Faculty and Staff

For me, Montessori is not only an educational philosophy, but a way of parenting and a way of life. After both of my children graduated from Children’s Garden Montessori School, I decided to change my career path and became a Montessori teacher. I have teaching credentials from the American Montessori Society for both infants and toddlers and for early childhood (ages 2½ to 6 years). In 2014, after working as a Montessori teacher for 10 years at Children’s Garden, I left to pursue my dream of opening my own Montessori preschool. Montessori stresses the importance of spending time outside with children. I love being in nature, and I really want to share that love with all of the children I work with, which is why I chose the name “School in the Woods” for our school. While it may not be literally “in the woods,” I want to provide every possible opportunity for children to connect with the natural world – even if they live in the city. My passion for Montessori education and its positive impact on children, coupled with my love of mentoring and coaching adults, has also led me to become involved in the Montessori teacher education program in Boulder. For more than eight years, I have played a role in developing the next generation of Montessori infant and toddler teachers. As a result, I have become recognized nationally as an expert in the Montessori approach for toddlers and sought out to present at national conferences and workshops in other states.

I have been teaching toddlers in Montessori classrooms since 2011. I attended the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies and earned my Montessori Infant and Toddler teaching credential from the American Montessori Society. I learned about Montessori accidentally early in my career and have never looked back. I appreciate the quiet respectfulness of the classroom and the way young children feel empowered by their growing independence. I love witnessing the amazing developmental progress of young children day-to-day. It’s rewarding to watch children flourish in the classroom, not only cognitively, but also physically, emotionally, and personally. These early years fly by, and I am honored to be a part of this marvelous time of your child’s life. I taught toddlers at a Montessori school in Moscow, Russia, for a year. The experience taught me that Montessori is not just appropriate for one culture or community. When you treat children with love and respect, encourage their independence, and create an environment in which they can blossom, it doesn’t matter what their native language is.

I am originally from a small town in Texas but have always felt called by the mountains. A week after graduating from Baylor University, I moved to Denver and worked in sales but was unfulfilled. In 2014, I began my studies at the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies and received my Montessori Infant and Toddler teaching certificate in 2015 from the American Montessori Society. I have been working with both toddlers and infants since then. Working with small children in a Montessori environment creates a kind of ‘magic.’ Children are able to move freely and explore without being told ‘what’ to do but are instead shown ‘how’ to do something. My favorite part of this educational philosophy is working with families. I love answering questions from parents, as well as offering new knowledge and advice. School in the Woods is an exceptional place that fosters ‘Montessori magic’ in all areas. Some of my hobbies outside of the classroom include playing golf with my husband, finding and trying new recipes, and learning how to throw pottery.

As the oldest child in my family, I have been teaching for as long as I can remember. I found my home with the Montessori method, which is not just a way of teaching but also a lifestyle. I received my Montessori Infant and Toddler certificate from the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies in 2011 and earned a master’s degree in 2015 from St. Catherine University in a program called, “Acknowledging Montessori for a Master’s.” My action research project was “The Effects of a Collaborative Team on Early Intervention in a Preschool.” I moved to Colorado from Texas in 2020 and have enjoyed working at School in the Woods since then. One of my favorite things about working with toddlers is the explosion of growth they have between birth and age 3, especially in the area of language. I love working with children and learning from them daily. I also pass along my passion for Montessori education to adult learners as an instructional guide at the Houston Montessori Center and the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies.

From a very young age, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. I started my college career in elementary education and was introduced to the Montessori philosophy. I was so fascinated by it that I did a lot of personal research as well as reaching out to a Montessori school in my town. They allowed me to come observe their early childhood classrooms as well as their toddler classroom, and I instantly fell in love. During college, I worked as a part-time assistant and floater for the early childhood classrooms at the same local Montessori school. After graduating from Louisiana Tech University in 2018, I switched to a full-time position as an assistant in the toddler room. I knew I wanted to get my Montessori certification, so I decided to move to Denver for training in the infant and toddler program at Montessori Education Center of the Rockies. I completed the Montessori certification program in May 2020. Since then, working at School in the Woods has been a wonderful and fulfilling journey for me. I thrive in the classroom and am honored to provide a safe and loving environment for children to learn and grow.

