Staff Profiles

Administrative Team : Beth, Patti, Sandy, Shannon, Aaron, and Carla

BETH MACDONALD....is the Executive Director of MacDonald Montessori. She started with MMS in March, 1986. "Our connection with the Reggio Emilia philosophy has breathed new life and purpose into our school for young children. It has deepened our commitment to creating a school that supports children and families and teachers in a new way of connecting with each other."

PAT DALY...started with MMS in September, 1986. Patti and I have been friends for 40 years and she is a treasure as a friend and peer on this journey. "I have always felt parents had their job and we had ours. They took care of the children at home and brought them to us to care for during the day. Now I see parents and teachers as interwoven and interconnected....a deeper, richer fabric...much more beautiful."

SANDY BURWELL...has been teaching for more then 40th years! She started with MMS in March, 1986. "Why do I like working at this school ...listening to, watching, and developing a relationship with each child; helping to build community; pursuing and sharing my passions ...laughing often."

SHANNON O'CONNOR...started with MMS in February, 1990. Shannon is a ray of sunshine and brings many gifts and talents to the children. "Our school has a solid foundation but it also grows and contracts and is flexible in it's exploration of new ideas and concepts. I enjoy seeing staff and parents working and flowing in this flexible way."

AARON MACDONALD ...started with MMS in January, 2001. "I really started at MMS when I was 12 against the child labor laws at the time. I graduated from UW-Eau Claire with a BBA in Business Management. The children here make me laugh and smile with their honesty, creativity, and joy for life. My responsibilities include, but are not limited to: all things financial, repairs, assembly, disassembly, HR benefits, supplies, payroll, painting, and I jump in to help with the occasional diaper when needed. The best part about my job is visiting the children in each classroom and getting to know the parents."

CARLA EVANS ...started with MMS September, 2003. "I have been a MMS parent since March of 1998 when Tyler started in the infant room. After working for many years in corporate America, it has been fun and rewarding working with the children. The children really see things that I walk by everyday and don't notice. Their joy and lust for life is infectious."

Nest Room Team : Victoria, Perrys, and Jill

PERRYS WAHINYA..started with MMS in March, 2001. "Our goal is to make sure that we value each one of our children individually create an environment in which children feel comfortable enough for them to open up to us and in return we treasure them."

VICTORIA OKWABI... started with MMS April, 2003. "I enjoy working with MMS children because they are nice and friendly. I hope to do my best to train them to become respectful children in the future and keep them in a safe environment."

JILL BERGHOLTZ..started with MMS in JUNE, 2007. "I am pursuing a college degree in Child Psychology. I enjoy working with children because it gives me an opportunity to work with our future, because these children are our future. I love children and I hope to bring a fun and safe environment for the children we care for." Jill will be working in the Nest room while Akua is on maternity leave.

Garden Room Team : Mary, Corrine, and Naomi

MARY SCHMITZ... started with MMS in October, 2003. "I have been bringing my beautiful son, Alan here since he was an infant. I have a background in early childhood education and have 12 years experience. I am also a massage therapist. I am excited to be with children again. They are such a joy to be around."

CORINNE TILL...started with MMS in May, 2003. "I have one daughter named Kimberly. Currently I am going to St. Paul College to get my AAS degree in Child Development. I've had experience in all of the classrooms and I enjoy working with young children as well as being a part of their learning experience."

NAOMI BOTCHWAY...started with MMS in August, 2004. "I heard a lot about the school for almost one year before I entered. I really like everything in the school, especially the babies. Love taking care of children because they are gifted and very precious. Thank you."

Wind Song Room Team : Brittney, Tricia, and Jennifer

JENNIFER TOGSTAD

Peace Room Team : Francesca, Robyn and Sara

FRANCESCA "FRANNIE" AFRIYIE...joined our staff in 2004 and left to return to Africa for a family emergency. She is back and will be returning to MMS this September. Welcome back. "I like working here and with the children because it has always been my dream to work with children because they are honest and funny to be around."

ROBYN STASHENKO...started with MMS in August, 1999. "I enjoy working in the early childhood field because I feel the first few years in a child's life are an especially important time for nurturing healthy development and learning. It's also nice to be able to have an impact on the future lives of children."

SARA SCHULTE...started with MMS in October, 2006. "I have worked in early childhood for the past five years. I am currently attending Concordia University to finish my B.A. in Child Development. What I love most about my job is watching children learn and discover new things. I love to watch the excitement of a child doing something for the first time, and I love being a part of guiding their learning."

Sun Room Team : Joni, Sammelia, and Dom

JONI CHRISTIANSEN...started with MMS in June, 1999. "I work with children because they are funny, honest, silly, curious, creative and real. They have so much potential. I feel children need freedom and the chance to show their true colors."

SAMMELIA SAM BREW ..started with MMS in January, 2001. "The turtle is slow but it reaches its goal at the end of the day. The turtle is like the child as an infant. One very slow in learning, but will reach its goal at the end of the day or in the near future."

