West Campus (Grades K-3)

Teachers & Paraprofessionals

Early Childhood

Aerial Austin

Early K Teacher

Miss Aerial Austin is the lead teacher for our Early Kindergarten Program. Before joining the team, Aerial taught English at a kindergarten in Budapest, Hungary for five years. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Georgia and a TEFL certification through the ITA academy. Miss Aerial enjoys teaching through interactive and hands-on lessons and is excited to be a part of a fun, engaging classroom. When she is not teaching she enjoys spending time with her son, traveling, hiking, and reading.

Iris Espinoza

Paraprofessional

Mrs. Iris Espinoza is our Early Kindergarten paraprofessional. She has been with Acorn for 2 years. Before joining the Acorn team, Mrs. Iris worked in behavioral health and is currently working toward obtaining her Early Childhood Education Degree. She lives with her husband, one year old son, and two German Shepherds. She enjoys hiking, spending time with friends and family, and going to the pool in her free time.

Lindsey Brewster

Early K 1:1

Miss Lindsey is a 1:1 Aid in the Early K classroom. She is 28, and has a 4-year-old son named Kieran and another on the way. She also has a dog named Vira and a cat named Simba. Her favorite holiday is Halloween; she celebrates it all day, every day, in her house. During her time off from work, she enjoys watching scary movies, cooking food, having family over, and shopping at Goodwill.

Kindergarten

Tanya Brodit

Kindergarten Teacher

Tanya Brodit is one of our Kindergarten lead teachers and is excited to continue supporting our early childhood students for the upcoming school year! She has been with Acorn Montessori School for 14 years and has dedicated herself to the Early Childhood Program. She’s a strong believer in fun, play-based learning! She creates amazing, engaging learning environments that all kids love! She has her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. She loves spoiling her dog, spending time with her husband, and having game nights with her friends and family.

Amy Hall

Kindergarten Teacher

Mrs. Amy Hall is a Kindergarten teacher here at Acorn Montessori’s West Campus. Mrs. Amy has been working with young children from preschool to second grade for the last 19 years. Acorn has been her home for 13 years. Mrs. Amy has a Bachelor’s Degree of Graphic Arts along with her NES certification for Kindergarten through 8th grade. As a teacher, her ultimate goal is to help each one of her students become confident in their abilities and to love themselves for who they are. Mrs. Amy, her husband of 15 years, and their three amazing boys are all part of the Acorn family. Painting, singing, and teaching are just a few of her passions and can often be found on her crazy little farm with 19 animals. Mrs. Amy has the ability to connect with every student that enters her classroom and remarks how amazing it is to be able to come to work daily knowing she has the opportunity to help prepare and mold the minds of our future.

Lacey Grantham

Paraprofessional

Lacey Grantham will be joining the kindergarten team as a paraprofessional this school year. She has two wonderful boys and she has been a Certified Nursing Assistant for 12+ years. She absolutely loves working with children, watching them grow and learn everything around them is astonishing! In her off time she loves camping and riding atvs.

Terra Espinosa

Paraprofessional

Ms. Terra previously worked at Acorn and is returning for this school year! She has worked in the preschool and pre-k programs and will be a paraprofessional in our kindergarten classroom this year. She has two adorable daughters, loves coffee, and loves going to Disneyland and doing outdoor activities with her girls when not at school.

Ariel Martin

Miss Ariel Martin is a former Acorn student who has joined our Acorn team working as a paraprofessional in one of our kindergarten classrooms. She has been working on her degree in education. She is very creative and artistic and aspires to work with children.

Kaylee Green

Mrs. Kaylee Green is excited for her second full year of being a paraprofessional here at Acorn! She sees teaching not just as a profession, but as a calling to make a positive difference in the lives of students. Outside of school hours, Mrs. Kaylee is a devoted pet parent to three energetic dogs and a mischievous cat, who bring endless joy and laughter into her life. Mrs. Kaylee can be found soaring through the skies with her husband, who is a pilot. Back on solid ground, she unwinds with a good book or paintbrush in hand. Mrs. Kaylee has a heart for teaching, a passion for arts and crafts and a strong faith in Jesus.

1st Grade

Emily Peterson

Teacher

Ms. Emily Peterson will be embarking on her journey as a first grade lead teacher this school year. She has recently completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education at NAU. Her favorite part of working with children is realizing what a huge impact she can make in each student’s life. When not in the classroom, she enjoys baking, being outdoors, and spending time with her boyfriend and family.

Sarah Ragan

Teacher

Mrs. Sarah Ragan will be returning for her fifth year at Acorn. Mrs. Sarah attended this school for 9 years and is thrilled to be teaching First Grade! She graduated summa cum laude from Arizona State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in liberal studies while minoring in sociology as well as family/human development. Family is her number one priority, and she spends most of her free time with her two children. Mrs. Sarah grew up within the walls of Acorn Montessori and understands the importance of student-teacher relationships. She looks forward to being a positive and stable influence for all the children she is lucky enough to teach.

Morgan Williams

Paraprofessional

Mrs. Morgan is joining us for her fifth year here at Acorn! She is currently working on an Elementary Education degree which she will receive from GCU. Mrs. Morgan is newly married to her high school sweetheart and enjoys playing slowpitch softball, painting, playing with her 6year old pit-bull named Diesel and traveling. She is passionate about working with kids and is excited to watch them grow and hopes to make an impact on their lives.

