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). Attended 2025 and 2026 AIMS Conferences. Joined the AIMS Board in 2025.
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, 2026.
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
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 + Assistant Guide
Joined us in February 2021. Training to be Montessori Certified Directress for Ages 3-6 (UWRF). Attended AIMS Montessori Conference 2025 and 2026.
Lisa Kirk

Lisa Kirk

Custodial Manager
Joined us in July 2023.
Dan Lindsay

Dan Lindsay

Lily Assistant Guide + Elementary Aftercare
First joined us in August 2017, returned in August 2023. Has his Illinois Educator License. Attended AIMS Montessori Conference in 2025.
Jane Priest

Jane Priest

Teddy Assistant Guide + Teddy Aftercare
Joined us in January 2024, attended AIMS conference 2025 and 2026.
Maryssa Orndorff

Maryssa Orndorff

Butterfly Aftercare
Joined us in January 2024. Attended AIMS conferences 2025 and 2026.
Alycia Fox

Alycia Fox

Butterfly Aftercare
Joined us in November 2024.

TODDLER FACULTY

Thalia Rodriguez

Thalia Rodriguez

Teddy Lead Guide + Toddler Program Director
Joined us in January 2020. Montessori Certified Directress for Ages 0-3 (Seton 2023). Attended AIMS Montessori Conference 2025 and 2026.
Yukimi Oishi

Yukimi Oishi

Teddy Assistant Guide
Joined us in December 2020. Montessori Certified Assistant (Seton 2024). Maintains a Child Development Associate. Has virtually attended AMS Montessori Conferences and attended AIMS 2025 and 2026.
Jessica Earley

Jessica Earley

Teddy Assistant Guide
Joined us in August 2023. Attended AIMS Montessori Conference 2025 and 2026. Training to obtain an Infant-Toddler Montessori Credential (Seton).
Jane Priest

Jane Priest

Teddy Assistant Guide + Teddy Aftercare
Joined us in January 2024, attended AIMS conference 2025 and 2026.

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).
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 Guide
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). Attended AIMS conferences 2025 and 2026.
Jennifer Johnson

Jennifer Johnson

Duck Assistant Guide
Joined us in December 2014. Attended AMS Montessori Conference in 2024, AIMS Conference in 2025 and 2026.
Katie Courter

Katie Courter

Office Manager + Assistant Guide
Joined us in February 2021. Training to be Montessori Certified Directress for Ages 3-6 (UWRF). Attended AIMS Montessori Conference 2025 and 2026.
Aryn Chasteen

Aryn Chasteen

Assistant Guide
Joined us in September 2025 and attended AIMS conference 2026. Working on Montessori masters and credential.

ELEMENTARY FACULTY

Mia Hanneken

Mia Hanneken

Lily Lead Guide
Joined us in August 2021. Montessori Certified Directress for Ages 6-12 (Seton 2024). Attended AIMS Conference 2026.
Taylor Lancaster

Taylor Lancaster

Willow Lead Guide
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, 2025, and 2026.
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 Guide + Elementary Aftercare
First joined us in August 2017, returned in August 2023. Has his Illinois Educator License. Attended AIMS Montessori Conference in 2025.
Laura Eichelberger

Laura Eichelberger

Fern Lead Guide
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.