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.

Lizbeth Rosa Ricse Aliaga was born in Peru, Huancayo City. She completed her primary education studies from 2013 to 2017 at the National University of Central Peru (UNCP). In 2018, she began her work as a primary education teacher in public schools for 4 years. For this reason, her work takes her to different regions of Peru, where she knows different learning strategies according to social and economic conditions. 

In 2023, she arrived in the United States and moved to Utah. In 2024, she began a new stage of life at the Foothill Montessori of Salt Lake. With great enthusiasm for the future and with the same passion as an educator, she enjoys being part of the growth of each child.

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.

Grace is originally from Missouri and has lived in Utah since 2017. She began working in the toddler program at FMSL in 2023. She received her bachelor’s degree in English from UVU and has a deep appreciation for language, reading, writing, and media analysis. Grace has a passion for environmentalism and conservation and has spent time volunteering with the Utah Conservation Corps, Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service. In her free time, Grace can be found climbing, hiking, writing, or enjoying the local shopping in Salt Lake City.

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.