Our Team

On this page you will find familiar faces from our classrooms. We do try to keep this page up to date but it can sometimes take time for us to add new team members here. You might see some adults working at the school that are not employed by Blossom Montessori and not featured on this page. We want to assure you that everyone on Blossom’s campus has been cleared to be there! In addition to our amazing staff listed on this page, some of our students have private therapists and aides joining them in the classroom. We are also partnered with Quality Start Los Angeles and have our coaches coming through the space monthly. Denise Rockwell, of Rockwell Psychological Services, is an amazing community resource and you might occasionally see her on campus observing to help us tailor our program to the unique needs of every child who comes into our classroom. Lastly, yoga is provided weekly by Neely at Keep Shining Kids Yoga. If you ever have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask anyone on our team listed below!

Our Founders

Karen has been working in education since 2011. She started her journey as an educator by tutoring a diverse group of learners in grades K-12. When she discovered her love for Montessori, Karen transitioned into teaching at a Montessori school in 2017 as a Spanish teacher and is currently working as a certified American Montessori Society teacher. Karen loves to incorporate thematic units into her lessons, following a child’s particular interests and needs. She is also a proponent of incorporating mindful and physical movement.

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Karen Herrera

Founder and Primary Lead Teacher

Isabel began her career as an educator teaching experimental stop-motion animation to grade school children in community programs. She now brings her background in technology and art into her own classroom, using computers and machines as tools for learning and creativity. After five years of classroom instruction, she transitioned to a Montessori Early Childhood Development school in 2018. She earned her American Montessori Society certification in 2019 and is currently pursuing her Infant and Toddler certification through UC Irvine. She also holds a 200-hour yoga teacher training certification, with a special focus on social and emotional learning in classroom settings.

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Isabel Layton

Founder and Pre-Primary Lead Teacher

Sarah is both a Montessori graduate herself and parent to a recent Montessori graduate. She jumped at the chance to support this contingent of teachers in creating an equitable, compassionate, and culturally curious environment for Montessori learning. Beyond her work in film and television, Sarah oversees administration at Blossom.

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Sarah Platt

Founder and Creative Director

Nina started out as an educator through teaching English abroad in Japan for two years. She then transitioned into Montessori Early Childhood education in 2008, and has been working in the Montessori classroom as a certified teacher ever since. Nina loves incorporating life science and science experiments into the classroom. In the past, she’s incorporated projects such as hatching chicken and duck eggs, hatching praying mantis eggs and the like.

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Nina Wu

Founder and Primary Lead Teacher

Catherine has been teaching in Montessori Early Childhood classrooms since 2007. She received her certification from American Montessori Society in 2009 and holds a Masters in Child Development from CalState LA. Although there are countless aspects of working with children that Catherine holds dear, she especially loves exploring the wonders of nature with them and cultivating a true sense of community and belonging in the classroom.

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Catherine Zeno

Founder and Academic Director

Our Leads

Brianna

Brianna recieved her B.A in Early Childhood Development in the spring of 2024 from Cal State Northridge. She has experience working in the Planetarium at Glendale Community College and hopes to share her love for science and space in the classroom. With years of practice looking after young children, Brianna looks forward to learning more about early childhood education in a Montessori setting. She just welcomed a sweet baby boy (and future Blossom student) into her home in August 2025 and is starting her certification for American Montessori Society for Infants and Toddlers at UC Irvine.

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Pre-Primary Lead

Jennifer has dedicated over 15 years to working with children, supporting and guiding youth from toddlers through teenagers. Jennifer’s passion lies in crafts and creative learning. She believes hands-on and imaginative experiences help children express themselves. In addition to her extensive experience working directly with youth, Jennifer currently serves as a Camp Director with the City of Glendale, where she leads programs, mentors staff, and ensures meaningful, enriching experiences for every child in her care.

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Primary Assistant and Aftercare Lead

Jennifer

Maria has worked with children since 2012, primarily focusing on in-home care as a nanny for newborns, toddlers, and children, as well as facilitating learning pods for the children in her care. Maria has worked with families across the city to bring early childhood educational techniques into the home, including Montessori teachings and methods. Maria also has an educational background in Political Science and Law, and is an avid reader and history buff. In her spare time, she loves gardening, taking long walks with her three dogs, and working on her children’s stories and illustrations.

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Pre-Primary Lead Assistant

Maria

Alexa

Alexa started her career in education as a Montessori teacher for a toddler class in Seattle in 2024. She just moved back to sunny California to be closer to friends and family and is excitedly thriving in the new environment (a huge part of it being having the time of her life at Blossom!). Her absolute favorite part of teaching is doing crafts alongside the children and seeing how proud they are of their creations, but most of all - cultivating a space children feel safe, supported, and excited to go to. Outside of school, she continues her hobby of crafting as well as traveling, photography, thrifting, and cuddling with her cat Cleo.

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Pre-Primary Lead Assistant

Our Assistants

Rosalva

Rosalva is an experienced early childhood educator with more than 29 years of experience working with children from toddlers through preschool age. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science and an Associate’s degree in Child Development. Rosalva has served as a Lead Teacher, classroom teacher, and substitute across several programs, including Pacific Oaks Children’s School, LAUSD, and Glendale Unified School District. She is passionate about creating engaging, hands-on learning experiences and supporting children’s development in a safe, nurturing environment.

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Primary Assistant

Linda

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Primary Assistant

Kevin

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Primary Assistant

Iliana

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Primary Assistant

Maddy

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Pre-Primary Assistant

Mia

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Pre-Primary Assistant

Edyn

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Primary Assistant

Vanessa

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Primary Assistant

Our Substitutes

Grace

Grace first began working with children as an assistant summer camp counselor. She later transitioned to working at a daycare while pursuing her undergraduate degree. Grace is especially interested in reading and language, and loves watching her students succeed in those areas. She appreciates Blossom’s Montessori approach to education and aims to give children the opportunity to express themselves freely and independently.
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Sadie

Sadie began her journey into education in 2015 through teaching private music lessons to elementary aged children, as well as performing at kids birthday parties and group classes. She holds a passion for cultivating creativity, imaginative/dramatic play, and a sense of self. She discovered her love of Montessori in 2021 while being part of a Montessori summer program, and jumped at the opportunity to join the Blossom community and continue her learnings with the support of all of the lovely founders.
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Neenah

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Nancy

Nancy holds a Bachelor’s degree in Arts and brings over 10 years of teaching experience spanning TK through 12th grade. She has a special love for working with younger children supporting both their learning and their overall well being. Outside the classroom, Nancy enjoys hiking, traveling, eating sushi, and spending time with her family.
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Raquel

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Angela

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