Our Team
Lyndsey Martinez (Co-Director)
Lyndsey joined Stella Maris Montessori as Co-Director at the beginning of the 2025-26 school year. An AZ native and the mother of 4, 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. Lyndsey received her AMI Montessori School Leadership training and certificate from the Southwest Institute of Montessori Studies in 2026.
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, Mary began her training and graduated in 2020 from the Southwest Institute of Montessori Studies with her diploma as an AMI Elementary Lead Guide. She graduated from the Franciscan University of Steubenville with BA in English; concentrating on British and American Literature. She decided to become a Montessori guide after seeing her younger siblings attend a Catholic Montessori school in Northern Virginia. The joy and peace she observed in their classroom, and each classroom she has had the privilege of observing since, has shown her that this is one of the most ideal forms of education. She says it has been one the greatest decisions of her life to get trained and teach this method.
Growing up the second oldest of 13 in the woods of Virginia, Mary is an enthusiast for the great outdoors and enjoys exploring the Southwest through hiking, rock climbing and camping with her family. If she is not outside, she enjoys reading with a good cup of coffee or trying out new recipes with her tiny chefs.
She has seen a wide range of Montessori schools through her training and teaching experience — from well-established to start-up, from Catholic to secular, and all her experience has led her to want to curate the ideal balance of high standards of education along with learning to work and thrive in a Catholic community. Thus Mary founded Stella Maris Montessori and continues to support the school in whichever way she can, however, her passion remains in the classroom — helping children on their individual pathways to sainthood.
Roxana Lopez (Lead Primary Guide, Catechist)
Roxana trained at the Southwest Institute of Montessori Studies to become an AMI Primary Lead Guide, graduating in 2021 from the first ever Spanish course. She has almost 20 years of experience working as a catechist in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program. She is a mother to 5 and has witnessed firsthand the benefits of a Montessori education, as her children have each experienced learning through this method.
“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)
Angie holds a certificate from the Southwest Institute of Montessori Studies as an AMI Elementary Aide, however, her passion is for the younger children who love her dearly. She is currently in training to become an AMI Lead Primary Guide through the same institute and is excited to grow in her knowledge to better serve in the Primary environment. She has several years of experience working in Montessori schools and is excited to be a part of the Stella Maris Montessori community.
“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.”