OUR TEAM
Elite Minds Montessori is a women owned and operated preschool. We are local moms with a total of 6 children. Our backgrounds include decades in the field of education, healthcare and entrepreneurship. Our mission of an early and purposeful education is near and dear to our hearts, as we believe the greatest weapon towards peace that we can give our future is through an early education. We are deeply committed to providing a strong foundation and developing a love of learning as part of a natural process. The Montessori philosophy strongly focuses on mutual respect and independent learning. Elite Minds combines this method with a strong focus on the arts and mindfulness. We believe our children are fully equipped to enter elementary schools with a balanced passion for academics and creativity after graduating our program.
“The greatest sign of success for a teacher... is to be able to say, ‘The children are now working as if I did not exist.’”
Laurie Torres (Executive Director/Founder) is a Basic Life Support (BLS) for Health Care Provider, CPR and First Aid Instructor for American Heart Association. Laurie completed her BBA in International Management with a minor in Spanish from Pace University.
Laurie was the owner of Baby Be Safe 2005- 2023. She has over 25 years of experience as an Director in the health care field working for hospitals, wound care centers, and home care. Laurie was determined to be a stay home mom and nurture her premature twins (who are now teenagers) so they could thrive to be healthy children while maintaining a flexible work schedule. Today Laurie and husband Ralph are proud parents of 4 boys.
Laurie was PTA President and chaired the 5th grade committee at PS 230. She was also part of the School Leadership Team (SLT). As a parent, Laurie feels that providing education, support and resources to parents will strengthen the village it takes to raise our children.
Sandrine Asmani - Allen (French /Yoga/Mindfulness Guide and Substitute Guide) was raised in Paris by her German mother and Algerian father, providing her with a rich and diverse cultural experience, which she found to be incredibly rewarding.
After earning her diploma in painting and photography at Ecole d'art Nationale de Cergy Pontoise, Sandrine made a courageous leap, deciding to move to New York City in 2000. This bold decision not only shaped her future but also tested and honed her artistic skills.
As a mother, Sandrine found immense joy in sharing her painting skills with her son. This practice, born out of love and inspiration, later led her to assist art teachers in a French school for six years, supporting Pre-K, kindergarten, and first-grade teachers.
Driven by a thirst for knowledge and personal growth, Sandrine delved into the study of Energy healing, Mindfulness, and Meditation. This journey led her to incorporate yoga and mindfulness into the regular curriculum for Pre-K students, a decision that significantly improved their focus, reduced stress, and enhanced their overall well-being.
Her dedication to learning is further evidenced by her current studies in Mindfulness and Yoga at Young Yoga Master.
She shares her knowledge in French, yoga, and mindfulness through teaching.
Sandrine is an experienced energy healer and a certified Holistic Coach from the Integrative School of Nutrition. She is a highly skilled Quantum-Touch practitioner, a certified Usui Reiki Master, and a proficient meditation facilitator for adults.
Natania Blumenkehl - Cortijo (Educational Director/Founder) has worked with children since 1998 as a classroom teacher and tutor. She received her B.A. in Psychology from Rutgers University in 2000 and a M.A. in Early Childhood Education from Adelphi University in 2004 with a dual certification in early education.
When Natania's daughter was born in 2004, she started researching different approaches to early childhood education and was intrigued by the Montessori method. She visited almost every Montessori school she could find in Brooklyn and at 2 1/2 years old enrolled her daughter in Midwood Montessori. There her passion for a Montessori education evolved. She volunteered and observed and continued teaching with the NYC DOE and applied her knowledge of Montessori.
Since 2011, Natania has operated an after-school learning center in Carroll Gardens Brooklyn and left her full time teaching job to dedicate more time to her new business.
Both her children attend(ed) school (elementary/middle school) in Carroll Gardens and so Natania has become very connected to the community, specifically families with children.
Familiar with both the classroom benefits of a Montessori education and the Carroll Gardens community, Natania has a mission to increase options with quality education for our future generations.
Claisalia (Clai) Tirado Salas (Infant/Toddler Guide) was born and raised in Mexico. She has been living in Brooklyn for the last 4 years. She is currently pursuing her Infant/Toddler Montessori credential at West Side Montessori School. Clai graduated from Universidad Panamericana (Mexico City) with her Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management. She is fluent in English and Spanish.
