Meet Our Staff


	Jamee Emens ~Executive Director~ Jamee Emens has been running Montessori schools for over 15 years. She holds a bachelors degree from the University of Arizona and obtained a teaching credential in Montessori Education from University of California, Irvine. In 2002, Jamee successfully opened two Montessori schools in Orange County California. Both schools (Fountain Valley Montessori Center and Montessori of Ladera Ranch) are still in operation and boast two year waiting lists. Jamee is a long time member of AMS (American Montessori Society) and has served on many advisory boards. In addition, from 2004-2006, Jamee served as the president of OC Montessori Foundation, a non-profit foundation which gave educational scholarships to families in need. Jamee and her family moved to the Phoenix area in 2008 to open Montessori of Surprise.
	Jennifer Liles ~Center Director~ Jennifer Liles' love for education started long before her employment at Montessori of Surprise. Jenny holds a bachelors degree in Education and a Masters degree in Child Psychology. She then went on to get her teaching credential in Montessori Education from University of California, Irvine. She began her career in Montessori in 2006 at Fountain Valley Montessori Center in California. She taught for two years before switching her focus to the administrative side of education. Jenny and her husband moved to the Phoenix area in 2008 to open Montessori of Surprise.
	Kelly McElligott ~Office Manager~ Kelly McElligott obtained a bachelors degree from Mercyhurst College in 1999 and completed her Masters degree from the University of Arizona in May 2010. Kelly, her husband and two darling children moved to Surprise in 2006. As the original Office Manager, Kelly was an integral part of the grand opening of Montessori Surprise.
	Marcela Neagu ~Lead Teacher~ Marcela has worked in the Montessori profession for 8 years. She received her Montessori Teaching Certificate in 2006 and has been with Montessori of Surprise since it opened, May 2008. She has 3 beautiful children, Josiah, Gianna and Ezekiel. Marcela's passion is teaching children and watching them succeed inside and outside the classroom.
	Juliet Beguin ~Lead Teacher~ Juliet Beguin joined our team in 2008 as an assistant teacher. Juliet then pioneered our one -year old room. She had five darling one year olds in her care and they flourished under her supervision! Almost immediately, Juliet fell in love with the Montessori philosophy and decided to further her education. After two years of hard work, she completed her AMS Montessori Teaching Credential in May 2011. Although Juliet is not new to the school, she is our newest Montessori Lead Teacher.
	Nicole Faletti ~Lead Teacher~ Ms. Nicole joined our team in June 2010. Ms Nicole was born and raised in Arizona! She began her career in Montessori in 2007 at Adobe Montessori Center in Chandler. Over the past two years she has been working on her teaching credential in Montessori Education through AMS (American Montessori Society). She received her teaching certificate in May 2010! Way to go Nicole.
	Leisa Marcy ~Elementary Teacher~ Ms. Leisa joined our team in 2009 as a Lead Preschool Teacher. Although she taught preschool for 13 years, her real love is for Elementary Education. Ms. Leisa graduated Phi Theta Kappa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Ashford University. In 2002, she went on to obtain a teaching credential in Montessori Education from AMS (American Montessori Society). In addition, Ms. Leisa completed the Elementary Montessori Teaching Credential in 2010.
	Mollie Quinn The newest member of our staff is Ms. Mollie. She joined our team in August of 2010. Ms. Mollie comes to us with over 3 years of teaching experience and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and an Early Childhood Education Teaching Credential from the State University of New York College at Cortland.
	Kaleigh Rhodes Ms. Kaleigh joined our Toddler Team January 2010. She began her career working with Toddlers over two years ago and is now our Lead Teacher for our precious 1 year olds. Ms. Kaleigh is currently going to Arizona State University completing her double major in Child Psychology and Social Work. Go Ms. Kaleigh!