Meet Our Credentialed Staff
Dena Saunders
Dena leads MSGL's parent/infant program, and assists in the Catalpa early childhood classroom in the afternoons. Dena started working as an assistant in the toddler room in 2007. Dena has a range of education experience including: substitute teaching, tutoring, Director of Education at Sylvan Learning Center in Burnsville MN, and teaching first grade for 7 years in Swanville, Maine. She has two daughters, both of which are alumni of MSGL. Dena earned her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Iowa State University.
Dena holds her AMS Infant Toddler credential from the Seton Montessori Academy.
Parent-Infant Program
Lena Atkinson
Lena Atkinson is currently serving the Montessori School of Greater Lafayette as the Enrollment Director. She started her career at MSGL in 2004 as an Assistant Teacher in the Toddler Program. Lena received her 0-3 Infant Toddler Montessori Credential through MECA (Seton Institute) in Chicago in 2007. In addition to her Montessori Credential, Lena also held an Indiana State Teaching License. Lena has served as an Assistant Director, Office Manager, Administrative Assistant, Toddler program Lead Teacher, Parent Infant program Lead Teacher, Early Childhood program Assistant Teacher, Mentor, and substitute teacher at MSGL. Lena's children are both proud MSGL alumni.
Lena graduated from Purdue University in 2004 with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and an endorsement in Computers.
Enrollment Director
Dilya is the Lead Teacher in the Oak classroom. Prior to joining MSGL, she worked with children for 14 years. Dilya developed innovative programs for 3–7-year-old children, intended to stimulate their intellectual and creative abilities. One of her programs was published in the magazine Preschool Education in 1991 in Moscow. Since 2006, Dilya has lived in the United States with her family. In addition to her work at MSGL, she has taught at the Russian School of Lafayette. Dilya has been with MSGL since 2008, and her daughter is an MSGL alumni. Dilya received a Bachelor's degree in Educational Psychology and a Master's degree in Early Childhood Psychology from Termez State University in Uzbekistan.
Dilya received her Early Childhood Montessori Certification from Seton Montessori Institute in Chicago in 2012.
Early Childhood ProgramDilya McClaine
Katrina Moraine
Katrina is a Lead Teacher in the Tulip classroom. Her diverse career path includes roles such as wildlife caretaker, kitchen manager, massage therapist, nanny, mom, grant writer, and now a teacher at MSGL. The common line through all her positions is that she loves to take care of people. Whether they’re young or old, helping and taking care of those around her is one of her greatest drives. Katrina earned her Associate's degree in Massage Therapy from the Milwaukee School of Massage.
Katrina completed her Infant Toddler training with the Center for Guided Montessori Studies in 2025.
Toddler Program
Ginette is Lead Teacher of Catalpa Classroom. After relocating to the USA in 2003 with her husband, Ginette worked through a temp agency, including a stint at State Farm. She discovered MSGL while seeking a preschool for her daughter. Both her daughters attended MSGL. Ginette became involved as a board member, substitute teacher, assistant teacher. Ginette has been with MSGL for 14 years. Ginette holds a Bachelor's in Human Resource Management from Hogeschool de Horst in The Netherlands.
Ginette completed her Early Childhood credential training from Seton Montessori Institute in the fall of 2025.
Early Childhood ProgramGinette Roos
Kelly has been with MSGL since 2003 and has worked as a morning Lead Teacher in the Willow classroom since 2012. Prior to that, she worked in the Hickory Elementary classroom. Kelly graduated with her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education with a Kindergarten endorsement from Purdue University.Both of her children are MSGL alumni. She is very passionate about the Montessori Method both in her home and in the classroom.
Kelly earned her AMS Early Childhood credential from Edison Lakes in Mishawaka, Indiana.
Early Childhood ProgramKelly Sallee
Early Childhood ProgramAna Ramirez
Ana Ramirez is the Lead Teacher in the Birch Classroom. Ana has been a dedicated member of MSGL since 2006, starting as a bilingual assistant teacher in the Spanish Immersion class before becoming a lead teacher. Ana takes pride in witnessing the children's growth and learning from her colleagues daily. She completed training in Early Childhood Montessori Certification from Seton Montessori Institute. Originally from Jalisco, Mexico, Ana holds a Bachelor's Degree in Biopharmaceutical Chemistry and worked in laboratories before moving to the U.S. with her husband. They have three sons, all MSGL alumni, who share a love for soccer.
Ana earned her early childhood credential from Seton Montessori Institute in 2016.
Ruksana is a Lead Teacher in the Catalpa AM Classroom, and the Lead teacher in the Globe Willow PM Classroom. Ruksana graduated from the Islamic University with her Master’s degree in English Literature. She believes that one of the most precious things to her is the beautiful smile of a child, as their happiness rubs off on her. Ruksana has been with MSGL since 2022.
Ruksana completed her Early Childhood training with the Center for Guided Montessori Studies in the summer of 2025.
Early Childhood ProgramRuksana Zaman
Darcy holds her Elementary I credentials and is the Lead Teacher in the Hickory Classroom. She has been involved with various positions at MSGL since her daughter was in the Toddler program. Her latest adventure in Elementary has been a fun learning experience that she truly loves. She has a passion for teaching all children and learning alongside them. Darcy has been with MSGL since 2015. Her daughter is an MSGL Alumni. Darcy earned her Bachelor's degree from Manchester University in Elementary Education.
Darcy earned her Elementary I credential from the Center for Guided Montessori Studies in 2023.
Lower Elementary Program