley has a lifelong love of the Montessori philosophy, attending Montessori at 2 ½ years old herself and then earning her Montessori Primary and Elementary Certification shortly after college. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Ms. Kelley has over six years experience as a Lead Montessori Teacher, and has ten years of teaching in the public school system. Ms. Kelley is originally from Sarasota and is pleased to settle back in Florida with her three adorable children. Her youngest daughter attends The Brandon Montessori School.

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Lena Vietor

Ms. Lena is our new Montessori Lead Teacher who brings a fresh and exciting element to our Preprimary classroom. Lena has served as a Lead Teacher for five years. Lena earned her Montessori Preprimary Certification through the Southwestern Montessori Training Center in Tucson, AZ. Ms. Lena is certified in CPR and First Aid. She also holds a YogaFit Teaching Certification. Ms. Lena enjoys cross-fit training and mountain biking. She is health conscious and is eager to share her knowledge of healthy habits with her eager new students.

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Maria Ymaz

Ms. Maria Ymaz is our most sweet and talented Lead Teacher for our Riverview Montessori School’s Young Children’s Class. With her innovative teaching, caring way, and gentle manner, “it is like having our very own Maria Montessori in our midst.” Ms. Maria holds her Montessori Preprimary Teaching Certificate and Certification in First Aid and CPR. She also earned a Bachelor Degree in Education, from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Maria loves to sew and is a very good cook, baking the most delicious treats for the school.

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Teaching Specialists

Gene Cannon

Gene Cannon is a talented instrumentalist, vocalist, recording artist, and composer with over 30 years as a professional musician beginning as a performance major at the University of South Florida. His music program, “Mr. Gene’s Music Machine”, has been customized for our Riverview and Brandon Montessori Schools. Children learn to recognize famous artists and composers and then sing, dance, and play rhythms to music of many different cultures. Children are also exposed to numerous instruments, either played by Mr. Gene, or viewed through multi-media presentations. It’s all about music, fun, and learning! Mr. Gene’s handsome son is a graduate of both BMS and RMS.

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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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Barbara and 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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Abigail Smith

Abigail Smith is a licensee territory owner/director of Creative Movement and Dance and owner of Pirouette, Inc. Abigail’s love of dance began at age four under the direction of Kim Ozier’s School of Dance. She later went on to train and study with Nancy Robinson’s School of Dance and Studio D under the instruction of Mitch Flanders. During her high school years, Abigail was heavily involved in dance and theater, landing such starring roles as “Sleeping Beauty,” “Cats” and many other productions. After graduating high school, Abigail continued studying dance at Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology. In 1999 her teaching career began at the Kim Ozier School of Dance. Abigail began teaching for Creative Movement and Dance in 2003 and recently relocated from Columbia, SC with her husband Jeff.

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Megan Smith

Ms. Megan Smith is our Elementary Class Physical Education teacher. Her class emphasizes fundamental locomotor and object control skills, as well as muscular and cardio respiratory endurance. As a certified Fitness Instructor, Ms. Megan uses elements of Yoga breathing, Zumba fitness and also core and strengthening exercises that the children truly enjoy. Ms. Megan earned a Bachelor of Science degree and holds certifications from the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) in Personal Fitness, Group Fitness, and Practical Yoga Instruction. Ms. Megan’s class is one of the children’s highlights of the week. Megan’s delightful son is a graduate of Brandon Montessori and attends The Riverview Montessori Elementary Class.

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