Modern Montessori Charter school Staff
Leadership & Administrative Staff
Heather Schultz, Executive Director
Heather found Montessori in 2010 and ever since then, has loved witnessing the growth and achievement of children and college students within an environment meticulously crafted to foster their success. In her experience overseas and the States, it never ceases to amaze her what children can learn when they are given the right tools. Her desire is to provide guidance, support, and opportunities for students and staff to acquire knowledge, develop critical thinking skills, and realize their full potential. The leadership positions she has held have equipped her with the essential skills needed to navigate the many complexities of this role. She enjoys creating processes that help move organizations toward their desired objectives and looks forward to fostering a community that loves learning. She believes that an important building block for success is trust. She values openness and honesty and will do her best to steer this school with integrity. Please do not hesitate to reach out to her with any questions, ideas, or suggestions you may have.
Becky Wirth, Operations Manager
Becky Wirth began at Modern Montessori as a parent volunteer and moved into a special education paraprofessional role in the spring of 2022. She then joined the office staff for the 2022-23 school year and is thrilled to be a part of operations going forward. She has over twenty years experience in business management and office settings. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, reading and spending time outdoors (as long as it’s not too cold out!). As a parent of children who attend MMCS, she is passionate about the Modern Montessori experience, community and excited to help Modern Montessori grow!
Dona Fehr, Business Manager
Dona Fehr is a Modern Montessori Charter School co-founder has worked in the accounting field with small businesses for many years. She has worked specifically in charter school finance for the last 20 years, working closely with the School Finance Division of the Minnesota Department of Education for reporting requirements. She has been a part of the Modern Montessori team since the inaugural year and is especially excited to see all of the happy students eager to learn in the Montessori environment that has been created at the school. She also enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors on the water kayaking and boating.
Lucy Cervantes, Student Support Specialist/MARSS Coordinator
Lucy Cervantes is excited to share her experience and expertise in her new position as Student Support Specialist. As the school’s former front desk/nursing assistant, she has formed relationships with many of the student, staff and families in the Modern Montessori community. This will aid her well as she continues as the school’s MARSS Coordinator and Student Support Specialist.
Alexa Olson, Office Coordinator
Alexa Olson leads the Modern Montessori Food Service and Transportation programs. Her previous experiences in the industry makes her a great fit for these positions! She also enjoys playing a crucial part in the school community in which her own children attend. She is a huge proponent of the Montessori method and loves the self-paced model of learning.
McKenna Wentworth, Front Office/Nursing Assistant
McKenna Wentworth grew up here in Champlin, Minnesota! After many moves around the country, while her husband was in the Army for eight years, they settled back down in Dayton Minnesota. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Minnesota State University Mankato in 2012 with her bachelor’s degree in Child Development and Family Studies. She has worked in many various roles from running her own business to being a preschool teacher. McKenna first started at Modern Montessori Charter School as a substitute teacher in 2021. She is excited to step into this new role.
Tom Hoops, Facilities Manager
Info coming soon!
Teaching Staff
Rhonda LeSage, Children’s House Teacher
Rhonda and her husband of 29 years are from Michigan. For the past 21 years, they have called Brooklyn Park “home”. They live with their 2 children, two cats, a foster cat, and a dog. Rhonda enjoys genealogy, scrapbooking, thrifting, cooking, knitting, crocheting, fostering cats, and traveling. Rhonda began her Montessori journey as a Teacher’s Assistant in Children’s House in Kalamazoo, MI. After moving to Shreveport, Louisiana in 1997, she went to Montessori training in Houston, TX, and was certified with a Lower Elementary Credential. She served as a Lead Elementary Guide in both private and public charter Montessori schools. Rhonda later received an International Montessori Teaching Diploma from NAMC’s Montessori Early Childhood Teacher Training Program and has been a Lead Teacher in Children’s House since then. Guiding children toward independence and observing their evolution into proficient readers are her greatest joys as a teacher.
