Our Team | Montessori Kids Universe Short Pump

Meet Our Short Pump Team

Montessori Kids Universe Short Pump recognizes that our caring, dedicated Guides are what makes our school so valuable. MKU Short Pump recruits and maintains a high-quality staff through an intensive selection and vetting process. We provide on-going professional development and growth opportunities within our school, and foster a healthy work environment for our employees. Meet the most important aspect of our school: Our quality teaching staff!

Mrs. Karen

Head of Operations

We are incredibly honored to have Mrs. Karen leading our operations! With over a decade of experience in early childhood education and nearly a decade as a school director, she keeps everything running smoothly and holds her CDA. Her biggest joy is witnessing the incredible daily development of our students—she is deeply passionate about seeing children grow, thrive, and blossom into confident future leaders. Originally a New Yorker, she now loves spending time outside of work with her supportive husband and their three amazing boys.

Mrs. Sarah

Head of Administration

Mrs. Sarah serves as our Head of Administration, bringing a total of nine years of early childcare experience, with over five of those years proudly serving our MKU community. She has a deep understanding of early development, having worked with all age groups between six weeks and six years old, and holds her Montessori certification. Her expertise is further backed by her time in the Early Childhood Education Master’s program at James Madison University. A proud mom of three girls, Mrs. Sarah loves balancing her administrative leadership at school with her busy, loving family life alongside her husband.

Ms. Lashlee

Lead Guide, Nido-1

Ms. Lashlee is our Lead Guide in our Nido-1 classroom, where she has been a valued part of the MKU team for two years. Her teaching is guided by the philosophy of learning through play, and she particularly enjoys watching the babies in her room grow and reach new developmental milestones. Ms. Lashlee is Montessori certified and is a committed lifelong learner, holding a degree in Photography from Sweet Briar and actively studying for her Elementary Education degree at Bluefield. Ms. Lashlee played field hockey and softball in college, and she holds the distinction of being the first girl born on her dad’s side of the family in 52 years!

Ms. Ashley

Lead Guide, Piccino

Ms. Ashley serves as our Lead Guide in our Piccino classroom! She is known for her dedication, having been with us for two wonderful years. Ms. Ashley is highly versatile, with professional experience caring for children across all age groups. While she is originally from Houston, Texas, her family is from Honduras, which she visits occasionally. Ms. Ashley is very family-oriented, often assisting her sister with the care of her nieces and nephews outside of school hours.

Ms. Aileen

Lead Guide, Cassetta

Ms. Aileen is our Lead Guide in our Cassetta classroom! Aileen is a compassionate, nurturing, and dependable professional with a natural ability to connect with others. She brings a strong background in team coordination and leadership, demonstrating a proactive mindset and exceptional communication skills. When she isn’t supporting our students, Aileen is very family oriented and enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She is also currently furthering her education in pursuit of an Associate’s degree in Nursing at Bryant & Stratton.

Mrs. Bernadine

Lead Casa Guide

Mrs. Bernadine is our Lead Casa Guide! She is an experienced Montessori educator who brings four years of classroom expertise to our students. She holds a prestigious Early Childhood Montessori Teaching Credential and Reading Certificate from the American Montessori Society (AMS). Mrs. Bernadine guides her classroom with a philosophy rooted in respecting each child’s individuality, fostering independence, and allowing children to explore and grow at their own pace. When she is not teaching, she loves spending time with her wonderful husband and two daughters.

Ms. Rhakaya

Lead Guide

Ms. Rhakaya is an experienced Lead Guide, committed to inspiring a love for learning by creating engaging curriculum and maintaining a positive learning environment for all students. Her professional philosophy is built on empathy and patience, ensuring every child feels supported. Ms. Rhakaya excels at family engagement, working closely with parents to provide regular updates and collaborate on educational goals. Rhakaya is very family oriented and she has completed coursework toward an Associate Degree in Applied Psychology.

Ms. Ashleigh

Casa Assistant

Ms. Ashleigh, our dedicated Casa Assistant and a passionate educator with an Associate’s degree in Elementary Education. Ms. Minor is dedicated to ensuring a safe and supportive place for children to learn and grow. She has hands-on experience leading small group instruction and providing one-on-one student support from her time as student teaching. Ms. Ashleigh excels at building positive relationships with students and staff. Her strong organizational, communication, and time management skills, honed through her professional experience, including nearly two years at a Hallmark store, make her a valued member of our team.