Lori Smart Owner / Director
As a Montessori teacher and mother of young children, it became my mission to bring Montessori education to the community in which I live. For nearly 25 years working in early education, 20 have been dedicated to Montessori education. I believe with a passion that every child should have the educational opportunity that Montessori provides. They deserve respect as an individual with needs that differ from those of the next child and should be accepted as who they are and directed towards who they are destined to become. I am an A.M.S. Certified Montessori teacher who grew up here in Independence and chose to raise my family here as well. I am married with two boys. My husband and I both graduated from William Chrisman High School and have parents and siblings right here in this community. Independence is still a great city, and I believe that the work that we do, the impact we have on these children, will make a difference for the future of our community. It is what we instill in the children of today that will become the decisive factor in what tomorrow will bring. Thus, our chosen name, Sunrise Montessori Academy of Independence…bright beginnings every day. Let’s work together to make tomorrow a little brighter for everyone!
Dena Ward Assistant Director & Office Manager
After many years of putting my education to work in various areas of business, including management of mental health and medical offices, I went back to school, seeking my Montessori teaching certification. I believed this to be my calling at this time in my life and have enjoyed it immensely. Each day, students bring cheer to my life with their funny stories and bright perspectives. I grew up in the Independence area and chose to raise my family here as well. I am the mother of four adult children and grandmother to ten grandchildren who have become a highlight in my life. My hobbies include spending time with family, finding sales and good deals, fixing things, helping others and taking my grandkids out for fun! My goal for my students is to help them realize their own potential and to develop the quality of perseverance within each of them! I believe that Montessori education offers a great opportunity that other methods do not offer and I hope that we at Sunrise will reach the children of our community!
Araceli Jimenez Montessori Teacher
My name is Araceli Jimenez. I am a Spanish-speaking Certified Montessori teacher. I have been teaching for 21 years and I love my job. I’m the mother of two, Andres and Samantha. I am also a grandmother of three beautiful grandchildren that I treasure. My favorite thing to do when I’m not at school is to watch movies with my family. I love to do arts and crafts and just put my creativity to work. I also love to cook Mexican food for my family and spend time together. My family is very important to me. They are the motor that keeps me going every day. I chose to be a Montessori teacher after working with Ms. Lori at another Montessori school many years ago. Her passion for the Montessori method inspired me and after I worked with her for a couple of years, I decided to learn more about this great method. Going to school to become a certified Montessori teacher was life-changing and I just absolutely loved it. I believe in this method and philosophy, and I truly believe that through our work, we make a difference in the lives of the children that we work with. My goal here at Sunrise is to help kids learn Spanish as a second language, learn to be themselves and to do their personal best every day.
Maria Byle Montessori Teacher & Spanish Teacher
I am bilingual, married and I have four children. I love to go camping, cook and spend time with my family, creating happy memories together. I have experience in various fields in the restaurant and production industries; however, I have a life passion for helping others and teaching young children allows me to do just that. I received my Montessori teacher certification through Montessori Education Programs International. I love to help the students learn self-control and learn to make good choices for themselves by developing strong relationships with them and building trust between each one of them and me. Helping the children to find the work that brings peace to their inner selves is very rewarding and brings me joy.
Mariah Turner Teacher
Hello, my name is Mariah Turner! I obtained my associate’s degree at Metropolitan Community College and I am currently working on my bachelor’s degree in history at the University of Central Missouri. Other than having a fascination in history, I also love to teach. Working with kids has always been a passion of mine. When I am not teaching or going to school, I enjoy going on hikes and photography. I love to take photos of natur,e especially when I go on my hikes. I hope one day I will have the opportunity to travel and combine both of my hobbies together around the world for fun! I have two cats that are my world named Myla and Link. I have been a Substitute here at Sunrise for years and I absolutely love my job. My favorite part of it all is seeing how creative the children are and how they choose to express themselves through their creative process.
Brittanie Gumm Assistant Teacher
Hi, my name is Brittanie and I have been teaching at Sunrise Montessori since August of 2020! I worked in early education and later became a stay-at-home mom for my son (10 years old) and my daughter (6). Once my daughter turned two, I decided it was time for me to venture back into the work force and make a difference in the world. I was so fortunate to find an opening at Sunrise and learn about Montessori, which I have come to love. I love working with kids, teaching them and forming bonds that can be everlasting. I have continued my education to learn more about Montessori and aspire to attain my Montessori teaching certification. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my kids, reading books, and watching TV. One of my favorite Montessori quotes is:
“The goal of early childhood education should be to activate the child’s own natural desire to learn” – Maria Montessori.
