I am so excited to be your teacher this year! For those of you who don't already know me, my name is Miss Montes and I have been teaching with ABC for the last fourteen years. I completed my student teaching with ABC at Kennedy and Leal. After graduating, I was a substitute teacher all over the district, including a few long term assignments at Kennedy, Stowers, and Leal Elementary. This is my twelfth year at Leal Elementary.
I attended school in the ABC district all my life - going from Carver Elementary, to Tetzlaff Middle School, and graduating from Cerritos High School. I then went to Cypress College where I received my AA, and transferred to California State University, Long Beach for my BA and multiple subject teaching credential. In January 2023 I earned my Masters of Education in Learning and Technology.
In 2018, I finished my eighth year as the director for the National Champion Dance/Drill and All Male Dance Team at Cerritos High School, and retired as Director. I was on the team when I attended CHS and was proud to be the director. We attended competitions throughout Southern California and competed nationally and internationally. Now I teach dance through LEAP's after school program. In 2019 the Leal Dance/Drill Team attended their first competition at Six Flags and took home 1st place in their category, received the high point award for an elementary medium size routine, and were the overall high point elementary team winners.
You may also recognize me from the Cerritos Swim and Fitness Center where I have worked for the past 18 years at the front counter... no, I'm not a lifeguard ;).
When I'm not working or dancing, I love spending as much time as I can at Disneyland with my family and friends. I love anything and everything Disney (along with a TON of other nerdy things like Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Marvel). When I'm not at Disneyland, I enjoy playing with my dogs and hanging out (and eating!) with my friends and family any chance I get. Fun fact: apparently I make a lot of funny faces that you'll get to see throughout the year.
Now that you know a little bit about me, I can't wait to get to know you all this year!
