Meet the IMA Staff
With an average tenure of nearly 15 years working at our school, we are very, very proud of our staff. They bring not only extraordinary expertise and educational background, but also remarkable dedication and compassion to their jobs every day.
Yolanda Sollitto
Founder/Director of IMA
Graduated from and was awarded her certification by the Association Montessori Internationale Institute in 1990.
Teacher/director at various Montessori schools from 1990 – 1996.
Director here at our Pasadena campus.
Yancy Martinez
Assistant Director of Administration
Lead Teacher – Room 4
Has worked here at IMA since 2000.
Graduated from and was awarded her certification by the Association Montessori Internationale Institute in 2012.
Laurel Merrill Assistant Director
Lead Teacher – Room 3
Has worked here at IMA since 2000.
Graduated from and was awarded her certification by the Association Montessori Internationale Institute in 2007.
Melissa Perez
Lead Teacher – Room 6 (Toddlers)
Worked here at IMA since 2002.
Graduated from and was awarded her assistant’s certification by the Association Montessori Internationale Institute in 2014.
Ivy Tai Hsin-Yuan
Substitute – All Rooms
Worked here at IMA since 2015.
Graduated from and was awarded her certification by the Association Montessori Internationale Institute in 2007.
Krystal Covarrubias
Assistant Teacher – Room 4
Worked here at IMA since 2012.
Graduated from and was awarded her assistant’s certification by the Association Montessori Internationale Institute in 2014.
Cassie Hernandez
Assistant Teacher – Room 4
Worked here at IMA since 2019.
Graduated from and was awarded her assistant’s certification by the Association Montessori Internationale Institute in 2014.
Kenia Cazares
Lead Teacher – Room 5
Worked here at IMA since 2013.
Graduated from and was awarded her certification by the Association Montessori Internationale Institute in 2019.
Susie Ma Daycare Supervisor/School Manager
Worked here at IMA since 2016.
Graduated from San Jose State with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education.
Assistant Teacher – Room 3
Worked here at IMA since 2017.
Mariana Rivera
Isabella Sollitto
Playground and teacher’s assistant.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from LMU.
CEO of International Montessori Academy Foundation.
Worked here at IMA since 2021.
Cittlally Sarabia
Assistant Teacher – Room 5
Worked here at IMA since 2021.
Daycare Staff
Worked here at IMA since 2012
Daniela Russo
Room 5 – Teacher’s Assistant
Holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development
Worked here at IMA since 2023
Dianna Venegas
Jenny Zhou
Room 2 Teacher’s Assistant
Holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development and a Master’s Degree in Psychology
Worked here at IMA since 2024
Maggie Cardenas
Facilities & Housekeeping
Worked here at IMA since 2020.
Facilities & Housekeeping
Worked here at IMA since 2000.
Lupe Bobadilla