Mariah Carpenter Montessori Teacher
I grew up here in Independence and graduated from Truman High School. I continued my studies in Early Childhood Education and attained my Montessori Teaching Certification. Working with children has always been a passion of mine. I love teaching young children and having the opportunity to impact their lives at such an early age. I truly believe that laying a foundation for education at this young age is so important. Montessori is so personalized and allows each child to learn at his or her own pace. It’s the personalization and hands-on learning approach that I believe makes the difference. I love to be creative and I have a passion for art, music and photography. I love having a career that allows me to use my creativity and have such a positive impact. My goal is to help each child grow to love learning and to use my creative skills in that process.
Lani Trujillo Montessori Teacher
Howdy, y’all! My name is Ms. Lani, and I moved to Missouri from Texas a number of years ago. I absolutely love the weather in Missouri, especially the snow! I enjoy cooking, eating, reading, shopping for good deals, and watching movies. I am married to my wonderful husband and have one stepson. I have been teaching for almost two decades. I am a certified Montessori teacher, and I hold a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education. My favorite part of any day is when I have “proud teacher moments.” This is when a child shows me what they have accomplished during Montessori Time, which puts a shiny, bright smile on my face. My goal is to assist children in becoming more independent.
Esperanza Dunning
I love to travel the world and take photos and learn about different cultures. I currently operate a small business doing photography – one of my greatest passions. I also love to run. Crafting and card making are just a couple of my hobbies. I am married and currently reside here in the metro. I attained my degree in education after completing four years of study with KCSM for an AG license. I work in ministry at a local church. I have years of experience in early education prior to joining Sunrise. Currently, I am a substitute teacher, filling in for other teachers when they need to be gone. Additionally, I assist in the office at Sunrise and help families with registration, enrollment and with a variety of other things. I love to encourage, grow in knowledge and keep the kids inspired!
Jean DeMoss Teacher
I am married and have two grown sons. I attended UMKC to attain my BA in psychology with a minor in economics. I love writing and researching family history. My hobbies include bird-watching, reading, and enjoying coffee with friends. I have years of experience in both teaching and finance. I joined Sunrise to work a more flexible schedule so that I can spend time with my kids. I love the Montessori philosophy and often consider getting my Montessori teaching certification when the time is right. My goal is to have an influence on children to teach them to be kind and have compassion.
Gina Coonce Montessori Teacher
Hello! My name is Gina Coonce. I grew up here in the Kansas City metropolitan area. I graduated from a local high school here in Independence. During my Junior year, I learned of an aftercare position here at Sunrise. I started to work at Sunrise and fell in love with just the simple thought of making an impact on so many children’s lives, and it became my passion to help each child grow in Montessori education. I realized that the Montessori method was so incredible in so many aspects. I loved how Montessori is personalized and offers students a hands-on learning experience. I believe this truly makes a difference in how each child grows, especially since each child is unique and learns in their own way. I have since attained my Montessori teaching certification at the Montessori Teacher Preparation of Kansas City. I love to be creative and help come up with ideas to help improve the environment. Working in a position where I can use my creativity every day is amazing. My goal here at Sunrise is to help each child grow and to have an impact on the current and upcoming generations to come. I want each child to enjoy coming to school and to develop a love for learning, because the foundation in education at such an early age is so important.
Bea Jover Montessori Teacher
Hi! I am Ms. Bea. I am from the Philippines. I traveled to the U.S.A. in November 2023 to be with my husband. I have been a teacher since 2008. In the past, I have taught preschool and taught deaf students. Additionally, I have been a Sign Language Course Instructor. I can speak different Filipino dialects. I also worked in the Philippines for a short period of time as a public servant. I love the Montessori philosophy, and I am learning more about this philosophy and method of teaching while teaching here at Sunrise. I am so excited to be here. I love seeing kids grow into responsible individuals.
Lola Arregui Teacher
My name is Lola Arregui. I started my Montessori career as a Montessori student in a local Montessori school. My interests include music, cooking, baking, and playing softball for fun. I love to spend time with friends and my cat, as well as time in the outdoors. I am currently a student at UCM working towards my degree in elementary education. I have been working with children for the past four years and here at Sunrise for the last two. I look forward to becoming a certified elementary teacher so that I can continue to provide students with knowledge and support during their education. My goal is for my students to feel happy, loved, and grow in their knowledge.
Hilda Ruiz Montessori Teacher
I am from Durango, Mexico. My family includes my wonderful husband and three boys. I have been caring for children since my teenage years. Professionally, I have over 20 years of experience teaching and caring for young children. I became fascinated with the Montessori method 2 years ago, and since then, it has inspired me in guiding children to become independent learners. My training for certification is with MEPI, where I learned so much about Montessori philosophy and method. I loved the outdoor activities and spending time with my family. I believe Montessori helps children not only grow academically but also in developing life skills that will guide them throughout their future.
