Cinndy Cruz shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Cinndy , thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
As we begin to wrap up 2025, I find myself reflecting on what a wonderful year it has been, both personally and professionally. I feel incredibly proud of everything that was accomplished. I’m a momtrepreneur, and balancing my own business while caring for my family and managing daily life soccer practices and games, taking care of our home, and making time for date nights with my husband gives me a deep sense of pride. Being an entrepreneur is not easy; it comes with daily challenges, but it is also incredibly rewarding.
I have three children, and they each keep us busy in their own unique way. My oldest is a junior in high school and very involved in extracurricular activities. She is an FFA officer, serving as treasurer, and also a trainer for the football team. Both roles require a lot of commitment, including late nights, out-of-town football games, competitions, and conventions. Some nights she comes home until 1:00 a.m. Since she isn’t driving yet, my husband and I are constantly dropping her off and picking her up but being there for her is something we truly cherish. We love supporting her and soaking up every moment before she begins her college journey.
My second child is in 7th grade and plays soccer at an ECRL level, which means we spend most weekdays and weekends on the soccer field. His love for soccer started during the 2018 World Cup, when we watched many of the games together. I still remember when he was five years old and pointed to a soccer field as we drove by and said, “Mom, I’m going to play soccer on that field.” He eventually ended up playing for that soccer club. Seven years later, his passion for the game is still strong. He continues to improve, puts in a lot of effort, and is now one of the top scorers on his team. I rarely miss a game. Being present for these moments is incredibly important to me as a mom.
My youngest keeps us on our toes. She’s in second grade and also plays soccer, following in her brother’s footsteps. She is very independent, curious, and questions everything. She enjoys reading and writing and is incredibly creative. She was educated through the Montessori method and is a graduate of Sapienza Montessori, which makes me especially proud. She is a true reflection of the work we do at Sapienza and the values we strive to instill in our students.
Professionally, Sapienza Montessori is thriving. We continue to grow thanks to strong parent referrals, which means so much to us. Recently, we celebrated our staff with a Christmas party to thank them for their dedication and hard work throughout the year. It was incredibly rewarding to hear how working at Sapienza has positively impacted their lives not just professionally, but personally as well. Many shared that they apply Montessori principles not only in the classroom, but also at home with their own families. Hearing this motivates us to continue creating an environment where our team feels valued, supported, and inspired to give their best every day.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Cinndy Cruz, the co-founder, Head of School at Sapienza Montessori School, Lead teacher (guide) in a small preschool located in the heart of Austin, Texas. Sapienza is deeply rooted in Montessori philosophy and enriched with a strong Spanish immersion curriculum. Our school was born from a genuine passion for education and a belief in nurturing children with love, respect, and joy during their most formative years.
At Sapienza, we are committed to creating a close-knit, supportive community that guides children on a path toward happiness, resilience, and confidence. What truly makes Sapienza special is the sense of family we build with our students, teachers, and parents. We have intentionally created a safe, loving, and respectful environment where children feel at home and valued for who they are.
By staying closely connected to each classroom, we are able to offer truly individualized attention to every child and provide personalized support to families, fostering a strong and meaningful school home connection. Our commitment goes far beyond academics; we focus on each child’s physical, emotional, and cognitive development, laying a solid foundation that supports not only their academic journey but also their ability to navigate life’s challenges. By nurturing independence, instilling core values, confidence, and emotional resilience, we empower children with essential skills they will carry into adulthood.
Another deeply valued aspect of our program is our community events. We host several events throughout the year, some designed just for the children and others for the entire community. These events create meaningful opportunities for families to connect, build relationships, and feel a true sense of belonging. Community events strengthen trust between parents and educators, foster friendships among families, and allow children to see their school as an extension of their home. They also reinforce our shared values, celebrate our diverse community, and create lasting memories that enrich the overall educational experience.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
Growing up as the youngest of four children and the daughter of a single mother, I watched my mom work incredibly hard to provide for our family. From a very young age, I believed that there was only one path to a good and stable life: go to college, earn at least a bachelor’s degree, build a career, and everything else would fall into place. I believed that success was almost entirely defined by formal education and titles. At the same time, I didn’t fully trust myself. I never imagined that I could one day build something of my own or see myself as an entrepreneur.
