Staff & Faculty

The People Who Make It Happen

Montessori Educator Guides

The time-tested “Montessori” educational model and name is over 100 years old.  It remains a cutting-edge model of education if it is fully implemented as a system.  In order to maintain our commitment to providing superlative Montessori accredited schools, Lakeland Montessori requires:

• all classrooms have two adults, the lead teacher and a full-time assistant (or a co-teacher)
• all lead teachers must hold or be actively enrolled to receive their Montessori credentials for the age levels they are teaching. Separate, specific Montessori credentials are required for age 3-6, age 6-9, age 9-12, and age 12-15.  For example, a teacher that is Montessori certified for age 3-6 may not teach age 9-12 students unless they hold or are enrolled to receive the Montessori credential for that age level. This is also a requirement to qualify as an accredited American Montessori Society (AMS) school.
• all lead teachers must hold or be enrolled to receive Montessori credentials issued by a  Montessori teacher education program that is accredited by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE), the American Montessori Internationale, the American Montessori Society, or the National Center for Montessori Education. This is also a requirement to qualify as an accredited American Montessori Society school.
• all classrooms meet the rigorous AMS and Cognia accreditation requirements for adult:student ratios and class size
• all lead teachers must have a Bachelor’s Degree. This is also a requirement to qualify as an accredited American Montessori Society school.
• all lead teachers must have a State of Florida Teaching Certificate.
• all classroom assistants are required to attend a Montessori assistant teacher training workshop.

Mabel Garcia, Early Childhood Montessori Guide – Banyan Classroom

Banyan@LakelandMontessori.com

• MACTE accredited Montessori Early Childhood age 3-6 Full Certification through the International Montessori Council Center for Guided Montessori Studies, Sarasota, FL
• State of Florida Professional Teacher Certification, Primary Education grades K-3, Elementary Education grades 1-6, ESOL endorsed
• Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas
• Former Dade County public schools Kindergarten teacher 1997-2004
• Bilingual in Spanish and English
• Began teaching in 1997 and joined Lakeland Montessori Schools in 2011
• Parent of two Lakeland Montessori graduates

Troy Adams, Early Childhood Teacher – Banyan Classroom

Banyan@LakelandMontessori.com

• State of Florida Professional Teacher Certification, Elementary Education grades K-6, Exceptional Student Education and Reading
• Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary/Collaborative Education from Birmingham-Southern College, Birmingham, AL
• Former Polk County public Schools Kindergarten-5th grade Exceptional Education teacher
• Former Polk County Public Schools 2nd grade teacher
• Began teaching in 2019 and joined Lakeland Montessori Schools in 2023
• Husband of Caroline Adams, Lakeland Montessori’s Secondary Co-Teacher

Valerie Hewitt, Early Childhood Montessori Guide -Willow Classroom

Willow@LakelandMontessori.com

• MACTE accredited Montessori Early Childhood age 3-6 Full Certification through the International Montessori Council Center for Guided Montessori Studies, Sarasota, FL
• State of Florida Professional Teacher Certification, Prekindergarten/Primary Education, age 3 – grade 3, English Speakers of Other Languages
• Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of South Florida, Tampa
• Former Polk County and Hillsborough public schools Early Childhood teacher 2011-2017
• Joined Lakeland Montessori Schools in 2017
• Parent of one child attending Lakeland Montessori

Yaris Gonzalez Acevedo, Early Childhood Assistant Teacher -Willow Classroom

Willow@LakelandMontessori.com

• National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector Montessori Assistant Teacher Certification in process
• American Sign Language Certification
• Artisan and entrepreneur providing classes for children and the elderly in book binding, jewelry making, and crocheting
• Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Business Administration from the University of Puerto Rico
• Joined Lakeland Montessori 2022

Anita Joseph, Early Childhood Montessori Guide – Cypress Classroom

Cypress@LakelandMontessori.com

• MACTE accredited Montessori Early Childhood age 3-6 Full Certification through the International Montessori Council Center for Guided Montessori Studies, Sarasota, FL
• State of Florida Teacher Certified, Primary Education grades K-3
• Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from St. John’s University, New York
• Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Long Island University, New York
• Former age 3-6 Montessori Assistant Teacher/Intern at Beach Park Montessori School in Tampa 2017-18
• Former Finance professional 1997-2016
• Joined Lakeland Montessori Schools in 2016 as a substitute teacher

