In the Classroom

Emily Huyck

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.   

John Bell

Mr. John is excited to be an elementary teaching assistant at the Co-op while beginning his Montessori teacher training in October 2023 for the combined elementary levels.  Born and raised in Omaha, he graduated from Creighton University in May 2023 with a Bachelor of the Arts. He double-majored in History and American Studies with an emphasis on queer history. He was able to do funded undergraduate research about the construction of Omaha Public Schools’ sex education curriculum in the mid 1980s through a Creighton summer fellowship.

Mr. John was drawn to the Co-op not only because of its deep respect for the Montessori method, but the incredible green space that the Co-op uses. As someone who used to work at a nature education center, he realizes how important green spaces are for childrens’ learning and development. He loves taking students outside under the shade in the Co-Op’s backyard to study when possible!

When Mr. John isn’t teaching or studying, he loves walking downtown to check out the new parks and latest events. He also enjoys taking care of his indoor plants, learning how to cook, and continuing to learn about education.

Becky Britt

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

Maggie Dowd

Ms. Maggie is an assistant teacher in Miss Callie’s toddler classroom. She came to the Montessori Co-op School in March of 2022. She has a bachelors in social work and a minor in sociology from Creighton University where she completed victim advocacy training and practicum hours volunteering at Completely Kids and Kellom Elementary. She was also a service year participant for Champions of Aging where she was a social work intern for a hospice in Omaha. She plans to continue her education and obtain a master’s in social work to become a counselor or school social worker.

 In her free time, she volunteers with Endless Journey Hospice and works at a breakfast restaurant nearby the Co-op! Miss Maggie loves to watch movies, listen to music, and spend time with friends and family. 

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

Jennifer Farhat

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

Emily Gomez

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.

Sarah Horwath

Ms. Sarah is an assistant teacher in the elementary classroom. 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

Emma Kazmierczak

Ms. Emma has been working with the Montessori Co-op School in various roles since 2009 and is currently the Head Teacher in one of our Primary classrooms. She served as an afterschool assistant in high school and an assistant teacher in the toddler and later primary classrooms while completing her college education. She has a B.A. in Elementary Education with an emphasis on Early Childhood Development and a Certification from the American Montessori Society (AMS) for Primary Education.

Ms. Emma brings her enthusiasm for art, plants, and reading into the classroom while engaging students with her love for the outdoors, animals, and insects by guiding the students to tend to the classroom’s various pets to learn responsibility and life skills. She began at the Co-op back in 1997 as a Primary student and stayed through Elementary – a wonderful full circle!

In her free time, Ms. Emma usually spends time with her husband Leo and their three dogs and one cat while gardening, watching foreign movies, playing video games, attending live performances, reading, and experimenting in the kitchen.

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

Callie Newman

Ms. Callie is the Lead Guide for our Toddler Room. She was drawn to the Montessori Co-op School in 2020 and fell in love with the close community that the Co-op offers. She holds dear to her heart the teachings of Maria Montessori and believes in supporting each toddler on their individual exploration through life.

In 2015, she completed her A.S. in Early Childhood Education, and in 2018 completed her B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies. Currently, Ms. Callie is in the process of finishing her Infant and Toddler Montessori Certification through the Center of Guidance for Montessori Studies.

In her years of work and volunteer experience, she has held various roles in education since 2011. This includes serving as a Preschool Teacher for three years, an Early Head Start Lead Teacher, a Multi-Age Classroom Lead Teacher, and various supporting roles in education. Through the years, mutual learning and respect have proven to be the keys to teaching for Ms. Callie.

In her spare time, Ms. Callie enjoys volunteering, reading, writing, gardening, meditation, and yoga.

“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

Annie O’Farrell

Ms. Annie has been a teacher at the Montessori Co-op School since 1985 and is one of our Primary teachers.  Ms. Annie has spent her career shaping our school. She feels deeply honored to work as an educational guide in partnership with her students and their wonderfully supportive families.

She received her bachelor’s degree in Geography and Languages from St. Patrick’s College in Maynooth, Ireland. Her elementary education training came from St. Patrick’s Teacher Training College in Dublin, and Montessori training from The St. Nicholas Montessori Society of London.  Ms. Annie also has her MBA from Bellevue University and has been an adjunct instructor for Metro Community College’s Early Childhood Education Department.

Ms. Annie was born and raised in Ireland.  In her spare time, she loves to spend time with family both here and in Ireland and with her good friends.  She also enjoys reading, dancing, walking, drawing, and especially live theater.

” 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

Mads Roden

Mx. Mads is an assistant in Ms. Emma’s classroom. 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

Bella Rudd

Miss Bella was born and raised here in Omaha and grew up in the heart of Benson. Miss Bella attended Montessori Children’s Room from ages three to five and then moved to Omaha public schools. In high school, Bella was a lifeguard for three summers at Gallagher pool where she was trained to hands-on help during medical emergencies. She also spent this time working at an in-home daycare for about three years. Bella graduated from Central High School in 2019 and went to Creighton University to get her EMT Certificate. Miss Bella also attended Methodist College to attain her CNA. Bella has worked for Nebraska Medical Center as a CNA and also was a Lead Toddler teacher at her previous Daycare center. Bella is an Assistant Toddler Teacher here at the Montessori Co-op School and has a huge passion for childcare. Bella plans to become a Montessori Infant and Toddler certified teacher in the near future. 

“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 

Lamesha Tanksley-Mitchell

Ms. Lamesha loves to read and go to church. She participates in volunteering throughout the year. Her favorite organization to work with is the WeLoveYou Foundation. One of my favorite quotes by Maria Montessori is “The greatest sign of success for a teacher… is to be able to say, The children are now working as if I did not exist.” I really like the quote because it is so true and what I hope to achieve in the classroom I am allowed to work in.

Roseclaire VandeVegt

Ms. Rose has been at the Co-op for 7 years, not counting the 11 she attended as a student. She loved her time at the Co-op as a child so much that she just had to come back! Ms. Rose is an assistant teacher in Ms. Emma’s primary room. She is finishing her degree in elementary education in May of 2024. She spends her free time playing with her fur babies and reading.