Faculty & Staff

Maegen Flynn is the School Librarian and Elementary Office Administrator at Alpharetta International Academy. She officially joined the staff in 2025, after volunteering daily and substituting since 2023. Maegen holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a focus in law and psychology from Central Connecticut State University. Previously, she worked as an insurance underwriter before becoming a stay-at-home parent to her two children. She finds working with children to be incredibly rewarding, enjoying their enthusiasm for learning, curiosity, and open-mindedness. Outside of school, Maegen enjoys nature, reading, crafting, and spending time with family and friends. She also earned her Bikram yoga certification from the Yoga College of India in 2011, after completing an intensive nine-week live-in training program.

Lori Murphy is the Admissions Director at Alpharetta International Academy. She joined AIA in 2009 as a Pre-Primary Assistant and later served as Teacher for ten years before becoming Admissions Director in 2020.

Originally from Boston, Massachusetts, Lori grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and later lived in Cincinnati, Ohio, before settling in Alpharetta, Georgia. She is a graduate of the University of Florida and proudly supports both the Florida Gators and the University of Georgia Bulldogs. Lori is the proud parent of three children: her oldest daughter, Mekayla, is an Orthopedic Physician Assistant; her son, Dr. Alec Murphy, is in his first year of ophthalmology residency; and her youngest daughter, Kaia, works as a Medical Assistant while applying to Physician Assistant schools.

Outside of school, Lori enjoys fitness, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Shweta Parkash is the Finance Director at Alpharetta International Academy and has been part of the AIA community since 2023. She holds an MBA in Finance and Marketing and is a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM).

Her professional experience includes working in the mortgage industry, overseeing financial and human resource operations at a car wash business, managing talent at Nova Solutions, and founding her own eco-friendly bag company.

Shweta enjoys connecting with students throughout the day and cherishes the hugs and smiles they share. She especially values building transparent and respectful partnerships with families, grounded in trust and clear communication, and is always happy to support families in any way she can.

In her free time, Shweta enjoys experimenting with new vegan recipes, reading, and hiking to stay active and connected with nature. Her personal motto is, “Live and Let Live.”

Inmaculada Soto Arroyo is a Pre-Primary Assistant at Alpharetta International Academy and has been part of the AIA community since 2024. She is dedicated to supporting each child’s individual learning journey, helping them gain confidence and independence in a respectful and nurturing environment.

Inmaculada enjoys observing her students’ growth and celebrating their progress each day. Outside of school, she loves spending time with her family and engaging in creative activities such as crafts, puzzles, and table games. She believes that every child learns best when they feel respected and valued and is inspired by the quote, “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.”

Mary Guzman is a Pre-Primary Teacher at Alpharetta International Academy and joined the AIA community in 2022. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Communication and is Montessori certified in Infant and Toddler education. Prior to joining AIA, Mary worked for five years at The Spanish Academy, where she developed her passion for early childhood education.

Mary finds great joy in watching her students’ growth and the remarkable progress they make in such a short time. She loves witnessing their learning unfold each day. Outside of school, Mary enjoys watching movies, spending time with family and friends, and caring for her beloved dogs.

Rihana Mohammed Rafi is a Pre-Primary Assistant at Alpharetta International Academy. She joined AIA in 2024 as a substitute teacher and brings four years of experience as a primary school teacher in Kerala, India. Rihana holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature and is passionate about supporting young learners in their academic and personal growth.

She finds great fulfillment in being part of each child’s learning journey, watching their curiosity and confidence grow every day. Outside of the classroom, Rihana enjoys painting, creating henna art, and spending quality time with her children.

Neasie Cook is a Pre-Primary Teacher at Alpharetta International Academy, where she has been an integral part of the community since 2001. She earned her Infant and Toddler certification from the Atlanta American Montessori Teachers Society and has over two decades of experience nurturing young learners. Neasie finds great joy in helping students gain independence and the language to express their thoughts and feelings. In her free time, she enjoys crossword puzzles, mentoring teens at her church, hosting gatherings, and cheering on college football and basketball teams.

Martha Couttolene is a Primary and Spanish Assistant at Alpharetta International Academy. She brings over five years of experience supporting teachers and is passionate about helping students grow and develop in a nurturing environment. Martha enjoys collaborating with her colleagues to create a warm and engaging classroom experience.

Originally from Mexico City, Martha and her husband, Rene, will be celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary this year. They have two children, Rene and Denisse, and are proud grandparents. Outside of school, Martha loves spending time with her family, traveling, and cherishing special moments with her grandsons

Maya Menon is a Primary Teacher at Alpharetta International Academy and has been part of the community since 2017. She is a certified Montessori teacher, holding her Early Childhood Montessori Diploma from NAMC, and earned her undergraduate and Master’s degrees in Nutrition and Dietetics in India. Growing up in Dubai in a family of educators, Maya experienced mixed-age learning firsthand, which inspires her approach to fostering both academic and social-emotional growth in her students. She loves seeing each child’s curiosity and creativity flourish. Outside of school, Maya enjoys hiking, exploring new cities, and trying new cuisines.

