Alexandra Cannady

Executive Director

Alexandra was born in Idaho and raised in Las Vegas. She graduated high school with honors from the Las Vegas Academy of International Studies, Performing and Visual Arts with an emphasis in theater and received degrees in French and English at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She was fortunate enough to study abroad in Pau, France during her undergraduate studies. Alexandra received her TEFL certificate shortly after graduating and has been teaching adults and children for over 10 years. In her free time, Alexandra loves to spend time with her husband and three children and enjoys crochet, reading and writing fiction and poetry, cooking plant-based meals, swimming, and discussing literature and philosophy. Alexandra began her journey with Mojave Springs as the Parent Council chair, then became a grades instructor, and then entered into the position of School Director; she enjoys her work at the school and is thrilled for the future.

Iraida Morales

Spanish Teacher

I am Iraida Morales, the Spanish teacher at MSS. I have been teaching Spanish for four years. I have a master degree in Cultures and Languages but I always loved to work with children. I worked for many years in a very well known Spanish bookstore in New York City  where I was in charge of the children ‘s section. Over there, I had a lot of fun working and creating activities with and for children but never  liked traditional education to consider  working at schools. I remember how amazed I felt when I visited a  family around 2010 in Vermont who had their daughters in a Waldorf school. That experience stayed with me all the following years. So, when I found  out about this school I felt totally excited and hopeful. And since then, I have been totally happy and fulfilled to teach and learn this avant-garde, organic, holistic, and so much humanistic methodology that really focuses on the child as a whole.

Diana Vega

Fourth Grade Teacher

My name is Diana Vega. I was born and raised in Los Angeles. I am excited to begin my second year at Mojave Springs School as the fourth grade long term substitute. I have over six years of working with children and over three years of working in a school environment. I am looking forward to this school year! 

Fernanda Mitchell

Second-Third Grade Teacher

My name is Fernanda Mitchell. I’m from Mexico. This is my second year at Mojave Springs School. I have a master’s degree in psychology. I have experience working with special needs children. I love MSS because it is a very unique and amazing environment for children. MSS  is a place where kids can learn in a way that they can enjoy every moment at school. My own son is attending MSS.

Vanessa Portillo

First Grade Teacher

Hi, my name is Vanessa Portillo and I am thrilled to be the first grade teacher! I was born and raised in Las Vegas, and found Mojave Springs through my previous career of school garden education. In 2010, I attended a biodynamic conference at the Rudolf Steiner College in Sacramento, CA and discovered the essence of Waldorf education. That led me to starting a nonprofit for school gardens, and for the past 8 years have been teaching kids all about gardening and permaculture, and creating a curriculum for teachers to tie their indoor lessons to the outdoor garden spaces! I look forward to bringing nature into the minds and hearts of children as I lead them through the magical experience of first grade!!

Evelyn Vance

Honeybee (Kindergarten) Lead Teacher

I’m Ms. Evelyn and I will be learning and growing with your children this year as the Honeybee Lead Teacher. I have recently relocated from Arizona with my husband and 3 beautiful children, ages 15, 13 and 8. In my career, I have spent time as a Teacher in a variety of early childhood education settings from play-based and project based schools and Montessori classrooms. These past few years have been fueled by an inner drive to learn about and experience early childhood education pedagogies in depth, in the process of obtaining my Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. I strongly believe that while early childhood is a critical time in human development there are also important elements of magic, beauty and wonder that mustn’t be overlooked. A child’s growth, development and learning should be guided through their interests, strengths and the facilitation of new experiences. In my free time, I enjoy going to parks with my family, seeking nature adventures, creating crystal jewelry, doing macramé projects and playing the Ukulele. I am very excited to be a part of the Mojave Springs School community, to work with Ms. Lena and to be a part of your children’s lives. Thank you for your trust, I look forward to learning more about each of your children and your families and partnering together to make this an amazing school year for all.

