The Montessori School of Silicon Valley has opened the Cantera Location in Georgetown, TX. We are proud to bring our Montessori programs to new families. This new location offers an exclusively authentic Montessori education to children ages 0-6 years old. Nestled in an idyllic location, we look forward to helping children here thrive in their full potential.
As the very first members of our new school community, Cantera Families will be those who:
Head of School
Ms. Milinh joined Montessori School of Silicon Valley as Head of School at our Calaveras location. After spending four years there, she transitioned into the role of Head of School at our Cabrillo location in 2016. And now after almost 9 years with MSOSV we are so excited that she will be helping us start our newest Cantera Montessori location in Georgetown, Texas as Head of School!
Her passion for working with children started from a very early age, propelling her into a career and lifestyle dedicated to putting children first.
In 2003, Ms. Milinh began working with children. Her career began with ages ranging from infancy through Kindergarten and with developmental abilities ranging from typically developing to special needs. She gained varied experience from teaching in child care centers to working as an ABA therapist in clinic settings.
Her credentials include a Master’s degree in Montessori Education, a Bachelor’s degree reflecting special and early childhood education and a American Montessori Society (AMS) credential in Primary Education.
As both a Head of School and a mother of a child who attended Montessori school, she believes in the Montessori philosophy wholeheartedly. She believes the Montessori Method is more than just an approach to learning academics; it is the way of developing the child as a whole, building their independence and confidence to thrive in society.
Her favorite part is being the observer to their journey, she loves watching the children have their “Ah-Ha!” moments when they figure out something that is meaningful to them, whether it be resolving how to handle a spill or how to figure out a really tricky multiplication problem.
Ms. Milinh’s passion for teaching Montessori stemmed from the philosophy, but it is the love as a mother that affirms it is truly an education for life.
During her free time you can find her strolling through farmers’ markets, attending live concerts or musicals, star gazing, running, and if you’re lucky you might hear Ms. Milinh and her son belting out some car-eoke on their weekend drive.
Assistant Head of School
Check back soon to learn more about our Assistant Head of School!
Lead Primary Guide
Hawthorne Community
Ms. Michele is in her 5th year of teaching, and we are excited to welcome her to the Cantera Montessori School of Silicon Valley team as Lead Guide of our Hawthorne Primary community!
Her journey with Montessori began when she was 18 years old and started her first job as a classroom floater, then being promoted first to Assistant and then most recently, a Lead Guide. Over the years she has grown to love the Montessori Method. When she first started learning about Montessori, she had no idea children were capable of independently doing such amazing things. Ms. Michele’s goal is to help each child reach their fullest potential with total confidence and reassurance within themselves.
Her favorite thing about being in a Montessori classroom is watching the children come alive and blossom into themselves. She especially enjoys watching the transformation from shy, unsure, and withdrawn to confident classroom leader once they see that they are capable of so much.
In her free time, you’ll find Ms. Michele shopping for plants and new things to decorate her house with. She loves spending time with her nephew, Noah. Be on the lookout for her latest hair style, her favorite combo is pink and purple!
Lead Pre Primary Guide
Elm Community
Ms. Savanna’s love of teaching started 6 years ago while working at a placement home in Dodge City, Kansas, where she was fortunate enough to teach children of all ages who were in the foster care system. When the placement home ceased operations, she moved to Austin, Texas and found her first Montessori school. There she saw firsthand how beneficial the Montessori Method was and knew she had found her passion.
Having completed her Infant and Toddler Montessori Diploma in 2019, we are excited to have Ms. Savannah join the Cantera Montessori School of Silicon Valley team as Lead Guide of our Elm Pre Primary community!
Her favorite part about teaching is seeing the excitement in a child’s eyes when they’ve successfully learned and completed a task toward independence that they will be using in their day to day lives!
Ms. Savanna might be quiet and reserved by nature but when she’s not teaching, you can find her reading poetry books, singing, listening to music or completing her next artistic masterpiece. She also loves learning new things and doing yoga. She’s looking forward to teaching yoga in her classroom!
Lead Nido Mobile Guide
Juniper Community
A native of Georgetown, Texas Ms. Roxanne has been teaching for 10 years. We are excited to welcome her, along with all her Georgetown knowledge, to the Cantera Montessori School of Silicon Valley team where she will be the Lead Guide for our Nido Mobile community.
Ms. Roxanne completed her Infant and Toddler certification with North American Montessori Center in 2017.
For Ms. Roxanne the best feeling is knowing she has been a part of the child’s growth. She especially enjoys interacting with the children, learning from them, and helping them reach their fullest potential! As a mom, she loves watching her little girls become confident and trusting the choices they make without fear.
