Primary Dual Language Guide

Marcela Ortiz, a native of Mexico City, holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Instituto Tecnológico de Oaxaca-Mexico and a master’s degree in management and organizational development from Alliant International University in San Diego, CA. She is certified as an Early Childhood (Primary) Guide by the American Montessori Society (AMS) and has six years of experience in the business field.

In 2006, Marcela relocated to Dallas, where she obtained certification to teach EC-4 Bilingual (Spanish). Since then, she has been dedicated to serving Dallas ISD, teaching students ranging from pre-K to 5th grade. While working as a pre-K teacher, she discovered her passion for early childhood education. Marcela shares the belief of Maria Montessori that “Early Childhood education is essential to the prosperity of society.”

Fluent in French and passionate about travel, Marcela is enthusiastic about her role as a Bilingual guide at Downtown Montessori Academy, where she continues to make a difference in the lives of her students.

Lower Elementary Guide

Melody Singleton is a Lower Elementary Guide at Mata Montessori School. She began her teaching career with the Dallas Independent School District in 2008 at John Neely Bryan Elementary School where she taught 4th and 5th grade students in both self-contained and departmentalized environments, served as grade-level chair, and worked with students outside of the classroom by sponsoring dance, track, and UIL events. She was voted Campus Teacher of the Year by her colleagues for three of the years she served there. After nine years, she transferred to James Nelson Ervin, an ACE campus, and worked as a 3rd and 5th-grade ELAR teacher and 2nd-grade self-contained educator as well as serving as dance, track, Lone Star Challenge, and UIL sponsor. She was voted teacher of the year during her third year there. She currently serves as cheer coach in addition to her teaching duties at Mata. She was voted Campus Teacher of the Year for 2022-2023 and served as cheer, chess, and Esports Sponsor. This year, she is looking forward to obtaining her Montessori certification and continuing her efforts to help her students realize their full academic potential.