Faculty Members
Owner
Sharon Sanz
I began my journey into daycare 14 years ago. When I couldn’t locate a good childcare facility for my daughter, I was in a difficult situation since the two people I trusted the most were leaving the state. I began considering how I could stay at home and teach my child what she knows now. Everything started when I was given the idea to open an in-home daycare; at the time, I had no idea that I had a love for children or a talent for teaching, but I firmly believe that when adversity strikes, it polishes you like a diamond. I discovered who I truly was and my second child received a full Montessori education as well, and I felt fortunate to be able to raise both of them at home and watch them both develop and thrive with the other children, we were a huge big happy family.
I was immediately drawn to Maria Montessori’s ideas, methodology and philosophy and what impressed me the most is the level of concentration and independent work displayed by the children. Then I met a wonderful couple who introduced me to the fascinating world of Montessori. They invited me to visit their lovely school, and I was astounded by the independence and focus of each young child there. They were clearly having a great time, just as Maria Montessori once said: “The child who concentrates is immensely happy.” and I continued noticing that throughout the whole class. In 2018, I earned my Montessori certification with AMS and my National Director’s accreditation after making a significant sacrifice. My passions among many are children and content families. My objective has always been to create a home away from home for the children, where they feel safe and loved. They have called us a hidden treasure and a hidden gem in Round Rock and surrounding areas, and we will continue to pursue that. My hobbies are to serve the Lord with all my heart, with him nothing of this would have been possible, go for long walks, travel when possible, spend time with my husband, younger daughter and my fur baby.
One of my favorite Maria’s Montessori quote is “Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed”
Director
Karla Garcia
Hi! My name is Ms. Karla, and I am proud to serve as the Director of Discover New Horizons Montessori .
My passion for caring for and guiding children began at a young age. Shortly after graduating high school in 2012, I discovered the Montessori philosophy, and it immediately resonated with me. The respect for the child, the emphasis on independence, and the thoughtfully prepared environment captured my heart. From that moment on, I knew that becoming a Montessori educator was my true calling.
In 2015, I became a first time mom. Continuing my Montessori journey became even more meaningful to me, as I deeply desired for my own daughter to grow in a Montessori environment. Over the years, I have had the privilege of working with children from 6 weeks to 6 years old. I have served in multiple roles, including floater, Assistant Guide and Lead Guide, experiences that gave me a comprehensive understanding of child development and the importance of consistency, structure, and guidance in helping children progress confidently and independently.
In 2022, I joined Discover New Horizons Montessori as the Toddler Lead Guide. Through dedication and a deep love for our community, I was later promoted to Director. Serving as Director of DNH Montessori is both an honor and a responsibility that I take to heart every day. I am committed to ensuring that our school remains a nurturing, safe, and inspiring place where children can grow academically, socially, and emotionally.
I also feel especially blessed that my own children were able to attend DNH before beginning elementary school. Experiencing the school not only as an educator but also as a parent has strengthened my dedication to maintaining the high standards and warm environment that our families deserve.Outside of school, my greatest joy is spending quality time with my family. My husband and I have been married for 14 years, and we are blessed with two amazing children, our 10 year old daughter and our 6 year old son. As a family, we enjoy traveling, taking evening walks and cozying up for movie nights.
One of my favorite Maria Montessori quotes is:
“Free the child’s potential, and you will transform him into the world.”
Children's House Lead Guide
Orquidia Martinez
I’ve had a passion for children and teaching since I was six years old, and the opportunity to come to this wonderful country has been a blessing for me and my entire family. I met Ms Sharon, the owner and head of school, back in 2019 when I was working as a secretary in a sheet metal company, which had nothing to do with my passion for children. I saw she had posted that an assistant was needed for her in-home daycare and I leaped for joy at the thought of working with children. I went back and quickly presented my resignation notice, explaining to my manager that working with children had always been my passion and goal. I was overjoyed since my dream was about to come true. After beginning my journey, I obtained my AMS certification in Plano, Texas, from one of the top Montessori accreditations.
