Faculty & Staff

Our People

Our administration and classroom teachers are Montessori trained through a MACTE (Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education) accredited Montessori teacher education program. MACTE is the international standard setting and accrediting body for Montessori teacher education. MACTE is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and is committed to the effective preparation of Montessori teachers. Its mission is to recognize, assure, and promote the high quality of that preparation through its system of accreditation for the ultimate purpose of advancing Montessori student learning.

Mission 

The Children’s House is a Montessori preschool and kindergarten that guides a diverse group of children to become joyful and confident lifelong learners who respect others and the world around them.

Vision 

Children’s House students are extraordinary citizens: independent, responsible, unique and confident in their abilities to influence their world.

Meet Our Staff

Our classroom teachers are Montessori trained in Early Childhood (ages 3-6) and work in co-teaching teams in our multi-age classrooms. Competent, caring, professional faculty guide children on their individual paths of learning each day.

Our teachers are trained to present challenging and developmentally appropriate lessons and materials based on their observations of each child’s engagement and developmental needs. Ongoing professional development for our faculty is an important component in empowering them to meet the needs of all children. 

Our Faculty & Staff

Rhonda McKay

Rhonda McKay

Executive Director

Tanelle Murphy

Tanelle Murphy

Assistant Director

Rebecca Irizarry

Rebecca Irizarry

Teacher ~ Classroom A

Diana Rocha

Diana Rocha

Teacher ~ Classroom A & K Club Spanish

Heather Dennis

Heather Dennis

Teacher ~ Classroom B

Michele Owsley

Michele Owsley

Teacher ~ Classroom B

Andrea Johnson

Andrea Johnson

Teacher ~ Classroom C

Juanita Collier

Juanita Collier

Teacher ~ Classroom C

Katie Kennedy

Katie Kennedy

K Club Teacher, Early Care, Programming Support

Sarah Nelson

Sarah Nelson

K Club and Art Studio Teacher

Kelly Ott

Kelly Ott

Teacher~Outdoor Classroom, Playground Supervision

Theresa “Tess” Cooley

Theresa “Tess” Cooley

Music and Movement, After School Care Coordinator, Playground Supervision

Julie Burn

Julie Burn

Classroom Support, Playground Supervision, After Care

Donna Hicks

Donna Hicks

Substitute, Former CH Teacher

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What Our Faculty & Staff Are Saying

“My favorite thing is to see their smiling faces … especially when you know they truly recognize you and know you love them.”
~ Katie, K-Club Educator ~

It is the best moment when you see a child work through a challenging concept or task, the empowering moment of ‘I did it myself’ builds confidence and resiliency. This value of independence and self-awareness is a cornerstone of the Montessori Method that Children’s House reverently follows. .”
~ Heather, Classroom B Teacher ~

“Children’s House is like home!”
~ Diana, Classroom A Teacher ~

Children’s House is so special because our community can come together, organize and cooperate to provide truly unique and special opportunities for the children, their families and our faculty. 

~Kelly, Outdoor Classroom Teacher~