Faculty & Staff
Dedicated to authentic Montessori education, the administration and staff at Children's Workshop Montessori School
are highly trained, talented, and love working with children. We believe that great teachers are our best asset.
Board Of Trustees
Our Board consists of parents, staff, and community members, dedicated to serve our school and preserve our mission. As a collective group, we work diligently to ensure the school maintains financial integrity and strictly adheres to the Montessori Method in all its programming endeavors.
President:
Kait Sewell, Parent
Vice President:
Bryan Skulsky, Parent
Secretary:
Amanda Phillips, Parent
Treasurer:
Jessica Raiche, Parent
Members:
Erik Gutierrez, Parent
Karissa Leahy, Lead Guide
Karissa Leahy
Interim Head of School
Karissa has a degree in BS Finance and a Montessori Early Childhood Education Diploma. She’s been teaching in Montessori for more than a decade. She came to us from California and has been an amazing Toddler Guide for our children. Karissa has two young boys at home who love playing football and hockey. She says motherhood drives her passion for teaching.
NIDO (Infant Room)
Ali Bernstein
Nido Guide
Ali holds a special education degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato. She is a highly dedicated and compassionate educator with extensive experience addressing students' social-emotional needs. She demonstrates success in collaborating with teachers, families, and support staff to improve student well-being. Ali is committed to creating a safe and inclusive, culturally responsive learning environment that supports the holistic development of all students.
Jodi Burns
Nido Assistant
Jodi has her Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education with a teaching degree for birth to 3rd grade. She has a strong passion working with children and has over 20 years of experience. In her free time, Jodi enjoys sports and activities with her two kids, and spending time with her family.
Toddler Community
Isabelle Oien
Willow Room Guide
Isabelle has been with CW since 2019. Seeing the children’s curiosity and natural desire to learn in an environment that is created to foster their independence has been truly inspiring to her. She is currently in school getting her Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education and an Associate's in Interpreting. In her free time, she likes to read, be outside, practice her ASL and spend time with her family.
Avery Jenson
Willow Room Assistant
Avery Jenson is a Floating Teacher’s Aide who will be supporting our A to I team (infant and toddler age groups) with staff lunch breaks, recess duty, and Pm care duties. Before coming to CW, Avery was a Teacher’s Aide at the Goddard School and an Art Teacher for Kid Create Company in Eden Prairie.
Alyssa Rodriguez
Willow Room Assistant
I have been working in early childhood education since 2012, both as a nanny and in center-based settings. The bulk of my experience is with infants and toddlers, but I have been a part of the learning experience of all ages. I studied education at Hennepin Technical College and Bethel University. On a personal note, I’m a mother of four and an aunt to two—children truly fill every moment of my life! In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, geocaching, singing, and playing guitar. I am a classically trained soprano and occasionally perform, which is something I deeply enjoy.
Hlubtshaj Yang
Juniper Room Guide
Hlubtshaj has her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Minnesota and a Montessori A to I Diploma. She has a strong passion working with children and years of experience. In her free time, she enjoys singing, creating art, and spending time with her family.
Meredith Teigland
Juniper Room Assistant
Meredith Teigland, has taken 2 years of American Sign language (ASL). On her quest for parenting her daughter Eris, she discovered Montessori and fell in love with the many aspects of it. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family and reading.
Sadhana Khangarot
Juniper Room Assistant
I am a toddler teacher at CW and I have great passion for working with young children. I believe in a playful approach, strive to incorporate fun, and hands-on activities into our daily routine and teaching. These are the most powerful tools for learning and nurturing young minds. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, and trying new recipes while cooking.
Children’s House
Karissa Leahy
Birch Room Guide
Karissa has a degree in BS Finance and a Montessori Early Childhood Education Diploma. She’s been teaching in Montessori for more than a decade. She came to us from California and has been an amazing Toddler Guide for our children. Karissa has two young boys at home who love playing football and hockey. She says motherhood drives her passion for teaching.
Whitney Nobles
Birch Room Assistant
Whitney has many years of experience as a Nanny and teaching dance to a variety of age groups. She loves working with children of all ages.
Annie Ciminski
Birch Room Assistant
Annie holds a degree in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education from the University of Minnesota and worked as a Kindergarten Paraprofessional before coming to Children's Workshop. In addition to education, Annie has experience in a variety of fields including restaurant management, yoga instruction, and nursing assistance. Annie is new to the Montessori classroom and loves the child-centered approach and its emphasis on independence, empathy, curiosity, and discovery. She is a mom herself to two young boys, and enjoys gardening, camping, canoeing, cooking, and reading. More than anything else, Annie loves connecting with children and getting to know their unique personalities and learning styles, and feels that Montessori is the perfect fit for her!
Jane Hwang
River Room Lead Guide
It has been my privilege to be at Children’s Workshop since 2017 after completing the AMI primary training at the Montessori Center of MN in 2015. I am excited to work with children this summer and to watch them grow in independence, develop a love for learning, and build lifelong skills at an early age. In my free time, I enjoy gardening and playing the piano.
Brenna O’Gara
River Room Assistant
Brenna loves that children are given freedom to explore in Montessori school. She comes to us with an amazing attitude, has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Reading Instruction and previously worked at Wayzata schools with children from Pre-K to 5th grade. Her favorite Montessori quote is, "The greatest gifts we can give our children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence."
Kylah Klein
River Room Assistant
My name is Kylah. I was born and raised in Hawaii and have been passionate about working with young children since 2018. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Grand Canyon University in Arizona. I spent three rewarding years teaching kindergarten, where glitter, giggles, and growth were daily essentials. After trading palm trees for snowflakes two years ago, I’ve continued to nurture my love for early learning and helping children grow. Outside of the classroom, you can find me spending time with my husband, Logan, cozied up with a book, going on adventures, crafting, or making frequent Target runs.
Michael Sala
Children's House Assistant
Michael obtained his masters degree in social work from the University of Texas at Austin and for more than 20 years has been pursuing the helping and healing professions. As a licensed social worker, he has worked in mentoring, foster care, Special Education, and hospice. He is also a yoga teacher, Thai bodywork therapist, energy medicine practitioner, spiritual mentor, and death midwife. Having such a broad repertoire of interests and skills, Michael ultimately thrives working as part of a cohesive team in a small community that has great integrity—that is what draws him to Children’s Workshop. He lives in Eden Prairie with his husband, an educator in public schools. He enjoys movies, bicycling, poetry, playing tennis, cooking, knitting, sewing, and reading.
Ava Kampf
Children's House Assistant
Hi, my name is Ava. I just graduated with my BS in psychology with a minor in child development and family studies. Throughout college I worked with children in classroom, clinical and educational research settings. I am passionate about supporting children with developmental and behavioral needs through evidence-based interventions while fostering independence and self-paced growth. In my free time, I enjoy taking yoga classes and running on the Three River Park District trails!
