Ruwini - Director, Administrator, Curriculum Development Specialist, Music and Movement, Fitness, Healthy Habit and Yoga Program Specialist
Steps to Learning Montessori School was founded in 2005. I worked as the managing member and administrator until 2014, when I took over as Director. I have since established the school as a Montessori school and have implemented other ECE philosophies. I constantly strive to learn new educational methods and techniques in order to continue to meet the needs of children of the 21st century. I have completed many ECE (Early Childhood Education) units and hold a Montessori diploma. I worked as a Montessori preschool teacher for over 5 years and went on to earn my engineering degree at UCSB before working as an administrator in 2005. Since then I have taken many training courses in Montessori and play-based philosophies in the US in early childhood education. Some of my other training has been in outdoor classroom implementation, healthy food, healthy habits, garden-to-snack concepts and STEM education.
In addition to education, I have worked in various industries such as semiconductor manufacturing, pharmaceutical and homeopathy. I am able to apply some of the same organizational structure that I learned from these experiences in developing our Montessori school.
I am blessed to be able to do what I do every day. I strive to provide quality childcare and a nurturing environment for children. Additionally, I like to try to make it a fun, supportive and exciting workplace for the teachers.
Cindy, Infant Teacher
When I was younger, my teachers were my role models and I looked up to them. Now I want to be a positive role model to children. I have been working with children for 2 years and have completed core ECE units. In addition, I have completed my high school diploma and I plan to continue to pursue knowledge and training in the ECE field. My hobbies are reading, arts and crafts, movies and music. I teach spanish and find it enjoyable to see my students start using new words that I taught them.
Jacky, Infant Head Teacher
I have a Montessori certification, B.A. degree and two certificates in Early Childhood Education. In spring 2012, I received two certificates from Santa Barbara City College. The first certificate I received was my Associate Childcare Teacher. The second certificate I received was in Infant/toddler. I then went on to attain my Bachelor’s degree. In spring 2015, I graduated from Brandman University in Irvine, CA in Early Childhood Education.
I have a heart for teaching young children. I have experience from working in a Home Daycare setting to working in a Child Development Center. I started working from the bottom up. I was a substitute teacher and worked my way up to being a site supervisor and head teacher. I am very nurturing and strive to create a safe, welcoming and nurturing environment where all children and families can feel safe.
I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I also enjoy going camping, jet skiing, fishing and riding ATV’s on the weekends. My biggest passion is listening to country music and attending country concerts throughout the year. One thing I am really good at and enjoy is cooking. I hope to teach children how to cook many healthy foods and desserts.
Courtney, Toddler Teacher
I love working with children, watching them grow and develop and meet their milestones. I have completed many ECE units and experienced working in a center for a short time. I worked as a nanny for 6 yrs and still do. I studied Liberal Arts with an emphasis in ECE. I am only shy of a few courses in order to complete the degree.
I played college basketball for Santa Barbara City College. I love working out at the gym. Fitness is a very important part of my life style.
Susan, Ballet/Creative Dance Enrichment Program Teacher
I have been working as the creative dance teacher at SLMS since 2016. Since 2018 I have focused on teaching ballet for children 2.5 yrs and up here. I have a lot of experience working with young children and teaching ballet and creative dance. I was born in Madrid, Spain and lived for six years in Singapore and Malaysia studying under the Royal Academy of Dancing. My work has been shown at the Regional Dance Festival, Santa Barbara Dance Alliance and the Fountain Theater in Hollywood, California. I have given workshops and master classes throughout the country and presently teach ballet in several studios in Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez as well as coaching privately.