Ana Lopez is a Primary Assistant at Alpharetta International Academy. Originally trained in Hotel Management, Ana and her husband lived and worked in several countries before she transitioned into education while living in the United Kingdom, where she earned her Teaching Assistant Diploma. After moving to the United States, she gained experience in restaurant management, baking, and healthcare administration before joining AIA in 2023. Ana Maria loves being part of a nurturing environment where children are encouraged to learn and grow every day.

Laryn Alfred is a Primary Teacher at Alpharetta International Academy and has been part of the AIA community since March 2003. She completed her AMS Montessori training in 1999 and brings many years of experience and dedication to the classroom.

Before beginning her career in education, Laryn worked in the corporate sector for a chemical company. She finds great joy in witnessing a child’s “aha” moment and especially cherishes seeing students help one another, moments that truly reflect the heart of Montessori education.

Outside of school, Laryn enjoys attending concerts and plays, and her favorite place to relax is the beach. One of her favorite Montessori quotes is, “Play is the work of the child.”

Jessica Dahlgren is a Lower Elementary Assistant at Alpharetta International Academy. This is her third year in the classroom, and she has been a Montessori parent for 11 years. Jessica loves connecting with the children each day and watching their curiosity and independence grow. In her free time, she enjoys reading, crafting, and spending time with her two daughters.

Sneha Shenoy is a Lower Elementary Teacher at AIA and has been part of the community since 2023, after first joining as a substitute the year prior. She holds a BA in Economics, an MBA, and a Lower Elementary Montessori Certification.

Sneha brings a richly diverse professional background to the classroom. While living in southeast Asia, she worked closely with Burmese (Myanmar) refugees, teaching English and supporting their language development. She also worked in enrichment education, where she co-authored phonics books for learning centers. Prior to her work in education, Sneha spent over a decade in the insurance industry.

Deeply fascinated by the mosaic of human experience, Sneha believes education is most powerful at the intersection of diverse cultures, perspectives, and ideas. Outside the classroom, she enjoys traveling, cooking, writing blogs about food and travel, and has studied Indian classical music throughout her school years.

Sandra Marcela Camargo-Garza is a Lower Elementary Assistant at Alpharetta International Academy. She first joined AIA as a substitute teacher in 2015 and became an Upper Elementary Assistant in 2020 before transitioning to Lower Elementary. Sandra holds an Associate’s degree in Computer Graphics and Commercial Art.

After graduating, she worked for six years at Kinko’s in Fort Lauderdale and later ran her own business before becoming a full-time mom. Throughout those years, she also served as a bilingual CCD teacher in South Florida, Geneva, Switzerland, and Chicago, and worked as a preschool substitute teacher. Sandra finds great joy in watching children grow and helping them recognize how capable they truly are. She appreciates their humor, authenticity, and curiosity.

Outside of school, Sandra enjoys drawing and arts and crafts, especially hands-on creative projects. She loves spending time in nature, hiking, photographing plants and mushrooms, and appreciating the beauty around her. Born in another country and having lived in Europe, Sandra values diverse perspectives and the richness of different cultures.

Bonnie Phillips joined the Alpharetta International Academy community in 2005, first as a parent and later, in 2015, as a teacher. She holds a degree in Child and Family Development from the University of Georgia, along with AMS Early Childhood Certification (2000), AMS Lower Elementary Certification (2021), and an Elementary Reading Certificate (2024). Bonnie began her teaching journey in the Primary classroom and now serves as a Lower Elementary Teacher. She is passionate about guiding children through their early academic journeys and finds joy in witnessing their curiosity and confidence grow. Outside the classroom, Bonnie enjoys tennis, pickleball, movies, and reading.

Mahalaxmi Kumar is an Assistant in the Upper Elementary classroom at Alpharetta International Academy and has been part of the community since 2023. She holds a Master’s degree in Industrial Psychology and a certification in Human Resources. Mahalaxmi previously worked as a corporate HR specialist and continues to volunteer as a teacher and administrator at a Hindu Sunday school.

She finds great joy in guiding children through their intellectual and emotional growth, helping them become confident, caring, and well-rounded individuals. Outside of school, Mahalaxmi enjoys exploring historical places, cooking, reading, and listening to spiritual talks.

Jason Kleiber is the Upper Elementary Teacher. He joined Alpharetta International Academy in 2017 and brings more than 20 years of experience working with Upper Elementary students. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from UMBC, a Master’s in Montessori Elementary Education from Loyola University Maryland, and an AMI 6–12 Diploma from the Washington Montessori Institute. Trained under Montessori leaders Kay Baker and Greg MacDonald, Jason is passionate about sparking curiosity and encouraging students to follow their questions wherever they lead. Outside the classroom, he enjoys soccer, tennis, billiards, and spending time building and creating with his students.