Ingrid Nieto, Early Childhood Assistant Teacher -Cypress Classroom

Cypress@LakelandMontessori.com

• National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector Montessori Assistant Teacher Certification in process
• Early Literacy certification for children birth – 3
• Florida Dept of Children and Families 45 hour training certification
• DOE- Integrating VPK Standards: Phonological Awareness
• DOE- Florida VPK Education Standards
• Cross Country Education, Childhood Development Disorders
• Former Early Head Start Teacher, Sarasota FL
• Former VPK Assistant Teacher, Riverview FL
• Former Preschool Teacher, Brandon FL
• Joined Lakeland Montessori 2022

Sandra Moss-Lower Elementary Montessori Guide, Discoverers Classroom

Discoverers@LakelandMontessori.com

• MACTE accredited Montessori Elementary I-II (certified for all ages 6-12) Full Certification through the International Montessori Council Center for Guided Montessori Studies, Sarasota, FL
• Swedish Montessori Institute age 6-9 Montessori Teacher Education Program completion 2001, Stockholm Sweden
• State of Florida Professional Teacher Certification, Elementary Education grades K-6
• Master of Education Degree in Guidance and Counseling from Antioch Graduate College, Keene, New Hampshire
• Master’s Program, thesis with topic, “Language and Mathematics Achievement in the Multicultural Classroom” from Stockholm University, Institute of International and Comparative Education, Stockholm, Sweden
• Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and Education from the University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
• Bachelor of Fine Arts with honors from the Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY
• Former elementary teacher at Lincoln Avenue Academy
• Former elementary teacher at Johannes School of Stockholm Sweden 2000-2011
• Former Artist/Photography teacher in Sweden and the United States
• Began teaching in 1986 and joined Lakeland Montessori Schools in 2012

Candice Perez, Lower Elementary Montessori Guide, Discoverers Classroom

Discoverers@LakelandMontessori.com

• MACTE accredited Montessori Elementary 6-12 Full Certification through the International Montessori Council Center for Guided Montessori Studies, Sarasota, FL
• State of Florida Professional Teacher Certification in Elementary Education grades K-6, ESOL endorsed, Reading endorsed
• Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Central Florida, Orlando
• Former Polk County Charter School Montessori Guide, 2018-2022
• Former Polk County Public Schools First, Second, and Third-grade teacher, 2011-2015
• Began teaching in 2011 and joined Lakeland Montessori Schools in 2022
• Parent of three children attending Lakeland Montessori

Chelsea Waldron-Lower Elementary Lead Montessori Guide, Adventurers Classroom

Adventurers@LakelandMontessori.com

• MACTE accredited Montessori Early Childhood age 3-6 Full Certification through the International Montessori Council Center for Guided Montessori Studies, Sarasota, FL
• Currently enrolled in MACTE accredited Montessori Elementary 6-12 Full Certification through the International Montessori Council Center for Guided Montessori Studies, Sarasota, FL
• State of Florida Professional Teacher and Administrator Certification in Educational Leadership and Elementary Education grades K-6, ESOL endorsed
• Master of Education degree in Education Leadership from Southeastern University, Lakeland
• Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of South Florida, Tampa
• Former Polk County public schools Kindergarten, First, Second, and Third-grade teacher and Math Coach 2010-2017
• Former infant room teacher at Precious Children in the Highlands, Lakeland 2017-2018
• Former Day Camp/After School Counselor with KIDZ, Lakeland 2002-2010
• Began teaching in 2010 and joined Lakeland Montessori Schools in 2018
• Parent of two children attending Lakeland Montessori

Carolyn Krentz, Lower Elementary Assistant Teacher-Adventurers Classroom

Adventurers@LakelandMontessori.com

• National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector Montessori Assistant Teacher Certification
• Master of Science degree in Environmental Science from Florida Institute of Technology
• Bachelor of Science degree in Biology (Marine Biology and Ecology) from Florida Institute of Technology
• Naturalist/leader of environmental education for 8 years at River Legacy Living Science Center, Arlington, Texas
• Liaison between Arlington Texas Independent School district and River Legacy Living Science Center for 5 years; scheduled, coordinated, and led field investigations
• Joined Lakeland Montessori Schools in 2017
• Parent of current Lakeland Montessori student

