Cleveland Montessori is made up of a team of exceptional individuals each serving an important role in the care and education of its students.

The school’s focus on providing authentic Montessori programs requires a dedication to staff training as well as striving to uphold the standards set by AMI (Association Montessori Internationale).

From the Montessori trained lead guides to the classroom assistants, intervention support staff, custodians and administration, each person plays an integral role in creating the optimal student experience. Lead guides as well as the Head of School and key administrative positions all hold Montessori certification with 88% being AMI diplomas. Most assistants and support staff also hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree or other specialized training specific to their role.

The Nautilus Approach, developed by Public Montessori in Action, is a classroom management model grounded in Montessori principles, aligned with school policies, and implemented at all levels.

With ongoing, comprehensive training, all staff are equipped to provide children with consistency and guidance as they develop their abilities to resolve conflict and build social and emotional learning skills. Nautilus is an approach that recognizes behaviors as communication and supports the whole child. Using a step by step approach of phases, the adults support the children in identifying their needs and guiding them back to focus and engagement in their classroom environments.

Staff also work with students to provide a faith foundation through the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd curriculum if families opt-in to receive these lessons based on New Testament scripture and focused on the life of Christ. While there are trained catechists for the primary and elementary levels, all staff may support the ongoing work of students in discovering their spiritual journey or exploring questions of faith.

Cleveland Montessori is made up of a team of exceptional individuals each serving an important role in the care and education of its students.

The school’s focus on providing authentic Montessori programs requires a dedication to staff training as well as striving to uphold the standards set by AMI (Association Montessori Internationale).

From the Montessori trained lead guides to the classroom assistants, intervention support staff, custodians and administration, each person plays an integral role in creating the optimal student experience. Lead guides as well as the Head of School and key administrative positions all hold Montessori certification with 88% being AMI diplomas. Most assistants and support staff also hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree or other specialized training specific to their role.

The Nautilus Approach, developed by Public Montessori in Action, is a classroom management model grounded in Montessori principles, aligned with school policies, and implemented at all levels.

With ongoing, comprehensive training, all staff are equipped to provide children with consistency and guidance as they develop their abilities to resolve conflict and build social and emotional learning skills. Nautilus is an approach that recognizes behaviors as communication and supports the whole child. Using a step by step approach of phases, the adults support the children in identifying their needs and guiding them back to focus and engagement in their classroom environments.

Staff also work with students to provide a faith foundation through the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd curriculum if families opt-in to receive these lessons based on New Testament scripture and focused on the life of Christ. While there are trained catechists for the primary and elementary levels, all staff may support the ongoing work of students in discovering their spiritual journey or exploring questions of faith.

Meet Our Staff

Administration/Support Services

Tina Schneider

Executive Director

Tina holds a B.S. in Education/Early Childhood Education from Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania…

Cheryl Serrano

Office Manager

Cheryl was born and raised in California and moved to Cleveland in October of 2006 seeking a change in environment…

Dee Montgomery

Business Manager

Dee was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Bryant and Stratton…

India Keller

Student Services Coordinator, Certified Academic Language Practitioner (CALP)

India enjoys learning and growing alongside children, families, and colleagues at Cleveland Montessori…

Cheryl Lazar

Montessori Coach and Good Shepherd Catechist

Cheryl received her undergraduate degree in Recreation and Tourism from Bowling Green State University…

Kelly Tooman

Director of Admissions and Communications

Kelly had always dreamed of being a New Yorker and received her B.A. in Writing & Literature from the…

Primary

Trina Hines

Primary Guide

Trina is originally from Cleveland Heights, Ohio.  Her interest in Montessori education was sparked by the birth of her own…

Emily Amenda

Primary Assistant

Emily was born and raised in New York City. She received a bachelor’s degree in politics with a concentration in education…

Samantha Carroll Syracuse

Primary Assistant

Samantha earned her double major in English and Sociology from Ursuline College and an MA in Composition and…

Madisen Serrano

Admin & Primary Support

After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Madisen joined Cleveland Montessori as a staff…

Paisley Schultz

Primary Support

Paisley is a native of Cleveland, Ohio. From a large family of eight, Paisley was drawn to child care and worked…

