Sydnie grew up in both Nashville, Tennessee, and Oakland, Kentucky. A graduate of culinary school from UVU and former pastry chef, she continues to share her expertise through her work with a small catering company. Since bringing her son to Foothill Montessori of Salt Lake, Sydnie has been drawn to the welcoming environment and dedicated staff, inspiring her to jump in as a substitute and now toddler support guide. An interesting fact about her is she loves to travel and has been to the Bahamas, India, London, and Fiji.

Kara grew up in Sandy, Utah, playing outdoors whenever possible, no matter the weather. She follows a legacy of her mother Kristie Jensen and sister Annie Hays in her passion for Early Childhood education. Since the fall of 2020, she has worked in many classrooms at Montessori Community School while working on her degree at the University of Utah. In May of this year, she graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Environmental and Sustainability Studies—Food Systems and Community. She is thrilled to be joining Foothill Montessori of Salt Lake as an Extended Day Guide in the Stars class and an assistant in the Outdoor Classroom for the 2024-25 school year and hopes to inspire love for nature and growing food along the way.

Carmen was born in Peru, where she studied psychology until life brought her to Utah almost 12 years ago. She was looking for schools for her daughter when she found the Montessori method. She started working at a Montessori school in Park City, where she founded their infant program, and completed her AMS Infant and Toddler Montessori Credential at the Westminster College Institute for Montessori Innovation (IMI). With 9 years of experience working with infants and toddlers, she believes that Montessori education is making a change in the world. In her free time, Carmen enjoys spending time with her family, her 4 children, 3 of them teenagers and one infant, hiking, camping, eating, and cooking.

Brooklyn was born and raised in Utah. She is a Montessori enthusiast who believes that the best classrooms are the ones where curiosity rules, peace thrives, and concentration is protected. After graduating from a Montessori-inspired charter high school, Brooklyn developed a deep appreciation for Montessori from a family member and fell in love with the method. In 2021, she dove headfirst into a training course with the Center for Guided Montessori Studies (CGMS) and is currently completing her certification to be a Montessori Infant and Toddler Guide, ready to help the littlest learners become big thinkers. When Brooklyn isn’t in the classroom, she’s likely reading a book, enjoying a lake day, winning at Mario Kart, or spending time with family and friends. Brooklyn is always looking to expand her knowledge and go on adventures — both in life and in learning.

Tori grew up in Cedar City, Utah, and has been working with children of all ages for the past eight years in many ways of teaching and caring for children. Tori wanted to learn more and help children develop in their growth through Montessori and started working at the school in 2022. Tori is now very happy working with toddlers. When Tori is not working, she loves spending time with her husband doing various activities such as cooking, exploring the outdoors, shopping, and traveling to visit family.