We call our teachers "guides" because they are more than teachers—they are cultivators of wonder, builders of character, and companions on the journey of learning. They connect us to the great minds and ideas of the past. Each one brings a rich blend of knowledge, creativity, and heart to the classroom, inspiring students not only to think deeply but to love learning. Get to know the people who this a place of growth, joy, and meaningful connection.
Lindsay Cotto
My name is Lindsay Cotto. I was born and raised in Ponce, Puerto Rico, a place that deeply shaped my love for family, nature, and community. I come from a family where education has always been highly valued. My mother was a teacher for 30 years, and although she is now retired, her dedication to education left a lasting impression on me. For many years, I have dedicated my life to working with children—a calling that stems from my deep respect for childhood and the tremendous potential within every child. Being a montessori guide (teacher) is such a gift!
I began my professional journey working for four years with children on the autism spectrum and in special education. This experience transformed the way I view child development and taught me the importance of patience, observation, and respectful guidance. I then spent five years working in preschool environments, where I had my first introduction to the Montessori philosophy.
Inspired by that discovery, I traveled to Mexico, where I lived for one year and four months while completing my Montessori Guide training at the Children's House level. This experience not only strengthened my professional preparation but also deepened my passion for a philosophy that recognizes each child as capable, independent, and naturally curious about learning.
Two years ago, I moved to Utah, where I currently serve as part of the team at Lighthouse Montessori Academy. Here, I continue to grow as a guide, supporting each child on their individual journey, respecting their unique pace of development, and fostering independence, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning.
I live in Vineyard with my husband and our two daughters, and I deeply value time spent with family. I especially enjoy nature, the beach, and outdoor activities, as I believe that a strong connection with the natural world is essential to a child's development and well-being.
I consider myself a committed, caring, and dedicated educator. I am here with the sincere desire to support your children and partner with your family during this important stage of their lives. It is a privilege to be part of each child's growth and learning journey, helping create a safe, nurturing environment filled with opportunities to explore, discover, and thrive.
Lis V
Lis V. is a kind, joyful individual with a passion for creating organized, beautiful, and welcoming environments. She is originally from Chile, where she earned her degree in Accounting, and has lived in Utah for the past seven years with her husband and their two daughters.
Lissette is deeply motivated by working with young children, providing loving, safe, and developmentally appropriate care. She is committed to Spanish language immersion as a powerful tool for learning and is enthusiastic about continuing her growth in Montessori education as a valued member of our team.
She is currently working toward her Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, further demonstrating her commitment to excellence in early childhood education. Lissette has been part of Lighthouse Montessori Academy for nearly a year and is known for her warmth, dedication, and genuine care for each child.
In her free time, she enjoys cooking, singing, and dancing—qualities she brings with enthusiasm and joy into her daily interactions with the children. Her positive spirit and nurturing nature help create a loving and engaging environment where children feel safe, supported, and inspired to learn.
Maraly Ledezma Frandsen
Maraly Frandsen is an educator, entrepreneur, and lifelong learner with a passion for helping children discover their potential and develop a love of learning. As the founder and director of Lighthouse Montessori Academy, she has spent more than thirteen years creating meaningful educational experiences that nurture independence, curiosity, character, and academic growth.
Her Montessori training through the American Montessori Society (AMS) at Westminster University, combined with graduate studies in education and a deep love of languages, history, and culture, has shaped her educational philosophy. She believes that children thrive when they are given both freedom and responsibility within a carefully prepared environment, guided by caring mentors who help them grow in confidence and capability.
Maraly especially enjoys helping students unlock the beauty of mathematics, explore the stories and ideas that have shaped civilizations, and develop meaningful communication through language learning. Her vision of education extends beyond academics to the formation of the whole person—cultivating wisdom, virtue, creativity, leadership, and a lifelong desire to learn.
She holds degrees in International Studies, European Studies, Psychology, Law and Public Administration from Brigham Young University and brings a unique blend of intellectual curiosity, practical experience, and heartfelt dedication to her work. A devoted wife, mother, and follower of Jesus Christ, Maraly is committed to building learning communities where children and families can flourish together.
Karla Huntsman
Karla is a delight! She is so personable and joyful, being in her presence is uplifting and inspiring! She is one of our students favorite guides!
Karla has spent over 25 years on the faculties of four universities teaching storytelling, drama education, public speaking and interpersonal communication. She provides residencies, workshops, teacher in-services, conference presentations, and performances at state, and national venues.
She is currently working as a professional teller and drama specialist.
Her performances include school assemblies, libraries, festivals, conferences and in-home concerts. She frequently includes guitar, autoharp, djembe drum, washboard and/or puppetry with her storytelling programs.
There is nothing more important to Karla than consecrating her life to Heavenly Father, so as a disciple of Jesus Christ she has been on many of His errands, or missions, her whole life.
Ruel Haymond
Ruel is a master teacher whose influence lingers long after the lesson ends. With a gift for breathing life into government, current events and constitutional studies, he draws students into meaningful stories of the past—then turns those stories into mirrors and windows, helping students see truth, wrestle with ideas, and grow in conviction. He has over 20 years of experience teaching youth. Known for asking the kind of questions that spark real dialogue and thoughtful debate, Ruel doesn’t just inform—he inspires.