Elementary

Alfonso Sandoval

Lower Elementary Guide

Alfonso received a Bachelor’s in Liberal Arts from Magdalen College in Warner, NH. After graduating…

Zack Ford

Lower Elementary Lead Guide

Zack received a bachelors in environmental education from Hiram College in 2011. After developing a greater…

Abbey Lowry

Lower Elementary Assistant

Abbey received her Bachelor’s of Science in Early Inclusive Childhood Education from Bowling Green…

Elara Furtado

Lower Elementary Assistant

Elara is originally from Northern California but grew up mostly in North Carolina. After completing her bachelor’s degree…

Caitlin Greenwood

Upper Elementary Teacher

Caitlin is grateful for the opportunity to guide young people through the Montessori method…

Veronica Bounds

Lower Elementary Support and Aftercare

Veronica is a mother of four and dedicated to creating a warm, inclusive and engaging learning…

Kerrie Lodowski

Elementary & Admin Support

Kerrie earned a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from The University of Texas at Austin in 2006 then moved to Cleveland for…

David Bartholow

Upper Elementary Support

David Bartholow grew up in Fort Collins, CO, and moved east to attend Cornell University School of Engineering, where…

Dana Fries

Support Staff and Aftercare

Dana grew up in Cleveland Ohio and attended Montessori High School in University circle where she developed…

Adolescent

Meet Our Staff

Administration/Support Services

Tina Schneider

Executive Director

Tina holds a B.S. in Education/Early Childhood Education from Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania…

Cheryl Serrano

Office Manager

Cheryl was born and raised in California and moved to Cleveland in October of 2006 seeking a change in environment…

Dee Montgomery

Business Manager

Dee was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Bryant and Stratton…

India Keller

Student Services Coordinator, Certified Academic Language Practitioner (CALP)

India enjoys learning and growing alongside children, families, and colleagues at Cleveland Montessori…

Cheryl Lazar

Montessori Coach and Good Shepherd Catechist

Cheryl received her undergraduate degree in Recreation and Tourism from Bowling Green State University…

Kelly Tooman

Director of Admissions and Communications

Kelly had always dreamed of being a New Yorker and received her B.A. in Writing & Literature from the…

Primary

Trina Hines

Primary Guide

Trina is originally from Cleveland Heights, Ohio.  Her interest in Montessori education was sparked by the birth of her own…

Emily Amenda

Primary Assistant

Emily was born and raised in New York City. She received a bachelor’s degree in politics with a concentration in education…

Samantha Carroll Syracuse

Primary Assistant

Samantha earned her double major in English and Sociology from Ursuline College and an MA in Composition and…

Madisen Serrano

Admin & Primary Support

After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Madisen joined Cleveland Montessori as a staff…

Paisley Schultz

Primary Support

Paisley is a native of Cleveland, Ohio. From a large family of eight, Paisley was drawn to child care and worked…

Elementary

Alfonso Sandoval

Lower Elementary Guide

Alfonso received a Bachelor’s in Liberal Arts from Magdalen College in Warner, NH. After graduating…

Ezekiel

Zack Ford

Lower Elementary Lead Guide

Zack received a bachelors in environmental education from Hiram College in 2011. After developing a greater…

Abbey Lowy

Lower Elementary Assistant

Abbey received her Bachelor’s of Science in Early Inclusive Childhood Education from Bowling Green…

Elara Furtado

Lower Elementary Assistant

Elara is originally from Northern California but grew up mostly in North Carolina. After completing her bachelor’s degree…

Caitlin Greenwood

Upper Elementary Teacher

Caitlin is grateful for the opportunity to guide young people through the Montessori method…

Veronica Bounds

Elementary Assistant

Veronica is a mother of four and dedicated to creating a warm, inclusive and engaging learning…

Kerrie Lodowski

Upper Elementary Assistant

Kerrie earned a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from The University of Texas at Austin in 2006 then moved to Cleveland for…

David Bartholow

Upper Elementary Support

David Bartholow grew up in Fort Collins, CO, and moved east to attend Cornell University School of Engineering, where…

Dana Fries

Support Staff and Aftercare

Dana grew up in Cleveland Ohio and attended Montessori High School in University circle where she developed…

Adolescent