DOM D'VALLE...started with MMS in October, 2001. "I've experienced many wonderful adventures here. In my time here I've spent enough time in each room to observe and take in the different abilities within each age group. This journey at MacDonald Montessori has taught me many lessons that will be with me for life, and for that I want to thank the children, the babies to the oldest school ager, for the many gifts they have given me."

Shell Room Team : Liz, Kari, and Edith

LIZ WATZL...started with MMS in September, 1999. "It is wonderful to see the children grow and change, and watch their faces light up when they see you. I think children need most a happy and safe place to be when they are not at home."

KARI RYG...started with MMS in September, 2006. "I graduated from Hamline University with a degree in Communication Studies, and am currently working on my Masters degree in Education from St. Kate's. Children inspire me to look at the world with an open mind and a fresh perspective. As their teacher I feel my role is to encourage their creativity, respect their individuality, and instill in them a love of learning. Teaching is a privilege and an honor. Early childhood education in particular is powerful and I am lucky to be a part of it."

EDITH CHAVARRIA

Reflection Room Team : Shannon, Dan, and Hannah

SHANNON O'CONNOR [See Administrative Team]

DAN ESTEY ...started with MMS in February, 2007. "I enjoy working in each classroom and learning from each child. My goal is to make them laugh and smile. I graduated from Bethel University with a BA in Physical Education, in 2000. I have worked in early childhood education since graduation. In my free time I enjoy rock climbing, spending time with my friends and family, and watching/playing sports."

HANNAH BOTCHWAY THOMAS

River Room Team : Kelly, Anna, and Dave (AM)

KELLY KRITSBERG...started with MMS in April, 2004. "Coming to MMS has been a great transition for me and my son, Benjamin. The staff, parents and children have made us feel very welcomed. I enjoy the atmosphere of MMS. I am attending Dakota Technical College to finish my degree in Early Childhood Education."

ANNA BARTHOLOME...started with MMS in June, 2006. "I graduated from Hamline University in 2000. I also hold a Minnesota State teaching license. I received Montessori training through the College of St. Catherine. I believe that a child's early childhood learning experience can shape their educational experience for the rest of their lives. As a teacher, I feel my role is to provide children with the necessary tools and strategies to make them successful learners. I learn as much from the children as they learn from me. I feel very fortunate to have a job that brings me such joy!"

DAVE HAIDER ...started with MMS in 2007. "I have just completed my Associate degree in Applied Science in Radiological Technology and I was a ski instructor for many years. I find children to be incredibly funny, honest and intelligent. I would like to help this school to continue to be an environment where learning and growth are encouraged. I will be proud if I can contribute to that goal."

School Age Room : Amy and Dave (PM)

AMY WORTMAN ...started with MMS in February, 2007. "I work in the studio with the school-agers. I have enjoyed the change to teaching after working for ten years as a scenic artist for theaters. At MMS I enjoy painting and clay. I live in St. Paul with my tree hugging husband and our two naughty mini-pins."

DAVE HAIDER ...started with MMS in 2007. "I have just completed my Associate degree in Applied Science in Radiological Technology and I was a ski instructor for many years. I find children to be incredibly funny and honest and intelligent. I would like to help this school to continue to be an environment where learning and growth are encouraged. I will be proud if I can contribute to that goal."

Substitute Staff: cover when staff are out sick or have time off:

Nanc, Akua, Sarah, and Hannah

NANC JOHNSON...started with MMS in 2001. "I enjoy working here every single minute! Seriously, I'm so happy to be able to work here, this is my second home. I think children need attention, love, consistency; a safe haven...basically enrolled at MMS!!"

HANNAH RYAN.....started with MMS August, 2006. "For the first half of 2006, I was living in a small pueblo in Bolivia. It was there that I realized that I would like to work with children and adolescents in the educational field. Prior, I received a degree in psychology from the University of Minnesota Duluth. At the U, a focus of my studies was Childhood Development. I feel really lucky to be here at MMS, where I know I can use my education to assist in children's growth."

Organizing Special Experiences with Children

Monica, Clare, Lori, and Karen

MONICA MALLEY...joined our staff in MAY, 2007. "I have a B.A. degree from the College of Visual Arts. I love working with children to observe the way they learn and discover their interests. I think this school has a great community and I am drawn to that. My goal is to introduce new materials to the children, help them be creative and use their minds in new ways."

CLARE TURES ...started with MMS in February, 2007. "I love working in an environment where I get to laugh and learn everyday. Before I came to MMS, I worked as a nanny for 7 summers until I started my adventure in California. I lived in Santa Barbara, CA while attending Brooks Institute of Photograph, where I graduated with a BA in photography. Eventually I plan to combine my love of photography and children into a lifelong career!

LORI SCOTTRUSSEL