Karen Paxton
Director / KMS Board of Directors, President
As a young parent in the early 1980’s I began searching for the right school for my first child. Khalsa was lovingly recommended to me by a member of the Khalsa community. I was intrigued and enrolled my child as a two year old. My main goal was that she love learning and school and she did.
Since that time, I have served in almost every role at Khalsa Montessori School. I was asked to start the middle school program in 1999 and completed my Montessori Secondary I training with Houston Montessori Center. I created the gardening program and subsequently joined administration as the Admissions Director, Primary School Director and Head of School for both the private and charter schools.
My bachelor’s degree was a double major in history and political science. I joined others in creating a primary care multi-specialty medical group in downtown Phoenix where I was the chief administrator. There were three locations. In the mid-1990’s, I sought a change of careers that led me to Khalsa Montessori School.
I believe in the transformative power of a Montessori education. I have seen my own children as well as my students who are all adults, benefit from its many facets. My commitment comes from my experience and observation of these qualities: independence of the child, the power of choice, nonviolent methods of problem-solving conflicts and a living community of learners.
I feel honored to lead this organization and continue to spread the light of the profound power of Montessori education for all children everywhere.
Rasha Alebrahim
Associate Director
Rasha has been a dedicated Montessori educator since 2009. She completed her training at the Montessori Centre International in London, UK, and subsequently piloted the first Montessori Center aimed at serving students with learning differences.
Rasha moved with her family to Arizona in 2011 where she taught at Villa Montessori for four year. She then became a teaching Head of School at St. Peter’s Montessori School in Litchfield Park, where, for three years, she mentored teachers, grew enrollment, and opened Infant and Toddler programs.
She earned her BS and MA in Psychology from the University of Damascus, Syria. She now lives in Phoenix with her husband and two children who are attending in the Khalsa Primary Program.
Satwant Singh Khalsa
Director Emeritus
Satwant Singh began his long tenure at Khalsa in 1973. In 1980 he became the school’s Director and oversaw Khalsa’s Elementary program transition from private school into a public charter school. Please read more about Satwant Singh and his rich history with Khalsa Montessori here.
Cynthia Huebscher
Primary School Assistant Director
Cynthia Huebscher joined Khalsa Montessori School in April 2016. She enjoyed 5 1/2 amazing years in the classroom before COVID began. During the challenges of COVID, Cynthia oversaw the transition to preparing packets for children to work on at home to coordinating online classes for distance learners while supporting in-classroom instruction and cohorts. Keeping everyone safe while also guiding the children on their journeys of self-discovery was hard. But as we tell the children – “You can do hard things.” And, with an amazingly dedicated staff and supportive parents – we did. Currently, Cynthia supports the teachers and staff at Primary and Toddler while also guiding the charter school kindergarteners.
Cynthia received her American Montessori International Diploma from the Montessori Institute of La Jolla. She trained with Sylvia Dubovoy, an AMI trainer, consultant, and examiner. Cynthia has over 25 years of experience in education as a teacher, trainer, mentor, and tutor to students of all ages. She obtained her California Teaching Credential from National University and her BS in Liberal Studies from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Cynthia is looking forward to continuing to support the Khalsa community and excited to see what this year’s challenges will bring.
Cynthia’s favorite down-time activity is reading.
Jill Woodhull
Business Manager
Jill joined Khalsa in March of 2018 in the accounting department. In addition to her accounting role, Jill is the Outdoor Environment Teacher at the Primary campus.
Jill grew up in Arizona and graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Fine Arts. She has been a parent of Khalsa children for the past 7 years. She enjoys travel, hiking, reading, and any activity that is with her family.
Jeremy Stepp
Special Education Director
Lavender Bailey
Administrative Assistant
Lavender first joined Khalsa in July of 2017 as the Front Office Secretary. They then moved into the Administration Office, taking on the role of Adminstrave Assistant. After 4 years, they left Khalsa to explore the Pacific Northwest. In 2023, they returned to Khalsa in their former role. Lavender is excited to be back helping the school grow and creating a welcome environment for everyone!
Lavender enjoys creating ink-based art, crafting, reading, music, walking in nature, and playing with their cat Willow Bea.
Genevieve L.
Elementary School Site Coordinator
Genevieve joined the staff at Khalsa in the summer of 2022, and has taken over the role of our Elementary Site Coordinator. She loves working with children, and enjoys volunteering with several organizations around the valley. She is working to achieve her bachelor’s degree in Social Services to continue serving the community and helping vulnerable populations. She enjoys spending time with her family, dancing, thrifting, and coffee!
Erika Grady
Toddler School Site Coordinator
Erika joined Khalsa in 2022 as the Toddler Site Coordinator. She moved back to Arizona from Illinois a year ago and is happy to be back. Erika attended ASU and lived in Arizona for 15 years before moving to Illinois after her daughter was born. Erika is a Mom to a 5 year old daughter, Lennon, and two cats, Biscuit & Gravy, who keep her busy. In her spare time, Erika enjoys spending time with her daughter and friends.
Alicia Rios
Primary School Site Coordinator
Alicia joined the Khalsa Community in November 2023 as the Primary School Site Coordinator. She has enjoyed learning about and practicing Montessori methods at home since 2021. Alicia currently has three daughters enrolled at Khalsa. Raised in Illinois and Washington State, she met her husband in L.A. and now lives happily ever after in the West Valley. Alicia enjoys traveling with her family, architecture, museums, poetry, dance parties, and York Peppermint Patties.