Meet Our Director & Staff
The Montessori Learning Center has an experienced, dedicated and professional staff. Our teachers and director are committed to making your child’s learning environment superior to other schools.
STACEY BARKER IZER
Director
Mrs. Stacey Izer has been working at The Montessori Learning Center for over 25 years and is currently the Director of the school.
She is a long time resident of Fort Walton Beach. After graduating from Florida State University with a degree in Child Development, she returned to her hometown where she now lives with her husband Kelly, her daughter McKenzie, and son Jake.
“I believe that children learn in unique ways. I also feel to effectively teach a child we must use a 3 person approach: student, parent, and teacher. I believe that it’s my responsiblity to be honest with you about your child’s needs, and to encourage them to reach their highest potential. I am energetic and eager and look forward to working with you and your child.”
LISA EDWARDS
Office Manager
Ms. Lisa Edwards is the Montessori Office Manager. She is an Air Force Veteran and her husband is currently serving in the Air Force and has been on active duty for 26 years. She recently moved back to the Fort Walton Beach area and hopes to retire here. She has an AA in Program Management from the Community College of the Air Force. She has two children, Natalie and Vanessa. She loves spending time with her family and shelling at our beautiful beaches of the Emerald Coast.
“No act of kindness, no matter how small is ever wasted. -Aesop”
Primary
ANN HELTON
Assistant Director
Mrs. Ann Helton is the Assistant Administrative and Educational Director. She has a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies of Child and Society from the University of West Florida, with a minor in Education. She Montessori Certified and has her Florida Director’s Credential. This is her 5 th year at MLC. Mrs. Ann has 25 years of experience in Early Childhood Education in both private and public schools, as well as experience in working with children with special needs.
Mrs. Ann was born and raised here on the Emerald Coast. She currently lives in Destin with her husband Bret of 30 years and her dog Delilah. Mrs. Ann also has three daughters: Kaitlyn, Mary, and Trinity (son-in-law Adam). She is also a “Gam Gam” to Bret, Nate, and Kymber. She loves spending time with her family, doing Hot Yoga and watching Alabama Football.
“Working in Early childhood Education is near and dear to my heart. I believe every child is special and unique! It is my passion to help students reach their fullest potential physically, socially, emotionally, and academically.”
“Children may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”
KATELYN CARL
Primary Teacher
Hi, my name is Katelyn Carl. I will be teaching math and science. I’m a FWB native and have a great love for the Gulf of Mexico. I enjoy boating with my family, running, and biking. I’m married and have 3 children who all attend Montessori (1st, Kinder, and PreK). I’ve become very passionate about the Montessori Method and have enjoyed watching my own children grow and gain independence through these practices. What began as an interest in volunteering at MLC has now turned into a desire to become more deeply involved and help give other families the same amazing experience for their own kids.
“Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed.”
-Maria Montessori-
ADI PATEL
Primary Teacher
Ms. Aditi - (we call her Ms. Adi too) has been working as a Pre-K Math teacher at Montessori Learning Centre since last year.
Ms. Aditi is originally from India and has been a Fort Walton Beach resident since 2019. She finished her CDA(Child Development Associate) from Northwest Florida in May 2023.She lives with her husband Dhiman, son Kahan and daughter Naomi who studies at University of Florida, Gainesville.
"All the children have unique potential and capabilities. Creating and giving them opportunities to work at their own pace will help them to gain profound knowledge in the field they choose. I try to create and work with the children according to their likings and create more interest for the subject. Please feel free to contact me for any questions related to your child. Looking forward to an excellent year."
"The greatest gift we can give our children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence."
-Dr. Maria Montessori.
SABRINA MARROQUIN
Primary Teacher
I am currently in the process of obtaining my Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with concentration in Child Welfare and Substance Abuse at the University of West Florida. This will be my second year working at the Montessori Learning Center.
I have moved and traveled to many places growing up in a military family and have since settled down in Florida. In my free time I enjoy reading and learning fun new hobbies. I have always had a strong interest in the social-emotional, physical, cognitive, and linguistic development of children. I believe it is important to foster and nurture the ongoing developmental stages in early childhood.
RACHEL GARCIA
Primary Teacher
Hello! I'm Ms. Rachel, and I am delighted to be back in the Fort Walton area after living abroad for quite some time. Teaching English is my true passion, and I've been fortunate enough to travel to various countries, including Turkey and Morocco, enriching my teaching experiences and learning about different cultures.
For the past 7 years, I've been living in Morocco, where I not only met my husband and welcomed a beautiful daughter but also had a remarkable journey as a Montessori teacher. Immersed in the Montessori Method, I witnessed the beauty and effectiveness of this approach, solidifying my belief in its potential to nurture young minds.
Becoming a teacher has been my lifelong dream, and I am absolutely thrilled to be part of the team at the Montessori Learning Center. My enthusiasm and dedication promise to create wonderful memories with my Pre-K students.