Adrianna Villanueva Montessori Teacher
My name is Adrianna Villanueva. I am a mama to my two amazing boys. I love to read, bake, spend time outdoors, and spend time with my family. I have gone through the MEPI teaching training to attain my Montessori teaching certification with the Montessori Teacher Training Program of Kansas City. My spiritual gift is the gift of sacrifice. I express compassion through meeting the needs of others and being a reliable, loyal friend. I look forward to learning and growing as an educator during my time here at Sunrise to become the best caregiver and teacher I can be.
Hailey Wuerfele Assistant Teacher
My name is Hailey Wuerfele, and I am from Independence, Missouri, where I grew up with my mom, my dad, my six siblings, and two cats. I have been around children my whole life, as my mom ran an in-home daycare while I was growing up. Caring for children comes second nature to me.
My hobbies include shopping, solving puzzles, and watching my favorite shows. I enjoy documentaries and keeping up with real-world issues. I love spending my free time with my family and friends, as my family is my biggest priority.
I believe in Montessori education because it allows children to learn at their own pace and develop the ability to self-direct their learning. I love watching students grow and learn both in and outside of the classroom. My personal goals include building strong relationships with students and families, and learning as much as possible about the Montessori method.
Hope Melin Assistant Teacher
My name is Hope Melin. I am from Independence, Missouri, where I grew up with my mom, my dad, and my sisters. I am interested in learning new things all the time and enjoy gardening, growing plants, hiking, and drawing. I love animals and sometimes dog-sit for friends and family while they are out of town. In my free time, I like to read and take walks. I enjoy preparing the environment and setting up new activities for our students, then watching them explore and learn. I love the way Montessori education allows children to lead the way in their educational process and how teachers are trained to identify each child’s needs, acting as a guide between the child and the environment to help them meet their next milestone. I continue to improve my teaching skills by expanding my knowledge, reading, and attending ongoing training. My primary goal is to help each child reach his or her full potential.
Jade CookAssistant Teacher
Hello! My name is Jade. I grew up in Blue Springs with my mother and two siblings, and I am a proud early graduate of Blue Springs South. Outside of the classroom, I enjoy reading, traveling, and music. I also love Hawaiian food and smoothies.
I am currently pursuing my Montessori teaching certification. My favorite part of teaching is watching children grow into responsible, capable individuals. As this is my first year, I am eager to grow alongside my students and become the best teacher I can be.
My goal is to ensure your child develops into an independent, hardworking individual through a supportive and engaging classroom environment. I truly believe Montessori is one of the most effective forms of education because it prioritizes hands-on learning and allows children to progress at their own pace.
Emma RussiTeacher (Montessori Intern)
Hello! My name is Emma. I was born on 12/22, and my mom was 22 when I was born, so I’ve always considered two to be my lucky number. I’ve been caring for children from a young age, especially when my younger cousins were born. As a child, I often played teacher and nurse, creating lesson plans and activities for my “students.”
Teaching has always been a passion of mine, along with helping others. I enjoy Montessori education because it helps children develop essential life skills, encourages independence, and fosters creativity.
I am very close with my parents and grateful for the strong foundation they provided, which has helped shape who I am today. In my free time, I enjoy playing games like The Sims and Animal Crossing, teaching my three cats—GuGu, Hannibal, and Roach—new tricks, trying new foods, and exploring new places with my boyfriend. I also enjoy attending plays, especially those featuring classical music.
My goal is to become a Montessori teacher and a midwife. I am currently a licensed doula, and working at this wonderful school brings me closer to achieving my dreams every day.
Maria Johnston
Bio coming soon…
Stephen Ward Honorary Founder
After moving to Independence in 1975 and beginning to raise my children, I went to work with the Independence School District. I spent 31 years at Procter Elementary School here in Independence, where I made myself at home. I developed friendships with many families over the years, several of which I had the privilege of working with their children, then their children’s children, and even their children! Generations of students coming and going through those doors, all of them impacting many years of my life. I became very involved with the school as even two of my own children grew up within Procter during my time there. I was a dedicated employee and PTA member, and showed support by volunteering my time to countless school activities over the years. I truly believe that children are what matter towards tomorrow, and I live my life to help mold the future by helping each child know his/her value by showing my support. As my daughter became involved with Montessori education, I realized that the principles she learned were very similar to what I already believed. Over the years, through many conversations and after studying Montessori education, I realized the significance this philosophy could have on the children within my own community, and the two of us began to plan the possibility of a Montessori school. I went back to school to study for my Montessori teaching certification through the American Montessori Society and the University of St. Mary. Throughout the course of the last several years, we have envisioned this dream, which has finally come to pass. I believe that our small school, with a family-like atmosphere, will provide an unsurpassed opportunity for early education that you won’t find anywhere else.