My first exposure to a Montessori classroom was magical. I observed young children empowered to pursue their unique interests in a rich environment of discovery and joy. I knew I wanted to be a part of it. I had just finished my bachelor’s degree in English and anthropology, and I became an assistant in that very classroom. That was more than 20 years ago, and it is one of my happiest life decisions. Since 2002, I have taught as a lead and team teacher at several Denver schools. I have worked as an instructor at the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies (MECR) since 2015, where I also conduct workshops on science and language curriculum and classroom management. I have also worked as a kindergarten teacher. I met Melody Patton when she taught my own child, and I was experiencing parenthood for the first time. I felt secure knowing the type of environment that would surround my daughter – not just physically, but emotionally, intellectually, and socially. A few years later I had the opportunity to co-teach with Melody and experience personally her authentic respect and genuine thoughtfulness for each child in her care. When she opened her own school, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. Before moving to Denver when I was 10, I lived in Malaysia and Brazil. My hobbies include gardening and playing guitar. My whole family loves to sing, and sometimes it feels like we are living in a musical.

My interest in Montessori began with the education of my first daughter, when a friend invited me to observe a Montessori classroom in Rochester, NY. I was immediately fascinated by it and wanted it for my children. Having grown up with six siblings, the multi-age classroom also resonated with me. When my youngest child was almost three, I left a sales job to pursue a Montessori Early Childhood teaching credential. I couldn’t bear the thought of my youngest attending anything other than a Montessori school. I was offered an opportunity as a teaching intern at Malta Montessori School near Saratoga Springs, NY. While there, I completed a master’s degree in preschool education from Endicott College and continued to teach for five years. In 2013, I designed and launched a Montessori summer camp program for the town of Queensbury, NY which ran successfully until I relocated to Colorado. I am very excited to be teaching in Denver, surrounded by my family and the beautiful mountains. When not in the classroom, I can be found hiking, snowboarding, and enjoying the great outdoors with my family.

Guiding and teaching young children fills me with joy. I love watching them grow and learn, and I am excited to be part of their amazing journey. I believe Montessori education gives children the skills and resilience to be independent and self-reliant citizens of the world. As a guide in their young lives, I believe we are responsible for giving them the tools they need to be future leaders. I was introduced to Montessori while working as a paraprofessional in Denver Public Schools, and I have worked at School in the Woods since 2020. I hold a bachelor’s degree in geography from the University of Colorado. I have lived in Denver for more than 25 years and fell in love with the great state of Colorado after spending my youth in the Pacific Northwest. In my spare time I like to cook, workout, play music, ski, and hike.

When I was in first grade, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. When I wasn’t at school, I was playing school with my dolls and stuffed animals. Through college, I worked with children of many different ages and in a variety of settings, all of which I loved. However, the more I worked with young children, the more I realized that was where I could have the greatest impact. During this time, the foundation for learning and growing begins. The love of learning and the development of one’s self-image starts at birth. While working at Pasadena Head Start in California, I attended Pacific Oaks College and earned a degree in human development with specialization in early childhood education. From there I continued teaching young children until I was offered a job with Montessori at Mile High Child Care as a mentor teacher. I fell in love with the Montessori philosophy and subsequently pursued my Montessori Early Childhood teaching credential at Montessori Education Center of the Rockies in Boulder. I am so passionate about it that my daughter was raised in our home as a Montessori child from birth through 18 years old, and as an adult she continues to honor its principles. When not at work with children, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, whether we’re outside running, walking, hiking, or simply being a part of the world around us.

