Teachers – Montessori Co-Op School

In the Classroom

Every expedition needs a leader and learning adventures are no different. Our teachers and assistant teachers do much more than instruct. They spark curiosity and then stand ready to satisfy it by pointing the way to information and understanding. Their enthusiasm is infectious because they love learning, too.

Ms. Emily

Ms. Emily has been the Montessori Co-op School’s Director since 2011, after being a teacher in the Primary classroom. Emily grew up in Omaha and attended Truman State University in Kirksville, MO. She has a bachelor’s degree in English and Elementary Education. She then attended Grad School at the University of Minnesota, Mankato, and graduated with a master’s in Gendered and Women’s Studies.

At Truman State Emily studied coaching and leadership skills, eventually becoming the assistant soccer coach. She coached at the high school, club, and collegiate levels. She was awarded a place in the Truman State Hall of Fame for being the two-time Most Valuable Player and 3-time first-team all-conference goalkeeper from 1998-2001. She was the first goalkeeper in Truman’s history to earn All-America honors.

Ms. Emily moved back to Omaha in 2008, discovered the Co-op, and fell in love with the Montessori method. Much of the Montessori method mirrors her philosophies with coaching and leadership, specifically that Montessori is a student (person/player) led environment that encourages community building and emphasizes empowerment of the student (person/player).

As a leader, coach, teacher, and director, Emily advocates for creating welcoming, safe, inclusive spaces everywhere, from the soccer field to the board room. She empowers people in her leadership style and knows the importance of creating a community.

Emily enjoys spending time with her partner and two daughters, going on bike rides, and spending time outdoors. She is a big fan of drag shows, loves a good Broadway musical, and enjoys a good dance party. She loves to travel to see how culture, gender, love, and relationships look around the world.

Meet Our Head Teachers and Assistants

Ms. Callie

Ms. Callie is our Toddler Head Teacher and serves as our current Teacher Representative on the Montessori Co-op Board. She joined the Co-op in 2020 and quickly appreciated its close-knit community. A strong advocate of Maria Montessori’s teachings, she is dedicated to supporting each toddler’s individual journey.

Ms. Callie holds an A.S. in Early Childhood Education (2015) and a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies (2018), along with a Montessori certification in Infant and Toddler education from the Center for Guided Montessori Studies (2023).

In her spare time, Ms. Callie enjoys gardening, volunteering, painting, reading, writing, meditation, and yoga. She values mutual learning and respect in teaching, alongside a deep connection to nature through play.

“We shall walk together on this path of life, for all things are a part of the universe, and are connected with each other to form one whole unity.”
Maria Montessori

Ms. Septembre

Ms. Septembre was born in Council Bluffs and has lived in Omaha for her entire life, doing high school at Benson HS and online at Stratford Career Institute. She has her bachelor’s degree from the Center for Guided Montessori Studies, and has been working in childcare and Montessori settings for 25 years.

Ms. Septembre loves shopping, hanging out with her daughters (one a fellow MCS staff and one a student!), and making her yard look spectacular. Septembre’s favorite things about the co-op are the amazing staff and families, and how she can be her full self.

“Education is not something which the teacher does, but a natural process that develops spontaneously in the human being”. -Maria Montessori
Maria Montessori

Ms. Rory

Rory was born in Columbia, MO, grew up outside of Seattle, Washington before moving to Omaha in 2017. Rory loves to travel, go to concerts, garden, hike, and spend time with her daughter Eden, dog Busch, and cat Dragon. Rory loves how the co-op feels like a big family, and is forever thankful for the kind souls she gets to meet and work with every day.

Ms. Gracy

Ms. Gracy is from Omaha and attends Central High school. Outside of her co-op time she enjoys being outside and watching television. Her goal is to be a professional teacher someday. Her favorite part of the co-op is that everyone is welcome and works together to show love and care to the children.

Ms. Becky

Ms. Becky began her Montessori affiliation as a parent; her two daughters attended a Montessori school from preschool through 6th grade. Ms. Becky really connected with the Montessori philosophy and received her Montessori Early Childhood credential from the American Montessori Society in 2010. She has taught in Montessori primary and elementary classrooms for 14 years and is currently the Head Teacher in the Primary 1 classroom.

Ms. Becky grew up in Omaha and has a BA in English from Creighton University. She recently completed a Master of Arts in Education degree from St. Catherine University. Before her Montessori career began, Ms. Becky worked in a few different office positions in Omaha and Minneapolis. She has also worked as a Licensed Massage Therapist and Certified Infant Massage instructor and has completed her Reiki level 3 training. It is her work as a Montessori early childhood guide that has most inspired her; she especially loves helping children learn to read and encouraging their curiosity for the world.

