Catalina Murcia, a native of Bogota, Colombia, moved to the U.S. at the age of 9 with her family and settled in the Oak Cliff area of Dallas, TX.  Catalina attended Coppell High School where her love of education emerged after experiencing the drastic change in educational environment between the two cities. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Development, Early Childhood Education and Family Studies at the University of North Texas. Catalina is a certified AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) guide through the Montessori Institute of North Texas. Catalina holds several AMI accreditation, director’s certificate and is a certified adult educator and coach. Ms. Catalina has taught for over 16 years, directed and consulted for Mother's Day Out programs, Montessori schools, homeschool groups and child care homes. Catalina is the school director, she trains staff, is a parent and educator coach, develops curriculum, and has expanded programs.  Prior to establishing Casa de Paz, Catalina's passion for early childhood education lead her to study Conscious Discipline, The Continuum, Attachment Parenting, Holistic Nutrition, and Social Development philosophies extensively. She has mentored with highly recognized veteran Montessori consultants, nutritionists, and Conscious Discipline experts. She is a mother of two beautiful daughters, an Oak Cliff resident, and Owner/Director of Casa de Paz Montessori.