Faculty

All of our teachers are Montessori trained and/or credentialed, and undergo continuing educational training throughout the year.   We also incorporate a variety of special interest teachers from our community in the fields of science, art, music and physical education.

All our teachers meet the highest academic and personal standards, and are dedicated to the ideals and principles under which Tara Redwood School operates.

During our biannual parent/teacher conferences your child's specific academic curriculum and social, emotional and physical development will be addressed and goals outlined based on the individual child.   Our teachers are always available to meet with you privately throughout the school year to discuss your child's specific needs and progress.

Preschool

Ages 3 - 4

Teachers: Bev Gwynand Joy Parker

The Tara Redwood School Preschool program serves children aged 3 and 4.   It is a licensed family home daycare center, with administrator Lilian Brito the license holder.     

Bev Gwyn, lead preschool teacher, has worked in the Preschool since its inception, and is a state credentialed teacher.  

Joy Parker is the co-teacher in the Preschool classroom. She has an AMI Montessori diploma. She has also completed college coursework in Fine Arts and Accounting. She taught for 5 years at a bilingual Montessori school in Paris, France. She also taught at Tara Redwood from 1998 to 2001. Some of her favorite things to do with the children that she works with include cooking and exploring nature.  

Bev     Joy

Primary (Pre-K/Kindergarten)

Ages 4.5 - 6

Tara Redwood School's Primary program helps children move into an academically based school day while reinforcing their natural curiosity about the world and their interest in learning to be self-sufficient and helpful.

Teachers: Margaret Ames and Sirena Andrea   

Margaret Ames is the lead teacher in the Primary classroom. She received her American Montessori Society (AMS) Teaching Credential in Chicago in 1996. She is a Reading Specialist with specialized training in reading assessment and instruction. She has also been teaching yoga for the past 10 years. Margaret lives in Aptos with her three sons ages 18, 17 and 8.  

  

Margaret    

Elementary (First through Third Grade)

Ages 6 - 9

Teachers: Ami Cayton and Lisa Dreyer-Campiglia   

Amrita (Ami) Cayton received her teacher training at Sierra Nevada College, later earning her K-8 teaching license. Ami is looking forward to starting as lead teacher in the new upper elementary class at Tara next year (ages 9 -12). Essential Education is a philosophy that Ami believes in and supports, so working at Tara Redwood is such an exciting and wonderful learning experience for her. She especially appreciates working with Essential Education in the curriculum and in how the students and teachers relate to each other.  

Ami

Administration

Administrator: Lilian Brito

Lilian Brito is a Montessori-trained teacher, and holds a Brazilian teaching credential as well. She was formerly the preschool co-teacher. She now supervises the operation of the school.

Please give us a call if you would like to schedule a visit to any of our classrooms. 

For more information contact the Tara office at (831) 462-9632.

Tara Redwood School . 5810 Prescott Road . Soquel, CA 95073 . 831-462-9632 . e-mail . map