Ms. Becky and her husband Dan have been married for 27 years. They have 2 grown daughters and 2 dogs. When she isn’t at school, Ms. Becky enjoys reading, gardening, tap dancing and spending time with her family.

“To stimulate life–leaving it then free to develop, to unfold–herein lies the first task of the educator.”
Maria Montessori

Mr. Joe

Mr. Joe is from Omaha, where he graduated from Millard North High School. After four years of serving on active duty in the Army, Joe joined us at the co-op where among his many talents and skills, the staff appreciates his superior ability to get wiggly children down for nap time. In his free time he like to watch movies and play video games. He loves the warm inviting nature of the co-op and enjoys hanging out with the kiddos each day.

Ms. Annie

Ms. Annie grew up in Ireland and was first exposed to Montessori while taking her traditional elementary teacher training at St Patrick’s College, Dundrum, Ireland. She was immediately hooked, and never looked back! Ms. Annie holds a bachelor’s degree in geography, French, and Irish from Maynooth University, and my Montessori training from The St. Nicholas Montessori Society of London. She also has an MBA from Bellevue University.

Ms. Annie was privileged to join the Co-Op in March of 1985. In addition, she has taught Early Childhood education and ESL for adults, at Metro Community College.

In Ms. Annie’s free time, she’s an avid reader, and loves live music, knitting, drawing, dancing, and theater. She loves to spend time with family and friends, especially with her 7-year-old granddaughter.

“The child who has felt a strong love for his surroundings and for all living creatures, who has discovered joy and enthusiasm in work, gives us reason to hope that humanity can develop in a new direction.”
Maria Montessori

Ms. Chloe

Chloe is an assistant teacher in one of our primary classrooms. She relocated from the Seattle area in 2024 and is loving the Midwest. Chloe has worked in the childcare community since 2012 and loves being a part of the co-op community. In her spare time you’ll find Chloe reading or working out.

Mx. Mads

Mx. Mads is an assistant in one of our primary classrooms. They moved to Omaha in November 2019 and started at the Montessori Co-op School in October 2021 where they fell in love with teaching. They are excited to come to work every day knowing that they’ll teach their students something new and that they’ll often learn something new from them!

They are pursuing a degree in secondary education with a focus on English at MCC and UNO, but they still love working with the Primary and Elementary students at the Co-op. They love working at the Co-op because of how supported they feel by the community, and they hope to take everything they’ve learned to their own classroom someday.

In their free time, Mx. Mads is an avid film and theater buff who participates in community theater, works on short films, and binge-watches horror movies in their spare time. They also love writing and playing music and are very into superheroes, Star Trek, Star Wars, or Doctor Who. While not at the Co-op, you’ll probably find them at home with their roommate Ms. Sarah and their two cats, drinking too much coffee or spending the day at the movie theater!

“Education is the best weapon for peace.”
Maria Montessori

Ms. Sarah

Ms. Sarah is an assistant teacher in one of our primary classrooms. She has a Bachelor’s degree in education and was drawn to the Montessori Co-op School while working on her degree because of the child-focused nature of the school. Ms. Sarah strongly believes in giving students a say in their educational journey rather than trying to teach every student in one way.

Ms. Sarah began working at the Co-op in 2019 while she was getting her degree. She took some time off in 2020 to complete an internship with WhyArts before getting her degree and returning to the Co-op as a full-time assistant. While she is currently very content with being an assistant teacher, Ms. Sarah has considered returning to school to get her teaching certificate sometime in the future.

Ms. Sarah is a trans woman and is very passionate about LGBTQIA+ causes. When she isn’t in the classroom, she can frequently be found going to the movies, sitting on the couch reading and writing, or spending time with her family and friends, including her roommate Mx. Mads.

“The instructions of the teacher consist then merely in a hint, a touch—enough to give a start to the child. The rest develops of itself.”
Maria Montessori

Ms. Alexis

Alexis is from Carter Lake, Iowa and is currently pursuing her degree in Elementary Education with an inclusive practices endorsement at UNO. She loves going on walks with her dog Lambeau, reading, writing, doing yoga, and spending time with her cat Raider. Alexis’ favorite parts of the co-op are watching students grow, and all the kind faces that are a part of her days.