Kellie Gomez

Paraprofessional

Ms. Kellie is joining us for her second year at Acorn as a First Grade Paraprofessional. She is currently working on an elementary education degree which she will receive from Yavapai College. She is the proud mom of a bubbly seven-year-old daughter named Ashlynn. During Ms. Kellie’s free time, she enjoys playing soccer with her daughter, being outdoors, going vintage clothes shopping, and listening to music. Kellie has a passion for teaching and hopes to make a positive and lasting impact on the kids she gets to work with. She feels blessed and honored to be a part of their learning adventure.

Paula Harrison

Mrs. Paula is entering into her fifth year with Acorn and came to us with over 11 years experience as a paraprofessional. Mrs. Paula is passionate about working with kids and gets true joy from working in the school setting with all aged children. When she is not working, Mrs. Paula loves spending time with her own children, hiking, and baking.

Brittney Guaracha

Paraprofessional

This will be Ms. Brittney’s second year here at Acorn as a Para. She has worked in almost every grade at this school and gotten to know many of the students and staff, who are all amazing in her opinion. She loves working with children and families. It’s a passion of hers to help make a difference in the community. She worked years in behavioral health as a trauma specialist working with children with severe mental illness. She is a mother to four kids. A son (11) and 3 daughters ( 6,3,1). She enjoys hiking and being outdoors doing any sort of activity. She is also a student at GCU earning her bachelors degree. She is doing a duo degree in Elementary education and Special Education and is looking forward to one day having a class of her very own.

2nd Grade

Kristin Womble

Teacher

Mrs. Womble was a previous teacher here at Acorn who left to raise her family. She joined the Acorn team again and this will be her third year teaching 2nd Grade. She graduated from University of Arizona with her bachelors degree in Elementary Education and holds her Arizona Teaching Certificate. When not at Acorn, she loves to spend time with her family, boating, and enjoying the outdoors.

Hannah Little

Teacher

Miss Hannah Little graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Special and Elementary Education. This is her 8th year here at Acorn and 6th year teaching second grade. She feels so lucky to work at a school that provides so much support in the classroom and can accommodate small group instruction and hands-on learning!

Cynthia Mercado

Paraprofessional

Mrs. Cynthia Mercado is a 2nd grade paraprofessional. While newer to Acorn, she has spent many hours inside classrooms, as a room mom (in other schools), for both of her children, and has done lots of volunteer work for their schools. She also worked for their school district as a noon duty aide. When they moved to Arizona, she became a paraprofessional, and this is her 3rd year. Cynthia loves working with kids and teaching them new skills with their education. In her spare time Cynthia loves spending time with her husband, 2 children and frenchie. She also enjoys crafting and cooking.

Christina D'Agusto

Paraprofessional

This is Miss Christina’s second year at Acorn Montessori School and working in 2nd grade. Miss Christina loves working with kids of all ages and enjoys building relationships with each and every child. She enjoys rescuing animals and has an extensive furry family at home.

Hope Lorello

Paraprofessional

Mrs. Hope is new to the Acorn family this year. She does have some years of early childhood experience as well as a bachelor’s of science degree in healthcare management.

Hope also has a daughter who attends Acorn and will be starting the main campus this year. Hope is very excited to be part of the Acorn family and friends and can not wait to start the new school year. When Hope is not in the classroom, she enjoys reading, baking, and spending time with her family and dog.

Rose Wilson

Paraprofessional

This is Mrs. Rose’s 7th year with Acorn. She works with second graders and finds it very rewarding. She has been married to her soulmate for 44 years. She enjoys reading , card making and making memories with her family.

3rd Grade

Celina Parra

Teacher

Mrs. Celine Parra is one of our lead 3rd grade teachers. This will be her 5th year here at Acorn! Mrs. Celine earned her Bachelor’s of Arts in Elementary Education with SEI endorsement. Throughout her time in college, she did a lot of volunteering which prepared her for managing her own classroom. Mrs. Celine says her favorite part of working with students is getting to know each of the students’ unique personalities. Outside of the classroom she enjoys spending time with her daughter, going to the movies, being outdoors, and visiting family.

Wendy Faffler

Teacher

Mrs. Wendy Faffler is beginning her 7th year here at Acorn and her second year as a lead teacher! . She has found her life’s calling working with young children. Mrs. Wendy has received her Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Yavapai College and her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Grand Canyon University. In her free-time Mrs. Wendy enjoys mountain biking, softball, and time with her family.

Hanna Finney

Paraprofessional

Hanna Finney has been working with Acorn’s early childhood program for the past six years and this will be her second year in third grade. She has spent most of her career working with children. In her spare time she enjoys reading, spending time outdoors, and going on outings with her little family.

Chloe Olenick

Paraprofessional

Ms. Chloe has been a proud member of the Acorn Montessori community since 2018, working as a paraprofessional to support students in their learning and growth. She holds an Associate of Arts degree with a focus in Psychology, which has deepened her understanding of child development and the unique ways students learn and thrive.She believes that every child has something special to offer, and that we all shine in our own way. It’s a privilege to her to help create a supportive, encouraging environment where each student can discover their strengths and feel seen for who they are.