Gauri Mhaskar is the Middle School Teacher for Math and Science at Alpharetta International Academy and joined the AIA community in December 2024. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering from the University of Bombay, India, and is currently pursuing her Montessori Adolescent Education certification through the Center for Guided Montessori Studies (CGMS).

Before moving into education, Gauri worked in the IT industry as a Senior Software Developer for 29 years. She also taught in an afterschool program for children of refugees in the Atlanta area through the nonprofit New American Pathways.

Gauri appreciates the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of adolescents and especially values their “aha” moments and genuine expressions of kindness.

Outside of school, she enjoys North Indian classical vocal music, spiritual studies, teaching at her Hindu Sunday school, and spending quiet time in nature. Her favorite quote is, “Children are not vessels to be filled. They are lamps to be lit.”

Uma Narayan is the Middle School Teacher for Language Arts and Social Studies at Alpharetta International Academy. She first joined AIA in 2000, returning in 2024 to help launch the Middle School program. With 25 years of experience in Montessori education, Uma holds a Master’s degree in English Literature and Montessori training from NAMC and Montessori Live.

Teaching is her passion, and she finds it deeply rewarding to help lay a strong foundation for her students’ future. Outside of school, Uma enjoys reading, listening to music, and cooking, and she hopes to visit Australia and Europe someday. One of her favorite quotes is by Maria Montessori: “The greatest gifts we can give our children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence.”

Karla joined the AIA community in Fall 2024 and brings over a decade of experience supporting children and families in educational and clinical settings. She holds a degree in Psychology from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Her work is grounded in trauma-informed care, emotional regulation, and the connection between mental health and learning.

Before joining AIA, Karla worked in schools (K–college) and clinical settings, helping children, adolescents, and young adults develop social-emotional skills, resilience, and self-confidence. She is passionate about creating safe, nurturing spaces where students and caregivers feel seen, supported, and empowered to grow.

Karla enjoys helping students understand their emotions, build healthy relationships, and discover their inner strengths through play, art, and movement.

Outside of school, she enjoys the arts, including dance, theater, and music, as well as spending time in nature, camping, and being with animals.

Born in Colombia and from a multicultural family with Italian roots, she speaks English, Spanish, and Italian and enjoys connecting with different cultures.

Sandra Yáñez Pilgrim joined AIA in 2024 as the school’s Yoga Teacher. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree equivalent in Business Administration (Tourism Management), a 500-Hour Advanced Yoga Teacher Certification, including Children’s Yoga and Meditation training, and is a 1st Dan Black Belt in Taekwondo.

Sandra brings over 20 years of experience in global training and program leadership within international organizations. She later transitioned into yoga education, founding Namaschair in 2020 and YogArts Experiences in 2024, where she designs yoga-based programs for children and adults. Her teaching blends structure, creativity, and mindfulness to support students’ focus, confidence, and emotional regulation.

Sandra enjoys creating safe spaces where students can build confidence and discover their inner strength. Outside of school, she enjoys travel, music, yoga, and martial arts. Born in Chile, raised in Venezuela, and a longtime Atlanta resident, she brings a global perspective to her work. Known affectionately as “Miss Panda,” a childhood nickname, she treasures the warm connections she builds with her students and families.

Mark Lesser is the Coding & Engineering Teacher at Alpharetta International Academy, joining the community in 2025. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and brings over 40 years of experience in software development. Mark loves seeing students’ enthusiasm and curiosity each day in his classroom. Outside of school, he enjoys coin collecting and playing music, performing in two different community bands.

Becky Wilson serves as the Art Teacher at Alpharetta International Academy. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Art from the University of Missouri–Columbia and brings over 40 years of teaching experience. In addition to her work in education, Becky has founded two creative businesses—The Ad Game, an advertising agency, and You Gotta Have Art, an art studio. She believes, as Degas once said, that “Art is not what you see, but what you make others see,” and she strives to inspire that same vision in her students. Outside of school, Becky enjoys spending time with her family and creating art. Her favorite artists include Picasso, Van Gogh, Dali, and Chagall.

Originally from Venezuela, Lisandra Arismendi joined Alpharetta International Academy in 2022 as a Pre-Primary Assistant and became the Lower Elementary Spanish Teacher in 2025. She also serves as one of our Aftercare teachers. Before beginning her career in education, Lisandra worked as an air traffic controller for 21 years and studied pharmacy. She holds certifications from the Miami-Dade School of Florida and the Florida CDA Council and has successfully passed the ETS GRACE Spanish exam. Lisandra is passionate about sharing her language and culture with students and supporting each child’s growth through the Montessori approach.