Ms. Martyna
Founder / Head of School
Martyna founded South Florida Montessori Academy in 2011 after receiving her AMI Primary diploma from the Montessori Institute of San Diego, CA. Later, she received her AMI Assistants to Infancy diploma from The Montessori Institute in Denver and completed the AMI/NAMTA Adolescent training in Chicago. Recently, she received the AMI Elementary diploma from the Montessori Training Center of St. Louis. Born and raised in Poland, Martyna is fluent in Polish and Spanish. She has lived in sunny Florida since 1996 and in her free time, she enjoys outdoor activities such as biking, running, kayaking, hiking, etc. Martyna holds M.Ed. degree in Montessori education from the University of Hartford and M.S. degree in leadership from Nova Southeastern University.
Ms. Ana
Administrative Director
Ana is a Miami native with Cuban roots. She spent 10 years working in the public school system as a school counselor, but fell in love with Montessori philosophy and began a new chapter in Montessori education. Ana holds a M.S. degree in Counselor Education and B.A in English from Florida International University. She is a graduate of the AMI School Administrators course in Houston, TX. Ana is a Montessori mom of 2 beautiful girls and loves to spend time with her family traveling and enjoying the simple things in life. Her hobbies include writing, reading, and planning the next trip. Ana is involved in all aspects of daily school operations and should be your first point of contact.
Mr. Nevski
Adolescent Lead Teacher (ages 12-15 years)
Nevski has over 10 years of experience teaching in middle schools in Florida and Alabama. He has a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from St. Thomas University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the Alabama State University. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball and walking. During the summers, he supervises youth camps at the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science.
Ms. Ashley
Upper Elementary Lead Teacher (ages 9-12 years)
Ashley was born and raised in Guatemala and has been living in Florida since 2012. She completed the AMI Elementary Assistant course at the Montessori Training Center Northeast in Hartford, CT and holds a B.S. degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Florida International University. Ashley is fully bilingual in Spanish and English. She loves music and has been singing since she was 3 years old. As a member of a high school chorus, she won several singing trophies. Ashkey loves to spend her free time drawing, painting, going to the beach, and volunteering helping those in need.
Ms. Sabrina
Upper Elementary Assistant Teacher & Going Out Specialist
Sabrina was born and raised in South Florida. Her parents came to this country from Cuba in hopes for a better life. Sabrina earned her BA degree in Theatre with a concentration in Musical Theatre, as she has a passion for the arts and music. In her free time, she helps lead worship at her church as a vocalist and loves spending time with friends and family. She likes playing piano, enjoys cooking, and loves animals, especially her horses.
Mr. Danny
Lower Elementary Lead Teacher (ages 6-9 years)
Danny was born and raised in New Jersey and later moved to Boston to study developmental psychology. He acquired over ten years of experience within the Montessori community wearing numerous hats at different Montessori schools where he worked. Danny received his AMI Primary diploma in 2012 from the Montessori Institute of San Diego and led a primary classroom for over 5 years. He earned his AMI Elementary diploma at the Montessori Training Center of St. Louis and he's currently leading our lower elementary classroom. In his free time, Danny enjoys spending time with his friends and family, reading, and photography.
Ms. Arlene
Lower Elementary Assistant Teacher (ages 6-9 years)
Arlene was born and raised in the Northeast United States and completed her BA degree in psychology at Marist College in New York. Since graduating, she has worked with many different organizations serving children, including children with disabilities and foster agencies. She is fluent in Spanish and enjoys spending her free time being outside and keeping active.
Ms. Lupita
Elementary Spanish Teacher and Aftercare Coordinator
Lupita was born and raised in Bolivia. She enjoys journaling, cooking, traveling, and photography. In her free time, Lupita loves writing music with her ukulele. She implements a rigorous Spanish curriculum in our elementary classroom on a daily basis.
Ms. Lina
Primary 1 Lead Teacher (ages 3-6 years)
Lina was born and raised in Colombia and joined our school in 2016. She speaks English and Spanish. Lina received an AMI Montessori Primary Assistant certificate from the Washington Montessori Institute at Loyola in Maryland. A few years later, she graduated from the Houston Montessori Institute in Texas with an AMI Montessori Primary diploma. Lina is a Montessori mom and in her free time enjoys going to the beach with her family, reading books and admiring art.
Ms. Ximena
Primary 1 Assistant Teacher (ages 3-6 years)
Ximena was born and raised in Bolivia. She is bilingual in English and Spanish and has been working with children for over 8 years. Ximena received her AMI Primary assistant teacher certificate at the Montessori Center of Minnesota. One of her favorite hobbies is coloring mandalas and spending time with her daughter.
Ms. Mariale
Primary 2 Lead Teacher (ages 3-6 years)
Mariale was born in Venezuela and graduated with a law degree from the Universidad Rafael Belloso Chacin in Maracaibo. She moved to Florida with her husband and decided to pursue her dream career as a Montessori educator working with children. Mariale received her AMI Primary Assistant certificate from the Montessori Training Center Northeast in Hartford, CT and later earned her AMI Primary diploma at the Montessori Institute of North Texas in Dallas. She is bilingual in Spanish and English. In her free time, Mariale enjoys yoga, biking, cooking, and spending time with her family. She loves to read and travel.
Ms. Nina
Primary 2 Assistant Teacher (ages 3-6 years)
Nina was born and raised in Italy. She is fluent in Italian, Spanish and English. Nina received her AMI Primary assistant teacher certificate at the Montessori Institute of North Texas in Dallas. She loves cooking and spending time outdoors with her husband and a teenage daughter.
Ms. Andrea
Toddler Lead Teacher (ages 18 months - 3 years)
Andrea was born in Colombia, lived in England and France for many years, but finally decided to settle in beautiful South Florida. She received her AMI Assistant-to-Infancy diploma from the Montessori Institute of North Texas in Dallas. Andrea is a Montessori mom of 3 amazing children. Her hobbies include reading, cooking, and spending time with her family.
Ms. Adriana
Toddler Assistant Teacher (ages 18 months - 3 years)
Adriana was born and raised in Nicaragua, where she graduated from Universidad Centroamericana with a degree in psychology. She is fluent in English and Spanish. Adriana is a Montessori mom and has worked with young children since 2014, both in New York and Florida. She loves coffee and collects coffee mugs.
Ms. Agota
Floater Teacher and Aftercare Coordinator
Agota was born and raised in Hungary where she graduated from Eotvos Lorand University with a degree in special needs education. Before moving to Florida, she lived in the Netherlands. Agota has over 20 years of experience working with special needs children. She is a Montessori mom of 2 wonderful children and her hobbies include painting and making jewelry.