Our carefully prepared classrooms are staffed with highly qualified and specially trained staff. Each of our Lead Guides are certified Montessori Lead Guides either through the American Montessori Society (AMS)or Association Montessori International (AMI) in addition to their bachelor’s or master’s degrees. All of our Lead Guides also maintain active memberships with the AMS, AMI, and the Michigan Montessori Society (MMS).

Primary Staff

Ranjita Kaur - Primary Coordinator

​​Ranjita has a BA in Business from Anna Ardarsh College in India. She received a certification in Teaching Methodology in Montessori and Kindergarten Education in 2002. In 2019, she earned her Child Development Associate (CDA) credentials. Finally, in 2022 she received her AMS Montessori certification! She has been passionate about childcare and education, beginning her career as a Primary School Lead teacher and Montessori teacher in Bangalore, India. Prior to working at The Montessori School in Kalamazoo, Ranjita worked as a lead teacher at Gilden Woods Early Care and Preschool for a year and worked as an assistant teacher at KRESA. She started her journey at The Montessori School in late 2019 as an assistant teacher and even acts as our License Coordinator.  She currently lives in Portage, Michigan with her husband and two children. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music and cooking.

Megan Johnston - Cedar Classroom Lead Guide

​Megan received her Bachelor of Arts at Marymount Manhattan College studying Dance: Body, Science and Motion and minoring in Biology.  She received her AMS Montessori certification in 2019 from the Adrian Dominican Montessori Teacher Education Institute.  She started her Montessori journey in 2017 at The Montessori School, and completed her internship in the Oak room during the 2018-19 school year.  Prior to her start in Montessori, Megan worked at KRESA as a paraprofessional working with Autism and worked alongside WMU on behavioral studies.  Megan also loves to dance and has been a lead instructor at Center Stage Dance Studio for the past 4 years.  In her free time, Megan enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling the world, yoga, and dancing!

Lauren Mogdis - Juniper Classroom Lead Guide

​Lauren  is a WMU graduate with a bachelor’s in Social Work and minors in Holistic Health and Interdisciplinary Health Services. She began at TMS in August 2019. Prior to joining TMS, Lauren was a lead preschool teacher at another center in the Kalamazoo area for six years. Lauren  finished Lead Guide Montessori Training through Seton Montessori in 2021. In her free time she has to travel whenever possible and loves spending time with my family and friends. She loves going running and for walks. If you ever see her around, feel free to come and say hello; she would love to chat with you!

Amy Hirt - Oak Classroom Lead Guide

Amy began working at the Montessori School in 2015. In 2021, she began the American Montessori Institute training to become a certified Lead Guide. She is finalizing her certification this year. This is her second year of teaching and is excited to be returning. She also has an Associates of Arts degree from Kalamazoo Valley Community College and is looking to finish her Bachelors from Western Michigan University. She has always enjoyed working with children, and in the years she has been working here, the Montessori way of teaching really called to her! In her spare time she enjoys running, cooking, and traveling.

Desiree Jirtle - Oak Classroom Co-Lead Guide

Desiree, originally from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, obtained a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Western Michigan University in 2015. Her internship took place at Northglade Montessori School and, prior to working at TMS, Desiree worked in a PEEP classroom for two years. She spent years being a substitute teacher as well as spending a year teaching Kindergarten. In her free time, she enjoys springtime in nature, gardening, and kayaking. She loves to read, cook, and spend time with her family. Desiree lives at home with her husband Scotty and her two dogs Gizmo and Buddha.

Hailey Poppert - Sycamore Classroom Lead Guide

Hailey Poppert joined TMS in the fall of 2023. She has been teaching for 5 years and has loved it since day one; it’s become her biggest passion in life. Hailey received her CDA back it 2021 and started working at a Montessori school on the east side of the state. It really changed her way of teaching and she hasn’t been able to find a method of teaching the fills her heart with as much joy. She has witnessed the most progress in the students in Montessori classrooms. In her free time, she enjoys playing with her dog, cats, and going on hikes.

Helen Keusch - Oak Classroom Assistant

Helen is a University of Michigan alumn with a bachelor's in English Language and Literature and a minor in Political Science. She graduated from U of M's School of Education with in 2013 with teaching certification in secondary ed. After graduating, she taught English abroad and traveled throughout Asia and Europe. She loves teaching and connecting to young students through storytelling, imaginative play, and nature. As a voracious reader and life-long learner, she finds joy in writing, art, research, gardening, volunteering, hiking, kayaking, and spending time with her husband Sam and their big German Shepherd, Huck Finn. ​​

MaKenna Bell - Oak Classroom Assistant

MaKenna began at TMS during our 2023/24 school year. She has a Bachelor's of Arts degree in English (completed in 2021) and has a "Teaching English as a Foreign Language" Certification. She worked as a site supervisor at an elementary school's childcare program for about 4 years and has experience working with children 3 - 12 years old. MaKenna enjoys spending time with her siblings (which usually involves trying new restaurants) as well as cooking and baking.  She has a love of reading and writing.

