Lauren Gallegos joined the Mountain Shadows community in 2018. She originally worked as a Primary Assistant during the summers while teaching in a traditional school setting. In 2020, she joined Mountain Shadows full-time and began her Montessori leadership journey.

Lauren was born in Aurora, Colorado, and later moved with her family to Longmont and then Mead. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Northern Colorado. After college, Lauren spent three years in Northern California living on a military base, where she worked with infants and military families in a Child Development Center. She eventually returned home to Colorado and now lives in Firestone near her family.

Lauren has been working in the field of education for more than a decade. Her experiences have included working in early childhood programs, supporting refugee families, teaching in public schools, and serving military-connected children and families. She worked at ABC Child Development Center while pursuing her degree, volunteered at the Global Refugee Center in Greeley, completed her student teaching at Lone Tree Elementary on Beale Air Force Base in California, and later taught Kindergarten and First Grade at Gilcrest Elementary.

After returning to Colorado, Lauren reconnected with Mountain Shadows, where she served as a Primary Assistant before becoming Childcare Director and eventually Lead Guide in the Golden Eagle classroom. Lauren taught Primary at Mountain Shadows for three years from 2023–2026, building strong relationships with children and families while deepening her Montessori practice.

Lauren holds her AMI Primary Diploma for ages 3–6 and a Master's Degree in Montessori Education. She is currently completing the AMI Assistants to Infancy graduate program for children ages 0–3. Her daughter is also enrolled in Mountain Shadows' Young Children's Community program, and through both her professional studies and personal experience as a parent, Lauren has developed a deep appreciation for the extraordinary growth and development that occurs during the first three years of life. Her love for infants and toddlers, along with the transformative work of the Nido environment, has inspired her return to the infant community, creating a true full-circle Montessori moment in her professional journey.

Lauren has worked with children and families from many different backgrounds and believes deeply in Montessori education as a pathway to independence, confidence, and lifelong learning. She values taking the time to truly know each child, understand what motivates them, and ensure they feel seen, respected, and safe within the community.

Outside of school, Lauren enjoys reading, listening to podcasts, paddle boarding at McIntosh Lake and Aurora Reservoir, and exploring creative pursuits such as painting and pottery. She loves spending time with her family and their three dogs, Buddy, Simba, and Nikita.