Founders’ Letter
Why are we so invested in Montessori?
Children love to learn. It’s a beautiful fact and one worth protecting.
As we watched our own children grow and develop, we marveled at their persistent curiosity and inquisitiveness.
We wanted to do everything we could to nurture and develop this spark, so the Montessori Method of Education was a natural fit.
Montessori is the only educational philosophy designed to both nurture children’s natural curiosity as well as challenge them academically.
In fact, it challenges them academically by nurturing their natural curiosity. That’s the magic of Montessori!
As we watched the effect Montessori had on our own children’s growth and development, we decided we wanted to help provide this gift of experiential learning to as many families in our community as possible. And thus, after a lot of research and even more work, Valley Montessori Academy was born in 2016.
We are both originally from Europe and have a global perspective when it comes to issues of civil and political conflict. We believe peace can only be achieved through a foundation of learning based on mindfulness, compassion, and intercultural education.
Our journey with Montessori began five years ago out of a simple desire to foster our children’s natural love of learning.
Now, we are thrilled to be expanding our journey by bringing this research-driven, holistic educational philosophy to your family here in Kern County.
Welcome to Valley Montessori Academy in Bakersfield!
– Anna Dulcich and Oxana Raimondo
Oxana Raimondo
Founder & Administrator
Anna Dulcich
Founder & Administrator
Our Affiliates
American Montessori Society
Our teachers are trained and certified by AMS
Positive Discipline Association
Our teachers are trained and certified by the Positive Discipline Association
California Department of Social Services
The Early Childhood Program is fully licensed by the State of California Department of Social Services.
California Department of Education
The Elementary Program is registered with the State of California Department of Education with a Private School Affidavit.
Mission
Valley Montessori Academy (VMA) is committed to promoting the intellectual, emotional and physical development of the whole child, according to the educational philosophy developed by Maria Montessori and guided by the principals of the American Montessori Association (AMS).
Within the context of a three-year early childhood, mixed-age program we seek to provide an excellent academic environment that promotes self-respect, independence, nurtures a love of learning, inspires creativity, stimulates growth and development of the young child. At VMA we welcome families of varied ethic, religious and socio-economic back- grounds who share Maria Montessori`s passion for inclusivity and interconnectedness.
Educational Goal
At the Valley Montessori Academy we aim to provide high-quality, comprehensive education that fosters your child’s love of learning and addresses the whole child academically, emotionally, and socially. The Montessori curriculum varies by program; however the goals for our school are consistent:
To enter a partnership with parents in the education of their children
To lead children toward mastery of individually identified intellectual, social, physical, and daily life skills
To foster in the children deep and persistent curiosity that will lead to lifelong pursuit of knowledge
To help children develop self-confidence, become an independent, responsible, self-disciplined and self-motivated learner
To assist each child develop a habitat of concentration
To instill in each child a sense of personal responsibility for the world in which we live
To spark in our children wonder, imagination, and joy
Our Teachers
Lead Teachers
Cristal Garza
Lead Teacher, Elementary Classroom
Cristal was raised in McFarland, a small farm town in central California. She has 18 years of experience in working with preschool and high school-aged children. In college, she studied Child Development and Sociology, which both became her major. In 2012, Cristal moved to Bakersfield with an opportunity to teach in a Montessori classroom where she worked for 3 years as a lead teacher before her journey at VMA. Cristal completed her Montessori Early Childhood Diploma Program in 2013 from North American Montessori Center. Soon after, enrolled at Montessori Teacher Academy in Dana Point, CA to receive her Montessori Credential for Montessori Early Childhood Education. For Cristal, it has been a special opportunity to work with Anna and Oxana full time on a beautiful journey from the beginning of Valley Montessori Academy and to opening our new facility. She is proud to be a part of the Montessori community as she served 9 years as a Lead Teacher and plans to teach for many more!
Cristal enjoys photography, outdoor adventures and traveling the world.
Carolina Benitez
Lead Teacher, Casa 1
Carolina was born in Bakersfield, CA. She is married and has a four-year-old daughter whom she loves to see learn and grow within the Montessori environment. She has formed part of our school since we opened our doors here at Valley Montessori Academy. Today, she leads our Primary Casa 1 classroom. She enjoys teaching the children Spanish and all about her Mexican heritage.