That belief stayed with me for many years. However, after spending fifteen years in the restaurant industry and nine years working in education, my perspective began to change. Through both professional experiences and life lessons, I realized that while education is important, it is not the only factor that determines success or fulfillment and that I was far more capable than I once believed.
I am not minimizing the value of formal education. Earning a degree, a master’s, or even a doctorate can open doors, support personal and professional growth, and allow us to serve others in meaningful ways. Education provides tools, structure, and opportunity. But I’ve learned that it is only part of the equation.
What I no longer believe is that success is guaranteed or limited by a degree alone, or that it belongs only to those who follow a very specific path. Over time, I’ve come to see that qualities such as personal values, perseverance, resilience, a genuine drive to succeed, and, most importantly, attitude often matter just as much, if not more. Attitude shapes how we face challenges, how we treat others, and how we continue moving forward when things don’t go as planned. It also shapes how much we believe in ourselves.
Personally, having a positive attitude has played a huge role in my journey. Early in my career, while working as an assistant in a classroom, someone once told me, “With your attitude, you’ll go far in life.” At the time, I didn’t fully understand what they meant. I simply kept showing up, doing my work with care, giving my best effort, and staying open to learning.
Looking back, I see how powerful that mindset was. A positive attitude became my anchor, especially during difficult moments. Even when I wasn’t completely happy in certain jobs, I chose to remain hopeful and trust that something better was ahead. Slowly, that belief helped me build confidence in myself and in my ability to create opportunities rather than wait for them.
Today, I can truly say that attitude helped shape the person I am. I am now a business owner, something I never believed was possible for me as a child. I love what I do, and I feel deeply fulfilled being able to serve others and inspire those around me. My journey has taught me that while education and skills matter, self-belief and attitude are what build resilience, open doors, and turn challenges into opportunities. It’s a quiet strength that can transform not just a career, but a life.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
I love this question, because it’s not something I get to talk about very often. Opening Sapienza Montessori was, in many ways, a moment of deep struggle, one that taught me lessons success alone never could. While success can be rewarding and affirming, suffering is what truly builds resilience.
Starting the school came with uncertainty, fear, and moments of self-doubt. There were times when I had to keep going without knowing if things would work out, trusting the vision even when the path felt overwhelming. Through those challenges, I learned how to adapt, persevere, and stay grounded in my purpose. I learned to problem-solve under pressure, to ask for help when needed, and to keep showing up even on the hardest days.
Starting your own business can also feel incredibly lonely. Through that loneliness, I learned to deeply value my family, my closest friends, and even those who weren’t necessarily friends but showed up to support me every step of the way. Their encouragement, belief, and presence reminded me that I wasn’t truly alone, even in my hardest moments.
Suffering taught me patience, humility, and empathy. It strengthened my resilience and reminded me why I started in the first place. Success celebrates the outcome, but suffering shapes the person you become along the way. Without those difficult moments, I wouldn’t have developed the confidence, clarity, and inner strength that now allows me to lead with intention and heart.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
A cultural value I instill in my own children and children from my school is: respect. Respect is the foundation of how we relate to ourselves, to others, and to the world around us. It shows up in the way we listen, how we speak, how we handle disagreements, and how we honor differences.
This value has guided me throughout my life, both personally and professionally. As a mother, I intentionally instill respect in my children, respect for themselves, for others, for adults, for peers, and for their environment. I believe that when children feel respected, they learn to respect others naturally.
At Sapienza Montessori, respect is at the heart of our culture. We respect each child as a capable, whole individual with their own pace, voice, and potential. We model respectful communication, encourage empathy, and teach children to care for their environment and their community. Respect also extends to our relationships with families and staff, creating a space where everyone feels valued, heard, and supported.
