About the Staff

Ms. Laura (Head Teacher): BS in Child Development, Master in Education with Montessori Major as well as Montessori Preschool Certification.  She also has an Indiana teaching license from PreK-8th grades.   She has 11 years of teaching experience in three different in Montessori Preschools and one first grade classroom at a private, Catholic college-prep school.   She was a Montessori student herself as a child and her three children have attended Montessori as well.

Miss Heather:  (Montessori Aide) Heather is a wonderful Montessori aide in the classroom and has experience with young children through her work at the YMCA and nanny positions.  She has attended an UMSI (United Montessori Schools of Indiana) conference in the Winter/Spring 2009 and recently completed a Para Professional Montessori 3-6 course in Indianapolis in July 2009 from Mecca-Seton. We are so proud of her accomplishments and dedication to the Montessori Method.  Heather is a full-time employee with CHMA.

Ms. Crystal: (Montessori Teacher): Ms. Crystal holds a NAMC 3-6 Montessori certification which she received in 2005.  She has worked with both Montessori preschool and toddler-aged children.   She will be substituting on the classroom in 2010.  She has a passion for art and the children are drawn to her artistic abilities. Her son, Austin, also attended Montessori with us.  We are pleased to have her at CHMA.

Ms. Amy: (Aide): Ms. Amy will be assisting Ms. Laura, Miss Heather, and Ms. Crystal in the classroom with the many tasks that are required to maintain a well functioning preschool.  She has had two of her own children enrolled in Montessori as well has been employed as an Administrative Asst.  in the Montessori Academy in the past.  We are glad to have her part-time help and appreciate her contributions in the classroom.

Mr. Nate (Maintenance/Grounds ):   He is a friendly and well- liked person in the classroom as well as Ms. Laura's fiancé. He loves to be around the children encouraging them to perform to their best abilities.  The children also enjoy the games he plays with them on the playground.  He helps to prepare and organize the classroom and maintains the property and the grounds.   

 We always appreciate and welcome volunteers and people who desire to learn more about us to come and visit and assist us in our daily activities.   Must go through a complete background check in order to work with the children, which is simple to do.

 We ensure you that the staff has awareness of how a young child develops and learns.  Staff members serve as role models and caregivers, but sometimes they are just there to observe and inspire.  We maintain a ratio of 1 staff member per 10 children.  All staff members are CPR& First Aide certified. They have passed a TB testing and health checks.  By state law, criminal background checks are also performed on all staff members.  Full Criminal Background History which includes fingerprinting as well as drug testing will be a necessity to work at The Academy.