Carolina is certified by the American Montessori Society. She is also a Certified Positive Discipline Educator. Carolina began her education in child development at Bakersfield College. She has thirteen years of professional childcare and teaching experience. Before teaching here, she worked as an infant and preschool teacher. She also worked with elementary and middle school children, as an activity leader for The Boys and Girls Club. Carolina has worked with children of all ages, ranging from infants to middle school age. She is very passionate about the work she does and enjoys learning and working alongside the children.
In her free time, she enjoys baking, taking pictures, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends.
Lauren Newton
Lead Teacher, Casa 2
Lauren was raised in Seal Beach, California and moved to Bakersfield in 2008. She attended CSUB where she received her bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies, her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, and a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. Before coming to VMA, she taught at Bimat Elementary School for six years. She taught First Grade for two years and Kindergarten for four years. After discovering Maria Montessori’s Method, she fell in love with the philosophy and began her training to become a Montessori Teacher.
Bianca Morales
Lead Teacher, Toddler 1
Bianca Morales was raised in Los Angeles and moved to Bakersfield in 2008. As a young adult, Bianca cared for young children by babysitting. With 10 years of child care experience, she pursued her passion for child care by obtaining her AA in child development and psychology from Bakersfield College.
After graduation, she became a preschool teacher at a local center in town. There she discovered that working with children has taught her to be kind, compassionate, and to always act out of love. Bianca loves working with children because of their positive attitude, creativity, and how they always bring a smile to her face.
Bianca feels passionate about creating an environment that fosters a child’s independence and helps build their autonomy. As a toddler teacher, she hopes that each child leaves her classroom with a sense of independence and accomplishment.
Some of her hobbies include reading mystery novels, hiking, and swimming. A personal goal of hers is to complete a 20-mile hike and compete in a 10K run, where she will be able to challenge herself physically and mentally. Bianca likes to spend weekends with her loved ones, to share stories with them, and be able to hear how they are doing.
Gilda Gil
Lead Teacher, Toddler 2
Mrs. Gilda was raised in Los Angeles, California, and moved to Bakersfield in 2020 so she could raise her youngest in a small-town environment. Her youngest is currently learning in the Montessori environment and she is happy to see him blossom from it. She is married and has three children (6, 23, & 24).
Mrs. Gilda has over 25 years of experience working with children, ages 3 months to 24 years old. Most recently, before working at VMA, she was a Lead teacher for Infancy/Toddlers for four years. During this time she completed her AMI Montessori International Diploma (Assistants to Infancy 0-3) as well. She is excited to use what she learned in San Diego in her classroom so she can see the children grow independently in the Montessori environment.
In her free time, she likes bike riding, traveling, and cooking. Her favorite thing to do though is performing scientific experiments with her youngest.
Elena Schaefer
Lead Teacher, Lower Elementary
Originally from Ukraine, Mrs. Elena moved to the United States in 2007. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education with a teaching major in Russian Language and English as a Foreign Language, and a Master of Arts degree in Linguistics. Working with children and inspiring them to be the best that they can be is Mrs. Elena’s passion. She has over 10 years of professional teaching experience in a formal classroom setting. Being a part of Valley Montessori Academy and helping children to grow is a very rewarding and exciting adventure for Mrs. Elena. She enjoys working in a warm, open, and structured environment that fosters the children’s independent growth. One of her favorite Maria Montessori quotes is “Children are human beings to whom respect is due, superior to us by reason of their innocence and of the greater possibilities of their future… Let us treat them with all the kindness which we would wish to help to develop in them.” In her spare time, she loves reading, meditation, yoga, walking by the ocean, and spending time with her husband, her granddaughter, and their three dogs.
Elena Schaefer
Lead Teacher, Lower Elementary
Originally from Ukraine, Mrs. Elena moved to the United States in 2007. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education with a teaching major in Russian Language and English as a Foreign Language, and a Master of Arts degree in Linguistics. Working with children and inspiring them to be the best that they can be is Mrs. Elena’s passion. She has over 10 years of professional teaching experience in a formal classroom setting. Being a part of Valley Montessori Academy and helping children to grow is a very rewarding and exciting adventure for Mrs. Elena. She enjoys working in a warm, open, and structured environment that fosters the children’s independent growth. One of her favorite Maria Montessori quotes is “Children are human beings to whom respect is due, superior to us by reason of their innocence and of the greater possibilities of their future… Let us treat them with all the kindness which we would wish to help to develop in them.” In her spare time, she loves reading, meditation, yoga, walking by the ocean, and spending time with her husband, her granddaughter, and their three dogs.