Working with children has always been my joy. In high school I worked in afterschool care, volunteered at church, and spent summers as a day camp counselor. After graduating with a B.F.A. in interior design from the University of Central Oklahoma, a talk with a good friend led me to think about what I would do if I could do anything. I discovered I wanted to teach. I went back to UCO, where I earned a master’s in early childhood education, then taught English in South Korea, and finished my student teaching early to accept a kindergarten position at an inner-city school. I spent three years in mainstream education before Montessori crossed my path. Montessori came into my life in 2017 when I co-taught in an early childhood classroom and taught yoga to kindergartners. The materials, environment, and uninterrupted work period were fascinating, and I learned that respect is elemental to every aspect of the Montessori pedagogy. I earned my Montessori Early Childhood teaching credential at Oklahoma City University. Marriage and a sense of adventure brought me to Colorado. I love gardening, yoga, skiing, camping, hiking, and relaxing. Watching and coaxing my plants to grow and bloom gives me great pleasure. Practicing yoga stretches and strengthens my body, mind, and spirit. There is no doubt that each of my passions is incorporated into and influenced by my teaching.

My Montessori journey began like many others – observing a Montessori classroom. I have always loved children and connected with them through babysitting, working at summer camps, and volunteering for Movement Exchange, an incredible organization that provides accessible and sustainable dance education in under-resourced communities. At Movement Exchange, I used dance, a passion of mine, as a vehicle for social change, working with children in Panama. The experience helped guide me to teaching. As soon as I stepped foot in a Montessori classroom, I felt instantly aligned. The respect for the whole child and individualized curriculum, along with freedom of movement and choice in each classroom, enticed me. I began working as an assistant toddler guide before becoming a lead co-teacher in the toddler community. As I spent more time in the classroom and had the opportunity to take courses and attend more workshops, my eagerness to learn more grew exponentially. I began teaching in an age 3-6 classroom in 2020, and soon after attended Trine University to obtain my Montessori Early Childhood teaching credential through the American Montessori Society. The pedagogy has become much more than how I teach, but how I live my life as well. My boyfriend and I decided to move to Colorado in the summer of 2023 to be closer to the mountains and to be part of a community with opportunities to grow and connect even more. In my free time I enjoy spending time with friends and family, taking walks and going on hikes with my dog, camping, gardening, and doing yoga. I am currently learning how to play the baritone ukulele and exploring rock climbing.

I was introduced to Montessori when my daughter attended a primary program at a neighborhood school and experienced first-hand how it provided her with the opportunity to choose, concentrate, develop independence, and ignite a desire to learn. Motivated to be part of something so special, I trained and became certified by the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies for Lower Elementary (grades 1-3) in 2010. After completing my practicum at Denver Public Schools’ Lincoln Elementary, I joined the school’s staff and continued as a lead teacher within DPS for 11 years. I currently hold a Colorado Department of Education (CDE) English Language Acquisition certificate, a CDE Science of Reading certificate, and a Colorado State teaching license for grades K-6. Outside of education, I enjoy spending time with my husband, daughter, and our dog, Max. My hobbies include traveling, yoga, stand-up paddleboarding, playing cello, pottery, and gardening.

I earned my Montessori Early Childhood teaching credential in 2004 and have taught in several schools as a primary lead teacher. However, my Montessori experience began long before that – I was a Montessori child myself. Teaching children is a passion, and I believe it is my calling. I left teaching temporarily to complete my bachelor’s degree in psychology and human development with a minor in elementary education, then extended the break from teaching to begin raising my daughter in late 2014. Expanding my formal education and becoming a mother have aided in my personal growth and benefits my teaching and relationships with parents. As a dancer and a traveler, I enjoy incorporating world culture, music, and dance into my classrooms. Bringing in culturally rich experiences from my own travels and encouraging children to be active has always felt natural and necessary. I also make it a priority to teach children about the environment and spend time outdoors. Not only do I love it, but so do they. Above all, it is my goal to instill a joy for learning in every child.

