Leadership

Maria Fernanda Ramos

School Director

With over 12 years of experience in early childhood education, including 7 years as a teacher and 5 years as a Director, I've discovered that my greatest passion is creating meaningful experiences for children, families, and educators. Throughout my career, I've earned my Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential, Preschool Specialization Certification, Director's Credential, and Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education.

I chose KLA Schools because its philosophy truly reflects my own beliefs about education. I admire KLA's image of the child, recognizing every child as capable, curious, and full of potential. I was also drawn to its strong sense of community and the belief that parents are a child's first teachers. Together, these values create an environment where children thrive and families feel connected.

As Director, I hope to continue strengthening this incredible community by building meaningful relationships, supporting our educators, and ensuring every child is seen, valued, and celebrated as an individual. My goal is to help create an environment where curiosity, creativity, and a love for learning flourish every day.

Fun fact: I can enjoy a Coca-Cola with just about any meal, any time of day!

Bella Lavoie

Interim Assistant Director

Hi, I’m Bella! I have three years of experience in administration and more than five years of experience working with children. Throughout my time in early childhood education, I have worked closely with children, families, and educators, which has helped me develop a true passion for creating a welcoming and supportive school community.

What I love most about my role is building relationships. I enjoy getting to know our families, supporting our teachers, and creating experiences that help children feel safe, valued, and excited to come to school each day. I believe that the relationships we build with children and families are at the heart of a great school.

I chose KLA because I connected with its approach to early childhood education and its belief that children are naturally curious, capable, and full of potential. I was especially drawn to KLA’s warm community and its commitment to allowing children to learn through exploration, meaningful experiences, and relationships.

As part of the leadership team, I hope to continue strengthening our relationships with families and staff while helping create a school where everyone feels welcomed, supported, and truly part of the KLA community.

Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, discovering new places, and going to Disney. One of my favorite things about working with children is seeing the world through their eyes, their curiosity, honesty, creativity, and ability to find joy in the little things.

I hope to have the chance to meet you and your family soon! Until then, welcome to KLA, I can’t wait to see all the wonderful memories we’ll create together.

Milena Barros

Pedagogist

Hi! I'm Milena Barros, and I'm originally from Brazil, where I earned my Bachelor's degree in Pedagogy. Driven by a passion for early childhood education, I moved to Italy to gain firsthand experience in the birthplace of the Reggio Emilia approach. During the three years I lived there, I attended numerous international seminars in Reggio Emilia and completed internships in schools throughout both Reggio Emilia and Modena, immersing myself in the philosophy at its source.

I've been a proud member of the KLA Schools of Horizon West community for over five years, and I feel truly blessed to be part of this amazing environment every single day. Continuing to deepen my expertise, I'm currently completing a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education with a focus on the Reggio Emilia Approach at the University of Colorado.

As a Pedagogist, I'm dedicated to collaborating with our teachers in developing long-term, research-driven projects that honor children's natural curiosity and support their unique learning journeys, as well as mentoring and training our team to bring the Reggio Emilia philosophy to life in their classrooms. I firmly believe that every child holds tremendous potential and deserves to be met with love, respect, and thoughtful guidance.

I'm married and the proud mom of two amazing boys, Pedro and Lucas. My international training and my experience as a mother shape the genuine, heartfelt approach I bring to early childhood education every day.