Faculty

Mayra Fuentes, Executive Director and Head of School, came to Renaissance Montessori in the summer of 2015, with 15 years of experience in management and administration. Mayra earned her Montessori Certification Credential, specializing in Montessori Leadership Administration, from The Center for Guided Montessori Studies, an International Montessori Council (IMC) and MACTE accredited organization. She received her Montessori Fundamentals Certificate from The Center of Guided Montessori Studies, (CGMS), working in the Children’s House classroom for five years. She taught and gave Montessori lessons, specializing in bilingual lessons, leading the Spanish Curriculum at Renaissance, identifying creative ways to implement Spanish throughout the children’s work cycle. Mayra has also earned the North Carolina Early Childhood Education Credential through Wake Technical Community College, and is classified as a Level Three (3) Administrator for the state of North Carolina.  She holds a Bachelor of Art in Sociology, with a Concentration in Medical Sociology, and a Minor in Spanish Education from The University of North Carolina at Pembroke. She also holds a Master of Science in Administration, Concentration in Human Resources Administration from Central Michigan University.

Mayra grew up in a military family, having the opportunity of traveling around the world. Living in Washington State, Puerto Rico, Massachusetts, California, and her parents retiring in Fayetteville, North Carolina while she was in high school. She considers North Carolina home. She has two wonderful teenage sons, and a daughter, (alumni of Renaissance Montessori). She chose to be a Montessori parent because it aligned with her belief that children are immensely capable of independence, and loved that the Montessori philosophy equally values the importance of children’s wellbeing and academic development through child-directed work. 

Aliyah Smith serves as the Assistant Director. Prior to this role, Ms. Aliyah has served as Lead Teacher and Assistant Teacher at Renaissance Montessori since 2016, having experience working in both our Toddler Program and our Children’s House. Obtaining training from The Center for Guided Montessori Studies specializing in the Toddlers, her background and passion for early childhood education extends into her collegiate studies. Ms. Aliyah earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Saint Augustine’s University, concentrating in Elementary Education. In her studies, much of her coursework focused on childhood education, studying an array of subjects such as the essentials of elementary teaching and learning, classroom management and behavioral analysis, child and adolescent development, exceptionalities among student learners and technology literacy for teachers.

She takes pleasure in being able to facilitate communication and answers to any questions received by our families or teachers. Ms. Aliyah provides management and supervision of our Aftercare Program. She also is entrusted with our human resources management. Aliyah finds inspiration in identifying different ways in which we can enrich our student’s experiences, as well as the management, and the organization of our day-to-day operations at Renaissance.

Mariela De Jesus serves as the Operations Director.  She joined Renaissance in 2018, gaining working knowledge of the Montessori method by serving in both the Toddler classroom and Children’s House classroom.  She has received her Montessori Fundamentals Certification from The Center for Guided Montessori Studies. Ms. Mariela earned a Bachelor’s in Communications from the University of Puerto Rico. 

As Operations Director, Ms. Mariela oversees and manages day to day operations, such as student events, community engagement, scheduling analysis and implementation, as well as writing policy and procedures to ensure best practices at the school. She specializes in diligently planning, and on occasion preparing Spanish Montessori materials.  She enjoys gathers innovative resources through research and providing strategies for each of our classrooms, implementing Spanish education opportunities for our children. She also leads bilingual staff by providing ongoing training and communication in order to best meet the needs of our student’s Spanish enrichment. Mariela works with Leads, Assistants, and directly with our students.  

Liseth Ancidey serves as a Lead Teacher and Academic Enrichment Program Director in the Children’s House. She is back to Renaissance Montessori after 3 years working with Elementary and Middle School students in a Charter Montessori school.

Liseth earned a Bachelor degree in International Studies from the Universidad Central de Venezuela and a Master Degree in Political Science from the City University of New York.  As a former diplomat, Liseth understood the importance of education and decided to pursue a new career as a Montessori Guide.

After serving as a volunteer in Montessori schools and working as teacher assistant, Liseth obtained her Early Childhood Teacher Certification from the Center of Guided Montessori Studies (CGMS).