Lisa Dixon, Children’s House Teacher
This will be Lisa Dixon's second year at Modern Montessori, and was certified from NAMC in Montessori Early Childhood in 2023. She has taught Preschool, Pre-K, Kindergarten, and has been a preschool director for a total of 16 years. Currently holding a K-8 Bachelors of Science in Teaching, Lisa is working on her Masters in Early Childhood Special Education. She is very passionate about Early Childhood and believes those are the most formative years. Lisa works to create an inspiring and engaging learning environment in which children feel safe and secure while providing what students need in order to become lifelong learners. Lisa lives in Brooklyn Park with her boyfriend, two children (ages 15 and 11), and their Husky dog. She also loves to hike, bike, swim, boat, cross country ski, and try new restaurants.
Jenifer Praveen, Children’s House Teacher
Jenifer has been in Modern Montessori for 4 years now and this is her 3rd year teaching in children's house. She is very passionate about teaching the children about different cultures and people from around the world. She has been working with children for 20 years. She believes in love, respect and kindness, when taught young can change the world. Jenifer loves to visit antiques stores, learn history and loves arts & crafts. Jenifer was born and raised in Chennai, India and moved to the US in 2004. She lives with her daughter who is in 7th grade in Modern Montessori and an adorable chocolate lab named Sky. Jenifer has a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and has completed a certified Montessori training from North American Montessori Center. In her free time, she likes to visit parks and cook.
Patrick Kutzer, Lower Elementary Teacher
Patrick grew up in Moorhead, Minnesota and has lived in the Twin Cities area for the last 25+ years. Prior to settling in the Cities, he lived in Duluth, St. Cloud, studied abroad in Germany and traveled extensively in Europe and a little in Central America. His wife, Sinead, has been an owner/operator of Augsburg Park Montessori Children’s House in Richfield for over 20 years and they have raised their three children in a Montessori home. Patrick holds a BA Degree in German Language and European Area Studies from the University of Minnesota, a K-6 Teaching License from St Scholastica and both Lower Elementary and Upper Elementary Montessori credentials from St Catherine's University. He has been involved in teaching in a Montessori classroom for over 10 years, working both in the private and public sector. He also spent one year student teaching in conventional school settings and at Twin Cities German Immersion School. He enjoys hockey and is involved in the local youth hockey association and church council. This is his fifth year at Modern Montessori as a Lower Elementary (EI) guide and he is looking forward to continuing this unique opportunity of helping create a strong and thriving culture of peace and learning!
Daria Reineccius, Lower Elementary Teacher
Daria Reineccius has a long background in child care and education going back to growing up in an in-home daycare program. This is her fourth year teaching at Modern Montessori and her third year as a lower elementary guide. Daria received her bachelor degree in Elementary Education at St. Cloud State University and has also received her Montessori Diploma in Lower Elementary through the North American Montessori Center. Before working at Modern Montessori, Daria taught preschool at St. David's Center. In her spare time, Daria loves to go camping, take road trips with her husband, and spend time with her dog Rita.
Allison Koski, Lower Elementary Teacher
Allison is happy to be entering her third year teaching at Modern Montessori. She has a background in psychology and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in this area in 2017 from Saint Cloud State University. After working in the early childhood field after college, she fell in love with teaching and decided to pursue a career in education. She spent a year living in a tiny house in Winona while working to earn a Master’s Degree in Teaching from Saint Mary’s University in 2021. She has been working as a lower elementary teacher at since then, and loves every part of being in the classroom. She strives to foster a classroom environment of peace and joy. When she is not teaching, Allison enjoys cooking, baking, and spending time with her husband, Gunnar.
Leah Barrett, Lower Elementary Teacher
Leah received her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Winona State University where she first learned about Montessori education and found how the foundations and philosophy of Montessori aligned with her own teaching philosophy. Leah received her Master’s in Education and Montessori Certification from UW-River Falls. Leah’s experience has taught her that there is more to school than standards and prepared lessons, but a sense of comfort and value within the classroom, a place where learning, independence, and fun can all be together. When she is not working on homework for class or teaching, Leah enjoys reading, playing board games, cooking and hiking with her husband, and spending time with family and friends. Leah was nominated for Minnesota Teacher of the Year in 2022.
