Meet the Hearts Behind Little Blooms
Little Blooms was founded on a simple but powerful belief — that every child deserves to be known, valued, and given the freedom to grow. We are a small, intentional school because we believe that is exactly what young children need most.
Get to know us
Miss Cecilia
Founder & Director
Credentials: MAC-TE Certified Montessori Teacher | BS Psychology, University of Utah | Master of Public Health, University of Edinburgh
Cecilia's journey to Montessori began during the pandemic, when she found herself simultaneously working from home and homeschooling her children. That experience — combined with the birth of her third child — inspired her to leave her role in Pediatric Cardiology research at the University of Utah and pursue her true calling: creating a school where children could truly thrive.
Cecilia holds a MAC-TE Montessori teaching certification in Early Childhood, a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Utah, and a Master of Public Health from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. Her background in child development, public health, and research shapes everything about how Little Blooms is run.
A mother of three, Cecilia believes childhood should be joyful, unhurried, and full of wonder.
She is currently developing Little Blooms World School — an immersive travel program that brings children to Europe to experience history, art, and culture in real life.
Favorite Food: Vegetable Coconut Korma with Garlic Naan
Favorite children's book: The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Miss Arlette
Lead Montessori Teacher
Credentials: MAC-TE Certified Montessori Teacher | Fluent in English and Spanish
Arlette's passion for early childhood education began in her hometown of Salinas, Ecuador, where she spent six years working with young children before moving to the United States in 2018. After arriving in Utah she discovered the Montessori philosophy and knew immediately it aligned with everything she believed about how children learn best.
Arlette received her MAC-TE Montessori teaching certification in Early Childhood in September 2025. Her greatest strengths — kindness, patience, and deep understanding — make her a natural guide for young learners.
She believes that an excellent early childhood education is the most important education a person can receive, and she brings that conviction to the Little Blooms classroom every single day.
Favorite Food: Italian Pasta Dishes (GF!)
Favorite children's book: Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans
Miss Mar
Assistant Montessori Teacher
Credentials: Montessori Assistant Teacher since 2018 | Fluent in English and Spanish
Marlene was born and raised in Monterrey, Mexico, where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Education. With seven years of experience working with preschool and elementary students — including children with diverse learning needs — she brings a deep sense of empathy, inclusion, and commitment to every child she teaches.
At Little Blooms, Marlene is inspired daily by watching children explore, experiment, and grow at their own pace. The Montessori approach resonates deeply with her belief in fostering independence, concentration, and a genuine love of learning.
She says she learns something new from the children every single day — and that keeps her passion for teaching as alive as ever.
Favorite Food: Smoked Mexican Tacos
Favorite children's book: Classic Winnie the Pooh by E.H. Shepard
MAC-TE: Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education — the gold standard in certified Montessori instruction.
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Individuality
Every child at Little Blooms is known by name, by personality, and by what makes them light up. Our certified Montessori teachers follow each child's curiosity — never a one-size-fits-all curriculum.
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Freedom Within Limits
Children choose their own activities from a carefully prepared environment — building deep focus, independence, and a genuine love of learning. As Dr. Montessori believed: the child is allowed freedom within limits.
Our Philosophy
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Bilingual World
Spanish is woven into every greeting, song, lesson, and moment of the school day. Children develop genuine bilingual fluency naturally — during the most powerful language acquisition years of their lives.
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Grow in Joy
Our mission is to nurture children who enter the world ready to love and respect themselves and others — developing confidence, grace, and a deep proclivity for peace that lasts a lifetime.
Does Montessori actually work?
The Montessori method has been studied extensively—and the results are compelling. Unlike traditional education which focuses primarily on language and math literacy, Montessori values the whole child: academic, social, physical, and psychological development together.
Based on binary research, the Montessori method has been found to be one of the most beneficial educational approaches currently available. Children who receive a Montessori education consistently develop into adults who fully realize their potential.
At Little Blooms we don't just teach children what to learn. We teach them how to love learning—and that makes all the difference.
Our Mission
Our Mission To provide the environment, materials, and nurturing to allow every child to blossom — developing a lifelong love of learning, a discovery of self, and a deep proclivity for peace and harmony.
Our Mission & Vision
Our Vision
Our Vision To continue Maria Montessori's legacy of raising children who embrace respect, tolerance, and love — making a tiny but meaningful difference in creating a more peaceful world.
What Makes Montessori Different
Every item in our classroom has a purpose. Materials are beautiful, intentional, and designed to invite curiosity and independent exploration.
The Prepared Environment
Children choose their own activities within thoughtful boundaries — building confidence, responsibility, and genuine intrinsic motivation to learn.
Freedom Within Limits
Every child is unique. Montessori celebrates each child's special qualities and supports their individual developmental timeline — never rushing, never comparing.
Individual Development
"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.'"
— Maria Montessori