Eleanor Shields, Upper Elementary Head Teacher
Eleanor holds a Bachelor of Music from College Misericordia in Dallas, PA and a Master of Arts in Counseling from Marywood College in Scranton, PA, with elementary and music teaching certification in the state of Michigan.  Eleanor brings over 20 years of Montessori classroom teaching experience to our Upper Elementary classroom.  She has recently been enlisted by the American Montessori Society to serve as an AMS teacher/classroom evaluator, and to train Montessori educators.  Eleanor 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, Eleanor also had wide experience teaching and counseling both privately and in small groups.  Her dedication to the children and her insights into each student’s learning style and needs optimize her peaceful and productive classroom.  In addition to her classroom responsibilities, Eleanor directs our Spring Musical and the Christmas program.

Karla Chavez, Upper Elementary Teacher; UEL & Middle School Spanish Teacher Karla Chavez is a wonderfully experienced and diverse Montessorian.  Karla holds Montessori credentials in each of the Children's House, Elementary and Middle School levels and has taught at all levels.  She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Instituto Pedagogico Chihuahense in Mexico and started her Montessori career as an Elementary Directress in Chihuahua, Mexico.  She has worked for more than five years as an Elementary level Montessori teacher as well as at a Montessori school for deaf children and in a Spanish immersion Montessori.  She recently completed additional course work in special education at Eastern Michigan.  Karla is an amazing addition to the international emphasis of the CMSAA community.