I have always had a passion for working with young children and have close to 30 years of experience in the early education field, primarily with preschool aged children. I've worked as a classroom assistant, lead teacher, assistant director, director, ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapist, and business owner. I am a certified yoga teacher and certified SEL (Social Emotional Learning) and Wellness facilitator. I am in love with the Montessori method of learning and take joy in guiding young children along in their education experience. When I'm not busy teaching, I enjoy spending time with my husband and five children. As animal lovers, we also have a dog, a cat, and five chickens to care for!
After graduating from the UW – Madison, my career path led me to managing in Toys 'R' Us stores for six years. It is there my love for children began. After having my first child, I embraced my new role as a stay at home mom. When my child turned three, I visited numerous preschools and the academic, peaceful, and busy Montessori classroom was the best fit for my daughter. Soon after joining the Small World community, the teachers that were there for 26 years had decided to retire. I, along with my sister-in-law, applied for the job and have now been teaching for well over 20 years. Along with being a mother and wife, this has been one of the most rewarding experiences.
I have a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Cardinal Stritch University. I decided to become a stay-at-home mom in 2020, which led me to learning about the Montessori method of teaching. I found Small World Montessori School when I was looking for part-time schooling for my then 2 & 4 year olds. I loved the calm, comforting atmosphere SWMS offered when transitioning my littles from home to school. In the Fall of 2023, after a year of being a SWMS parent- I joined the team as a substitute teacher which transitioned into an Office/Staff Support role. I find joy in the day-to-day and have a passion for helping others. It has been such a rewarding journey being able to engage with all the brilliant little minds and working alongside the l compassionate staff here at SWMS. My free time is spent working on house projects, spending time outdoors, and creating memories with my partner and children. “Childhood is a short season” Helen Hayes
I come to Small World Montessori School with over 20 years of early childhood experience. I found out about Maria Montessori late in my education at UW-Parkside and began reading more about her methods and observing in Montessori schools early in my career. I believe in the power of the Montessori method to help a child reach their full potential. Over the years I have tried to incorporate as much of those methods as I could in other child care settings so I am thrilled to be working in a true Montessori school. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my husband and daughter. We especially enjoy biking, kayaking and camping.
Nothing brings me more joy than working with children—watching them grow into their best selves, creating memories that last a lifetime, and guiding them as they discover new things. As a parent myself, I bring genuine care and dedication to every child I have the privilege to work with. I have three years of experience in childcare, including my role as lead teacher in a “4’s classroom,” where I focused on preparing children for preschool readiness. Small World has been my first introduction to Montessori education, and serving as a substitute during the 2024–2025 school year was truly rewarding. I had the joy of seeing children gain independence and develop a love of learning—something I also embraced by learning from my peers and studying more about the Montessori method. It has been deeply gratifying to be part of the Small World team, where each day we come together to support every child in thriving in their own unique way.
When I was a child, I went to Small World for preschool. I have amazing memories of my experiences at this school that have stuck with me and shaped me into who I am today. So I can personally attest to the effectiveness of the Montessori method, and I believe these experiences have pushed me to have a passion for education. I am now on track to graduate with my associate's degree in early childhood education from Gateway, and then I will be moving on to get my bachelor's at UW Parkside. My main goal for the children I work with is to help them develop a love of learning. The thing I value most about preschool-aged children is their curiosity; they want to know about everything. So I plan to do everything I can to encourage them to continue to explore the world around them with enthusiasm throughout their lives.
Hello! My name is Miss Morgan and I am overjoyed to join the Small World Montessori community as the Lead Toddler Teacher! I have a love for bringing a nurturing, warm environment for children to give them space to learn and thrive. I have four years of experience in Early Childhood Education, three of which I directed an in-home Montessori child care! I am currently studying for my BA in Human Social Services. I look forward to creating deep, meaningful relationships with the Meadow children and their families!
Hello! My name is Grace Luba and I am the Meadow classroom assistant. Having gone through ages three to thirteen at Racine Montessori School, I have a deep appreciation for how Montessori teaches children to grow. I graduated from Bradford High School in 2024, and intend on going to college in the next few years to get a Bachelor in Fine Arts. When I'm not teaching preschool, you can find me performing in a musical at a community theater nearby, or writing music at Barnes and Noble. I am an arts driven person, (specifically musical theater) and hope to work in a Broadway setting someday. Both of my parents were teachers for quite some time, so I have a special appreciation for working with the little ones. I am so excited to be starting a teaching life here at Small World Montessori and I look forward to meeting the parents and families of my students.
Hello! I’m Ms. Ellie and I’m an enrichment assistant here at Small World Montessori! This is my first year being a teacher's assistant, though I have been volunteering here for about 4 years! Since my first year of volunteering, I have found a great passion for early childhood education. I strive every day to make every child feel heard, seen, and cherished. For my free time, I like to read, journal, and to have peaceful walks in nature.
