Hermosa Montessori School

Carol Thaler

BA Wheaton College, Mass. Carol studied art at the National Academy of Art, Pratt Institute, and Art Student's League in NY and the Institute of Fine Art in Cerquex Sous Passavant, France. Prior to art, Carol was a dancer-choreographer working in NY, San Francisco and Seattle with various companies including Martha Graham. Carol taught art in numerous programs, and exhibited in numerous galleries in NY prior to joining Hermosa.

Cheri VanKarsen

Cheri has worked with children since 1979. She has directed a day care center and has worked as a teaching assistant for Tucson District One before she joined Hermosa.

Rajalakshmi (Raji) Rajagopalan

Raji received a B.A. Economics, Psychology and Politics,and a M.A. School Psychology from the U of A and worked with TROT (Theraputic Writing of Tucson) during her M.A. program internship. She is Hermosa's school psychologist and facilitates social skills training for special needs students. Her two grown sons are both former Hermosa students

Kristin Bidwell

Kristin Bidwell received her medical assistant certification in 1991 and is is certified as a hearing screener by the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is also certified as a vision screener by the Arizona Regional Resource Center and is certified by the American Heart Association in CPR and First Aid. Prior to joining Hermosa Kristen worked as a medical assistant at Associated Dermatology. Kristen is always available to provide both psychological and physical TLC for the bumps and bruises of childhood.

Julie Jenkins

Julie has an Associate of Science degree from Cochise College. She learned Spanish while living in Spain and Chile, and began her many years of volunteer work in Chile. For the American Association of Chile she computerized and expanded their newsletter, taught English at a school for the blind, helped allocate funds to needy Chilean charities, and received the 1990 Volunteer of the Year award. When her two daughters started their Montessori schooling, she made materials for their school. She volunteered at Hermosa helping with lunch preparation and monitoring, then in the front office, as her two daughters went from Elementary to Middle School and her son went from Pre/K through Elementary. She now works full time in the front office and is Testing Coordinator. Julie enjoys quilting, learning about other cultures, and reading as her hobbies.

Theresa Garrone

Mary Rudy

Mary Rudy, Hermosa’s music teacher, is a certified Montessori teacher who has 20 years experience teaching music to children 0-12 years of age. With a BA from McGill University, Montreal, Canada, Mary was a Montessori teacher and parent for many years, along with teaching music in Montessori preschool and elementary schools. She studied both Montessori and music education for 3-6 yr olds with Dr. Elizabeth Caspari, one of the last living disciples of Maria Montessori. Mary is also certified in Level 2 Orff- a creative approach to teaching elementary school music. She has trained extensively in Kindermusik, which integrates music, creativity, and movement for children 0-7 years of age. Mary has attained the designation of “Kindermusik Maestro”, as one of the top 5% instructors world-wide, and serves on the faculty of Kindermusik International. Mary combines her passion for Montessori education, children and music in her preschool and elementary classes at Hermosa.

More information coming soon. . .