Meet The Staff
Erika Nicole Locatelli (she/her) - Director, Lead Teacher
Erika was born in Idaho, but moved to Seattle to work in Montessori programs at age 19. She has been a teacher and caregiver for children ages 0-6 in Seattle for 22 years. She is a MACTE (Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education) accredited Montessori Early Childhood Education Teacher since 2012. MACTE is the only Montessori accreditation recognized by the United States Department of Education. It has been Erika's dream for many years to open her own school, and share her passion for teaching and education with the community. This dream became a reality with the opening of Peaceful Place Montessori in the Fall of 2017. Erika enjoys watching her students progress through the Montessori materials and gain new knowledge about life, themselves, and the world around them. She creates space for her students to learn independently while having the most loving support system from teachers. When Erika is not at school she teaches Pilates and dance to her adult clients, walks her pup Eddie, and visits Northwest hotsprings and saunas.
Goretti Nuñez (she/her) - Assistant Teacher
Goretti was born and raised in Mexico but moved to the U.S. in 2017. That was also the year when Goretti started working with children in different settings including as a Lead Teacher at Tiny Trees outdoor preschool , and assistant Montessori teacher at Three Trees Montessori in Burien. She has worked with children ages 0-5 with a concentration on the 3-5 year old age range. Goretti feels grateful to work in a Montessori setting at Peaceful Place , as it provides the tools for children to grow and contribute positively to society. In her free time, Goretti loves going to the movie theater, visiting parks in the surrounding areas, and walking her dog in the evenings.
Moriah Tapuro (she/her) - Assistant Teacher
Born and raised in Seattle, Moriah spent 10 years living in Arizona before returning to the Mt. Baker neighborhood. She has always been passionate about working with children, beginning with volunteer work, babysitting, and later as a teacher's assistant at Dobson Montessori School in Arizona for two years. Currently, she is a student at the Arizona Montessori Teacher Education Program and is completing her internship at Peaceful Place Montessori. Moriah loves seeing the creativity and unique ideas that children bring to the classroom, often amazed by their imaginative creations. Outside of work, she enjoys taking peaceful walks along the lake and playing pickleball.
Tianna Marx (she/her) Classroom Aide
Tianna grew up in Enumclaw, WA and moved to Seattle in 2023. She has past experience as a Certified Nursing Assistant and a hospice activities assistant. Tianna started working with children as a Lead Teacher for Young Engineers Seattle this past year. Tianna graduated last year with a Pre-Nursing Associate Degree from Green River College. Currently, she attends Seattle Pacific University as a Nursing student. She is enthusiastic to work with people of all ages and is passionate about education, enrichment, and nourishment. Outside work and school, Tianna loves to hike, paint, and play piano.