Renaissance Montessori Academy Faculty and Staff
Chhaya Vora, Director
The guiding light for Renaissance Montessori Academy, for the teachers, and for the children who attend this Montessori school is the passion and dedication of Chhaya Vora. The principles of Montessori education were first instilled in Chhaya as a preschooler in a Montessori classroom in Gujrat, India. She attained her undergraduate Sociology degree at Gujrat University, India, immediately fulfilled the requirements for her Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) teacher's certification, and then moved to this country.
Chhaya went on to receive her Masters Degree in Elementary Education at the University of Colorado. In addition, she has completed over sixty-five additional graduate hours including the area of reading and writing strategies in Early Childhood Education. For the past twenty-eight years Chhaya has served in both teaching and administrative roles in the field of education, continually cultivating a passion for the theory and practice of Montessori teaching. Chhaya holds Colorado teaching licensure that qualifies her to teach K - 6.
Gayla Enzi
A lead teacher since 1999, has been with Renaissance Montessori Academy (formerly RCDC) since 1996. In 1998 she received extensive Montessori training at MECR, Boulder, Colorado, and certification from the American Montessori Society (AMS). Continuing her education at the University of Colorado and the Colorado School of Mines, she has accumulated 24 hours in early childhood education. Prior to working with the children at RMA, she worked with preschool and kindergarten children in the Special Education Department of North Kitsap School District in Washington State.
Denise Coulter
Assistant Director and studio teacher has AMS certification through MECR in Boulder, Colorado, A teacher with a bachelor's degree in history and teaching experience at the secondary level, she explores experiences with the children through the creative languages of clay, paint, paper, music and dramatic storytelling. It is in the area of the studio that the influences of the philosophy from Reggio Emilia, Italy step in to support the Montessori classrooms. She begins the day in studio with foundational lessons in Spanish before the children move into their other activities. One morning a week, each child has the opportunity to work a studio class blended from the Montessori classrooms.
Ms. Amy
Amy Maupin is another staff member who was a parent who fell in love with the Montessori approach to education and children and joined our staff. Now she is usually the first face you see at the Front Desk and the first voice you hear on the phone. Amy has been with RMA since 2005. Amy carried ten years of experience in the Corporate World and an undergraduate degree in Religion – Christian Ministries over into the educational field. Her son, Cody, has graduated to the public school system. Amy is still helping RMA lay a great educational foundation for young children.
Ms. Elizabeth
Elizabeth Emmerling (Liz), a teacher’s assistant in the classroom is also in the aftercare program. I have been at Renaissance Montessori Academy for 1 ½ years. I moved to Parker from Hahira, Georgia in July, 2007. I am married and have a son in high school. My husband is a defense contractor as a Systems Engineer. My plans are to be able to attend the Montessor School very soon I worked in an elementary school in Georgia as a nutrition assistant for 5 years. I am certified in the food & restaurant business. I like to spend time with my family, cross stitch and cross word puzzles.
Mrs. Tiffany Higham
Hello, my name is Tiffany Higham. I was a parent at RMA before I started as an aide in the afternoon classes. I soon fell in love with the Montessori way of learning and with the staff at RMA. I began attending school at the Montessori Centre´ International (MCI) to learn more. In August of 2007 I graduated from MCI and have enjoyed my decision everyday.
On a personal level I recently married Tommy Higham. With a new husband and my four wonderful children who have activities at the four corners of the world I am very busy.
Ms. Charlie
Charlie (Charlene) Dixon has a Bachelor of Science degree from Colorado State University. Charlie was a Montessori student as a child from preschool to the sixth grade. Through this experience she was able to see the impact that the Montessori philosophy has had on her life as well as the friends she grew up with. She began to learn more about it as an adult and decided to go back to school to become a Montessori teacher. She started working at RMA in 2007 and will complete her Montessori training in the spring of 2009. Charlie lives in Parker with her husband James.
Ms. Serena
The Kindergarten teacher at RMA is Serena Gilliam. She received her B.A. in Art History from the University of Virginia and her Colorado teaching license from Metropolitan State College of Denver. She taught in a private Denver school for 5 years, in the Denver public school system for 3 years, and then joined RMA’s staff in August, 2008.
“I have been very fortunate to have been able to indulge in one of my passions – travel. I have lived overseas for 2 years in London, England and Geneva, Switzerland. Languages are my other great interest, and I speak French, Italian, Portuguese, and bad Spanish. I am enjoying the enthusiasm, curiosity, and sense of humor of my kindergarten charges.”
Jennifer Berglund
Jennifer Berglund has been with RMA for two years. She graduated from from Ponderosa High School in 2007 and is currently working towards her group leader certificate from Arapahoe Community College. Her goal is to continue working towards an Elementary Education Degree. She works with the children in the nap room and in aftercare.
Lisa
Bio to come..
Jenny Armesy
Jenny Armesy is a teaching assistant who joined our team in August, 2008. She has eight years in the Montessori tradition and embraces the philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori. She adds to our school which believes that within each child is the center of unlimited potential.