“The goal of early childhood education should be to activate the child’s own nature desire to learn”
-Maria Montessori
SARA RICHERT
Primary Floater Teacher
I attended Martinsburg College in 2018 and will continue my education through American Military University for early childhood care and education. I have lived in the area two different times for a total of almost five years now with my seven year old son and husband who is active duty Air Force. I grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan. My love for children and teaching has always been a passion of mine. During Covid of 2020, I received my certification for Registered Behavioral Technician to better educate myself about my son’s diagnosis of level 2 Autism Spectrum Disorder. I have five years of experience in childhood care. A few things that I love to do would be going to the beach and laying in the sun, trips to Disney and watching some good binge-worthy Netflix shows. In my eyes every child is different and learns differently, which to me makes helping them learn that much more fun.
“If they can’t learn the way we teach, we teach the way they learn”
Kindergarten
SAVANNAH FILSON-DINEEN
Kindergarten Teacher
My name is Savannah FIlson-Dineen. I have lived in Fort Walton Beach for 27 years and I have taught children in our area in many different capacities. I taught Kindergarten in Okaloosa County before I had my daughter three years ago. I have also taught gymnastics and dance locally over the past 10 years. I received my Bachelor’s Degree from Northwest Florida State College in 2018. I have experience in a Montessori classroom and I am a passionate educator- Kindergarten is where my heart is! My favorite moments in the classroom are when a student learns something new and you can see the joy in their eyes. I enjoy spending my time with my husband and three year old daughter. We love spending time outdoors whether it’s in the woods, at the beach, on the boat, or relaxing in our backyard.
DANA MULLER
Kindergarten Teacher
Mrs. Dana Muller was born and raised in the Washington Metropolitan area and recently moved to the beautiful Emerald Coast. She is joining Montessori Learning Center with 25 years teaching experience in Prekindergarten, Kindergarten and Special Education.
She is a proud wife, mother and grandmother. Her favorite ways to relax include sipping morning coffee with her husband, Rex, visiting with her two daughters, playing with her grandson and taking long walks with her puppy, Layla.
Mrs. Muller is a firm believer in the power of play. Play is not just about having fun but about taking risks, experimenting and testing boundaries. Play contributes to the cognitive, physical, social and emotional well-being of young children. It is Mrs Muller’s goal to organize a fun, creative classroom with experiences that are joyful, empower children to always ask questions and grow strong minds to be life-long thinkers.
“The goal of early childhood education should be to activate the child’s
own natural desire to learn” - Maria Montessori
Lower Elementary
KILEY GONZALEZ
Lower Elementary Teacher
Ms. Kiley Gonzalez has been with Montessori Learning Center for 3 years. She is the lower elementary English Language Arts and Social Studies teacher. Ms. Gonzalez has a passion for teaching reading and learning about the world with her students. Growing up with a mother in Montessori education, she was immersed in the materials and concepts throughout her life. She is originally from Hudson, Ohio but has lived in Florida for 3 years now. She enjoys spending time with her Australian Shepherd Harley, going to the beach, and reading new books.
"The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows"
SARAH WESTFALL
Lower Elementary Teacher
Mrs. Sarah Westfall is the Math and Science teacher for lower elementary. She has her BA in Elementary Education from the University of Alabama. She has 8 years teaching experience in Florida teaching in public schools and teaching online. Mrs. Westfall is from Mobile, Alabama, but has been a resident of Santa Rosa County since 2006. She lives in Navarre with her husband, daughter and son. She has two dogs and one cat. She is also a "Lolly" to her 2 1/2 year old grandson. She loves watching her daughter cheer and run track, watch her son play travel baseball, spending time with her family and relaxing by the pool or on the beach.
TRACI FELTMAN
Assistant Lower Elementary Teacher
Traci Feltman is excited to join the Fort Walton Beach Montessori Learning Center. She has moved here from Crawfordville, Florida, where she worked as a paraprofessional in the ESE and behavioral modification classroom for two years. Traci loves children and has worked with them her entire life; In fact, her first job was as a nanny in New York City! She has also worked with children worldwide while being a military spouse! She has been married for 30 years, has four children, and is a proud Nana to a little princess named Ellie. At any given time, you can find her singing, reading, dancing, and spending time with family. She can’t wait to build connections with her students and help them grow through play and learning experiences.
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.”
– Benjamin Franklin
Art Program
BETHANY BALDWIN
Art Teacher
Ms. Bethany Baldwin has been creating art with Montessori Learning Center students since 2016. She is a Fort Walton Beach native and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Central Florida. Like Dr. Montessori, she believes that “early childhood education is the key to the betterment of society.” Ms. Baldwin recognizes art as integral to the development of the whole child and as an irreplaceable tool for understanding and expressing the world around us.
“Nothing is comparable to experiencing the ‘aha’ moments of children’s discovery.“