Luke Taylor, Upper Elementary Teacher
Luke Taylor is excited to start his first year at Modern Montessori. He graduated from Winona State University in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Before working at Modern Montessori, Luke taught at two different schools in the Rochester area as a long term substitute. He loves to teach and hopes to create a classroom environment where each student feels comfortable and accepted. In his free time, you can find Luke playing sports like basketball, softball, and bowling as well as grilling, exploring nature, watching movies, and hanging out with friends.
Amy Haag, Upper Elementary Teacher
Amy has been helping children explore their world as an elementary Montessori teacher since 2001. Raised in Elk River, Amy graduated magna cum laude from St. Cloud State University with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She trained at the Association Montessori International training center in St. Paul, Minnesota for both upper and lower elementary.
Amy began her teaching career at Monarch Montessori in Elk River and taught E1 for 13 years. She then created an elementary Montessori homeschool co-op that she operated for 4 years. Amy is excited to join the Modern Montessori team as the E2 teacher.
Amy is passionate about teaching all subjects, particularly biology, geometry, and math. She mostly enjoys giving lessons that open the students’ eyes to new ways of thinking and new worlds.
In her spare time, Amy enjoys spending time with her husband Pete and children Josie and Nic. She enjoys going to zoos, museums, fossil hunting, and finding new fun experiences. She is also an enthusiastic biker, knitter, seamstress, and reader.
Kelsey Schraut, Middle School Teacher
Kelsey Schraut is a fourth year teacher at MMCS, who graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Inclusive Education and with an Academic Behavior Specialist Licensure. Kelsey previously taught special education for the past three years and taught one year of STEM at MMCS. Kelsey has taken on a new role of launching the MMCS middle school program by being the lead middle school teacher. She will be teaching mathematics and social studies as her core academic subjects. Kelsey has previous middle school experience substitute teaching at a private school after graduating from college. When she was in college she coached JV and varsity lacrosse teams that had middle school students on the teams. Kelsey enjoys working with middle schoolers for their goofy personalities, logical reasoning, and understanding of the world around them.
Lizz Saxerud, STEM Teacher
This is Lizz’s fourth year teaching STEM at MMCS. She has a bachelor's degree from Augsburg College in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Pre-primary.
She spent many years teaching preschool and learning about the importance of play in childhood. She enjoys showing students how to use their playful creativity in a way to learn new concepts and develop new ideas. She has a passion for growth mindset and teaching the whole-child.
She is also a mom of three girls, ages 18, 10 and 7. She enjoys writing, movies, and going on adventures with her girls.
Peter Krueger, Art Teacher
Originally from Saint Louis Park, Peter Krueger is a graduate of UW-Madison. After years in the graphic design and printing industry, he found his true passion working with children as an Art teacher and classroom assistant. He is a published illustrator, and teaches Art during the summer at a Reggio Emilia learning center. At MMCS, Mr. Peter led the inaugural FIRST Lego League team this past fall. He loves to draw -- he even designed Cliff, our mountain goat mascot! His other hobbies include reading, playing guitar, and playing Pokemon Go. Along with his wife Amy, and their children Ezra and Eleanor, he always looks forward to taking weekend adventures to find historical markers, interesting small towns, and public art throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Nina Stone, Music Teacher
Nina Stone is very excited to be the Music Teacher at MMCS. Nina has a BS in Dance Management from Oklahoma City University and an MA in Educational Theatre from New York University. Nina’s teaching experience is wide & varied and spans 30 years. She’s been a Teaching Artist for ages K through 8th grade with The Leadership Program (NYC), Making Books Sing (NYC), and the Educational Arts Team (NJ). She’s also been a teacher for Gymboree Play & Music, Music Together and Music for Aardvarks. Nina spent 7 years teaching at The Dwight School in NYC as both teacher and curriculum writer for their Small Wonder Program. Later Nina became the music teacher at the JCC Metrowest Early Childhood Center (NJ). When she started teaching at the Dwight School, Nina began writing music for the preschool classroom. From there she has released three albums of award winning children’s music (as Miss Nina) and consistently performs at schools, libraries and institutions across the country including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Make-A-Wish Program, and Children's Minnesota.