Protecting this value matters to me because respect builds trust, emotional safety, and confidence. It allows children and adults to grow into compassionate, resilient individuals who can thrive not only academically, but in life.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I vaguely remember that when I was about five years old, I wanted to be a teacher. I used to play with my dolls, pretending to give them lessons. Being a teacher was my dream at that age. As I grew up, my interests changed. I realized I enjoyed other creative activities, like taking pictures, and for a while I wanted to be a photographer.
I also remember my grandmother encouraging me to become a nurse or pursue a career that paid well so I could have a stable life. But deep down, I wanted something different. I wanted to do something I truly loved, not just something that paid well. I wanted to find my purpose. That wasn’t easy, and it took a long time to understand what I really wanted to do with my life.
I’ve always loved reading and writing, and for a while I dreamed of becoming a magazine writer. Helping others has also always been important to me, and I’ve long wanted to make a difference in my community. Because of that, when I started college, I chose social work as my major. Along the way, I explored many different paths: from wanting to be a photographer, to a magazine writer, to a social worker, and eventually a Spanish teacher/Montessori guide. I truly believe that life led me to where I was meant to be. I believe you build your own destiny, but at the same time, life gives you signs, opportunities, and gently guides you to your purpose in life.
After my daughter was born, I took a short break from school to focus on raising her. During those early years, my love for arts and crafts really emerged. We spent a lot of time together painting, coloring, creating small projects, spending time in nature, and visiting museums. I also felt strongly about maintaining my native language, Spanish, so speaking it to her every day was very important to me.
A few years later, after having my second child, I was working at a fast-food restaurant when during a conversation a coworker casually said to me, “You should be a Spanish teacher.” I immediately replied, “I don’t think so.” But that conversation stayed with me. It made me reflect deeply on what I truly wanted to do with my life.After a long pause from school, I realized I still wanted to make a difference in my community. I wanted to change lives not just by helping people from the outside, but by being part of their process. I wanted to teach my language and share my culture, so I made the decision to switch my major to Spanish.
What happened next felt meant to be. One of my favorite quotes, from The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, says: “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” Shortly after changing my major, I came across a job posting for a Montessori classroom assistant. The position was part-time, fit my schedule perfectly, and allowed me to pick up and drop off my daughter from school. Little did I know that this opportunity would completely transform my life.
From the moment I stepped into a Montessori classroom, I was captivated. I watched three- and four-year-olds move independently, speak softly, and work with calm focus in child-led activities. The classroom felt like a small, thriving community where every child was engaged in meaningful work. I immediately fell in love with the Montessori philosophy and realized that I had finally found my true calling.
I truly believe the universe guided me back to what I dreamed of becoming as a little girl: a teacher. While my path isn’t traditional, it led me to the Montessori philosophy where I can beautifully blend together language, values, and culture. In this role, I focus on nurturing respect, independence, and strong character alongside academic learning. Teaching from the heart is something I deeply believe in, and it’s reflected in the joy and purpose I feel in the work I do every day. I love being part of children’s growth and development. I lead a classroom for children ages three to six, and it is truly a privilege to spend each day guiding and learning alongside them. I find great joy in supporting their learning, reading to them, singing together, offering comfort, and ensuring they feel safe, respected, and cared for in their environment.
Each morning, I prepare the classroom with intention and enthusiasm, knowing that a thoughtfully prepared space sets the tone for meaningful learning. Over time, the children at Sapienza become more than students; they become part of a close-knit community built on trust, connection, and care. Being able to contribute to that sense of belonging is one of the most meaningful aspects of my work.
I consider myself a bit of a rebel. I don’t like being told what to do; or people imposing things on me. I prefer making my own choices, even if that means making mistakes along the way. Today, I can confidently say that I am doing what I was born to do. I am a Montessori guide, a mother, a wife, and an entrepreneur and I take great pride in everything I have accomplished so far.Looking back, I see that every turn in my journey led me exactly where I was meant to be. I didn’t just find a career, I found my purpose, and I honor it every day by showing up with heart, intention, and gratitude.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sapienzaschool.com
- Instagram: sapienzamontessorischool
- Facebook: sapienzamontessori
Image Credits
Professional photos taken by: Katy Rox Photography, the rest are personal pictures
