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.

Meet Our Administrative Staff

Ms. Emily (She/They)

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.

Mr. Garret (He/Him)

Mr. Garret serves as the Office Administrator and is honored to be part of such a dedicated and caring community. After entering the business world, he quickly discovered that his true calling was in education and youth development. He now runs a youth sports nonprofit and a basketball academy. In both spaces Mr. Garret works with students from preschool through high school, emphasizing the life skills and values that can be learned through all sports.

Mr. Garret has a deep commitment to nonprofit work and was immediately drawn to the Montessori Co-Op’s mission and community spirit. He is very excited to be playing a role in its continued growth and success. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife and two children, learning musical instruments, gardening, and reading.

Ms. Callie (She/Her)

Ms. Callie is our Staffing and Recruitment Coordinator and Head Toddler 1 Teacher. Since joining the Co-op in 2020, she has valued its strong sense of community and collaboration. A dedicated advocate of Maria Montessori’s philosophy, she is committed to supporting each child’s individual growth and fostering independence and curiosity through connection and gentle guidance.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies in 2018, with concentrations in Sociology, Art, and Education. Through the support of the Co-op, Callie was able to pursue and complete her Infant and Toddler Montessori Certification from the Center for Guided Montessori Studies in 2023.

Outside the classroom, Callie enjoys gardening, painting, writing, and meditation. She is committed to lifelong learning and values fostering meaningful connections with others and to nature.

“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

Meet Our Head Teachers

Ms. Septembre (She/Her)

Born in Council Bluffs, IA, but raised Omaha her whole life, Ms. Septembre went to Benson High School for part of her schooling, then received her high school diploma online at Stratford Career Institute. Ms. Septembre completed her Infant and Toddler Certification in December 2024. She has been working in childcare/Montessori for almost 30 years. She loves shopping, hanging out with her kids, and enjoying her new house!

Ms. Septembre has 2 daughters, Ms. Gracy, who works for the after-care part of the Montessori Co-op School, and Ziana, who is in the Elementary program at the co-op. Ms. Septembre’s favorite thing about the co-op is how we are a great community and that we come together to help everyone. Her goal for the future is to have her own Montessori school someday. Ms. Septembre loves connecting with new people and learning more about life.

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

Maria Montessori
Maria Montessori

Ms. Annie (She/Her)

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. Becky (She/Her)

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

Ms. Jordan (She/Her)

Ms. Jordan is one of our Primary guides. Ms. Jordan began teaching Montessori in 2014 and immediately fell in love with it. Getting to know the children and seeing how much they were capable of drew her in, realizing how important their work was kept her there. She loves learning new things and sharing them with her students.

Jordan received her AMI certification from the Montessori Institute of North Texas and it is her most hard-earned achievement. She also holds an Associate’s of Science from Metro Community College in Technical Theatre and plans to pursue her Bachelor’s Degree in the near future. When traveling, she loves visiting other Montessori schools and seeing as much of the Montessori community as possible.

The Co-op, located in her favorite neighborhood, with a proudly inclusive community, seemed like the perfect next step. Jordan is extremely excited to be a part of such a supportive and engaging community.

In her free time she loves learning new skills and hobbies, some of her current favorites are sewing and crafting, roller blading, and playing music with friends. She also enjoys camping, traveling, and going to concerts with her husband.

Mr. Samuel (He/Him)

Samuel is the lead elementary teacher at Montessori Co-op School, where he is deeply committed to inclusive, student-centered education. His work integrates functional skill development with meaningful academic engagement, creating opportunities for neurodivergent students to learn, explore, and grow.

Samuel’s commitment to supporting neurodivergent individuals began early in his life and has shaped a career spanning early intervention, specialized educational programs, adaptive learning environments, and accessible arts education. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Oregon and a master’s in special education from Pacific University. His professional experience includes working in autism-specific and medically focused early intervention classrooms, co-directing a summer program for individuals with autism through the Autism Society of North Carolina, and leading a ceramics workshop at Camphill Kimberton Hills, an intentional farming community for adults with disabilities. He has also served as a lead teacher in a medically specialized elementary program and adaptive middle school autism programs.

Across these experiences, Samuel has remained dedicated to recognizing each learner’s strengths, fostering independence, and making learning accessible, engaging, and purposeful. Bringing creativity, curiosity, and a sense of adventure to his practice, he strives to build educational environments where students can develop meaningful skills, experience joy in learning, and participate fully in their communities.

Meet Our Program Leaders

Ms. Abby (She/Her)

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 (She/Her)

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

Meet Our Teacher Assistants

Mr. Joe (He/Him)

Mr. Joe is one of our Primary assistants. He 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. Gracy (She/Her)

Ms. Gracy is one of our assistant teachers. She 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. Marilou (She/Her)

Ms. Marilou is one of our assistant teachers. Marilou is from Golden, Colorado and recently graduated from Creighton University with a double major in psychology and international relations. Marilou enjoys traveling, good food, and everything outdoors. She hopes to return to school to get a masters in Gendered International Studies. Marilou’s favorite part of the co-op the amazing community and culture that is so welcoming and fun!

Edith (She/Her)

Ms. Edith is an assistant teacher in Ms. Jordan’s primary classroom. She has a background in piano performance and music education, and enjoys playing classical music whenever she has the time. After becoming a piano teacher, she realized that her passion lies in teaching others and working with children. Currently, Ms. Edith is pursuing her Bachelors degree in education at UNO. Prior to undergrad, she attended Montessori schools in Omaha from pre-k through high school. She has a unique perspective on Montessori education because of her first-hand experience, and she feels like the co-op is a familiar and nostalgic place to her, as the work shelves are filled with the same materials she remembers using as a child.

Ms. Collette (She/Her)

Ms. Collette is an assistant teacher in Ms. Jordan’s primary classroom. After years of working in private childcare, she gained experience as an outdoor and community educator in the non-profit sector. Ms. Collette is passionate about land stewardship, including farm-to-table gardening and regenerative practices. She is active in local art communities, both as a curator and an artist. Her preferred mediums are painting, photography, and printmaking. She enjoys reading to her students in the classroom, and you can often find her leading mushroom hunts with her students through the yard.

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.