About Our School
Echinacea Montessori School began it's work in 2019 with the idea of serving the children and their families in a small, community-centered Montessori school in the heart of Denver.
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We opened our doors in early 2020 to serve children ages 2.5-6.
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In August, 2025 we will start our sixth school year! To better serve our community we are proud to be a bilingual Montessori school, teaching in Spanish and English.
Our Teacher Leaders
Amanda Clarke
Founding Teacher Leader
she/her
I was most inspired to become a teacher by three educators: my father, Mrs Ruth Denney, and Mrs Laurie Gonzales. It was their examples of deep respect for their students, their kind patience, humor and fierce love of teaching, that ignited my drive to be an educator. I grew up in Colorado and am both a Montessori teacher and parent. My teaching at a public Montessori school coincided with my daughter beginning in a primary classroom and we learned about Montessori together. I earned my teaching degree from Lesley University in 1997 and my formal AMI Montessori training in 2015 in Denver. My goal is to continue to inspire and guide children in exploring and expanding their world with confidence and curiosity while learning about themselves and others.
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Tres educadores me inspiraron especialmente para convertirme en maestra: mi padre, la Sra. Ruth Denney, y la Sra. Laurie Gonzales. Fueron sus ejemplos de profundo respeto por sus alumnos, su amable paciencia, su humor y su gran pasión por la enseñanza lo que despertó mi pasión por la educación. Crecí en Colorado y soy maestra y madre de familia Montessori. Mi experiencia como maestra en una escuela Montessori pública coincidió con el inicio de mi hija en primaria, y aprendimos juntas sobre Montessori. Obtuve mi título de maestra en la Universidad de Lesley en 1997 y mi formación formal en AMI Montessori en 2015 en Denver. Mi objetivo es seguir inspirando y guiando a los niños para que exploren y expandan su mundo con confianza y curiosidad, aprendiendo sobre sí mismos y sobre los demás.
Adriana
Lopez-Ayala
Lead Teacher
My name is Adriana. I have been working in Early Childhood since 2010. Over my years of experience, I have been a director and teacher. I have been very fortunate to experience of many teaching methods, such as traditional learning, Reggio and Montessori.​
I obtained my Montessori Certification in 2018. I found the method to be hands-on and proven to promote children to take care of themselves and others. I look forward to being part of Echinacea Montessori and I look forward to continuing to help children flourish and inspire them to learn through the Montessori method.
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Me llamo Adriana. Trabajo en Educación Infantil desde 2010. A lo largo de mis años de experiencia, he sido directora y docente. He tenido la gran suerte de experimentar con diversos métodos de enseñanza, como el aprendizaje tradicional, Reggio Emilia y Montessori. Obtuve mi Certificación Montessori en 2018. Descubrí que el método es práctico y que fomenta el cuidado de los niños y de los demás.
Espero con ilusión formar parte de Echinacea Montessori y seguir ayudando a los niños a prosperar e inspirándolos a aprender a través del método Montessori.
Our Staff
Sheridan Manfredi
Administrative Assistant
Hello Echinacea families! My name is Sheridan Manfredi and I use she/her pronouns. I am currently a graduate student at the University of Colorado Denver obtaining a dual masters degree in criminal justice and public administration with a nonprofit management concentration. I am passionate about criminal justice reform, and one way I see this being realized is through education. I hope to use what I have learned in my program to assist Echinacea, and all of you, to the best of my ability. I was born and raised in Reno, Nevada and moved to Denver for grad school in 2021. I have since fallen in love with this city and all it has to offer. In my free time I like to hike, camp, eat good food, and hang out with my amazing friends. I look forward to getting to know all of you!
Kacey
Assistant Teacher
Kacey is a Colorado native and learned about Montessori as her daughter started at a nearby public Montessori school. She has broad experience working with children with sensory needs as well as working with teams of adults fundraising and advocating for Montessori education. Kacey loves being a mom, going to concerts, hiking and being spending time with friends.