Hailey Callahan - Cedar Classroom Assistant

Hailey loves working with young children and watching their skills develop as a little human. She has a huge love and appreciation for any activity outside (hiking, camping, or just sitting). Yet somehow as a life-long Michigander she has not found an outdoor winter activity that she enjoys. Recently she has been gathering some gardening and plant knowledge and helping take care of her partner's small flock of female chickens. She enjoys trying new foods and cuisines, visiting new cities, creating and building things (like a computer or a tree swing), and reading a good short story! She is looking forward to furthering her higher education with a degree in Social Work soon, as she loves learning about how our brains develop and work. Here at TMS she is excited to help build the better world that she believes in.

Angela Haaf - Cedar Classroom Assistant

Angela recently changed majors from Secondary Education to Social Work, and is currently completing a BSW at Western Michigan University, with a focus on school social work. She spent nine years prior to this role working for the State of Michigan as a paraprofessional in Special Education and directed a year-round art program for adult and special education students. Additionally, she worked in the after school program at Edison Elementary for first grade students, and completed a Secondary Education internship at Gull Lake High School. Angela is beyond excited to be part of The Montessori School. She is a proud Mom to a toddler, a teenager and a Mini Schnauzer. She enjoys art, writing, travel and everything to do with astronomy.

Ava Klein - Cedar Classroom Assistant

Ava graduated from Western Michigan University in the spring of 2023 with a Bachelor's in Psychology and Biology. She is currently pursuing graduate programs and is still involved in research with the Psychology Department at WMU. During college, she worked at a neighboring Montessori preschool as a Lead Guide and also spent some time at an autism treatment center as a behavior technician. She has always had a passion for kids as she comes from a long line of educators. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outside, reading, spending time with loved ones and her orange cat, Blueberry. 

Isaac Ferguson - Cedar Classroom Assistant

Photo and biography coming soon!

Allison VandeVusse - Juniper Classroom Assistant

Allison recently moved back to the Kalamazoo area after living in Wayne County. She graduated from Kalamazoo Valley Community College with an Associates Degree in Liberal Arts in the spring of 2023. In her free time Allison likes to make knit and crochet clothing. When she isn't knitting or crocheting, she likes to spend time with her partner and their three lizards, two snakes, and two cats. 

Sara Alhawamdeh - Juniper Classroom Assistant

Starting at TMS in 2022, Sara has enjoyed supporting the children and always loves working with them. Sara is a native of Jordan who moved to Kalamazoo in 2017. She has a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Technology from Tafila Technical University (in Jordan) and received a certification in Montessori Methodology Education from Global Academy for Training and Development in 2022. Before working at TMS in Kalamazoo, Sara worked as an Arabic teacher with children at a nonprofit school! She lives with her husband and two children, Marya and Muhammad. She loves the fall here in Michigan and says, "It is a piece of art." Three things she loves are art, nature, and handcrafting. In her free time she enjoys backing, writing, traveling, and spending time with her family.  Sara is happy to be a part of TMS!

Audrey Meyer - Juniper Classroom Assistant

Audrey is new classroom assistant in Juniper at TMS. She will be going to the Montessori training program at ADMTEI this upcoming school year. On her free time she likes to walk her dogs, loves being outside, art, and science. Audrey loves spending time with family and friends as this is very important to her. She is excited for her future in Montessori and in early childhood education.

​Connor Regalado - Sycamore Classroom Assistant

Connor joined The Montessori School in 2022. Prior to working at TMS, she spent the last 5 years working in a daycare. Over the years, she has had the privilege to gain experience working with multiple age groups from toddlers to school age. She is now excited to learn even more about children in a Montessori setting.

Eliza Crouse - Sycamore Classroom Assistant

Eliza joined the Montessori Team in the fall of 2023. Eliza has 4 previous years of childcare experience within family homes and childcare facilities. She cherishes the privilege of guiding and learning from children as they grow up. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys pickleball, painting, photography, the outdoors, performing arts, and spending time with her friends and family.

Jade Nitro - Sycamore Classroom Assistant

Photo and biography coming soon!