My love for children is unmatched; when children come to me and say, “I love you,” it melts my heart because they are being genuine. I am a member of the praise and worship team as well as the church dance team. It brings me great joy to see the children achieve developmental goals in all areas. Seeing the purity of their hearts in different situations taught me so much! Because of all the daily occurrences, I get to laugh a lot, and being at their service is the best part of all.
One of my favorite Maria Montessori quotes is “Do not tell them how to do it. Show them how to do it and do not say a word. If you tell them, they will watch your lips move. If you show them, they will want to do it themselves”
Nido Lead Guide
Mrs Angelica Centeno
My Montessori journey began in 2021 when I met Mrs. Sharon at her in-home daycare. Although my previous career was in a completely different field, I had always felt called to work with children. When I was offered a part-time position, I embraced the opportunity with excitement and gratitude. It did not take long for me to realize that Montessori education was where I truly belonged. Guiding children during the most formative years of their lives has become not just my career, but my passion.
Over the past five years, I have faithfully implemented the Montessori philosophy and am proud to already hold my AMI Infant/Toddler certification. Through my AMI training, I have developed a deep respect for the child as a capable, competent, and naturally curious human being. I am committed to preparing a peaceful, orderly, and developmentally appropriate environment where children are free to move, explore, and make meaningful choices. I believe in following the child, observing carefully, and providing purposeful work that supports concentration, coordination, independence, and self-confidence.
I am also a proud mother of two wonderful children, ages 23 and 17. Being a parent has further deepened my appreciation for Montessori’s understanding of child development and the importance of fostering independence from the earliest years.
Outside of the classroom, I enjoy taking walks on the beach, singing, spending quality time with my family, and continuing to grow both personally and professionally. I am passionate about lifelong learning and constantly seek ways to refine my practice.
One of the aspects I admire most about Dr. Maria Montessori’s work is her discovery that children learn best through their senses and purposeful movement within a carefully prepared environment. She recognized that the young child’s mind is like a sponge, effortlessly absorbing everything around them. This profound understanding continues to guide my work each day as I nurture each child’s natural desire to learn and become an independent, capable member of their community.
Children's House Assistant Guide
Maribel Santos
My name is Maribel Santos Segura, and I was born in Cuba. I began caring for children in 2013 when I opened my own daycare, which I operated until April 2016. After moving to the United States in August 2016, I spent several years babysitting for family and friends. In 2023, I worked at a traditional daycare for about a year before joining Discover New Horizons Montessori.
I joined the Discover New Horizons Montessori team in January 2024, and it has been a wonderful experience. I have developed a strong appreciation for the Montessori philosophy and love seeing how it helps children become more independent, confident, and capable. Watching children grow, explore, and take pride in what they accomplish is one of the most rewarding parts of my work.
Spanish Guide/Floater
ANA CANO
My mother, who was a preschool teacher, inspired me to pursue a career in education when I was a teenager. I was lucky to be able to help her whenever she required it. In 1998, I began my career as an educator in San Juan de Bosco, Durango, Mexico, where I taught PreK while also attending school. When my husband and I moved to Texas in 2006, I started babysitting for a period of time. However, in 2013, I discovered Montessori and became completely fascinated by it. I started working with Mrs Sharon back in the in-home daycare, I was her first assistant and since then we have stayed together as friends and work peers. We teach Montessori in an entirely distinct manner than I was used to. I like how the students are given the flexibility to choose their own work (following the child) while still being regulated. It’s incredible to watch them grow and learn.
In April 2022, I joined Discover New Horizon, as the Spanish teacher and having the opportunity to teach small group Spanish lessons made me so happy. Seeing the children develop and succeed has been quite satisfying. Knowing that I contributed to their achievement makes me incredibly proud.
In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family. My husband and I like viewing movies with our two younger daughters .