Beatrice Stelten, Physical Education & Special Education Teacher
Beatrice Stelten has invested the last 30 years volunteering and working with children of all ages. Between Bea and her husband John, they have is most happy when her house is full and laughter is plenty. Health focused, she spends much of her time enjoying outdoor activities, and is constantly challenging herself to discover new ways to increase the yield from her organic vegetable garden. After 20 years of teaching classes for her local homeschool co-op, she made the decision to attend Metropolitan State University where she designed and earned a bachelor’s degree in Integrated Philosophies of Health and Wellness in Education. As a previous employee of Anoka Hennepin School District, she held positions as a Math Intervention Specialist and K-12 substitute teacher. Her experiences during this time, once again validated the need for alternatives to standard public education and charter schools definitely have the potential to offer expanded educational options for students who do not fit the traditional model. She believes that every child carries with them unique character strengths and abilities, and by allowing them to develop and discover at their own pace, they have more opportunity to develop into resilient, productive adults. With this being said, she is overjoyed to be a part of Modern Montessori staff.
Alysia Williams, Special Education Teacher & Interventionist
Alysia Williams is excited to start another year with MMCS as a Special Education teacher and a GenEd Academic Interventionist. She completed degrees in both Early Childhood Education and Human Development Family Studies back in 2002 from UW-Stout. She also received her Montessori license from St.Kate’s in 2005. Alysia has taught first grade for 5 years at a charter school in Brooklyn Park, 10 years as a Children’s House Montessori teacher for Step by Step Montessori, and is now starting her 5th year here at Modern Montessori. She has always had a passion for working with children. She loves the Montessori philosophy and is very experienced with a variety of learning and intervention tools. Outside of the love of teaching, Alysia is a mother of 2 boys, a step-daughter, a step-son and a grandson on the way. Alysia enjoys spending time with her family and is extremely busy with her boys and their sports, and her new grandbaby. Along with sports, her family enjoys traveling, doing outdoor activities and a good movie.
Craig Asche, Special Education Teacher
Craig has worked as a Montessori educator in early childhood, elementary, secondary, and higher education for twenty years. He earned a BA in French, MA in Education, and Montessori credentials in elementary education from the American Montessori Society and secondary education from the North American Montessori Teachers’ Association. He is passionate about helping students reach their full potentials. Craig is excited to work with a variety of ages at Modern Montessori. When not exploring the universe with students in a Montessori environment, Craig likes to travel and explore this amazing planet by running, biking, and kayaking; he also likes to get creative by drawing, painting, trying to play guitar, and trying to cook up something tasty.
Support Staff
Katie Vessels, Cafeteria Assistant
Katie Vessels is our lunchroom assistant. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Fashion & Apparel design with a minor in Sculpture and 2D design from St Catherine’s University in St. Paul, MN. Katie’s work background has always involved being creative and working with children. What she enjoys most about being a lunchroom assistant is being able to connect with all the students daily in the cafeteria! She has two boys at Modern Montessori. In her spare time Katie enjoys camping, quilting, gardening and cooking & baking for her family!
Melissa Pizzalato, Children’s House Assistant
Melissa Pizzalato has many years of experience working as an educational assistant in the elementary setting. She loves the multiage classrooms at Modern Montessori and enjoys forming relationships with the school’s littlest learners. She also enjoys the school’s small, community feel and is connected to many in the community.