At 21 years old, my wise mother gifted me the book "The Absorbent Mind" by Dr. Maria Montessori. It sat on my bookshelf for a few months until one day I decided to read it. As I began turning the pages, it was as if a switch inside me had been turned on. One page after another, I couldn’t put it down. It was as though Maria Montessori put into words all the knowledge and wisdom my heart desired to help change the world. I knew from that moment where my destiny was headed. Three months later I was enrolled at Montessori Education Center of the Rockies and part of the 2016/2017 early childhood cohort. Since then, I’ve taught preschool in the Denver metro area. I have completed 90 hours of yoga teacher training for kids and family yoga and love to share it with the children when working in the classroom. Montessori philosophy has proved to be much more than my profession; it is a way of life. Becoming a mother has allowed me to integrate Montessori into our daily lives and has given me a wider understanding of children. My son, Rowan, has proven to be my biggest teacher and inspiration. During my free time, you can find me in the yoga studio, on the golf course, or hiking the mountains.

I was bound to enter the profession of teaching, just as my 5th grade teacher predicted. I first discovered Montessori after college graduation while looking for a teaching position. After working for a year as a toddler assistant teacher, I enrolled in training, which I completed at Montessori Education Center of the Rockies. I have been teaching in a Montessori toddler classroom since 2014 and love every minute of it. I moved to Colorado from Georgia after college because I wanted to start a life out west. I love hiking and the scent of the pine trees, and being outside rejuvenates me. School in the Woods called to me with just its name. The woods and schooling are where I want to be. The mission of School in the Woods explains exactly what I want to accomplish in life, “living in peace with others and in harmony with nature.” A toddler’s curiosity and enthusiasm for life is what motivated Maria Montessori to open her school and what motivates me to teach. Every day is a new and exciting experience in the classroom, and I cannot wait to see what each new day brings at School in the Woods.

My introduction to Montessori started when our neighborhood school decided to add a Montessori program. My son was a kindergartner in their first Primary Montessori classroom in 2003. Watching young children develop independence, coordination, concentration, and order throughout my son’s Montessori education, and working as a substitute teacher, made me a believer in Montessori and led me to take Montessori training. I earned my Montessori Early Childhood teaching credential in 2012. A Montessori education gives young children opportunities to further develop their own capabilities while gaining a love of learning as they explore and work in the various areas of a Montessori classroom. Watching children learn in a Montessori environment is rewarding and brings me joy. Through working in Montessori classrooms, I have learned to slow down, focus on a single task, and concentrate more, therefore giving me a chance to reappreciate the details in nature, art, and life. I retired from Denver Public Schools in June 2022 and returned to substitute teaching. When I am not subbing, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, being outdoors, searching for public art, and reading.

Interacting with younger children has been my passion since the age of 12, when my little brother was born. While I knew that teaching was always close to my heart, I took a winding road to find the Montessori method. I moved to Bosnia and Herzegovina to finish high school at the United World College (International Baccalaureate Diploma Program). This experience opened the world to me, and in 2018, I graduated from Colorado College with a bachelor’s degree in mathematical economics and French. I earned a master’s degree in French literature from CU-Boulder in 2020. I discovered the beauty of Montessori’s pedagogy when I observed a bilingual Montessori school in Paris. I was fascinated by the warm and calm environment, and the respect that both adults and children showed to one another. Eventually, the Montessori Method became the main topic of my French bachelor’s thesis. In 2019, I earned my Montessori Early Childhood teaching credential at the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies, and I joined the School in the Woods team in 2020. I work each day to create a classroom experience in which children feel seen and heard – a place where their curiosity guides us to make learning a fascinating journey. In my free time, I love running, rock climbing, hiking, and figure skating. I also enjoy home improvement projects, experimenting with vegetarian meals, and baking.