Just when you think you’re deep in discussion, he’ll surprise you with a quiet moment of reflection that stirs your heart and strengthens your desire to follow Christ. A multi-year recipient of the “Best Teacher of the Year” award, Ruel is beloved by students for his clarity, depth, and deep personal investment. To be in his class is to think more deeply, feel more fully, and walk away a little more committed to what truly matters. He has a BA inFamily Science & Spanish, Utah State University; Master of Science, Instructional Technology, Utah State University.
Ruel is a disciple of Christ, and teaching more than a career is a mission to him. In his youth, Ruel served a proceliting mission for the Lord in Chile.
Kennedy Palowska
Kennedy is beloved by all her students for her intellectual sharpness combined with a confident and gregarious love light. Her analytical process in clear to follow, helping her students feel confident in their ability to grow their logical and rational abilities. Kennedy brings beauty and light through her appreciation of all things humanities.
She is intentional in living a rich, beautiful, virtuous life of goodness. She bakes amazing artisan bread, experiments with flavors, beauty and ideas.
She holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Utah Valleu University and a Masters Degree in Humanities from Ralston College. She studied abroad in Greece and delved into its language in order to study New Testament documents in their original language. She has taught classes in Speech and Debate, Logic, and Classical Literature.
Kennedy is a disciple of Christ, and served Him on a mission in Poland.
Susan Bradarich
With over 30 years of dedicated teaching experience in a classical education Carden School, Susan Bradarich has taught hundreds of children of all abilities how to write beautiful cursive penmanship and script. She is a talented patient mentor who brings both warmth and wisdom to her work. She specializes in helping students develop clear, love reading, learn from other cultures and develop confident handwriting and fluent reading skills.
Susan is systematic in getting children to memorize their multiplication facts.
Known for her kindness and consistency, Susan creates a calm and encouraging learning environment where children thrive. Whether students are just beginning cursive or need extra support in penmanship or reading fluency, or math facts, her steady guidance makes a lasting difference.
Russell Frandsen
Russ is an avid amateur historian whose curiosity and enthusiasm for history is both delightful and contagious. He believes that there are important lessons to be learned from all parts of history. When Russell was a teenager what he wanted most for his birthday was a subscription to history magazines covering the U.S. Civil War and World War II. Most years you can find Russell on the road with his family doing extended road trips visiting historical sites. His children call it vacation but it is really an extended educational field trip (do not tell his kids!!!). He spends a lot of his free time listening to historical documentaries and podcasts.
He has previously taught history classes covering (1) U.S. Civil War, (2) Cold War, (3) Roman Empire, (4) World War 1, and (5) World War 2. He graduated from BYU with a bachelors in Social Work and a Masters degree in Public Administration; his career is focused on government.
He is a disciple of Christ and serves Him as a consacrated husband and father. As a young man Russ served Him on a proceliting mission in Chicago, IL, Spanish speaking.
Zack Young
Zack is a natural teacher and mentor.
After returning home from his two year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Zach Young joined the Wasatch Independent Debate League executive board. He is a passionate student of Western Civilization and classical education.
He has experience in lobbying state legislators and in working with state representatives on their campaigns. Currently a student at BYU he loves to learn and work. He has helped build and recruit teams for companies and given training to college students about state government.
Zach loves the outdoors, movies, and reading. He is passionate about politics, philosophy, psychology, and character development.
Great Guides
At Lighthouse Montessori Academy, we believe children are capable of extraordinary growth. They are naturally curious, creative, and eager to learn. Yet no child develops in isolation.
The quality of a child's education is shaped not only by the books they read, the materials they use, or the experiences they have, but by the adults who walk beside them.
Great teachers do far more than transfer information. They inspire confidence. They model character. They notice strengths that a child does not yet see in themselves. They challenge students to stretch beyond what they thought possible and provide encouragement when the work becomes difficult.
In Montessori education, we often use the word "Guide" rather than Teacher. This reflects our belief that education is not merely the delivery of information but a relationship. A Guide is a teacher, but also a mentor, a helper, a coach, a friend standing next to rather than above. Even though guides teach group lessons and train skills in core learning areas, they are not simply "teachers" because they also tend to the attitude and the heart of the children, cultivating relationship. Though guides often work in personalized targeted objected individually or in small groups, they are not simply tutors, because while a tutor helps a child learn the subject, a Montessori guide teaches the child how to learn the subject themselves and builds their independence. A guide observes, prepares lessons and materials, mentors, encourages, instructs, listens, interacts, and helps each child connect directly with the ideas and subjects to move toward greater independence and responsibility.
As students mature, the role of the Montessori Guide changes. A toddler may need help learning letters, numbers, how to wash hands or carry a tray. An elementary student may need guidance in reading fluency, mathematics, and friendships. A teenager may need mentorship as they wrestle with great ideas, take on meaningful work, and begin to discover their purpose in the world.
At every stage, great Montessori Guides help students develop the habits, skills, and character necessary for a life of human flourishing.
Our teachers are chosen not only for their knowledge and experience, but for their willingness to be "guides" for their love of learning, their commitment to children, their ability to know how to inspire and when to require, and their ability to cultivate both excellence and belonging.
Ultimately, we hope every student leaves Lighthouse with many things: knowledge, competence, confidence, wisdom, and character. But we also hope they leave having experienced the influence of adults who believed in them and helped them become more than they thought possible.
That is our work.
