Our Staff

Favorite thing about the Montessori Method:
The impact Montessori has on a child’s development is unmeasurable because it prepares the child for life, not just the next level of education.  Montessori focuses on the whole child.  Nurturing not just the cognitive development but the spirit of the child. After working in Montessori schools since 1980, I can attest that it works!

Education & Experience:
I have had the passion and purpose to honor children for my entire career. Montessori has allowed me to go to work each day and be truly present with children, who are our future. I have taught in the Early Childhood and Infant Toddler classrooms for almost 40 years and lectured at the Montessori training programs for 10 years. I founded two Montessori schools – one at 27 years old and a second at 61. This all sounds unbelievable, and it makes me humble to realize how blessed my career has been. Looking forward to what will come…

– Bachelor of Arts in Education, University of Missouri
– Montessori Early Childhood Credential, American Montessori Society, Meca-Seton)
– Montessori Infant-Toddler Credential, American Montessori Society, Meca-Seton

Outside of School:
I enjoy traveling, hiking and kayaking. I love being with my family – being able to follow our six grandchildren around is the best part of my life outside of work. 

Favorite thing about the Montessori Method:
The respect and trust given to each individual child.

Education & Experience:
Melisa has over thirty years of experience working in Montessori Infant and Toddler classrooms. Some have called her the “baby whisperer.” Melisa has her infant toddler Montessori training and is AMS certified for ages 0-3 years old. 

Outside of the classroom, she has presented at various Montessori Conferences, been an instructor at Montessori Teacher Education Programs, and is a contributor to Infant and Toddler Journal. 

– AMS 0-3 certified
– 30+ years working in Montessori Infant and Toddler
– Former instructor at Montessori Teacher Education Programs
– Presenter at Montessori Conferences
– Published contributor to Infants and Toddler Journal

A Little About Me:
When I’m not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my three children and our numerous animals. I also enjoy building things and doing wood working.

Favorite thing about the Montessori Method:
My favorite thing about the Montessori method is the respect given to children. From the beautiful environments to the way we speak to them, the children are respected, and in return, we get to see the amazing potential of young children.

Education & Experience:
I have my bachelors in art education and my masters in early childhood education. I have an AMS infant toddler credential. And have been working in various roles in Montessori schools since 2009.

A Little About Me:
When I am not working, I am busy being a boy mom of two which means beating them at Mario Kart and attending their activities. I also enjoy a good latte, being lazy with my dog and buying art supplies.

Favorite thing about the Montessori Method:
One of my favorite things about Montessori is the emphasis on following the child. I love that each child is allowed and encouraged to learn at their own pace. No two children are the same and the children in a Montessori environment are respected, trusted, and guided to bloom in their time. 

I also love the emphasis on helping to facilitate the child’s independence. Children are so much more capable that they are sometimes given credit for and the Montessori environment is prepared for the child to explore and use independently. These things allow the child to feel confident in themselves and promote a love of learning.

Finally, I love the emphasis on Grace and Courtesy and Peace Education. No one can express it better than Maria Montessori, “The child is both a hope and promise of Mankind.”

Education & Experience:
I have worked in a Montessori environment since 2008; first as an assistant, then as the Artist-in-Residence, followed by being an intern and co-teacher, and currently as a Lead Directress in the Primary classroom for the past seven years. 

In addition to my 3-6 AMS Montessori Certification(Hope Montessori Educational Institute), I have a Master’s Degree in Renaissance Art History (American University), and a Bachelor of Special Studies in Art/Art History/Anthropology (Cornell College). 

I also have a strong love of nature and integrate nature into my classroom and teaching style. I have presented at numerous conferences on Montessori and nature. 

A Little About Me:
Outside of school I enjoy spending time with my family, especially my mom and my two daughters. 

I love going hiking, reading, going to the theater, and attending as many art fairs as we can! I also have great aspirations of getting back into the pottery studio in my spare time!