Aliyah Hudy, Children’s House Assistant
Aliyah Hudy is new to her role as a classroom assistant but is not new to working with young children! Her patient and calm demeanor make her the perfect fit to support some of Modern Montessori’s littlest learners. She enjoys supporting the Children’s House classroom and loves the cute things her students say on a daily basis!
Lindsay Holiday, Lower Elementary Assistant
Lindsay Holiday is a Minnesota native who graduated from Northwestern University with double majors in Psychology and Biblical Theology. She has been working with children for over 20 years in roles including Preschool Teacher, Special-Ed Para, and the Director of an after-school program. After spending several years at home with her kids full-time, Lindsay found an easy transition back into work at Modern Montessori and is thankful for the community she and her kids have made here. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her family, being active outdoors, and doing arts, crafts and DIY projects.
Mel Peifer-Freeman, Upper Elementary Assistant
Ms. Mel holds an Associate of Arts degree and started her career in the classroom during her years spent working at Minnesota Children’s Museum. From there, she branched out and taught pre-k for several years, before taking a job as a traveling art teacher. During that time, she also worked to grow her photography business, while simultaneously teaching children the art of photography. After her third child was born, she worked exclusively as a photographer until Covid brought that to a halt. Ms. Mel felt a calling to get back into the classroom, and is thrilled to not only be a parent at Modern Montessori, but now also a teacher here. Outside of being an E2 Assistant, she also works as an advocate for the LGBT+ community, and as the Children and Youth Coordinator at her church. She also loves bugs, plants, sushi, kayaking, and being a life-long learner while expanding her own level of education.
Pam Dummer, Lower Elementary Assistant
Pam Dummer began her role as a Children’s House Paraprofessional at the start of Modern Montessori’s 2019/2020 inaugural year. Her career background includes 13 years at Sleep Number Corporation where she held roles in Customer Service, Retail Operations and Human Resources. She continued her Human Resources career for another 10 years at Robbinsdale School District. Pam is married and is a proud mom to her son who is a college student at Mankato State University. Pam and her husband Jeremy enjoyed many years of watching their son play sports, especially baseball. They also enjoy spending time with friends and family. Pam loves kiddos. She feels privileged to have the opportunity to be surrounded by children in this next phase of her career.
Andrea Schlumpberger, Middle School Assistant
Andrea has been a classroom assistant over the past 14 years in various settings that include Early Childhood Education, a kindergarten center, lower elementary, and upper elementary. She is starting her 3rd year at MMCS and will be in the middle school room this year helping the students with English Language Arts. She has always enjoyed learning, especially reading and writing, and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota. She and her husband love to spend time with their four wonderful children along with their significant others, and 2 amazing grandchildren- one being a former student of MMCS! She feels inspired by the caring nature of every staff member here and the amazing things the students are capable of. She values the importance that MMCS places on learning social emotional and life skills, along with core academics.
Noah Vogelpohl, Lower Elementary Assistant
Noah is entering his first full year on staff at Modern Montessori after joining mid-way through the last school year. Noah grew up in Dayton, MN and attended college at the University of Jamestown in North Dakota where he spent 2 years studying Communication, Psychology, and also played Football. Noah is very happy to be an assistant to lower elementary and is ready to help out in any way he can. In his spare time, Noah enjoys watching sports, being with his family, long walks, and spending as much time as he can with his Australian Shepherd, Apollo.
Jaime Miller, Special Education Paraprofessional
Jaime Miller is in her second year as a paraprofessional at Modern Montessori Charter School. With previous experience in Montessori settings, she has enjoyed continuing to support students using the Montessori method. She loves the intrinsic motivation she gets to see develop in the students she supports. She is a team player and loves supporting anywhere she can!
Abby Phelps, Special Education Paraprofessional
Abigail Phelps is in her third year as a Special Education paraprofessional. She is comfortable working with any age level and is able to connect with students in all grades. Additionally, she is able to utilize her passion for reading to help keep the school’s library organized. She loves the small community feel of Modern Montessori Charter School.