Educators

Ms. Kimberly Keller

Centro Mareas Founder · Head of School

Meet the Founder of Centro Mareas

Kimberly Keller’s Montessori journey began in the year 2000, when her first child enrolled at Sunnyside Montessori School in Flagstaff, Arizona. What started as a parent’s curiosity quickly grew into a deep passion. While volunteering in the classroom, Kimberly became captivated by the Montessori philosophy and knew she wanted to dedicate herself to learning—and living—this approach to education.

Twenty-five years later, with a wealth of Montessori experience and a lifelong love of learning, Kimberly followed both her heart and her sense of adventure to Baja California Sur. She packed up her life with a dream: to open a Montessori school where children could learn with joy, curiosity, and respect—while surrounded by nature, community, and the rhythms of the sea.

An outdoor enthusiast at heart, Kimberly feels most at home camping, surfing, mountain biking, and hiking—especially when the ocean is nearby. Her love of surfing and the search for the perfect longboard wave first drew her to Baja. After many summers immersed in the Baja lifestyle, she knew it was time to make it home. While seeking opportunities to continue her work in education, she was drawn to the vibrant and welcoming community of Pescadero. It was there she learned of a strong need for a high-quality educational center, and from that shared vision, Centro Mareas was born.

Beyond her work as a Montessori educator—and her self-proclaimed identity as a proud rock nerd—Kimberly is the mother of three incredible children and the grandmother of two very special little boys. She is deeply grateful to share her experience as an educator, scientist, mother, and grandmother with the Centro Mareas community, and she looks forward to growing and learning together for many years to come.

Ms. Vale Canizales

Upper Elementary · Head Teacher

Valeria has supported learning since 2004, working with kids, teens, and adults in all kinds of settings. She’s been a guide, a facilitator, and a co-founder of community projects shaped by many cultures.

For her, learning is never finished—it’s a lifelong adventure. Her studies in Law and Education give her a solid foundation, and she brings her heart just as much as her knowledge. She loves creating spaces where people feel supported, connected, and able to learn with curiosity and respect. Nature, art, and creativity tend to sneak into everything she does.

She lives somewhere between movement and rest—traveling, coming home again, and enjoying the company of her favorite humans and dogs along the way.

Ms. Yamila

Lower Elementary · Head Teacher

Yami was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and has called Pescadero home since 2020. She joined the Mareas Montessori community in 2022 and is grateful to be part of a school that values curiosity, connection, and growth.

She is a Primary Education Teacher, a Teacher of Spanish as a Second Language, and a Certified Montessori Guide. Yami currently serves as the Lower Elementary classroom teacher, where she is passionate about guiding children as they explore the world, ask meaningful questions, and discover creative solutions.

An avid traveler, Yami enjoys learning from new places and cultures, drawing inspiration from each experience to enrich her work as an educator.

Being part of Mareas is a true gift for Yami. She finds daily inspiration, joy, and laughter within a supportive community that makes each school day special. She is excited to continue growing, learning, and sharing this journey with the Mareas team.

Ms. Dani Colin

Upper Elementary · Assistant Teacher

Hello, my name is Dani. I was born in Guadalajara, but I recently arrived in BCS to continue this beautiful adventure that is life.

I love exploring the natural world and definitely adventure sports, as well as exploring the human world (hence my profession in psychology). This is why I so greatly enjoy accompanying children in their learning processes— in their own exploration of knowledge about the world and about themselves.

It is an honor to walk alongside them, my greatest teachers, because in their curiosity, their questions, and their way of seeing life, I find a great light that inspires me to continue exploring our reality with a more open heart and mind, as well as an unstoppable curiosity for everything that surrounds us.

Ms. Daniela Orozco

Lower Elementary · Assistant Teacher

Daniela is a multidisciplinary artist and educator with a strong background in Communication. Her creative practice brings together photography, writing, and the performing arts, enriched by additional studies in acting, dance, music, and languages. This diverse training allows her to approach learning through an integrated and sensory-based perspective.

Her experience as a librarian and reading promoter has equipped her with tools to cultivate spaces of curiosity, connection, and multicultural dialogue. In the classroom, Daniela is dedicated to supporting each child’s individual process, encouraging autonomy, exploration, and discovery through experiential and creative methodologies.

Ms. Jacqueline Lewis

Elementary English · Reading Specialist

My name is Jacqueline Lewis and I am a bilingual educator from New York. I have my teacher certifications in Spanish 7-12, English as a New Language K-12 and Elementary Education 1-6. I am a big believer in bilingual and multicultural education so I am ecstatic to have my daughter, Scout (4), enrolled in Mareas and to be helping students learn to read and ask questions :)

Ms. Pamela

Assistant Teacher

Hello, I’m Pamela.

I am originally from Guadalajara, and eight years ago I moved to Baja California Sur to begin my journey as a teacher—a decision that transformed my life and led me to discover a vocation that deeply fulfills me. Working with children has since become one of my greatest joys and sources of learning. Their curiosity, creativity, and wonderfully simple way of seeing the world remind me each day of the importance of approaching life with a sense of wonder. I learn so much from them and alongside them, and accompanying them in their growth is a privilege I am profoundly grateful for.

I am also a ballet teacher for children, a space where I guide them in expressing themselves through movement, discipline, and artistic sensitivity.

Throughout the years, I have had the opportunity to work with different educational approaches, including Waldorf and Montessori. These experiences have enriched my practice and provided me with tools to support each child through observation, respect, freedom, and an understanding of their individual rhythms. I strongly believe in learning that emerges from genuine curiosity and in the power of thoughtfully prepared environments created with intention and sensitivity.

I deeply enjoy nature and living near the sea. The sunsets, the gentle pace of life in Baja, and the small details of the natural surroundings inspire me and remind me of the importance of staying open to everyday beauty.

I am grateful for the opportunity to accompany children during such meaningful stages of their lives. They are my greatest teachers.

Mr. Tom Lorenzen

Ground Control

Mr. Tom is from the high mountains of Colorado. He is a life-long lover of mother nature. He is passionate about the ocean and all its wonderful and mysterious life. He also speaks Spanish and dearly loves and appreciates Mexico, its culture and people. He is responsible for the school grounds, classroom maintenance and the garden, its trees and flowers.

Ms. Pipa

Director of Emotional Support · School Dog

Pipa is a Formosan Mountain dog born February 14, 2018, to a band of hippie musicians living in the streets of West Hollywood. She Was taken in as a foster dog and subsequently adopted shortly afterward by Kim. She lived in Santa Bárbara, Ca the first 2 years of her life, and enjoyed spending her summers in scorpion bay sitting along the cliff watching the surfers. She made her permanent move here to BCS in 2020 where she fell in love with the Wide open beaches. When she isn’t giving and receiving love and emotional support from the Mareas students, She enjoys fetching tennis balls, playing as a soccer defender, and chasing cats.