William “Bill” Leckie, III, Upper Elementary Montessori Guide-Explorers Classroom

Explorers@LakelandMontessori.com

• MACTE accredited Montessori Elementary age 6-12 Full Certification through the International Montessori Council for Guided Montessori Studies, Sarasota, FL
• State of Florida Professional Teacher Certification, Elementary Education, K-6, Social Science 6-12
• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration Management from University of South Florida, Tampa
• Former Polk County public schools teacher 2013-2016
• Former business professional 1986-2012
• Began teaching in 2013 and joined Lakeland Montessori Schools in 2017

Sarah Holland, Upper Elementary Montessori Guide-Explorers Classroom

Explorers@LakelandMontessori.com

• MACTE accredited Montessori Elementary age 6-12 (grades 1-6) Full Certification ongoing through the International Montessori Council for Guided Montessori Studies, Sarasota, FL
• State of Florida Professional Teacher Certification, Elementary Education grades 1-6, Reading endorsed, ESOL endorsed
• Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from the Florida Southern University, Lakeland
• Former 5th grade teacher in Polk County
• Began teaching in 2020 and joined Lakeland Montessori Schools in 2022
• First baby on the way!

Isabel Morrell, Upper Elementary Assistant Teacher-Explorers Classroom

Explorers@LakelandMontessori.com

• National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector Montessori Assistant Teacher Certification
• Bachelor of Arts degree in English, Writing Editing, and MediaVisual Communications, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
• 5+ years as Nursery Staff at All Saints’ Episcopal Church
• Legal Assistant summer internship at Morrell, P.A.
• Joined Lakeland Montessori Schools in 2020 

Marissa Saenz-Secondary Montessori Guide

Secondary@LakelandMontessori.com

• MACTE accredited Montessori Secondary I-II (ages 12-18) Full Certification through the American Montessori Society Houston Montessori Center, Houston, TX
• Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts from Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, CA
• FLDOE Subject Area mastery achieved for teacher certification in Mathematics grades 5-9 (including high school Algebra 1), Science grades 5-9, English Language Arts grades 5-9, and Social Sciences grades 5-9
• Joined Lakeland Montessori Schools in 2018

Caroline Adams-Secondary Co-Teacher

Secondary@LakelandMontessori.com

• National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector Montessori Assistant Teacher Certification
• Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Arts, Cum Laude, from Birmingham-Southern College
• 4 years as Adolescent Camp Counselor
• Wife of Troy Adams, Lakeland Montessori Early Childhood teacher
• Joined Lakeland Montessori Schools in 2021

Jennifer Bare, On-Site Substitute Teacher

Substitute@LakelandMontessori.com

• National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector Montessori Assistant Teacher Certification
• Bachelor of Science degree in Visual Communications, Westwood College, Denver, CO
• 3 years as a Kelly Services substitute teacher at Polk County Public Schools
• 7 years with Southwest Florida Water Management
• Joined Lakeland Montessori Schools in 2018

Administration

Kate MacDonald-School Secretary and All Day Montessori Teacher

Secretary@LakelandMontessori.com

• Center for Guided Montessori Studies Assistant Teacher workshop completion
• Joined Lakeland Montessori Schools from 2013-2016 as an Assistant Teacher and All Day Montessori teacher and again in 2019
• 15+ years as Office & Operations Manager and Regional Trainer for Investment Advisory firms, Tampa Florida
• Certified Life Coach
• Parent of Lakeland Montessori Middle School graduate.

