All MSCU directresses are Montessori trained and certified. The directresses are dedicated and have on average over 20 years of teaching experience. Some directresses have been at MSCU for over 30 years, and others have sent their own children to the school.

ADMINISTRATION + SUPPORT STAFF

Kerry Rossow

Kerry Rossow

Head of School
First joined us in August 1994, returned in August 2016. Has her Child Development Associates in Early Childhood Education (Parkland 1996). BA in Elementary Education with a Kindergarten endorsement (Franklin College 1994).
Maddie Lazaro

Maddie Lazaro

Assistant Head of School
Joined us in June 2021. Training to be a Montessori Certified Administrator (Seton). Attended AIMS Montessori Conference in 2024 & 2025.
Lillian Yow

Lillian Yow

Director of Admissions
Joined us in August 2018. M.Ed. (UCLA, 2001), M.A. Linguistics and Biblical Languages (Biola University, 2008), and B.A. English (UC Berkeley, 1999). Illinois Professional Educator License (ELA, ESL, and Reading endorsements), Texas Educator Certificate (ELA/ESL), and California Clear Single Subject Teaching Credential in English (English learner authorization).
Brekke Day

Brekke Day

Elementary Program Director, Interim Lily Lead
Joined us in August 2016. Illinois Educator License, Montessori Certified Directress for Ages 6-9 (Midwest Montessori Teacher Training Center 2020).
Katie Courter

Katie Courter

Office Manager
Joined us in February 2021. Training to be Montessori Certified Directress for Ages 3-6 (UWRF)
Lisa Kirk

Lisa Kirk

Custodial Manager
Joined us in July 2023.
Martha Jackson

Martha Jackson

Butterfly Aftercare
Joined us in August 2022. Attended AMS Montessori Conference in 2024.
Jane Priest

Jane Priest

Teddy Aftercare
Joined us in January 2024.

TODDLER FACULTY

Thalia Rodriguez

Thalia Rodriguez

Teddy Directress + Toddler Program Director
Joined us in January 2020. Montessori Certified Directress for Ages 0-3 (Seton 2023).
Yukimi Oishi

Yukimi Oishi

Teddy Assistant
Joined us in December 2020. Montessori Certified Assistant (Seton 2024). Maintains a Child Development Associate. Has virtually attended AMS Montessori Conferences for several years now.

PRIMARY FACULTY

Julie Warren

Julie Warren

Horse Directress
Joined us in August 1985. Montessori Certified Directress for Ages 3-6 (MECA-Seton 1987).
Valinda Peat

Valinda Peat

Bunny Directress
Joined us in August 1991. Montessori Certified Directress for Ages 3-6 (MECA-Seton 2004).
Christine Krupp

Christine Krupp

Puppy Directress
Joined us in July 1996. Montessori Certified Directress for Ages 3-6 (Midwest Montessori Teacher Training Center 1999).
Lynn Holland

Lynn Holland

Kitty Directress
Joined us in August 2005. Montessori Certified Directress for Ages 3-6 (Michigan Montessori Teacher Education Center 1987).
Ambika Kesar

Ambika Kesar

Duck Directress
Joined us in August 2006. Montessori Certified Directress for Ages 3-6 (Seton 2013).
Janna Repta

Janna Repta

Horse Assistant
First joined us in August 2008, again in 2018, and finally returned in August 2020. Training to become Montessori Certified Direct. for Ages 3-6 (Seton).
Jennifer Johnson

Jennifer Johnson

Duck Assistant
Joined us in December 2014. Attended AMS Montessori Conference in 2024.
Patty Roy

Patty Roy

Puppy Assistant
Joined us in August 2018.
Tam Dinh

Tam Dinh

Kitty Assistant
Joined us in March 2020. Montessori Certified Directress for Ages 3-6 (Seton 2023). Attended AMS Montessori Conference in 2023. Montessori Certified Literacy Specialist for Ages 3-6 (AMS 2023).

ELEMENTARY FACULTY

Mia Hanneken

Mia Hanneken

Fern Lead
Joined us in August 2021. Montessori Certified Directress for Ages 6-12 (Seton 2024).
Taylor Lancaster

Taylor Lancaster

Willow Lead
Joined us in July 2021. Two years of in-house Montessori training for Ages 6-9 (MSCU). BA in Elementary Education (ISU). Has an Illinois Educator License. Attended a Montessori Conference in 2024.
Doey Gordon

Doey Gordon

Literacy Specialist
Joined us in October 2020. Montessori Certified Literacy Specialist for Ages 6-12 (AMS 2023).
Dan Lindsay

Dan Lindsay

Lily Assistant & Elementary Aftercare
First joined us in August 2017, returned in August 2023. Has an Illinois Educator License.
Jennifer Meriedth

Jennifer Meriedth

Willow Assistant
Joined us in August 2023. Attended AMS Montessori Conference in 2024. Training to be a Montessori Paraprofessional (Seton).
Janice Lilly

Janice Lilly

Lily Assistant
Joined us in August 2018. Montessori Certified Directress for Ages 9-12 (Montessori Live 2020)
Laura Eichelberger

Laura Eichelberger

Lily Assistant
Joined us in August 2024. Montessori Certified Directress for Ages 3-6 (Houston Montessori Center 2017). Former Montessori Lead. Has a Florida Early Childhood and Elementary Educator License.
Alycia Turner

Alycia Turner

Willow Assistant & Elementary Aftercare
Joined us in November 2024.