Tracey Reinhart is the Head of School and has been with MES since 2001.

She attended Texas Tech University where she studied Economics and International Trade and before discovering the amazing philosophy of Montessori, Tracey worked in the Human Resources and Training field earning her Professional in Human Resources Certification.

She began her career at MES as an office assistant, librarian and assistant teacher. In 2003, she received her Montessori Certification and became a Lead Teacher, working in these classrooms for 15 years.

Tracey has been married since 1991 and has two MES alumni children.

When I discovered MES, I was dazzled. The passion the staff shows for teaching, their longevity, the caring and nurturing environment, the skills and independence that the students demonstrated, all were exactly what I wanted for my own children. I simply fell in love and wanted to be a part of it. It was the best decision I ever made for my children’s education and the best decision I ever made for myself. I love coming to work every day and seeing joy all around me. Who else gets to do that!?

As Douglas Adams said, “I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.”

Mother Catherine grew up in the Dallas area. She earned a Master of Divinity degree from Virginia Theological Seminary in 2000. Prior to being called to serve as Rector of Annunciation in 2014, Mtr. Catherine served at St. Anne Episcopal Church in DeSoto, Texas, at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Frisco, Texas, and at Trinity Episcopal Church in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Mtr. Catherine has served in numerous roles in the community, at the diocesan level, and for the national church. She is married and has two children.  She is passionate about building relationships with Jesus Christ and with each other; enjoys spending time with the wonderful students, teachers and staff of MES; and appreciates the Montessori philosophy of finding joy and wonder in the every day circumstances of life.

Angie Thomas is the Office Manager and has been with MES since 2020.

Ms. Thomas is the Office Manager at Montessori Episcopal School.  She has enjoyed learning about the Montessori philosophy and getting to know all the children and staff at MES. She moved to the area from Wyoming in 2017 and is enjoying the many opportunities the DFW area provides.  Angie is married and has two teenage children who attend school in Flower Mound.  Her family also currently includes two dogs, two parakeets and a hamster.  In addition to being the Office Manager at MES, she continues to be part of the publications and editorial team at the Museum of the Mountain Man in Pinedale, Wyoming where she was previously director.  Ms. Thomas holds a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture business from Utah State University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Wyoming.  She enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, reading, and exploring area parks and museums.

Elizabeth Hahn is the Toddler 1 Lead Teacher and has been with MES since 2019.

Ms. Hahn received a BA from Magdalen College in Warner, NH where she studied literature, philosophy, and music. It was there that she was first introduced to Montessori. She worked in childcare for several years before joining MES.

Hahn has been married for 8 years and has 2 wonderful sons (one who still attends MES!). She loves spending time with her family and also enjoys knitting and reading. She feels blessed to be a part of the MES family and can’t wait to see what the future holds.

(coming soon)

Sandy Poon is the Toddler 2 Lead Teacher and has been with MES since 2020.

Ms. Poon has worked in the childcare field for many years and holds an American Montessori Society (AMS) Certification. She continues to work on her Bachelor’s in Education.

Ms. Poon has 3 amazing children ranging from ages 6-20. She has been married over 22 years and has been both a Boy Scout and Girl Scout Troop Leader. Ms. Poon is involved in her community and with her children’s activities. In her free time, she loves to read and go to the movies. Ms. Poon is passionate about teaching children and we are excited to have her join us this year!

Ms. Poon believes Maria Montessori was right when she said, “One test of the correctness of educational procedure is the happiness of the child.”

Katelyn Krueger is the Toddler 2 Associate Teacher and has been with MES since 2021.

Ms. Krueger is finishing up her Associate’s degree in psychology with a minor in social work at Tarrant County Community College this fall and then will move on to complete her Bachelor’s degree.  This is her first experience with a Montessori school and she has really enjoyed working with the Toddlers!

She enjoys reading, drawing, playing the flute and yoga. Ms. Krueger has two cats and is bilingual in English and German.

Mallory Pfiefer is the Toddler 2 Lead Teacher and has been with MES since 2020.