Erzsebet Tamas serves as a Montessori Lead Guide in the Children’s House. Hailing originally from Europe, she has resided in the United States since 2009. Possessing an unwavering passion for the nurturing of young minds, Erzsebet has garnered extensive experience in the realm of education. Her academic journey includes the attainment of a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Psychopedagogy from the University of Bucharest, Romania, followed by a pursuit of a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology and Mental Health from the University of Pecs, Hungary.

Erzsebet’s professional history encompasses the noble pursuit of teaching children with diverse needs. This includes those with special requirements, behavioral challenges, and Down Syndrome, under the banner of the Down Foundation in Budapest, Hungary. Furthermore, her journey led her to serve as a Clinical Psychologist at the renowned Metropolitan Hospital in Budapest. During this tenure, Erzsebet devoted herself to augmenting her expertise in areas such as psychodrama, meditation, autogenic training, and family therapy.  Erzsebet has always been passionate about personal growth and the fulfillment of human beings.

She began her Montessori teaching career in 2010 and completed the Montessori Early Childhood Teacher Training at the Center of Montessori Teacher Education in North Carolina in May 2012.  In her free time, Erzsebet enjoys traveling, reading, painting, and spending time with her family and friends.

Ariana Sifuentes serves as a Lead Guide in the Children’s House. She has been with Renaissance Montessori since the summer of 2023.  

Ms. Ariana has studied a degree in English from Cesar Vallejo University in Peru, and has earned her MACTE Early Childhood Montessori Certification.

Ms. Ariana is a firm believer in this non-traditional Montessori method of teaching, and takes pride in fostering a nurturing prepared Montessori environment that helps stimulate the growth of the children. She encourages participation and inspires the children to explore different areas of learning. Ms. Ariana strives to help teach children reach their own potential through independent growth.

My name is Marisol Milan. I work as a Children’s House Teacher Assistant under the guidance of Ms. Liseth Ancidey at Renaissance Montessori. 

I was born in a little city in western Venezuela with a bicultural solid identity (Venezuelan and Italian). 

I am married to Diego since 2001 and we have two beautiful daughters, Alessia (16) and Emilia (12). I have had the opportunity to live in 5 different countries – Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, Italy, and the US. This has given me a global mindset, made me resilient, and provided an understanding of different cultures. 

I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Dentistry from Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela. After I obtained some diplomas related to my career, I got a Teacher training and development certification in Venezuela.

I started my teaching career as part of the Dental School of “Universidad Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho” staff in Barcelona, Venezuela. Then, I worked as a Spanish teacher in Reggio Emilia, Italy, where I taught spoken and written Spanish to individuals and corporative groups. I’m also fluent in oral and written Italian.

I have been working in Renaissance Montessori since 2018, as a Spanish Teacher Assistant in Children’s House with Ms. Liseth. I completed the certification on Fundamentals of Montessori for Children’s House. In November 2020, I started to work in Toddler’s house with Ms. Minu Sagere. Working with toddlers made me enlarge my vision of Montessori’s philosophy. Prior to that, I worked with toddlers as a Spanish Teacher Assistant in an Early Head Start Daycare in Durham for about a year. 

Rosa Lejandra serves as a Montessori Assistant Guide at Renaissance Montessori School. She loves working with children and truly values making a strong and meaningful impact on the children she cares for at Renaissance Montessori.

Kirly Zambrano serves as a Montessori Assistant Guide in our Children’s House program at Renaissance. She has been with Renaissance since 2022. Born in Venezuela, Ms. Kirly has lived in the United States for 4 years, with her husband and her two incredible children, Angel and Mariangel.

Ms. Kirly is a Public Accountant by profession and has a degree in Comprehensive Basic Education, in addition she has a Master’s Degree in Educational Management. She has 12 years of experience in the area of higher education.

She likes to teach Spanish to children in a fun and useful way, introducing vocabulary from everyday life, showing illustrations of stories and letters so that they associate image-word and without leaving aside the songs that give their ears a new melody.  Making them fall in love with learning a second language is her main objective. Kirly always expresses her joy, love and commitment to our community and our children.

Elena Huerta, Montessori Partner Guide, Aftercare Administrator, is originally from Mexico and moved to NC in 2020 with her husband, shortly after she became a mom of 2 boys. She holds a Business Administration degree from “Universidad Iberoamericana” back in her home country.

