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Our Educators

Meet the Passionate People Behind Young Minds

Our team brings warmth, expertise, and genuine dedication to every child in our care — each day, at both campuses.

Leadership

Our Leaders

Eliisa Mesa, MA

Eliisa Mesa, MA

Founder & Owner
Both Campuses

Originally from Finland, Eliisa has led Young Minds Montessori for nearly a decade. She holds a Master’s degree in Infant and Early Childhood Development with an emphasis in Mental Health and enjoys incorporating Nordic educational values—such as independence, play, time in nature, and respect for the whole child—into the school’s daily practices.

Angelica Villarreal, AMS

Angelica Villarreal, AMS

Head of School
Cedar Park Campus

Angelica holds almost 30 years of experience in Montessori education. She received her American Montessori Society credential from Dallas Montessori Academy in 2005 and brings deep knowledge and a warm leadership style to our Cedar Park community.

Rebecca Preciado

Rebecca Preciado

Head of School
Leander Campus

A proud Austin native with 13 years of experience supporting young children and families. Rebecca began as a toddler teacher for 10 years before stepping into leadership. Her approach is rooted in love and respect for each child’s unique path.

Cedar Park Campus

Cedar Park Team

Sylvia Stiehl, MA & MACTE

Sylvia Stiehl, MA & MACTE

Primary Lead Guide
Cedar Park

Ms. Sylvia brings over 15 years in early childhood education. She holds a Master’s in Education and is certified through a MACTE-accredited program. She relocated her family from New York to Texas in 2021.

Paola Abreu, BA

Paola Abreu, BA

Toddler Lead Guide
Cedar Park

Ms. Paola relocated from NYC and has worked with children for over 12 years. Part of the Young Minds family since 2020, she is completing her Bachelor’s in Child and Youth Studies with a minor in Spanish.

Mariana Becks, CDA

Mariana Becks, CDA

Toddler Lead Guide
Cedar Park

Mariana has been part of the Young Minds Montessori family since the school opened in 2018, beginning as an Assistant Guide before becoming a Toddler Lead Guide. She earned her associate degree in Early Childhood Education from Austin Community College and is passionate about creating warm, nurturing environments where children develop confidence, independence, and a lifelong love of learning.

Alba Guerra, AMS

Alba Guerra, AMS

Primary Lead Guide
Cedar Park

Alba is a bilingual Montessori educator with more than 11 years of teaching experience, including work with preschool and kindergarten children. Fluent in English and Spanish, she is passionate about creating structured, nurturing classrooms that foster independence, early literacy, respect, and a love of learning.

Serena Salinas

Serena Salinas

Primary Assistant Guide
Cedar Park

Ms. Serena has 5 years of experience in early childhood education with a special skillset in helping children with varying needs thrive in the classroom setting.

Leander Campus

Leander Team

Sabrina McKenzie-Reid, NAMC

Sabrina McKenzie-Reid, NAMC

Assistant Director & Toddler Program Lead
Leander

Sabrina brings over 8 years of Montessori experience. She earned her NAMC certification in 2018 and has guided toddlers at several highly regarded Montessori schools in the Austin area, while also mentoring and training new teachers.

Daphne Zuniga, M-LE

Daphne Zuniga, M-LE

Toddler Lead Guide
Leander

Daphne brings more than six years of experience working with children from toddler through lower elementary. She completed Lower Elementary Montessori training through the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies and is passionate about creating warm, engaging classrooms that foster independence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning.

Jayati “Joy” Ghosh, NAMC

Jayati “Joy” Ghosh, NAMC

Primary Lead Guide
Leander

Joy is a certified Montessori guide with five years of experience leading preschool and kindergarten classrooms. She also holds a Master of Science in Food and Nutrition and brings creativity, patience, and a strong commitment to individualized, hands-on learning.

Shaheena Naveed, NAMC

Shaheena Naveed, NAMC

Primary Lead Guide
Leander

Shaheena brings more than eight years of experience working with young children in Montessori classrooms in the United States and Dubai. She holds Montessori teaching diplomas from the North American Montessori Center and the Institute of Montessori Education and is passionate about fostering independence through individualized lessons and calm, patient guidance.

Snehalatha “Sneha” Vajrala

Snehalatha “Sneha” Vajrala

Primary Lead Guide
Leander

Sneha brings more than five years of preschool teaching experience, including work as a Montessori Lead Guide for children ages three to five. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Applications and has completed Montessori teacher training, bringing thoughtful observation, hands-on learning, and warm family communication to the classroom.

Makayla Solomon

Makayla Solomon

Toddler Guide
Leander

Born and raised in Austin, Makayla began working with children in seventh grade. She loves creating calm, welcoming spaces where children feel comfortable exploring, learning, and becoming more independent.

Jeremiah Maing, AMS Assistant Certified

Jeremiah Maing, AMS Assistant Certified

Toddler Assistant Guide
Leander

Jeremiah brings over five years of experience guiding infants and toddlers, including service as a Montessori Lead Guide and Toddler Assistant Coordinator. Certified through Seton Montessori Institute, he is especially skilled in supporting social-emotional development, mentoring classroom teams, and creating calm, inclusive learning environments.

Renae Hinds

Renae Hinds

Toddler Assistant Guide
Leander

Renae brings Montessori classroom experience along with more than seven years of professional experience in administration, finance, and customer service. Her organization, reliability, and warm communication style help her create a nurturing classroom while building positive relationships with children, families, and colleagues.

Meet Us in Person

Come Meet Our Team

Schedule a tour and meet the educators who will care for your child. We'd love to answer your questions.

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