Her Montessori journey was inspired by her two-year-old daughter as she was fascinated by her development working with Montessori homemade materials. Although the Montessori method was first introduced to her by her husband as his fondest memories of his childhood are in a Montessori classroom.
Clai is a mother of 2 who are also students at Elite Minds Montessori. She is working with our Lilies, and she is excited to provide opportunities to develop independence when working with children.
Yalitza Rodriguez (Infant/Toddler Lilies Guide) has her Bachelor Degree in Arts in Anthropology and fine arts from John Jay College. She has worked as an Assistant of the Nursery at Trinity Wall St. Church, and as a Spanish Teacher at a school in Tribeca. Fun Fact - she is also a private Yoga Instructor! Yalitza is working with our Lilies and is currently enrolled in the infant/toddler assistant course at Center for Guided Montessori Studies.
Reina Figueroa (Montessori Infant/Toddler Guide and Spanish Head Guide) was born in El Salvador where she graduated in Bilingual business education. She has 2 adult children who also were born and raised in Carroll Gardens and attended schools there as well.
She lived in the US for nearly 40 years and since have worked in preschools and with 2 year olds most of her teaching years.
She discovered the Montessori style of teaching while working at a school on the Upper East Side. Reina received her Infant/Toddler training at Center for Montessori Training Education at College of New Rochelle.
She is passionate about the Montessori method of education and respectful of each child’s natural curiosity and eagerness for knowledge.
She is the Head Guide for our Marigolds classroom.
Ariana Muniz (Infant/Toddler Head Guide) is currently a Psychology and Children/Youth Studies major at Brooklyn College and graduated on May 2024. In the past, she has worked 1:1 with children under the autism spectrum implementing behavior reductions based upon the principle of ABA. While also helping children improve their fine motor skills, and communication/vocal skills. Arians the Head Guide for the Daisies classroom.
Maria Cuevas (Infant/toddler Assistant Guide)
Maria worked as a Yoga teacher at Daisy Daycare and as an Au Pair for many years. She has also worked as a Montessori Assistant. She is assisting Ariana in the Daisies room and is currently enrolled in the infant/toddler assistant training course at the Center for Guided Montessori Studies.
Katelyn Rivera (Primary Montessori Head Guide) is a recent college graduate who majored in Sociology/Anthropology with a minor in Spanish from the College of Staten Island. She completed her Montessori Teacher Education Program at West Side Montessori. She has been working at Elite Minds Montessori for 7 years. She is the Head Guide for our Daffodils classroom.
Johanna Rodriguez Ramos (Infant/Toddler and Primary Assistant Guide/Floater) teaching journey began over 14 years ago, when she moved from her native San Juan, Puerto Rico, to NYC. She quickly joined Teatro S.E.A. (Society of Educational Arts), and began performing and puppeteering in children’s plays and musicals all over the city and in PR. Johanna also taught Spanish through music all over NY, with Bilingual Birdies, and performed at various children’s events in NYC. She later worked as Lead Spanish Immersion preschool teacher at Reade Street Prep in Manhattan for a decade.
Johanna states that having worked with children has definitely taught her how to cater to each individual and unique mind. She was introduced to the Montessori style of teaching two years ago, and with Natania and Laurie’s support, has furthered her knowledge of the method, and believes that it is the most natural way to allow children to grow and thrive. Johanna often incorporates music into daily activities and routines with her original songs and says that most important of all, having fun is what ties everything together for everyone involved.
Johanna is proud Mom to son, Céu, who attends elementary school in Carroll Gardens, and they have enjoyed being part of the community for four years, and are looking forward to many more. Johanna has a B.A. in Speech Communications and Linguistics, and a minor in Theatre from the University of Puerto Rico.
Xela Perun (Infant/Toddler and Primary Assistant Guide/Floater)
Xela was born and raised in Brooklyn. For the past year, she has been part of the team at Elite Minds Montessori, where she has enjoyed working in an environment that fosters creativity and hands-on learning.
Xela graduated from SUNY Purchase with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in printmaking. She has a strong interest in textile-driven artwork, creating pieces that involve fabric and various textural elements. Her appreciation for nature also frequently inspires her art.
From an early age, she has been involved with young children, whether it was caring for her youngest sibling or watching over babies in her mother’s “Mommy and Me” yoga class. She also gained experience working with children as a coaching assistant for a youth program at CrossFit South Brooklyn, where she helped foster a love for fitness in young athletes.