While living here she has worked with several families around the area and has discovered one of her passions. Elena strongly believes in Montessori methods, she loves being involved every day with the students, teachers, parents, and staff.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, exploring new fun places in the area and traveling.

Kathy Velez serves as Montessori Toddler Lead Guide. Originally from Puerto Rico, she moved to and fell In love with North Carolina 9 years ago with her loving husband and best friend of 20 years, Diego.  They have 3 beautiful children, their daughter Kaydee, their middle son Diego and their youngest son Louie, which Is also a student at Renaissance Children’s House.  

She obtained an Associates Degree In Early Childhood Education In 2008 from the University of Puerto Rico, and she obtained her Toddler  Montessori Fundamentals Certification from The Center for Guided Montessori Studies (CGMS).  She has over 15 years of experience in early childhood education, specializing in the Montessori pedagogy, previously serving as Lead Toddler Guide here at Renaissance, as well as Lead Guide for a specialized transitional classroom we had at Renaissance years ago.  She is passionate about the Montessori method and looks forward to getting to know your child, nurturing their growth and development.  Ms. Kathy is excited to embark on this journey of learning and growth with all of you. 

Lily Marziliano serves as a Montessori Assistant Guide at Renaissance Montessori School. She feels it is an honor to work with her Toddler students. She loves working with the children and growing into such a lovely Montessori school community.

Gena Lenz serves as a Montessori Assistant Guide at Renaissance. She is so happy to be working with all of the children.  Ms. Gena has played competitive sports since the age of 4 all around the world (especially in North Carolina) and plays the trombone and cello. Living overseas she learned bits of German and French and loves to meet new people from all walks of life. She started babysitting around 12 years old, and has worked in previous schools. Ms. Gena worked at a children’s advocacy program in Tennessee and is currently working towards earning her Early Childhood Education Birth-Kindergarten Program at Wake Technical Community College. She has a gorgeous and spunky daughter and is passionate about working to make a difference in the lives of young children and their families.

Hollis Seldin serves as a Support Provider.  Ms. Hollis provides care to the children and support in our after care program, as well as substituting when the need arises.  The children love to spend time with Ms. Hollis and she truly enjoys working with the children!

CJ Rodriguez, serves as a Support Provider.  Mr. CJ provides care to the children and support in our after care program, as well as substituting when the need arises.  The children light up when they see Mr. CJ and enjoy his interactive approach when caring for the children!

Joshua Bresler serves as the Finance Manager at Renaissance. Joshua completed coursework specializing in Certified Public Accounting at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa in 2014. He has completed coursework from Wake Technical Community College and continues to work towards his degree in Business Administration. Joshua not only serves as our Finance Manager, but also works independently as a Cyber Security Analyst. Joshua is a great asset to Renaissance, providing structure and reliability to our tuition management. He takes pleasure in serving our community by providing feedback to any finance related questions you may have.

Liane Watson, Owner, Vice President, came to Renaissance Montessori with 20 years experience in the Montessori classroom and administration. Liane received her Primary certification from the Center of Montessori Teacher Education-NC in 1999. She taught and worked in administrative roles at Heartwood Montessori School. She also has worked with The Center for Guided Montessori Studies as Financial Assistant and Field Consultant for the past four years.

Liane grew up in Raleigh and with the exception of seven years in Illinois, has spent most of her time in the area. She and her husband have two grown children and two grandsons and one granddaughter. Liane holds a BA in Human Services from Peace College and Masters in Family Life and Parent Education from North Carolina State University.

Marc Seldin, Founder, Owner and Business Director, started Renaissance out of a long admiration for the Montessori Method. A student of philosophy and education, Marc grew up around Montessori, and attended The Barrie School in Silver Spring, Maryland, from birth until 7th grade. His passion for the Montessori method was reignited by the birth of his daughter. This led him to recognize the shortage of highly qualified Montessori teachers and launch The Center for Guided Montessori Studies, a teacher training center, and eventually our school in partnership with Rachel Kincaid.

Marc’s educational background includes a bachelors from Goddard College in Plainfield, Vermont, and an MBA from the Robert H. Smith school at the University of Maryland. He is a member of the international Beta Gamma Sigma honor society for business excellence. Marc currently pursues a doctorate in education at St. Edward’s University.