Ms. Pfiefer has worked in both the Preparatory and Toddler Classrooms. She is currently working on her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and completing her Age 0-3 Montessori certification through NAMC . Ms. Pfeifer was first introduced to the Montessori method at her previous school where she focused on ages 18 months – 3 years. She is excited and blessed to be able to grow under the instruction of her lead teacher, colleagues and students here at MES.

Ms. Pfeifer enjoys reading, music, film/television, and having family time with her partner Jonathan. Her main goal in teaching is to create a child-centered, positive environment for learning where all children feel welcome, safe, and special as well as to provide high-quality, individualized education to students of all backgrounds.

Lydia Bang is the Toddler 2 Associate and has been with MES since 2020.

Ms. Bang has over 10 years experience working with children ages 1-5 as both a Lead Teacher and an Assistant. Ms. Bang is still working to complete her degree in Child Development Education.

Ms.Bang moved to Texas in July 2017 from Seattle, Washington with her husband. Her husband is an Electrician. Ms. Bang also has two cats she loves named Kammi and Ukee.

In her spare time she likes to watch Netflix movies and enjoys traveling! Her favorite time of the year is Fall.

Ms. Bang stresses that communication between parents and teachers is key to a successful learning environment.

Tanya Gilmore is the Preparatory/Kindergarten Lead Teacher and has been with MES since 2006.

Ms. Gilmore has a B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Arizona and is Montessori certified through Collin County Community College.

Ms. Gilmore has three wonderful children, all MES alumni, two heelers, and a loving husband, TJ Gilmore who is the current Mayor of Lewisville. Her daughter is attending Babson College in Wellesley MA and her twin boys both attend Texas Tech University.

In her spare time, she enjoys hanging out at her fire pit, reading, working out at Thrive, and cuddling her dogs.  She is an avid Harry Potter and Star Trek fan.  Her favorite color is orange and she loves all things pumpkin.

Rebecca Carroll is the Preparatory/Kindergarten Associate and has been with MES since 2020.

Ms. Carroll has a Master’s degree in teaching from TWU, a bachelor’s degree from Austin College and a Montessori certificate from Collin County Community College.

Ms.Carroll has two boys, Henry and Wes. Henry is in elementary school and loves baseball. Wes attends MES and loves everything his big brother loves. Her husband, Andrew, works in Flower Mound as the Vice President of a commercial construction company. She loves animals and has a cat and two dogs. 

She was born in Lewisville and her sister attended MES. She loves Harry Potter, Star Wars, and The Office.

Afshan Hussain is the Preparatory Lead Teacher and has been with MES since 2021.

Ms. Hussain has her AMS Montessori Certification and has been teaching since 2012. She has been both an Assistant and Lead teacher, as well as an MIS Manager and Center Manager. She is an avid reader and loves studying child psychology and various teaching methodologies.

Ms. Hussain is married with two children. She likes to read, take long walks in nature, and spend time with her family going to different restaurants and sports activities.

“I look forward to helping our little scholars learn and explore their potential. I love observing as their minds open to the treasures within! I am excited to be a part of Montessori Episcopal School!”

Jazmane Walker is the Preparatory Associate and has been with MES since 2021.

Ms. Walker graduated from Byron Nelson High School in 2019. She has been working for a Montessori school since then. While in high school, she participated in PTSA, Culinary Arts and Hospitality and Colorguard. She is the oldest of three.

“I can’t wait every day to work with the children to help build their independence!”

Kalpana Mallela has been a part of the MES family since 2021.

Kalpana Mallela Uppaluru moved to the United States in 1998 with her husband and 2 children.

In 2006, she worked in her first Montessori school and was inspired to become certified. She received her first certification from Collin Community College in 2008 and recently also completed her AMS Montessori certification. She has practiced the Montessori method at various schools before joining us at MES.

Ms. Kalpana is also a radio jockey at 104.9 FM/700 AM (an Indian radio station) and hosts a weekly show. Her hobbies include reading, Bollywood dance, singing, interior decorating, gardening, and relaxing on the couch with coffee and watching TV.

