Tor joined Young Minds Montessori in 2022 after working in the Montessori field for over 6 years in various roles. She has experience teaching all age groups and believes in giving every child the very best in Montessori learning.

Tor leads our music program and is a trained musician with the ability to play several different instruments. She loves connecting the children with music and believes in the teaching philosophy that every child has musical potential and all children are able to learn and express themselves musically.

Ms. Sylvia joined our team with over 15 years of experience in early childhood education. She grew up in Poland but has been residing in the United States since 2014 with the majority of the time as a Montessori Guide in the New York area. She holds a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree in Education and is a Montessori certified teacher through a MACTE accredited program (Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education). Her passion for the Montessori pedagogy is evident in the way that she works with the children at Young Minds.

She was excited to relocate her family to the warmer weather of Texas in 2021 and promptly joined our team after. In her free time, she enjoys spending time in the nature with her family and their beloved Boston Terrier. She also loves gardening!

Leah’s Montessori journey began over 25 years ago as an assistant teacher, where she quickly discovered her passion for working with children and the Montessori Method. She spent more than eight years growing in that role before earning her certification in 2010 through NAMC (North American Montessori Center) . For over a decade, she also had the privilege of working under an AMS-certified guide, which gave her a strong foundation in authentic Montessori practices and a wealth of hands-on experience.

With her deep knowledge and dedication, Leah brings patience, creativity, and a love for learning into the classroom every day. She is passionate about helping children reach their fullest potential while fostering independence and confidence in each child.

A lifelong Austin resident, Leah is also a proud mom of three boys. Outside the classroom, she enjoys traveling, shopping, and spending time with her family, friends, and her two beloved cats.

Ms. Paola joined our team after relocating to Texas from NYC, where she was raised. She has been working with children for over 12 years in both traditional and Montessori settings and has been part of the Young Minds Montessori family since 2020.

Ms. Paola holds an Associate Degree in Arts, while finishing her Bachelor’s Degree in Child and Youth Studies, with a minor in Spanish. She received various trainings within her previous working experience, and while at Young Minds in the Montessori pedagogy.

In her free time, Ms. Paola enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and son, and she also loves to hike and to cook!

Ms. Chelsi joined our team in 2021 as Toddler Teacher after teaching early childhood education for the last year in both a traditional preschool, as well as Montessori settings. She's held roles as assistant and lead teacher and has enjoyed sharing her knowledge with our team at Young Minds Montessori.

During her time at Young Minds, Ms. Chelsi completed the company sponsored training program for the Montessori Teaching Certificate with the North American Montessori Center.

Nelyam was born in Caracas, Venezuela, and holds a university degree in Administration. In 2016, she moved to the United States with her family, and since 2018, Texas has been their home. She brings several years of experience working with young children in both traditional and Montessori settings.

Over the years, Nelyam developed a deep admiration for the Montessori philosophy and its focus on fostering independence, curiosity, and a love for learning. She has had the joy of working with infants and toddlers, and she finds endless inspiration in their natural ability to explore and understand the world around them.

Outside of school, Nelyam enjoys spending time with her husband and children. Her family loves being outdoors, exploring new places, and discovering hidden gems in the community. One of their favorite traditions is enjoying ice cream together while exploring local spots.

Ms. Serena has worked in early childhood education for 5 years now, caring for children of all ages from infants to elementary aged children. She has received various early childhood development trainings and has also been trained in special needs education. She holds a special skillset related to helping children with varying needs thrive in the classroom setting.

Ms. Serena grew up in South Texas and has recently moved to the Austin area. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her son doing outdoor activities, attending music festivals and traveling.

Ms. Anjali has nearly a decade of experience in early childhood education across both the United States and Australia. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and completed her Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care in Australia in 2015. Over the years, she has worked in a variety of settings—including Montessori, traditional preschools, family day care, and mixed-age classrooms—giving her a well-rounded perspective on supporting children’s development.

Her teaching experience includes guiding toddlers and preschoolers, designing play-based curriculum, and building strong relationships with families. In 2016, she was honored with the Best Educator Award from Playmates Family Day Care in Melbourne for her dedication and impact.

Anjali is passionate about creating a nurturing, stimulating, and fun environment where each child’s unique interests and strengths can shine. She strongly believes in partnering with parents—recognizing them as their child’s first and most important teacher—and values open communication to support every child’s growth.

Having relocated to Austin with her family, Anjali became part of the Leander community. Outside the classroom, she enjoys cooking, exploring art and music, and spending time with her loved ones.