Lena Zhabina

Honeybee (Kindergarten) Assistant Teacher

My name is Lena Zhabina. I am originally from Georgia, and moved to the United States from Ukraine a year ago. It’s quite different here compared to where I used to live but I’m adjusting to the new lifestyle and thoroughly enjoying the American culture. I am so excited and grateful for the opportunity to join Mojave Springs School and be able to do one thing I like the most – working with kids, guiding and helping them in their learning, making sure they develop both morally and academically. I’ve worked with kids my entire life – first as a kindergarten teacher, and later as a stay-at-home mom raising and homeschooling my daughter and my multiple nephews and nieces. Now that all of them are adults, I’d love to keep working with kids because that brings me the greatest joy. My hobbies are knitting, embroidery and crocheting. I also have a passion for gardening and classical music. I like to keep a smile on my face and positive attitude no matter what I am going through, meet new people, and experience different cultures and traditions.

Marilyn Anthony

Willows (Preschool) Lead Teacher

Marilyn was born and raised here in Las Vegas. She started her art education at the Art Institute and then later transferred to College of Southern Nevada. Marilyn has six years of experience working with children as a nanny. This is Marilyn’s second year at Mojave Springs. She feels like the creative freedom and simplistic values are similar to the way she was raised. This will be Marilyn’s first year as a lead teacher in the Willows classroom, and she can’t wait to see everyone!

Darby Dugan

Willows (Preschool) Assistant Teacher

Darby is a Las Vegas local, born and raised in this wonderful city! She is an artist and musician who loves to teach others how to express themselves artistically. Darby is extremely excited for her first year as an assistant teacher and is also helping with our social media!

Brissa Chavez

Tansy (Toddler) Lead Teacher

My name is Brissa Chavez. I’m excited to be a Tansy teacher. I have been working with kids for four years now as a kindergarten teacher and in a psychiatric clinic for special needs kids. I’m bilingual. I’m getting my Waldorf certificate and also love art and doing embroidery, water color, and oil paints.

Anapaula Cano Verdugo

Tansy (Toddler) Assistant Teacher

Hi my name is Anapaula I’m super excited to be working in the Tansy class this year. I have worked with children for 2 years in a psychiatric clinic. I am bilingual in English and Spanish. I love art in any form: painting, watercolor, crocheting, sewing and sculpting.

Cheryl Cannady

Support Teacher

Ms. Cheryl has always believed we raise our children for the world, not for ourselves. To her, getting to be part of that process with all the children at Mojave is very rewarding! She loves to share in the school’s dedication to all our children’s future by supporting their educational journey and helping craft a more beautiful world for them to be part of.

Alieshia Pierce

Marketing & Enrollment Coordinator

Ms. Alieshia was born and raised in Saint Louis, Missouri. She graduated with her Bachelor’s in Fine Arts, with a minor in Art History, from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. She discovered her love for children when she started working as an assistant at a Montessori school in her hometown. Ms. Alieshia has more than 7 years of experience working in various classroom environments. Over the years, she was mentored by several experienced educators and has taken care of children from  infancy to age 6.

Her favorite thing that she loves about working with children is being able to aid in their overall growth and development and building trust with the children. By helping the children in all areas of their developmental journey, she wants the child to feel confident, happy, and comfortable in their environment. She believes every child should be able to have a safe space to express their interests and to be as creative and imaginative as they see fit. She also loves being in nature with the children and going on walks, because this gives many opportunities for learning.

While obtaining her Montessori Infant/Toddler Certification in Las Vegas, she was introduced to different philosophers and learned about Rudolf Steiner and Waldorf Schools. She researched more into Waldorf schools and through her findings she believed Steiner’s philosophy aligned with her own beliefs. Her interest in Waldorf education lead her to Mojave Springs School. As a lifetime learner, she is excited to gain more knowledge about Waldorf educational practices. She is so thrilled to be a part of the MSS community!

Her favorite hobbies that she enjoyed doing with her late great grandmother includes cooking, gardening, baking, and dancing. She also enjoys yoga, nature walks, Zumba, painting, drawing, and travelling.