Regina Splees, First Grade, Magnolia Class
Ms. Regina Splees Tafoya to the MSCS family, where she will help wrap up the Magnolia Class' first grade year! Ms. Tafoya brings a deep passion for inspiring curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning in young children.
She is an experienced educator with over a decade of teaching in Japan, Maui, and Colorado. Her journey began with Montessori certification, and she has pursued various trainings, including Waldorf methods, nonviolent communication, and restorative justice.
She has worked in a variety of educational settings—designing engaging curricula, fostering strong classroom communities, and helping children build confidence and independence. Her approach blends tradition and innovation, ensuring every child feels supported, challenged, and excited to come to school each day.
Regina founded the Gateway International Center in Kanagawa, Japan, known for its unique curriculum that blends Living Values Education and nonviolent communication. She holds a degree in Communications and Art from Grand Canyon University, where she focused on photography and played on the NAIA champion tennis team.
Beyond the classroom, she loves exploring the outdoors—skiing and hiking in the Rockies with her dog—or crafting new wonder questions to spark children’s imaginations.