During her free time, she enjoys reading, watching movies, going on walks with her little family, baking, and trying out new recipes. Ms. Roxanne also loves drinking pickle juice, so feel free to bring her some!
Lead Nido Non Mobile Guide
Oak Community
Ms. Christina has been teaching for over 4 years, during that time she has completed the Prepared Montessorian training, where she found that her passion was in learning and implementing the Montessori method. We are excited to have her join the Cantera Montessori School of Silicon Valley team as the Lead Guide of our Nido Non Mobile community.
Experiencing the children’s development and growth within themselves and the community around them has been particularly rewarding to Ms. Christina. In addition, she especially enjoys being a Montessori teacher because it allows her to guide the children towards meaningful growth.
Ms. Christina believes that as a teacher, she is placed in the classroom to guide the children to do it for themselves. The children naturally gravitate towards the materials and their love for learning inspires her daily.
When she isn’t in her classroom you can find her bowling, hiking, or watching movies with friends and family. Ms. Christina is sadly allergic to chocolate, so you’ll have to get creative if you want to surprise her with a treat at school!
Operating Executive Directors
As working parents, Trey and Joy recognize that infant care and early education for children is one of the most important decisions a parent ever makes.
“Childcare professionals become a part of your family. These individuals spend hundreds of hours with your children and have the ability to help shape who they become. Therefore nothing is more important than the people you hire to care for and help educate your children,” Joy says.
Trey, an Austin native, has worked in the technology field for decades but cherishes his job title of Dad above all. The Simonton’s are parents to two children ages 12 and 3. Joy grew up in Colorado, arrived in Texas in 2013, holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and has devoted her twenty-year career to public service while mothering two young children.
Like most working parents, the Simonton’s need the ability to completely focus during their workday. This meant total trust in their childcare was critical. They became believers in passing this knowledge and valuable service to other parents.
Recognizing the significance of the challenge of building a premier private preschool from the ground up, the Simonton’s decided to team with the Montessori School of Silicon Valley (MSOSV) to ensure the very best quality experience for all members of their new school, Cantera.
“Being able to team so closely with MSOSV has enabled us to build on top of the 20+ years of experience Colleen Noll has in starting and operating highly successful, premier Montessori preschools in California. Our partnership will provide over a hundred families in Georgetown the benefits of attending a fully implemented Montessori program – of which there are actually very few in the surrounding area.” Trey states.
The Simonton’s are very excited to join MSOSV as the Operating Executive Directors of the new Cantera Montessori School of Silicon Valley and look forward to providing an exceptional Montessori experience to their new school community.
Nestled in a private cul-de-sac just off Texas State Highway 29, finding the Cantera location can be a little challenging the first time you visit. Here are some instructions to help make it easier:
Our address:
4400 West State Highway 29 (WSH-29)
Georgetown, TX 78628
Approaching from the direction of I-35
Including Georgetown, Seranda, Jarrell, New Corn Hill, Walburg, Weir, Jonah, Hutto, Round Rock, Brushy Creek, Florence
Driving on the west bound lane towards Liberty Hill, Cantera Montessori is located in the Cantera Office Park approximately 4 miles from the WSH-29 / I-35 interchange.
The entrance to the Cantera Office Park is across the highway from the beautiful Crescent Bluff housing development which you cant miss given the HUGE sign at their entrance.
As you drive west on WSH-29, watch for the Estancia Way intersection which is just under a half mile from the entrance to the Cantera Office Park. As you see the Crescent Bluff sign approach on the left, you will want to get in the right lane, slow down and look for the signs to the entrance to the Cantera Office Park on your right. Turn right onto Cantera and you will find the school at the far end of the cul-de-sac. You cant miss us as we are currently the only building in the cul-de-sac.
Approaching from the direction of the 183 Toll Road and Ronald Reagan Blvd
Including Liberty Hill, Leander, Cedar Park, Brushy Creek, Andice, Mahomet
Driving in the east bound lane towards Georgetown Cantera Montessori is located in the Cantera Office Park approximately 7 miles from the WSH-29 / 183 interchange and approximately 4 miles from the WSH-29 intersection with Ronald Reagan Blvd.
Driving east on WSH-29 you will pass several housing developments including the gorgeous Cimarron Hills development on your left. 1-2 miles from there you will approach a traffic light at the Cedar Hollow intersection at which point you will begin to slow down and move into the turning lane in anticipation of making a left hand turn.
Look for the signs to the entrance to the Cantera Office Park and turn left into Cantera and you will find the school at the opposite end of the cul-de-sac. You can’t miss us as we are currently the only building in the cul-de-sac.