Elementary Staff

Jessica Hagen - Elementary Coordinator & Outdoor Educator

Jessica has a degree in Early Childhood Education and Child & Family Development from WMU. She is an AMS-certified Montessori elementary teacher. Jessica is a certified Outdoor Educator (EEC-P) through the Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE). She is passionate about place-based, experiential learning and has a special interest in connecting students with the greater community by developing service-based partnerships. Jessica serves on the Stewards of Kleinstuck board, the Kalamazoo Wild Ones executive committee, and is the Kalamazoo County Coordinator for the Michigan Green Schools Program. She can be found outdoors exploring, biking, gardening, cloud/star gazing, and camping.

Anne Wester - Black Walnut Lead Guide

A Kalamazoo native, Anne graduated from Western Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She earned her masters in education from St. Catherine University (née- College of St. Catherine-Center for Contemporary Montessori Programs), and has an Elementary I and II certificate from the American Montessori Society. Anne taught at Northglade Montessori Magnet School from 1999-2010. She joined The Montessori School in 2016. Anne and her husband, Steve, have a daughter, Jane, who is a TMS alumna. The three of them enjoy an active lifestyle — camping, paddling, skiing, and biking. In fact, Anne just completed her 8th bike ride across the state of Iowa!

Jocelyn Clark - Black Walnut Lead Guide

Jocelyn has a Bachelor of Liberal Arts with a concentration in Sociology from Kalamazoo College. She started at the Montessori School in 1991 in a childcare position as a way to earn money while working on a Master’s degree in Criminology at Western Michigan University. She loved her work there so much that she changed directions educationally and earned a Michigan Teaching Certificate after re-entering Kalamazoo College. She attended the Washington Montessori Institute to earn her AMI Montessori Certification and Loyola University in Baltimore for her Master’s in Education. During her time at The Montessori School, she has had two children, volunteered for over 10 years with Girls on the Run and Annie’s Big Nature Lesson, begun ABAR education, been Montessori STEM certified, and continues to grow as a guide. She enjoys camping, reading, and, not so quiet trips, to the dog park. ​

Karen Bildner - Black Walnut Lead Guide & Literacy Specialist

Karen completed her B.S. in Special Education at WMU.  She began her teaching career in Niles Community Schools in 2000 and proceeded to teach at Northeastern Elementary in Kalamazoo from 2001-2007. Karen began tutoring with SLD Read and was trained extensively in Orton-Gilingham methods during her time there from 2007-2018. While tutoring, she also completed her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education with a Reading and Literacy Emphasis. Karen has fallen in love with the Montessori method of education with its focus on the whole child as its emphasis on peace.  Karen is blessed with her husband Josiah and two children Caleb and Johannah. She enjoys spending time with her family, sewing, cooking, photography, and drawing.

Wyatt Gettys - Black Walnut Classroom Assistant

Wyatt has been with The Montessori School since 2018, working in both the elementary and primary programs as a Classroom Assistant. In his spare time, Wyatt enjoys cooking, watching baseball, and spending time outdoors.

Chris Sanford - Black Walnut Classroom Assistant

Chris has a Bachelors of Science in Wildlife Education/Interpretation from the University of Wisconsin Stevens-Point. He graduated in 2019 and began his career as a school naturalist for Wisconsin Public Schools. Since then he has worked at Kalamazoo’s very own Nature Center and moonlights as an Adventure Center facilitator at Pretty Lake Camp. Chris is excited to join The Montessori School and enjoys spending time with his family, his cat, and a good book.

School-Wide Classroom Staff

Hal Hobson-Morse - Music Specialist

Originally from Lansing, Hal graduated from WMU in 2000 with a BFA in Musical Theatre Performance and joined our staff as the music specialist in 2001. He has completed levels one through three certifications in Orff-Schulwerk, and has been a session presenter at local and regional Orff conferences. Hal is very involved in Kalamazoo’s vibrant music scene, including directing community choirs, playing piano and recorder in ensembles, and teaching piano and voice. He composes original transition music for All Ears Theatre, a local radio drama troupe, and participates in theatre productions as an actor, director, and music director at the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre, Farmer’s Alley Theatre, and other local stages. When not teaching or in rehearsal, Hal enjoys kayaking, gardening, and visiting Lake Michigan.

 Sierra O’Connell-Koon - Art Specialist

This is Sierra's 9th school year with TMS! She is from Grand Rapids and attended Kendall College of Art and Design, she graduated with her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography with a focus in Art History and a Minor in Graphic Design. She has two bonus children (Austin and Ainsley) and her son Brantley who attends the Primary Program. Sierra is very into photography, camping, fishing, gardening, kayaking, exploring, canning, foraging, and spending time with their animals: 2 dogs, 7 cats, and56 chickens. In the summer you can find them at the lake enjoying the water and kayaking while ending the day with a family picnic. Growing up, nature was always the most important part of life and that doesn’t differ now. With a family background in conservation and countless hours of volunteer work with the Sierra Club, being at the Montessori and advocating for the environment is a perfect fit. She loves spending the day outdoors and helping children make a connection to the world they live in on a deeper level.

