Administration
Teresa Aquino
Head of School
Ms. Aquino has a distinguished career in Montessori education spanning over two decades. She holds multiple AMI certifications, including AMI 0-3, 3-6, and Montessori Coaching. Her educational background also includes a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from De La Salle University in Manila, Philippines.
Her professional experience is extensive and varied. As an Education Director at a local Montessori School, Ms. Aquino successfully transformed eight locations into thriving Montessori schools. She developed and implemented community engagement programs, sourced and procured materials, and facilitated training sessions for both teaching and non-teaching staff. These efforts led to three of the eight schools attaining AMI recognition status for ages 0-6.
Ms. Aquino also served as the Education Director and Montessori Coach at Family Star Montessori in Denver, CO. In this capacity, she aligned Montessori pedagogy with Early Head Start/Head Start requirements, created record-keeping systems for students, and facilitated workshops for staff. Her work was instrumental in enhancing organizational relationships and achieving educational goals.
Ms. Aquino is also currently serving on the Board of the Montessori Institute of North Texas (MINT). MINT is a permanent training center for all levels of development to serve the growing need for AMI-credentialed teachers in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
Additionally, Ms. Aquino was also a Classroom Guide at Waypoint Montessori, for over 15 years. During her tenure, she guided a class of 28 children, prepared environments tailored to the students’ needs, and engaged parents through comprehensive communication and evaluation processes.
Tricia Tuscana
Financial Director
Tricia has over 37 years' experience in accounting for both corporations and nonprofits. Tricia holds a Bachelor of Arts Accounting from the Forbes School of Business & Technology where she graduated summa cum laude. Having worked with the school from 2003 to 2017, Tricia returns to Waypoint with a great understanding of the school's legacy, history, and culture, in addition to taking wonderful care of the finances. Tricia enjoys reading, spending time with her three grandchildren, her two children, and doing 5Ks with her pup, Anny.
Joined Waypoint Montessori in 2003 and 2023.
Shannon Blackwell
Advancement Director
Shannon is on a mission to nurture Montessori advocates. Shannon first discovered Montessori pedagogy as a parent at Waypoint in 2012, and has worked in administrative capacities as Advancement Director, Head of School and Executive Director for a small group of schools.
She attended the University of North Texas and is a Certified Public Communicator through the Department of Strategic Communication at Texas Christian University. Shannon enjoys opportunities to present to community organizers and school administrators on the importance of school culture and community in creating sustainable educational organizations.
She is also passionate about reducing maternal mortality rates through systemic implementation of evidence-based practices and consumer education and was active in advocacy work for more than a decade. Shannon and her husband, Jason have a son and two daughters and have had the pleasure of being Montessori parents from the toddler program through upper elementary.
She enjoys traveling, family game nights, working with animals and vintage upcycling.
Carlos Lopez
Facilities Director
Carlos and his wife Mariana have been married for 17 years. They have 3 children, Carlos 16 years old, Jason 11 years old, and Daniel 18 months. Carlos is a talented and energetic young man who has experience working in general building maintenance and repairs.
Joined Waypoint Montessori in 2024.
Josefa Zingg
Director - Almost Home
With over 30 years of experience in early childhood education, Ms. Josefa is a dedicated educator who specializes in nurturing young children during their most formative years. She holds a degree in Early Childhood Education, an AMI diploma for Children from Birth to 3 years old, and a Center Director Certificate. Her work is grounded in a deep passion for cultivating environments where children feel safe, supported, and inspired to develop a love for learning.
Originally from Venezuela, she has called Texas home for the past 16 years. Her strong family values, shaped by being a wife, mother of four, and grandmother to seven, inform her approach to education. She believes that care, patience, and integrity are essential in guiding young children and supporting their growth.
Outside the classroom, Ms. Josefa enjoys gardening, taking walks in nature, and relaxing by the lake. She finds peace in calm, quiet settings and brings that same sense of serenity into her work with children each day.
Blanca Del Mundo
Records Administrator
Originally from Manila, Philippines, Ms. Blanca brings a rich and diverse background to the Waypoint Montessori community. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and began her professional journey in television and film in the Philippines. Her career later expanded into corporate communications at an oil company, banking in Singapore, immigration law, and customer experience at DFW Airport. Most recently, she spent two and a half years working in a preschool setting, where she discovered her deep passion for early childhood education.
Having lived in Venezuela, New York, Singapore, and Toronto before settling in Trophy Club, Texas, Ms. Blanca has cultivated a global perspective and deep appreciation for cultural diversity. Her love for travel is matched only by her enthusiasm for food—especially doughnuts, chocolates, and ramen. She enjoys Pilates and is an avid sports fan, particularly of Formula 1 and the Olympic Games.
Ms. Blanca has been happily married for 35 years to her husband, an IT consultant with a global firm. They have one daughter, a software engineer, who resides in New York City. Their family recently expanded to include a senior rescue cat named Ming.
Grateful to be part of the Waypoint Montessori community, Ms. Blanca is excited to support the school’s mission and serve its children and families with warmth, dedication, and a global heart.
