Our Teachers
There is a wealth of experience amongst our teachers who have been teaching in the area for many years.
Veranda Commons Location
Primary
School Director and Primary Co-Teacher, Lisa King has taught Montessori Education since 1996. She holds a 3-6 Montessori (AMS) credential from the Center for Montessori Teacher Education and has been trained in the Lindamood Bell Phonemic Sequencing Program. She has also assisted at the Litchfield Park Kumon Reading Center since 1991.
Primary Co-Teacher, Polly Franklin has taught Montessori Education since 1999. She holds a 3-6 Montessori (AMS) credential from the Center for Montessori Teacher Education. She has a BA in Journalism from NAU and has completed the Kindermusik curriculum. She has assisted at the Litchfield Park Kumon Reading Center since 1999.
Primary Assistant, Wendy Phifer has assisted in a Montessori classroom since 2000. She has completed Introduction to Montessori seminar and Assistant Training through the Center for Montessori Teacher Education (AMS).
Elementary
Elementary Co-Teacher, Heather Hume has taught Montessori Education since 2006. She also holds a BA in English from NE Missouri State and has completed coursework for a Masters in Education. She holds her Elementary Montessori Certification from the North American Montessori Center. She is also a product of Montessori education.
Elementary Co-Teacher, Jodi Qualters has a BS degree in Education with a dual major in Elementary and Special Education from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. She has completed graduate level course work in education and has her Lower Elementary Diploma from the North American Montessori Program in February, 2008. Mrs. Qualters has taught since 1996 in both the public and private sector in classrooms from Kindergarten through 4th grade in all subjects. Most recently, she is the reading teacher in the Elementary classroom at Montessori In The Park.
Elementary Co-Teacher, Tara Mott has worked in the field of education since 1997. With a bachelor's degree in regular and Special Education she taught in the public school system for several years. While looking for a preschool program for her oldest daughter she became interested in Montessori education. She has since received her AMI primary diploma, a Masters in Montessori Education from Loyola College in Maryland, and has completed her NAMC Lower Elementary Certification. She has taught in the Montessori environment since 2003.
Elementary Assistant, Karen Darby is a married mother of 3 daughters. She has 2 years experience running and teaching an in-home preschool classroom. She has assisted in the 1st grade reading groups at Rancho Santa Fe Elementary School during the 2007-2008 school year. Mrs. Darby has taught Sunday school and has directed Vacation Bible School. She will be obtaining her Montessori Assistant Certification.
Indian School Crossing Location
Primary
Primary Co-Teacher, Danielle McEuen has been involved in the field of education since 2000 and has been working as a Montessori teacher since 2003. She received her AMI primary diploma in 2004. Danielle has a five year old daughter that has given her strong faith in the Montessori philosophy.
Primary Assistant Teacher, Shannon Pursell holds a B.A. degree from the University of Tulsa. She has also completed course work towards an M.A. in Literature from Arizona State University. As a former high school English teacher, she became interested in the Montessori Method when her own children reached pre-school age. She has completed Montessori Assistant Teacher training. Shannon will receive full certification in the Montessori method in spring 2010. While continuing in her role as assistant teacher for the 2009-2010 academic year, she will also be fulfilling her responsibilities towards her Montessori training, as she also takes on the role of intern.
Primary Assistant, Kim Doll is a married mother with one son, and was born and raised in the West Valley. She gained experience working with children at Trinity Lutheran Church and School in kindergarten and preschool, as an assistant from 2003 - 2008. To further her experience, she will be obtaining her Montessori assistant training in September 2009. She looks forward to working with your children, and is excited about the move to Montessori in the Park.
"It is true, we cannot make a genius," Dr. Montessori once wrote, "we can only give each individual the chance to fulfill his potential possibilities to become an independent, secure and balanced human being."