Theodore Church-Assistant Head of School/Assistant Principal

AssistantPrincipal@lakelandmontessori.com

• MACTE accredited Montessori Early Childhood Full Certification through the American Montessori Society, 2009
• Montessori Lead Early Childhood Teacher, Marquette Montessori Academy, 2008-2019
• State of Florida Professional Teacher Certification, Elementary Education K-6
• State of Indiana Licensed Teacher, Elementary Education K-6, 2004-present
• Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Indiana University
• Teacher of the Year, Magnet Schools of America
• Began teaching in 2004 and joined Lakeland Montessori Schools in 2019

Heather Manrow, Co-Head of School/Principal

Principal@lakelandmontessori.com

• MACTE accredited Secondary I Administrator credential thru the American Montessori Society Houston Montessori Center, Houston, TX
• MACTE accredited Montessori Elementary I-II (for all ages 6-12) Full Certification through the International Montessori Council Center for Guided Montessori Studies, Sarasota, FL
• State of Florida Professional Teacher Certification, Biology grades 6-12, Middle Grades Mathematics 5-9, English Speakers of Other Languages
• Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership from American College of Education
• Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from University of South Florida
• Teacher of the Year, Polk County Association of Charter Schools
• Teacher of the Year, Discovery Academy of Lake Alfred
• Began teaching in 1999
• Joined Lakeland Montessori Schools as a Board Member in 2003 and as Principal of Lakeland Montessori Middle in 2010
• Parent of Lakeland Montessori alumna.

Josie Hill, Founder of Lakeland Montessori, Co-Head of School/Director of Finance & Strategic Planning

jhill@lakelandmontessori.com

• Began charter approval process to open Lakeland Montessori Schoolhouse in 2002 and obtained successful approval by the Polk County School Board in 2003
• Sole Head of School/Executive Director of Lakeland Montessori Schoolhouse from 2003-2012
• Co-Head of School/Director of Finance & Strategic Planning from 2012-present
• Montessori Leadership Credential Course Instructor, Center for Guided Montessori Studies
• Presenter at national and international Montessori conferences for organizations such as the American Montessori Society, the International Montessori Council, and the Organisasi Montessori Indonesia
• State of Florida Professional Teacher Certification, Elementary Education grades K-6
• State of Florida Advanced Director Credentials, VPK endorsed
• Early Childhood age 3-6 Montessori Certified through the North American Montessori Center
• Bachelor of Science Degree, Summa Cum Laude, in Psychology and Business from University of Wisconsin
• Extensive background in education, law, finance, business operations, and construction
• Parent of two Lakeland Montessori alumna.

Sheila Linville, Curriculum & Coaching Consultant

Sheila Linville has been working with Lakeland Montessori for over six years as one of our expert Montessori consultants – including consulting with our school throughout our American Montessori Society (AMS) accreditation process. Sheila is passionate about Montessori Education and has three decades of experience as a Head of an AMS Accredited School, Classroom Guide on the Primary and Lower Elementary levels, and Leadership/Teacher Coach and Consultant.  Sheila also serves as the International Montessori Council (IMC) Director of Accreditation & Affiliation and works closely with the IMC School Accreditation Commission (SAC) in mentoring and serving Montessori schools seeking and maintaining accreditation. Additionally, Sheila is instrumental in supporting IMC Affiliated Teacher Education Programs and coaching schools utilizing the National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector (NCMPS) Montessori Assessment Playbook. Sheila has two sons, both of whom are Montessori graduates, and she enjoys working alongside her dedicated and loving husband Scott. 

Lorna McGrath, Curriculum & Coaching Consultant

• Associate Head of School at NewGate Montessori School for 22 years, administrator at NewGate Montessori School since 1994. During Lorna’s tenure at NewGate, she played several important roles: Admissions Director, Compliance Officer, Educational Coordinator, and Interim Head of School. Lorna was also the Director of the former New Gate Center for Montessori Teacher Education
• Currently the Director of Family Resources at The Montessori Foundation and leader of the New Gate Montessori family education program
• 40 years in the field of education, teaching children from 18 months through 6 years old and from 12 through 18 years old in both public schools and independent Montessori schools
• Montessori teacher certification from a MACTE accredited American Montessori Society teacher training center
• Master’s Degree in Education with a concentration in Family Counseling from the University of Georgia
• Lorna is a Montessori teacher educator, conference presenter, and school consultant. She has also spent many years as a certified instructor for the International Network for Children & Families, teaching classes in Redirecting Children’s Behavior, Redirecting for a Cooperative Classroom, Common Ground for Parents and Teens, and Parenting Instructor Network Training