Ms. Annie

Ms. Annie was privileged to join the Co-Op in March of 1985. In addition, she has taught Early Childhood education and ESL for adults, at Metro Community College.

“The child who has felt a strong love for his surroundings and for all living creatures, who has discovered joy and enthusiasm in work, gives us reason to hope that humanity can develop in a new direction.”
Maria Montessori

Mx. Grayson

Meet Our Elementary Teachers and Assistants

Ms. Annie

Mr. Samuel grew up in the Omaha area. He attended Papillion-LaVista High School. When he was 18, he completed a year of service with AmeriCorps in the Southeast United States. In undergrad, Mr. Samuel studied textile design at the University of Oregon. Mr. Samuel completed his master’s degree in Special Education at Pacific University in Eugene, Oregon. Mr. Samuel enjoys working with individuals on the spectrum and brings a wealth of knowledge when working with students with unique needs. Mr. Samuel enjoys playing outside, biking, gardening, making art, and being in nature!

Ms. Em

Ms. Em is the Head Teacher of the Elementary Classroom. She fell in love with Montessori education as she researched schools and ways of learning for her daughter. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Science Education and a Master’s degree in Science Education both from the University of Northern Iowa. Before coming to the Co-op, Ms. Em had been teaching Middle School Science since 2013. While teaching, she started the first Middle School Gender and Sexuality Alliance in the state of Iowa. She cares deeply about LGBTQIA children and that they have an educational experience where they see representation they can relate to in their leaders and curriculum.

Ms. Em was born and raised in Iowa and after graduating from university she moved to the East Coast where she lived several years in Vermont and several years in Boston. While living there she worked at the University of Vermont, Boston University, and Harvard University.

In her free time, Ms. Em enjoys spending time with her wife and daughter, being outside and traveling to new places. She loves learning or reading anything about science, cooking new recipes and baking seasonal treats. Every weekend you could find Ms. Em tending to her cacti collection, going thrifting with an iced coffee in hand, and playing Pokémon Go.

“Education is the best weapon for peace.”
Maria Montessori

Ms. Abby

Ms. Abby is the art teacher at the Co-op, but you can also find her in the different classrooms on any given day. She graduated from Creighton University in 2024 with degrees in Studio Art and French. At Creighton she was involved with the Scheerer Scholars of the Arts, a program and seminar that explores the connections between art, culture, and social justice. Ms. Abby also studied abroad in France in Fall 2022, and she loves to travel!

She spent a summer working at the Ankeny Art Center teaching ceramics workshops to children ages 5-10 and enjoyed helping children foster their innate creativity. She has also led art workshops including ceramic mug making, jewelry making, and printmaking for adults at Siena Francis House here in Omaha.

Ms. Abby came to the Co-op in 2024, and she was drawn to the Co-op’s mission and community. She loves getting to work with all of the children and provide them with the materials and skills to create art and explore their creativity. Her favorite part of her job is creating lessons and projects that are engaging and fun for all ages.

Ms. Abby is from Ankeny, Iowa and is lucky enough to spend lots of time with her family back home as well as her friends here in Omaha. In her free time she loves to scrapbook, bake, watch movies, and read.

Ms. Jennifer

Ms. Jennifer is the Montessori Coop School’s Librarian and Elementary Support Teacher. She began her employment in the Spring of 2023 and is thrilled to be working in an environment that allows students to be passionate, self-directed learners. As an experienced teacher with over 20 years in Elementary classroom settings, she deeply respects the Montessori commitment to nurture each child’s innate sense of wonder and curiosity.

Ms. Jennifer has spent most of her adult life living in Dubai with her husband and 3 children while teaching at International Schools. She also worked for several years as a School Librarian for Omaha Public Schools. She has degrees in Psychology and Elementary Education, a Library Endorsement, and plans to begin her Montessori certification.

Travel is her passion, and she has visited exotic destination all over the world including Egypt, Peru, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Istanbul, Malaysia, Lebanon, and Cambodia. When not traveling, she enjoys volunteering at the Tri-Faith Food Pantry and Garden. Reading, hiking, meditating, yoga, adventuring, and DYI projects also keep her entertained.

“We shall walk together on this path of life, for all things are part of the universe and are connected to each other to form one whole unity.”
Maria Montessori

Apply at our School

If you are passionate about working with children small to tall (18 months to 6th grade), we want to know about you!

Montessori Co-op School welcomes inquiries from applicants interested in working in our unique environment as a head teacher, or as a full or part time assistant.

Please contact us for more information about qualifications for each position.