She faithfully practices the “Two Option Rule” when working with children and feels it works 99.9% of the time. “I strongly believe that early education is like a blueprint of a house which is visible and looks strong only after several trial-and-error methods.”

Meme Maldonado is the Toddler 2 Associate and has been with MES since 2020.

Ms. Maldonado grew up as the youngest of 5 siblings in the tiny town of Ozamiz, Philippines. She graduated with a B.S. in Secondary Education from Miami University. She began working with children as a volunteer at a Reading Camp. She has worked as a Primary School Teacher as well as an Assistant Montessori Teacher with toddlers through elementary. Ms. Maldonado is completing her age 3-6 Montessori Certification through Collin Community College.

Ms. Maldonado stays active with her husband by playing basketball and hiking. She also volunteers with the Special Olympics and loves interacting with the athletes and helping to fundraise for their events.

Lina Eisman is the Art Teacher and has been with MES since 1992.

Ms. Lina Eisman is approaching her 30th year at MES. Ms. Eisman began working with our toddlers and during that six years, it became apparent that she was skilled in combining her Art Curriculum knowledge with the Montessori method. She was then asked to develop a comprehensive Art Program for MES.

Ms. Eisman studied Art at the University of Missouri and has continued a lifelong love of art and learning of techniques, craftmanship, and independent study. Ms. Eisman strives to provide exposure to as many different mediums as possible and provide an opportunity to explore them through our Art Curriculum, Color Theory, Art History and Art Appreciation.

Ms. Eisman is part of a large family in which she is a wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin and friend.

“My goal is to stimulate creativity, ingenuity, self confidence, problem solving and the right to personal expression through the studies of Art and its history. The Montessori Method keeps focus on the pleasure of the process.”

Jana Fox is the Music Teacher and has been with MES since 2019.

Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, Ms. Fox learned her engaging style by watching her mother, Glenda Raye sing and front her own Country & Western dance band. As a teenager, Ms. Fox dreamed of becoming a Country singer-song writer herself, but as her faith grew, her aspirations changed from music to ministry.

While earning a degree in Sociology from UTSA, she served on staff for area churches in the departments of children, youth, adult and music. During this time, she also spent eight weeks in Bogota, Colombia ministering to the street children. Up until her mother’s death in 2009, Ms. Fox and her mother traveled from church to church, leading worship services and retreats; sharing their faith through witness and song. Together, they have five gospel music albums which can be heard on all streaming platforms.

Ms. Fox has been married to Doug Fox since 1992 and they have two grown sons and a beautiful daughter in-law! Ms. Fox continues to share her faith through music and speaking engagements, plus is writing a book about God’s provision. She owns her own business called Musical Inspirations, teaching preschool music and drama. She love’s sharing her music and faith with our children! Whether you are eight months or eighty years old, Ms. Fox’s enthusiasm will captivate your heart. 

Sarah Gesell is the Librarian and has been with MES since 2021.

Ms. Gesell has a Masters in Information Studies with an Endorsement of Specialization in Archival Studies from the University of Texas at Austin and a BA in Music from Austin College in Sherman, TX. She previously worked as a librarian and archivist at a Pre-K through grade 12 private school in Houston, TX, and as an archivist at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. She has been married for 7 years and has 1 son enrolled in MES. Her husband works in the field of biomedical research in DFW and they have two house cats.

Ms. Gesell is an avid reader, cross-stitcher, and gamer, and can speak extensively about The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Star Wars, and Star Trek. She is delighted to offer story time every week and to help nurture a love and appreciation for reading and stories in the students of MES.

Brooke Nguyen is the After School Care Lead Teacher and has been with MES since 2017.

Ms. Nguyen loves learning about and practicing the Montessori method. She is working on her degree in English Language Arts and teaching. She truly enjoys watching children achieve independence and discover their passions.

Ms. Nguyen is about to become an aunt! She has an older sister, two younger twin brothers, and a cat named Kaneki. She also has a large and very close extended family that she loves spending her time with.

Ms. Nguyen’s hobbies include reading, writing, photography, and making jewelry, clothes, and music. She is also passionate about eating great food!