Garden Oaks - Our Teachers and Teachers' Aides

Rebecca Blanco - Pre-Primary/Children's House: Mrs. Blanco has worked in HISD for 19 years, 12 of those as a public Montessori teacher. She is State certified, a lifetime member of the American Montessori Society, and holds a B.A. in English with a minor in Spanish from the University of Houston. Mrs. Blanco has also earned an Associate of Applied Sciences in Child Care and Development Montessori Infant/Toddler from North Harris Montgomery Community College as well as an Associate Early Childhood Credential for 3- to 6-year-olds from the Houston Montessori Center. Mrs. Blanco has been married 33 years and has 7 children and 8 grandsons, with a granddaughter on the way!
Sarah Traylor - Mrs. Blanco's Class: Ms. Traylor grew up in Houston and attended K. Smith Elementary, Clifton Middle, and Waltrip High School. She graduated from Texas A&M University in May 2008 with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. She is currently working as a Montessori teaching assistant and pursuing her Masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Houston. She has five younger brothers and sisters and loves to spend her free time with family and friends.
Thomas Johanson - Pre Primary/Children's House: Mr. Johanson is the child of Swedish immigrant parents. Originally from Seattle he has been involved with Montessori education for 8 years. His wife is a veteran Montessori teacher and Mr. Johanson completed his B.A. while working at the only public Montessori school in his community. Mr. Johanson and his wife moved to Houston to be closer to his grandchildren. This is his 4th year at Garden Oaks Elementary.
Erin Straker - Pre-Primary/Children's House: Ms. Straker grew up around the Garden Oaks area, attending Wainwright, Clifton, and Waltrip High School. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Houston with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and holds a Montessori Certification for Early Childhood though the Houston Montessori Center. Ms. Straker loves hockey, baseball, and her dog Vader. This is her third year at Garden Oaks Elementary and she looks forward to many more.
Rebecca Scott - Ms Straker's Class
Marie Pousson - Pre Primary/Children's House: Marie Pousson has been a public school educator for 22 years, the last 8 with Montessori 3-6 year olds. She has served as a field consultant for the Houston Montessori Center, the training center where she received American Montessori Society certification for Early Childhood. Her Bachelors Degree in Education and Masters Degree in Educational Supervision were both awarded at University of St. Thomas, and state certifications include Elementary Education, ESL, and Psychology PK-8, and Mid-Management Administration PK-12. Married for 35 years, Marie and husband, Joe, enjoy the great outdoors, and visits with their children and grandsons.
Cristina Flores- Mrs. Pousson's Class
Lynn Hall - Lower Elementary: Ms. Hall has taught in both public and private Montessori schools for more than 20 years. She is a native Houstonian and a graduate of the University of St. Thomas. Ms. Hall has taught Garden Oaks Elementary for 9 years. If you look for her on her off days you might find her working in her yard or curled up in a chair with a good book.
Luz Torres - Lower Elementary: Mrs. Torres was born in Coahuila, Mexico and has lived in the United States for 18 years. She graduated from U.A.C. with a B.S. in Computer Science, and she holds a Texas Certificate in EC4-Bilingual Education. Mrs. Torres became a Montessori teacher 8 years ago. She has two children, both of whom attended the Garden Oaks Montessori Program, and has been married for 22 years. She loves to spend free time with family and friends.
Tanja Peterson - Ms. Torres' class: Mrs. Peterson was born in Cologne, Germany and has been living in Houston for 16 years. She graduated with an Associates Degree in Applied Photo Science from Houston Community College. She has been working in the Montessori Program at Garden Oaks Elementary for one year and also completed a Montessori Assistants' workshop. She is married, has two young boys, and a cat. She has traveled extensively and likes to show the world, near and far, to her children.
Beverly Carson - Upper Elementary: Mrs. Carson graduated from Rice University and earned her B.A. in Political Science and continued with a Masters of Bilingual Education from University of Houston. She holds a Mid Management Certification from U. of H. and is trained as a HISD Gifted and Talented teacher. Mrs. Carson has her Montessori Certification for ages 6 - 12. She is married with 4 children, all of whom graduated from the Garden Oaks Montessori program. She speaks some Spanish and plays some soccer.
Marva Gurrola - Ms. Carson's Class: Mrs. Gurrola, and her husband of 30 years have lived in Garden Oaks for 25 years and reared their three children here. She has worked alongside Mrs. Carson for five years and has become an integral part of the classroom. She enjoys working with students and is a firm believer in Montessori education.
Lindsey Pollock - Principal: Mrs. Pollock moved to Texas in 1983 from the cold north of Minnesota! She grew up in a household of educators and has spent her life as an educator. She and her husband share a passion for public school education. Mrs. Pollock holds certifications in Elementary Education, Special Education, English as a Second Language, Mid-Management and Superintending. When not at school, she sings with the Houston Choral Showcase and serves as Treasurer for Phi Delta Kappa. She and her husband share 5 grown children and a darling grandson!