LOCAi/ Written by Wendy Hinman Photo by Bella Hall Photography E;:DUCATION BUILDING s OASTAL SAGE ONTESSORI Signe Castaneda: Growing the Community, Student by Student Five years ago, with five students, Signe Castaneda founded Coastal Sage Montessori School on Roosevelt Street in the Village. There are now 40 students, from primary-grade age to adolescence, with a goal to reach 120. "Who the student is matters," Castaneda says. "Teaching is being able to see who they are and help students reach their full potential." Coastal Sage is moving to St. Michael's by-the-Sea Episcopal Church. "This is an easy partnership," Castaneda says. "The church always planned for a school and has always been community minded. Our classroom just got bigger." Blocks from the beach, "The ocean is our science lab." And next to the retirement home, Carlsbad By The Sea, that's a lot of seasoned teachers. ''Who each student is matters," Castaneda said. "They can contribute to the community now." 22/ SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026 Family: My husband, Juan, and I have been married for 25 years and have six children. Our oldest is 23 and our youngest is 12. Favorite spot in Carlsbad: Our house full of children, enjoying meals together and the daily comings and goings. Favorite Carlsbad beach: Southside Why she chooses to live here, in one sentence: We wanted to live somewhere we could simply tell our children, "Be home before dark," and trust them to go. Choosing Carlsbad was, in many ways, a choice to give our children the gift of independenceand the freedom to experience the kind of childhood where adventure is just a bike ride away. Ideal Carlsbad day: Wake up early enough to catch a spectacular Carlsbad sunrise, when the sky is painted in beautiful hues of pink, orange and purple. Then head out for a trail run with my husband and any of our children I can convince to join us! Afterward, I'd grab a coffee from Steady State, settle in with a good book and spend the rest of the day cooking and enjoying a delicious meal together at home. Favorite charitable groups & nonprofits: Christian Surfers and Saint Michael's bythe-Sea are two organizations I especially value. Both are deeply committed to serving our community and building meaningful, lasting relationships here in Carlsbad. I love the way they bring people together, care for others and contribute to the strength and character of our local community.
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