Meet Our Staff

Welcome to Buffalo Grove Montessori School. I’m the Executive Director/ CEO and founder of BGMS.  My Montessori journey/ story goes way back…to 1971.  I was a college student on my way to a BA in Behavioral Science, looking for a part time assistant teaching job.  I found my way to a Montessori school. As luck or fate would have it, I was hired by a wonderful teacher who later was acknowledged as a “Montessori Living Legacy.”  Sonnie took me under her wing.  It couldn’t have been a more perfect beginning.  My mentor changed my life.  I will forever be thankful for her guidance and inspiration.  She actually drove me to the Montessori Training Center and handed me over to yet another “Living Legacy” for formal training and so my journey began.

My husband (also a Montessori teacher) and I opened our first school with our toddler in tow in 1975. We were on a mission to create a beautiful environment and facilitate an experience that would provide the framework that would encourage our child (all children) to fulfill his innate potential. Our school expanded. One program led to another as our family grew to include three children and two schools. Our children are all grown, professional “Montessorians” in their own right and are continuing our family legacy. Our ten grandchildren are either alum or current students. We are an all Montessori all the time family!

I have been passionate about Montessori since first stepping into a classroom.  I was struck with the thought that I never wanted to leave and here I am, over forty years later, never wanting to leave.  I realize I am happiest when in the presence of the children.  I also realize that it is “the child” who reminds me of the most important things in life.  It is “the child” who brings joy and hope to our world.  There is nothing more precious than children.  Nor is there a more important time than early childhood.  I am grateful to have the opportunity to serve the children and families who are part of our community and am delighted to now be the mentor who provides guidance and inspiration to those coming after me.

Head of School – Administration

I came to Little Peoples Montessori (now BGMS) in January of 1981 newly graduated from college with a Music Education degree.  At the time, I was glad to find work with children, thinking I would move on to teach elementary music the following fall.  Then, I fell in love with the children and the Montessori philosophy.  I completed my Early Childhood Montessori credential in 1984 and soon discovered that my teacher training was also the best parent training I could have found.   By the time my third child was born, I found myself teaching less and administrating more.  While I manage everything from enrollment to safety drills, I love that my job still pulls me into the classroom often enough to keep me grounded in understanding that the children are my most important responsibility. 

“Joy, feeling one’s own value, being appreciated and loved by others, feeling useful and capable of production are all factors of enormous value to the human soul.”  Maria Montessori

This is my hope for everyone who is a part of our BGMS community.

Head of School – Program

I began working with BGMS then “Little Peoples Montessori” in 1978 as a teenager working through a high school work program.  I left college to study the Montessori philosophy of educating the “whole child” full time and completed my Early Childhood Montessori credential in 1981.  As I raised my family, I found myself implementing the Montessori philosophy at home as well as with my students at BGMS.

I believe that learning is never ending.  There is always something new to be explored and teachers need to be open to opportunities for growth.  The best part of my job is watching the children in my classroom develop into independent, creative, lifelong learners who are not afraid to challenge themselves.  As Maria Montessori said; “Free the child’s potential and you will transform him into the world.”

Business Manager

I’m proud to say that I’m a former student and a member of the Buffalo Grove Montessori School alumni.  I have experienced almost every aspect that the school has to offer from being a previous student and having performed many different roles as a staff member.

I spent some time apart from the school while serving 4 years in the US Navy. Upon my return and completion of a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 2012, I stepped into my current position at Buffalo Grove Montessori as well as with our sister school Greenbrook Montessori as Business Manager. My college coursework also includes an Early Childhood Teacher Certificate making me uniquely qualified to support the Head of School in both locations. I float between the two schools managing the food service programs, the building and the finances. As a second generation Montessorian, I believe that the Montessori philosophy is truly a foundation for life as well as a method of education.

Educational Coordinator

I am a director and educational coordinator at both Buffalo Grove Montessori and our sister school in Hanover Park, Greenbrook Montessori School. I enjoy my job because I get to be involved in each of our classrooms supporting the children and teachers. Getting to know the families as I do orientations, meetings and school events is a fulfilling part of my job.

I began my teacher training in 1997 after the birth of my oldest daughter. I fell in love with the birth -three concepts that Montessori had to offer. I went on to take the 3-6 training and enjoyed working in those classrooms while my children also attended the program. I loved being able to continue the Montessori experience for my girls at our home as well. I believe that letting children have some free choice and independence is key to helping them develop into confident adults.