But let us seek to implant in the soul the self-sacrificing spirit of the scientist with the reverent love of the disciple of Christ, and we shall have prepared the spirit of the teacher. From the child itself, he will learn how to perfect himself as an educator…   - Maria Montessori

 Montessori teachers approach education with the development of the whole child in mind. They are trained in the planes of development and sensitive periods for learning unique to each age level. Using this knowledge teachers observe children and respond to their academic, emotional, and spiritual needs. Montessori teachers use a balance of systems and spontaneity to facilitate student success. The preparation of the teacher is equally important as the preparation of the environment. 

Young Children’s Community for Toddlers

Teneka Epps – Head Teacher

Ms. Teneka has 14 years experience working with children and families. She received her Montessori infant and toddler training in 2000 through the Center for Montessori Teacher Education/NY and spent seven years working as an assistant and then lead teacher in the Infant and Toddler program at the Alpha Montessori in Flint. She has also working in traditional child care environment, bringing her love of Montessori with her. In addition, Ms. Teneka has had the privilege of working with POWER Inc., leading parenting classes while working to complete her bachelor’s degree in Special Education and two associate’s degrees, one in Elementary Education and one in Secondary Education.

 Children’s House

Laura Hutchinson – Head Teacher

A very experienced Montessorian, Ms. Laura has taught at both AMI and AMS schools in Ohio, Virginia and New York. Her Montessori career started in 1976 at the Hershey Montessori School in Ohio and went on to include a wonderful variety of settings ranging from a small, two-room school in a church basement to large school serving children from the infant community through Middle School. Ms. Laura has a Bachelor of Science in Education from Edgecliff College in Ohio and holds an AMI Montessori Certification.  

Alison Makarewich – Assistant Teacher

Ms. Alison joined CMSAA in 2001. She spent her first six years at the school as the Assistant Teacher in Children’s House I. She has also shared her many talents working in administration and in LEL. Ms. Alison holds a degree in Childhood Development from Ferris State University and her Montessori preprimary certification from the Adrian Dominican Montessori Teacher Education Institute. 

Jessica Guerra – Assistant Teacher  

Ms. Jessica came to CMSAA as an intern in September, 2004 and she joined the Children’s House II classroom as Assistant Teacher the following school year.  She received her Montessori Certification at Brookfield Academy in Rochester Hills and her Associate Degree in Child Development from Wayne County Community College.  Her previous Montessori teaching experience was at Montessori Children’s Center in Allen Park and Meadowbank Schools in Lincoln Park.

Bambino and Aftercare

Janet Bilotto – Bambino and Aftercare Staff

Ms. Janet has a wealth of aftercare and childcare experience.  She has worked for both public and Montessori schools in their aftercare and summer camp programs and has worked as a nanny to children from those programs.  Ms. Janet loves the outdoors and is always quick to join the children in their playtime.

Lower Elementary

Carmen Williams – Co-Head Teacher

Ms. Carmen is one of CMSAA’s founding teachers, and she has worked with our Lower Elementary students for a total of nine years. She completed her Montessori training for both Lower Elementary and Upper Elementary certification at the Columbus Montessori Teacher Training Center.  Her prior experience includes teaching at both the Lower and Upper Elementary levels at Giving Tree Montessori School in Detroit, and serving as the Assistant Directress there.  Ms. Carmen is a graduate of the University of Detroit, with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies.

Sarah Chandler – Co-Head Teacher

An experienced and seasoned Montessori educator, Ms. Sarah came to CMSAA in the fall of 2008 with a wealth of Montessori experience. She is certified to teach at the Lower Elementary and Children’s House levels and has served as a Lower Elementary trainer with the Michigan Montessori Teacher Education Center since 1996.  Before joining CMSAA, Ms. Sarah was a Lower Elementary head teacher for seven years, a Children’s House head teacher for five, and has served as a curriculum coordinator both formally and informally throughout her career. Ms. Sarah has worked with every level of CMSAA students, from teaching in the Toddler program for the last two years to lending her experience to our art classes, aftercare and the Bambino program. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Art Education from Western Michigan University.

Upper Elementary

Eleanor Shields – Head Teacher

Ms. Shields brings over 20 years of Montessori classroom teaching experience to our Upper Elementary classroom.  Through the American Montessori Society, Ms. Shields served as a teacher/classroom evaluator.  She received her formal Montessori training with Lower and Upper Elementary AMS certification from the Columbus Montessori Teacher Training Center.  Prior to completing her Montessori training, Ms. Shields had wide experience teaching and counseling both privately and in small groups.  Ms. Shields holds a Bachelor of Music from Misericordia University in Dallas, PA and a Master of Arts in Counseling from Marywood University in Scranton, PA, with elementary (K-8) and music (K-12) teaching certification in the state of Michigan.

Content Area Specialists

 Music

Patti Yonka is a teacher educator for many AMS programs and former Administrator for Columbus Montessori Center – COMET.  She has worked as an elementary classroom teacher and a “Peace through Music” educator with infants through adults since 1977.  She is the administrator of the AMS Peace Table and is a founding board member of the “Global Citizenship Action Project,” a professional conference for students, ages 12 to 15, held annually in New York City each October. As an annual delegate to the United Nations DPI / NGO Conference and through her peace and justice work, Patti has made connections with many peace educators and advocates outside of the Montessori Community. She has recently recorded a Music CD entitled, Peace Through Music which is now included with the book, Honoring the Light of the Child, by Sonnie McFarland.

 Physical Education

Many Ann Arbor families may already know Roby Knight who heads our Physical Education program. Roby has coached gymnastics for 22 years, oversees the Ann Arbor Rec & Ed gymnastics program, and for the last 6 years has run physical education programs in several Montessori schools in the Greater Detroit area.

 Art

Sarah Chandler, who holds a Bachelor of Science in Art Education from Western Michigan University and has Montessori credentials at both the Children’s House and Elementary levels, works with elementary students as they develop the foundation skills necessary for drawing and painting, as well as art appreciation. In her own Lower Elementary classroom as well as Upper Elementary, Sarah gives small group skill lessons to students and provides them the opportunity to choose art activities as part of their work throughout the week

Children and Worship

Mrs. Cho-Kyung Kim holds a Montessori certification at the Children’s House level and has completed training in the Children and Worship program.   She meets with students from each class from Children’s House through Elementary, providing opportunities for reflection and a deeper understanding of the Bible stories presented through the Children and Worship storytelling method.