Our Team
Lyndsey Martinez (Co-Director)
Lyndsey joined Stella Maris Montessori as Co-Director at the beginning of the 2025-26 school year. While she does not have a formal background in education, she has spent the past five years volunteering in various school settings; quietly working behind the scenes to help events and daily operations run smoothly, always striving to serve where needed.
Deeply devoted to her Catholic faith, Lyndsey finds joy in prayer, reading, and living a life rooted in family and simplicity. She has a love for homesteading such as baking bread, making things from scratch, and embracing the beauty of hands-on, intentional living. She enjoys trying new things, especially when they help her grow in virtue or serve others more joyfully.
As a natural extrovert, Lyndsey enjoys building community and supporting the mission of Stella Maris: to form children in faith, wonder, and wisdom, all ad majorem Dei gloriam (for the greater glory of God).
Mary Williams (Founder/ Co-Director/Lead Elementary Guide)
In 2019 I began my training and graduated in 2020 with my official certification from AMI to teach as an elementary guide. I got my BA in English with a concentration in British and American Literature from the Franciscan University of Steubenville. I decided to become a Montessori guide after seeing my younger siblings attend a Catholic Montessori school in Northern Virginia. The joy and peace I observed in their classroom, and each classroom I have had the privilege of observing since ,has shown me that this is the ideal form of education. It has been the greatest decision of my life to get trained and teach this method. I have seen a wide range of Montessori schools through my training and teaching experience — from well-established to start-up, from Catholic to secular, and all my experience has led me to want to curate the ideal balance of high standards of education along with learning to work and thrive in a Catholic community.
I spend most of my free time with my family hiking, rock climbing, reading or trying out new recipes. I am beyond excited for Stella Maris Montessori and the opportunity to guide more children to a deep love of learning and joyful, enthusiastic exploration of our beautiful world.
Alyssa Lewandowski (Elementary Aide)
Alyssa is passionate about her faith and the Montessori method. She has a lifetime of experience with young children as well as Montessori classroom experience in Nido, Toddlers and Primary. She currently is working as a catechist at Mater Misericordiae. Alyssa loves spending time with her family and studies linguistics and ecclesiastical history in her free time. She is excited to work with the older children in Elementary and help them grow a love of learning along with a love of Christ.
Roxana Lopez (Lead Primary Guide)
I feel blessed to be a part of this wonderful school community as a primary lead guide. Working with children has always been a passion of mine, and I love creating a positive and welcoming space where students feel safe, encouraged, and excited to learn. I believe each child is unique and full of potential, and I enjoy supporting them as they grow academically, socially, and emotionally. I am also extremely excited to be forming the children in the faith with the Catechesis of The Good Shepherd.
Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family and being outdoors, and sewing. Camping is always one of my go to activities!
Angie Aguilar (Primary Aide)
I am so grateful to be part of this school family. Working with children is truly a joy, and I love being able to watch them learn, grow, and discover new things each day. My goal is to create a classroom environment where every child feels loved, safe, and encouraged to be themselves as Maria Montessori did. I enjoy celebrating each child’s unique personality and strengths. I have been an aide in Montessori for 6 years now and enjoy seeing the children flourish using the Montessori philosophy.
When I’m not at school, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, and crafting. I look forward to building wonderful memories together this school year and helping each child shine in their own special way.
Megan Umile (Head Admin)
Megan Umile (pronounced ‘You-mill-E’) grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, where her love of education first took root. Over the years she has worked with children in both early-childhood programs and elementary public schools in the Cleveland area, gaining a broad understanding of how young learners grow and thrive. She also studied Spanish and is in the process of completing her Ph.D., which deepens her appreciation for language, culture, and lifelong learning.
As Megan’s Catholic faith became a more central part of her life, she felt a strong desire to unite her professional skills with her spiritual calling. Discovering a Catholic Montessori school inspired by the vision of Maria Montessori offered exactly that opportunity: a place where the formation of the whole child—mind, body, and soul—can flourish.
In her administrative role, Megan enjoys planning parent nights, coordinating field trips, and supporting the daily operations that help the school run smoothly. She is excited to continue studying the Montessori method and to share its beauty with families and staff alike.
Outside of school, Megan loves exploring Arizona with her husband, participating in the rich Catholic community life of the area, and spending quality time with friends.