Laura Modic - Spanish Instructor & Floating Substitute

Laura is a native of New England who moved to Kalamazoo in 2013 from Boston, MA. She has a B.A. in History from Denison University and a M.A.T. in Spanish from Tufts University. She is a former high school Spanish teacher and Field Hockey coach that has been out of the classroom to care for her children. She loves exploring nature with her dog Daisy, spending time with family, swimming, watching comedy, reading, and making tasty food.

Katie Greiner - Floating Substitute

Photo and biography coming soon!

Administrative Staff

Sherria VanSparrentak - Head of School

Sherria graduated from Western Governors University with a B.A. in Elementary Education. She then graduated from Western Michigan University with a Masters in Educational Leadership K-12 Principalship. She recently completed her Administrator's course through The Montessori Foundation: Building a World Class Montessori School to earn her Montessori Admin Certificate. She has taken on various leadership roles within the schools and communities she has worked in. When not at school Sherria enjoys spending time with her husband (Kyle), 2 children (Brooklyn & Michael), and 2 dogs (Gunner & Ruger). Sherria enjoys camping, being outdoors, spending time with friends/family, making t-shirts/crafts, watching Michigan football, watching Kyle race stock cars, and traveling.
Jordan Nelson - Business Manager

Jordan graduated from Western Michigan University with a B.A. in International Politics and International Business. He then graduated from Colorado State University with a Masters in Business Administration (M.B.A). He has experience as an operations business manager both domestically and overseas at international schools. When not at school Jordan enjoys spending time with his wife (Tra), 2 children (Isabelle and Liam), and dog (Kuma). Jordan enjoys reading, working out, spending time with
friends/family, playing violin, watching MSU basketball and football, and traveling the world.
Courtney Harris - Marketing and Admissions Coordinator

Courtney received her B.A. in Graphic Design from University of Saint Francis focusing in Web Design and Illustration with a minor in 2D Studio Art. She started her Montessori journey in 2022. Prior to joining TMS, she worked for the non-profit Arts United of Greater Fort Wayne then moved into the RV Industry doing Marketing and Communications work. Even with the hour commute from her hometown, she sticks by TMS being her favorite job. Her love for great hands-on lessons and outdoor education really blossomed when her niece Delilah was born! Courtney’s favorite activities include hunting for murals, finding stickers to add to her collection, kayaking, watching a good tv show, kickbox exercise, and being a cat mom.
Barbara Conboy - Administrative Assistant

Barb was a stay at home parent for many years and loved working in her daughters school as a volunteer. Eventually, she became a substitute in the office at her school. With that experience she jumped at the opportunity to work part time at a small private school in Paw Paw as their school secretary for almost four school years. Barb has worked for many non-profit organizations, including two local colleges, and also some large corporations, prior to her time as a mom. She loves working with preschool and elementary age children and their parents and is so excited to be here at The Montessori School. She lives with her husband Ryan, daughter Claire, and dog Lily. Her hobbies include volunteering, reading, gardening, cooking and crafting!

Board of Directors

As a Michigan 501c3 non-profit organization, The Montessori School is governed by a Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is charged with the ultimate responsibility for financial, legal, and strategic planning and policy issues for The Montessori School. The board sets policy to be implemented by the administration and staff. Furthermore, the Board ensures the integrity of Montessori philosophy within the school. The Board currently consists of nine members (parents and alumni parents of the school) along with 3 ex-officio members including the Head of School and Business Manager. Board members serve three-year terms. Board terms are staggered and Board members are appointed at the Annual Meeting in May.
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The Board holds regular meetings throughout the year. Minutes are on file in the TMS office and are available to members of the parent community upon request.
2023/24 Board Members:
Josh Fitzgibbon - Board Chair
Doug Forbes - Board Vice Chair
Amy Geib - Past Chair
David Disser - Treasurer
Sarah Avink - Secretary
Julie Walker 
Erin Itawi
Amanda Lynn Morgan
Emily McDonald
​Katherine White

The Montessori School

Administrative Office & Elementary Building
710 Howard St.
Kalamazoo, MI 49008

Primary Building
750 Howard St.
Kalamazoo, MI 49008

Contact Us Today!
​Phone: (269) 349-3248
Fax: (269) 349-1480
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