YCC Staff
- Theresa Burke Garcia, YCC Director & Casita 1 Guide
- Jeneke Lesak, Casita 1 Guide
- Shannon Walthall, Casita 1 Support Guide & Creativity Club Guide
- Madicyn Villalobos, Casita 2 Guide
- Emily Crumley, Casita 2 Guide
- Kristi Farmer, Casita 2 Support Guide & YCC Creativity Club
Theresa Burke Garcia, YCC Director & Casita 1 Guide
Children have been some of my greatest teachers and I have loved working and learning with them for as long as I can remember. Formally, I began my career in early childhood education in 1993 after graduating with a degree in Applied Learning and Development from the University of Texas at Austin. I followed this up by returning to work on my Masters degree, focusing on curriculum studies and museum education—this was my introduction to the Montessori method. While in graduate school I had the great fortune to become the assistant director and teacher in a Montessori-based school. I was truly inspired by this hands-on approach to learning that focused on facilitating the natural way a child absorbs knowledge from his environment. The Montessori method continued to influence my teaching style as I moved from private to public education.
I am now a mother, and my decision to officially get my Montessori training came from wanting to know more about Maria Montessori and her genius, and apply it to my own parenting style. Ultimately, as a teacher, it established the vision of the type of program I would want my own children to attend. A program that is sensitive to the cognitive, physical and emotional needs of the child as an individual. A program that nurtures an appreciation for the arts, a love of language, and a respect for nature and humanity. A program that creates a strong foundation for a lifetime of creative thinking and learning. I am excited to be a part of the development of the Young Children’s Community program at Primavera, and I think it is a special place for a young child to learn and grow.
Jeneke Lesak, Casita 1 Guide
My love for Montessori began early, when I attended a small Montessori school as a young child. I hold the memories of that time dear and know that what I gained in my first schooling experience has truly been the foundation of my own independence and compassion. I knew that I wanted the same type of experience for my own child, and I found Primavera.
I have been a member of the Primavera community as a parent and employee since the summer of 2009 where I assisted in the toddler summer program. I have also been a school-wide substitute, an Elementary Creativity Club guide, and a teacher’s aide in the Early Elementary classroom. My different roles have allowed me to span the school as a whole, building relationships with the children, parents, and Primavera staff. This community never ceases to amaze me, and I am so excited and honored to have joined the incredible YCC team! I have worked with children over the past ten years in school settings and as a nanny. It’s beautiful to witness as young minds grasp new concepts and learn the wonders of their world!
I graduated from Texas State University with a degree in Anthropology and a minor in Spanish. I spent a semester in Granada, Spain and a summer in the highlands of Guatemala for cultural research. I have explored around Europe several times. Needless to say, I love to travel! I also enjoy gardening, camping, painting, and spending time with my husband Juniper and my son Nikolai, who is in Primary II.
Shannon Walthall, Casita 1 Support Guide & Creativity Club Guide
I grew up in a large family surrounded by brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews and developed a natural joy around children that led me to work at day camps, daycares, and arts programs, where I learned to love caring for children. This love stayed with me after I graduated with a B.A. in Biology from Southwestern University and I felt a strong desire to return to working with children. I soon found the perfect opportunity at Primavera Montessori.
Since I first came to Primavera as a Casita I guide in the YCC program in Fall of 2011, the compassionate Primavera staff has inspired me and made me feel both fortunate and proud to be a part of this community. Soon after coming to Primavera, I expanded my role to become a YCC and Primary Creativity Club guide where I was able to spend time with Primary children beyond the YCC environment and my love for the school grew even more.
The consistent value and respect given to each individual child’s need has made every day a wonderful learning experience by allowing me to discover the beautiful spirit within each child. It has been amazing to see independent young minds and spirits developing. I love watching children explore the world around them and I’m excited to do the same for myself and see where this journey continues to take me. I am also passionate about reading and painting and hope that I can share this passion for learning and expression.
Madicyn Villalobos, Casita 2 Guide
My interest in Montessori education began when, as a mother ( to Maya, now 7, and a student at Primavera’s elementary program) my curiosity was piqued by my exposure to an in-home Montessori environment. I began my classroom work as an assistant to an AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) guide at another school that has since closed. While there, when I took the lead role, I had the honor of working with AMI Assistant to Infancy Gio Bellonci. She continues to mentor and guide me in my work. That experience, and our time together, inspired me to further my studies in child development and Montessori education. I joined the staff at Primavera in 2008 to work with the school’s youngest students.
Primavera’s commitment to ensuring the emotional intelligence of each child through peace education, and the strong sense of community here are but two of the reasons that I love working here. The children have a taste of the ‘village’ as they grow, and parents and staff are welcome to brainstorm and share ideas with one another.
The YCC (Young Children’s Community) meets the true definition of community. The ‘prepared environment’ we have developed supports each child’s own unique timing for independence in the various areas of development, and we enjoy the privilege of seeing the children unfold and construct themselves as they move through, and sculpt, the landscape of their classroom environment.
Emily Crumley, Casita 2 Guide
After earning a B.S in Psychology from Texas State University, I decided to follow my childhood dream of teaching and returned to Texas State to complete their certification program in Early Education. While completing my student teaching, I was invited to observe a classroom at Primavera, and I instantly fell in love. I was so impressed by the drive and maturity of the children, their obvious ownership of their own learning, and the caring, loving, respectful relationship between the children and guides.
When I was offered the opportunity to be an assistant classroom guide and Creativity Club guide for Primavera’s summer camp, I leapt at the chance. It was an amazing experience! The children and guides are all fantastic people. The knowledge and love of the staff is immediately apparent, and the relationships that I made with both guides and children will live in my heart forever. Towards the end of camp, I began getting heartsick at the thought that I wouldn’t be here forever. When I was offered the position to work as a partner with Madicyn in the YCC, I have never been happier or more excited. Coming to Primavera is like coming home.
Kristi Farmer, Casita 2 Support Guide & YCC Creativity Club Guide
I work in the Young Children’s Community as an Assistant Support Guide to both Casita I and Casita II. This is my third year in this program, and my sixth year working at Primavera. My oldest son, Carmelo, has been here since he was 4, and is now enrolled in the Upper Elementary program. My youngest, Santiago, is almost 2 and is enrolled in Primary 2. I came to Primavera as a parent and began substitute teaching my first year. I loved what I saw here and wanted to become a part of it, and the following year I was lucky enough to begin a full-time position working in the YCC (which was then known as Toddler) and in Creativity Club (Primavera’s after-school program). Two years later, I started working in Primary 1 as an Assistant Guide with Elizabeth, and was then offered a full-time position back into the YCC. I took time away to have my son, Santiago, and returned back into my current position. I have enjoyed moving around classes, and working and learning with children of different ages. It has allowed me to understand how to help our children here in the YCC prepare for transitions into Primary.
I am fortunate to get to see Primavera from two different perspectives. As a parent, I get to see the beautiful growth that my children have experienced, and how it allows them to explore themselves, and the world within them and around them. Even more, I get a special window into my children’s classrooms, as I work in and around them both. These beautiful guides that are here working with your children and mine are so full of grace and love. I have watched some of these children grow through six years of life at Primavera, and there is nothing more beautiful than to see a child given what they need to love themselves, and to have all they need to grow into the big world that awaits them. So to all the new families, I welcome you. To all the seasoned families, thank you for sharing in our beautiful community. As a member of the staff, I thank you for sharing your children with us. As a parent, I say to Primavera, thank you from the hearts of my two boys. Children have a birthright that they are born into, and I believe that Primavera celebrates and holds that space beautifully.
