Staff

Carolyn Edgar

Carolyn Edgar

Owner/ Co-Lead Teacher Lower Elementary
Qualifications: B.L.S.
Credentials: Early Childhood and Elementary I

Carolyn Edgar became a member of the American Montessori Society in 1975. In 1976, she completed the Early Childhood credential at Houston Montessori Center. In that same year, she founded Riverbend Montessori School.

In 1978 she graduated from St. Edwards University in Austin Texas with a Bachelor of Liberal Studies. At Houston Montessori Center she taught Philosophy and Sensorial in the EC program. She continued as administrator and early childhood teacher at Riverbend Montessori School until 1990 when she completed the Elementary I course. She has been a Riverbend Lower Elementary teacher since 1990. Carolyn holds the position of Secretary on the Houston Montessori Center’s Board of Directors.

Carolyn is dedicated to upholding the highest Montessori principles in the classroom, in the community, and in her life.

Marcia Edgar

Owner/Director
Qualifications: B.B.A, J.D.
Credentials: Elementary I and Administrator

Prior to joining Riverbend Montessori School Marcia obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration at The University of Texas, Austin, and a Doctorate of Jurisprudence from South Texas College of Law. She practiced law and worked in the commercial real estate market.

Montessori has been an integral part of her life. She grew up in a Montessori environment and had worked in many positions at Riverbend Montessori. In 2000, Marcia became a co-owner of Riverbend with her mother, Carolyn. She holds two American Montessori Society credentials: the Administration credential which she earned in 2008, and Elementary I (Lower Elementary) Teacher credential earned in 2016. As Ms. Carolyn transitioned away from being a full-time teacher, Marcia joined the Lower Elementary class to continue the Riverbend way of teaching Montessori in the elementary classroom.  As of June 2023, Marica has moved into the position of School Director.

From growing up with a Montessori mother to being a mother of two Montessori high school graduates, Marcia believes strongly that Montessori is an extraordinary and effective way for all children to learn.

Susan Hylton

Financial Director
Qualifications: B.Bus, M.B.A
Credentials: Director's Certificate HHS TX

Kimberly Nessler

Lead Teacher Upper Elementary
Qualifications: B.S.
Credentials: Elementary I-II
Jade Garcia

Jade Garcia

Co-Lead Teacher Lower Elementary
Qualifications: B.S. Psy
Credentials: Elementary I-II
Franni Bakewell

Franni Bakewell

Co-Lead Teacher Lower Elementary
Qualifications: B.A., M.B.A.
Credentials: Elementary I
Salima Rupani

Salima Rupani

Lead Teacher Primary 1
Qualifications: A.B.
Credentials: Early Childhood
Sara Nasir

Sara Nasir

Co-Lead Teacher Primary 2
Qualifications: B.F.D.
Credentials: Early Childhood
Mimi Chen

Mimi Chen

Co-Lead Teacher Primary 2
Qualifications: B. Soc. Sc. Psy
Credentials: Early Childhood

Ruby Anand

Lead Teacher Transition
Qualifications: B.E., M.Psy
Credentials: Infant Toddler
Maggie Tillman

Maggie Tillman

Front Office Manager
Qualifications: B.A.

Bonnie Simmons

Assistant Upper Elementary
Qualifications: A.A.
Jennifer Evans

Jennifer Evans

Assistant Upper Elementary
Qualifications: B.S.
Lisa Chen

Lisa Chen

Co-Lead Teacher Lower Elementary
Qualifications: B.S.
Armin Kasanavia

Armin Kasnavia

Assistant Primary 1
Qualifications: Dip. Teaching
Credentials: Infant Toddler
Donna Castiglioni

Donna Castiglioni

Assistant Primary 1
Qualifications: B.Bus, J.D.
Raquel Homsi

Raquel Homsi

Assistant Primary 2
Qualifications: Cert. Child Care - Kindergarten

Rama Biswas

Assistant Transition
Qualifications: A.I.R.