Mis Manos Montessori School | Nurturing and inspiring lifelong learners.


Mara Castro, Director Mara Castro is an Arizona Native. She was born and raised in Douglas Arizona, border town to Agua Prieta Sonora, Mexico. Mara attended schools on both the USA and Mexico. She is fluent in both English and Spanish and has learned to appreciate the beauty of different cultures and traditions. A graduate of the University of Arizona with a Bachelor's of Science in Microbiology and Immunology, Mara started her college career as a premed student with goals of becoming a Pediatrician. Her love of science and children seemed to be a good fit. She worked in Academic Research as well as in Private sector in the biomedical field. However, she discovered her true calling of working with children in the education field after discovering Maria Montessori's method. Mara and Francisco married right after college and began their family. After the birth of their first child, Mara became a home maker and home school teacher to her son and four other children. When their son began Montessori school at the age of three, Mara was intrigued and amazed at the Montessori method. Her science background and its importance of observation aligned in harmony with Maria Montessori's philosophy. She began volunteering and later working at two different Montessori schools. All four of their children have been in Montessori schools. Mara had the opportunity of learning from all three Montessori schools that her children have attended. She is now incorporating all the wonderful ideas and programs that she was able to be a part of. Mara and Francisco are very proud of their children Francisco Jr., Diego, Isabella and Camilla. They enjoy and appreciate family time and are constantly helping one another achieve their goals and dreams!
Patricia Rodriguez, Primary Lead Teacher Pat is an Arizona native who grew up in Nogales, Arizona. She is married to David and has two daughters, Ani and Maile. Pat has been teaching for 16 years. She has taught in various public schools for 12 years in grades Kindergarten through Second Grade and has taught in a Montessori setting for 4 years in both the Toddler and Primary Classrooms. Pat’s college education includes an Assoicates of Arts and Science Degree in Early Childhood Development from Arizona Western College, a Bachelors of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of Arizona and a Masters of Arts in Education/Reading from California State San Marcos University. Pat’s Montessori education includes training in both the Toddler and Preschool/Kindergarten Programs from the North American Montessori Center. Her experience and training in both types of education has helped her see the true benefits and advantages of a Montessori program. Some of Pat’s favorite activities include scrapbooking, going to the beach, attending her husband’s football games and spending time with family.
Alette Walden, Primary Co-Lead Teacher Alette Walden is a Tucson native. She has been working with children for the past 11 years and in the Montessori environment for the past 9 years. She is a Certified Montessori teacher for children ages 2 ½ to 6 years old. Her daughter is a student at Mis Manos Montessori School.
Fazia Ather, Toddler Lead Teacher Fazia Ather received a Bachelor’s in Psychology and Economics from the University of the Punjab and a Diploma in Dietetics from Punjab Medical Faculty. While attending college, she worked as a tutor and later at various schools in Lahore. She came to Tucson in 2006 and has worked at this Montessori school since 2007. She loves her toddler students and the most cooperative, helpful and friendly colleagues.
Sarah Evans, Assistant Teacher As a young mother, Sarah Evans home schooled her children in an effort to provide them with a wholesome education. Now that her children are grown, she went back to school and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from the University of Arizona in 2005. For the past six years, she has worked in the public education system in different roles, including Kinder Science teacher, Opening Minds Through the Arts (OMA), and as a substitute teacher. Her love of children and of developing the whole child brought her into the Montessori environment. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys serving her church, community, quilting, playing guitar and spending time with her grand children.
Anyssa Fragoso, Extended Day Teacher Bio coming soon!
Bushra Qureshi, Substitute Teacher Bio coming soon!

Mara Castro, Director

Mara Castro is an Arizona Native. She was born and raised in Douglas Arizona, border town to Agua Prieta Sonora, Mexico. Mara attended schools on both the USA and Mexico. She is fluent in both English and Spanish and has learned to appreciate the beauty of different cultures and traditions.

A graduate of the University of Arizona with a Bachelor's of Science in Microbiology and Immunology, Mara started her college career as a premed student with goals of becoming a Pediatrician. Her love of science and children seemed to be a good fit. She worked in Academic Research as well as in Private sector in the biomedical field. However, she discovered her true calling of working with children in the education field after discovering Maria Montessori's method.

Mara and Francisco married right after college and began their family. After the birth of their first child, Mara became a home maker and home school teacher to her son and four other children. When their son began Montessori school at the age of three, Mara was intrigued and amazed at the Montessori method. Her science background and its importance of observation aligned in harmony with Maria Montessori's philosophy. She began volunteering and later working at two different Montessori schools. All four of their children have been in Montessori schools. Mara had the opportunity of learning from all three Montessori schools that her children have attended. She is now incorporating all the wonderful ideas and programs that she was able to be a part of.

Mara and Francisco are very proud of their children Francisco Jr., Diego, Isabella and Camilla. They enjoy and appreciate family time and are constantly helping one another achieve their goals and dreams!

Patricia Rodriguez, Primary Lead Teacher

Pat is an Arizona native who grew up in Nogales, Arizona. She is married to David and has two daughters, Ani and Maile. Pat has been teaching for 16 years. She has taught in various public schools for 12 years in grades Kindergarten through Second Grade and has taught in a Montessori setting for 4 years in both the Toddler and Primary Classrooms.

Pat’s college education includes an Assoicates of Arts and Science Degree in Early Childhood Development from Arizona Western College, a Bachelors of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of Arizona and a Masters of Arts in Education/Reading from California State San Marcos University. Pat’s Montessori education includes training in both the Toddler and Preschool/Kindergarten Programs from the North American Montessori Center. Her experience and training in both types of education has helped her see the true benefits and advantages of a Montessori program.

Some of Pat’s favorite activities include scrapbooking, going to the beach, attending her husband’s football games and spending time with family.

Alette Walden, Primary Co-Lead Teacher

Alette Walden is a Tucson native. She has been working with children for the past 11 years and in the Montessori environment for the past 9 years. She is a Certified Montessori teacher for children ages 2 ½ to 6 years old. Her daughter is a student at Mis Manos Montessori School.

Fazia Ather, Toddler Lead Teacher

Fazia Ather received a Bachelor’s in Psychology and Economics from the University of the Punjab and a Diploma in Dietetics from Punjab Medical Faculty. While attending college, she worked as a tutor and later at various schools in Lahore. She came to Tucson in 2006 and has worked at this Montessori school since 2007. She loves her toddler students and the most cooperative, helpful and friendly colleagues.

Sarah Evans, Assistant Teacher

As a young mother, Sarah Evans home schooled her children in an effort to provide them with a wholesome education. Now that her children are grown, she went back to school and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from the University of Arizona in 2005. For the past six years, she has worked in the public education system in different roles, including Kinder Science teacher, Opening Minds Through the Arts (OMA), and as a substitute teacher. Her love of children and of developing the whole child brought her into the Montessori environment.

In her spare time, Sarah enjoys serving her church, community, quilting, playing guitar and spending time with her grand children.

Anyssa Fragoso, Extended Day Teacher

Bio coming soon!

Bushra Qureshi, Substitute Teacher

Bio coming soon!