I have over 7 years of experience in secondary education and hold an MA in English as a Foreign Language Instruction. After the birth of my son, I became a full-time stay-at-home mother. During that period, I developed a strong interest in Early Childhood Education (ECE), recognizing its importance in establishing a solid foundation for children’s academic, social, and emotional growth. Working at the Small World Montessori School now provides me with the opportunity to deepen my knowledge of ECE, particularly the Montessori method. I truly enjoy being part of the Montessori School community, where children are encouraged to learn and grow at their own pace developing confidence and creative independence. In my free time, I enjoy writing poems, playing the piano, and taking care of my houseplants.
I’ve been working in Early Childhood Education since 2003 starting as an assistant and worked my way up to becoming a lead teacher. In 2018 while taking a few classes at Gateway I learned about Maria Montessori and the science behind her method and I was completely inspired. Now I also get to watch my own children building their confidence and learning at Small World too! I am so excited to be apart of this community, getting to know all these wonderful families and encouraging every child’s passion for learning. When I’m not teaching I enjoy spending time with my husband and two beautiful kids, embroidery, diy crafts and listening to podcasts.
I have worked at Small World for over 8 years as a substitute and now as a toddler room assistant teacher and administrative assistant. I am a Small World alumni myself and went on to earn my bachelor’s in psychology and criminal justice from UW Milwaukee. I have worked with children for most of my life nannying, substituting, and now teaching, and have grown such a love for working with children of all ages. Some of my favorite parts of working with the toddlers include the energy and joy they bring to the classroom, forming relationships with each child, and watching the child progress and grow. My goals at Small World are to be someone the child and their guardians trust, to provide a safe and loving environment for all, and to help children discover their own passions and interests.
I have a Bachelor's from UW-Parkside in Psychology, with certificates in mental health and research, as well as a Minor in women's studies. I initially wanted to become a marriage and family counselor to help primarily children, but I just found another way to do that! I started my journey with Small World and the Montessori Method as a parent. I wanted to provide my daughter with an excellent education that fostered independence and self confidence, while of course allowing her the chance to make some friends. Shortly into her second year in school I saw that they were looking for substitute teachers, and so I applied. As a young girl I had actually dreamed of becoming a mother and teacher, but after a short brush with substituting in the public school system I realized perhaps that path was not for me. However, substituting at Small World was one of the best decisions I have ever made. As soon as a position opened up on staff I applied, and now I am working toward my Montessori Certification. Beyond my passion for teaching I also have 2 beautiful children and a loving husband at home. I enjoy riding my bike with them, tending to my garden, updating my historic home, and perhaps a few too many trips for ice cream!
I've always believed that the most meaningful way to make a difference is by helping others grow, and that belief is what inspired me to become a teacher. As a mom of two autistic children, I've learned patience, empathy, and the importance of understanding each child's unique way of experiencing the world. My children have been my greatest teachers, giving me firsthand experience in advocacy, communication, and supporting diverse learning needs. Although I hold a bachelor’s degree in International Business, which has given me a broad understanding of different cultures and perspectives, my heart has always been drawn to education. My journey as a parent has strengthened that calling even more. I want to bring my background, both personal and academic, into the classroom to create an environment where every student feels seen, valued, and capable. My goal is to inspire curiosity, celebrate individuality, and help students believe in themselves-just I’ve learned to do with my own children.
I have always wanted to work with children. While in high school I began my path towards teaching by taking classes in early childhood education. As an adult, the experience I have gained working with my own daughter and family continues to help me at Small World. While the Montessori approach was new to me when I began at Small World, I am already able to see its benefits. I love how the children are given so much choice in what they do each day. In my spare time I like to spend time with my daughter, go camping, bike, and craft.
I graduated from the National Autonomous University of Mexico with a Bachelor's Degree in Literature and came to the United States seven years ago. I have always had a passion for knowledge and learning new things. Before coming to the United States, I worked at a Catholic elementary School for 3 years in Mexico City. I first learned about the Montessori Philosophy in College, but it was not until I was doing research to try to find the best school for my son that I fell in love with the educational environment that Montessori provides. A year after having my son here I found myself more interested in the philosophy and I was offered a position in the Toddler Program and providing Spanish lessons at Small World Montessori School. This school has become more than just a place to work. It has become a family that supports one another. It is a place where children are able to discover their passion to come to school which in turn feeds their creativity and their souls. Their entire being is engaged in the process of school. While not at work, I volunteer to educate Spanish-speaking adults. In addition, I love salsa dancing. Another hobby I have is styling hair. My biggest joy though comes from spending time with my family.
