Chhaya Vora, Director
Born and raised in India, the principles of Montessori education have been a life long passion of Chhaya's. Chhaya holds an undergraduate Sociology degree from Gujrat University, India. After completing her Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) teacher's certification in India, Chhaya went on to complete her Masters Degree in Elementary Education at The University of Colorado. In addition, she has completed over sixty-five additional graduate hours including the area of reading and writing strategies in Early Childhood Education. For the past twenty-five years Chhaya has served in both teaching and administrative roles in the field of education, while cultivating a passion for the theory and practice Montessori teaching. Chhaya holds Colorado teaching licensure that qualifies her to teach K - 6.

Gayla Enzi , a lead teacher since 1999, has been with Renaissance Montessori Academy (formerly RCDC) since 1996. In 1998 she received extensive Montessori training at MECR, Boulder, Colorado, and certification from the American Montessori Society (AMS). Continuing her education at the University of Colorado and the Colorado School of Mines, she has accumulated 24 hours in early childhood education. Prior to working with the children at RMA, she worked with preschool and kindergarten children in the Special Education Department of North Kitsap School District in Washington State.

LeAnne Troutman, the lead teacher in our second classroom, has a Bachelor of Arts in Business and Marketing from New Mexico State University. She taught computer classes at the elementary level before joining Renaissance Montessori Academy. She was a Montessori parent for six years and developed an interest in the philosophy as she saw it work with her own children. Three years ago she joined the Renaissance staff. She will have finished her Montessori certification with Association Montessori Internationale in December, 2005.

Denise Coulter , Assistant Director and studio teacher has AMS certification through MECR in Boulder, Colorado, A teacher with a bachelor's degree in history and teaching experience at the secondary level, she explores experiences with the children through the creative languages of clay, paint, paper, music and dramatic storytelling. It is in the area of the studio that the influences of the philosophy from Reggio Emilia, Italy step in to support the Montessori classrooms. She begins the day in studio with foundational lessons in Spanish before the children move into their other activities. Twice a week, she works in Spanish and music with all the children in each of the Montessori classes.

Lisa Finch was a gymnastics coach and an RCDC parent before she became a staff member. Lisa has a bachelor's degree in Administrative Management from the University of Phoenix, and she is currently studying for her Nutritional certification. Her understanding of Montessori philosophy led her to become more involved with the teaching aspect of our school. She has been associated with Renaissance Montessori Academy for six years.

Kelly Drummey

Tiffany Higham
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