Children’s House & Beyond
Our Programs.
A prepared environment that supports every stage of development — from toddlers discovering the world to adolescents building leadership skills.
The Primary Program
Children’s House — Ages 3 to 6.
Between the ages of 3 and 6, Maria Montessori called this environment Casa dei Bambini (Children’s House). Everything in the classroom is child-size and hands-on materials are designed to support self-directed discovery and learning.
Your child has extraordinary powers of mind; they possess a once-in-a-lifetime ability to absorb information and concepts from their surroundings, like a sponge. The prepared environment includes an array of scientifically designed materials to help develop a new skill or reveal a new concept through your child’s use and exploration.
Some materials build on your child’s natural interest in counting and introduce an understanding of the decimal system and the processes of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Others encourage artistic self-expression. Use of the materials builds a foundation of concrete experiences of abstract concepts, assisting your child to a deeper level of understanding.
Our Faculty
Meet Our Teachers.
Bilingual, MACTE-credentialed teachers who have shaped the Alegria community for years — each with deep training and a passion for following the child.
Nicki Arango.
Director & Primary Coordinator
Born and raised in Minnesota, Nicki moved to St. Petersburg in 2011 and has been at Alegria ever since. She worked in a Montessori school in Minnesota for 7 years before joining Alegria as a lead 3–6 teacher. She obtained her Montessori training for children aged 3-6 from Palm Harbor Montessori Teacher Education Center and has her degree in Business with a focus on Organizational Leadership and Management. Nicki is the level-coordinator of the 3-6 classrooms and oversees the kindergarten program. Outside of work Nicki enjoys reading, running, and spending time with her husband Andres and son Julian.
Beronica Fajardo.
Primary & Spanish Teacher
Originally from Venezuela, Beronica graduated in Business Administration with a specialization in Customs. She joined Alegria in 2018 as a Spanish teacher and is now lead teacher in a bilingual 3–6 classroom. MACTE-AMS Credential in Primary 3–6 from the Montessori Academy Training Institute, Pembroke Pines, FL.
Erin Grier.
Primary assistant Teacher · EDP
Erin grew up in Sarasota, Florida, and after a little time in New York City, she made her way back to the Gulf Coast and now lives in St. Petersburg.
She graduated Cum Laude from UCF with a degree in English and worked as an assistant preschool teacher while in Orlando. Working with children has always been something she’s truly passionate about.
These days, she’s usually in the sun, with her mini dachshund Chip by her side, or driving around in her 1978 truck.
Irina Pidberejna.
Primary Teacher
UCF Bachelor’s (Cum Laude) in Visual Arts and Emerging Media Management; Master’s in TESOL from the University of Alabama. Originally from Ukraine; speaks English, Russian, Ukrainian, and Spanish. 2015 Fulbright Recipient. MACTE-AMS Credential in Primary 3–6 from the Montessori Teacher Education Institute, Atlanta, GA.
Maria Hernandez.
Primary & Spanish Teacher · EDP
Born in Maracaibo, Venezuela. Moved to Florida 3 years ago. Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education with 20+ years of experience working with children. Maria works with children in the EDP (extended care program) in the afternoons.
Ready to Visit
Come See Children’s House in Action.
Group tours are scheduled at 9:30 on specific days of the week. Call to book a time and meet our team.