Diana Williams - Montessori Administrative Directress and Co-Owner

Degree:  Bachelor of Science, 

Certfication:  CQSW, M.I.A. Montessori Institute Certificate

“As a social worker I dealt with many young people who made poor choices in life and had few skills with which to succeed in the world. 
I see Montessori education as a starting point for young children to learn how to make good choices, to be responsible, and to be independent.  
At the same time I realize that calm, nurturing environments allow children to emerge at their own pace and understand the practical reality of peace, kindness,
and love of learning.”

Montessori Training and Experience

• Montessori Training – Clay/Platte Children’s House, North Kansas City
• Certified in 1992
• Intern – Children’s Montessori Center, Liberty, MO
• Directress –  Children’s Montessori Center, Blue Springs, MO
• Director (Center Manager) – Children’s Montessori Center, Blue Springs, MO
• Directress/Trainer –  Lakewood Montessori, Lee’s Summit, MO
• Owner/Director/Directress – Montessori Children’s House of Blue Springs 

Background and Experience

• Bachelor of Science in Economics – Worked for the British Government on Statistics
• Certificate of Qualification in Social Work – Worked for thirteen years in local government as a social worker in county and metropolitan boroughs (London, England)
•  - Liaison Officer between Social Services and Special Education, Cheshire County
• Seven years at home caring for husband and two children before returning to the work place
• Volunteer activities have included:
• Independence Mother and Toddler Group - Committee Chair
• Episcopal Church - Sunday School Teacher – developed    
• Children’s Chapel using the Montessori Method
• AIDS Outreach Program
• Friend of the Blue Springs Ballet - Committee and Production
• American Red Cross – Volunteer Social Worker to military families
• Adult Literacy Teacher - Independence (La Bach Phonic Method)

Kari Jacobson - Co-Owner and Montessori Directress

Certfication:  N.C.M.E. Nation Center for Montessori Education Certification

• Lead and Assistant Directress - Lakewood Montessori School
• Lead Directress – Lavonna Peterson’s Early Childhood Montessori School
• NCME Montessori Certified – 2004
• Montessori Intern – Montessori Children’s House of Blue Springs
• Blue Springs South High School graduate
• Sunday School teacher 

Keri has one son, Zachary, who attended Montessori school from 2-5 years of age.  In her spare time, Keri enjoys attending her son’s sports practice and games. 
She has also been an animal groomer for the past 16 years.

Laurie Huseby - Reading Specialist/Directress

Degree:  B.S. Elementary Education, M.A. Learning Disabilities and Reading,

Certfication:  Montessori Certificate

• Undergraduate degree – Elementary Education and EMH/TMH
• University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire
• Master’s Degree – Learning Disabilities and Reading
• University of Wisconsin, River Falls
• Public and Private School Teacher 1980 – 2005
• Joined Montessori Children’s House 2005
• International Montessori Teaching Diploma - 2009
• Teaches private piano and flute lessons
• Plays piano for her church
• Choir Member – Independence Messiah Choir
• Performs with pit orchestras for community musicals

Laurie has been a public and private school-teacher for 27 years. She gives private piano and flute lessons at home,                                                      
and is active in local theatre, choir, and church activities. Laurie is married and has five children, two of whom are still living at home.
She joined our staff in 2005.

Heather Morgan - Assistant Teacher

Degree:  Metropolitan Community College – Associates Degree

University of Phoenix – Student – will receive Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education summer of 2011

• Hiring Manager for Department of Human Resources at Westin Crown Center
• Legal Assistant in Intellectual Property Law
• Blue Springs High School graduate

Heather was a stay-at home mom for 4 years before coming to work for Montessori Children’s House in 2009.  She has two sons Archie and Oscar.                                                                 
Heather enjoys reading, sports, and volunteering at Archie’s school, when time permits.

Julie Voss - Montessori Intern

Degree:  Bachelor of Science – Business Administration – Kansas State University

• Currently attending Clay/Platte Montessori Teacher Preparation classes
• Minor in Leadership Studies
• Director/Instructor Isaiah’s Run water sports camp – 4 years
• Water sports summer camp instruction for children – 3 years in South Carolina, North Carolina, and New Zealand
• Sunday School teacher – 2 years

 Julie has studied French in Paris and has taken business classes in England.                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Kari Lyon - Assistant Teacher

Degree:  Bachelor’s Degree – Early Childhood Education and Family & Consumer Science  University of Nebraska, Lincoln

• Assistant Teacher –Care Bear Daycare – Lincoln, Nebraska
• Assistant Teacher – Little Kingdom Children’s Center – Preschool classroom – Lincoln, Nebraska
• Teacher – Ruth Staples Child Development Lab School – University of Nebraska, Lincoln – mixed age preschool classroom 2-5 year olds
• Reggio Emilia Schools - Study Abroad Program in Switzerland and Italy – Infant thru preschool
• Presenter at NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) on Reggio Emilia method of teaching
• Lead Teacher – St. Joseph Child Development Center – 2 ½ - 5 year olds
• Director – Child Care Services – ages 6weeks – 6^th grade
• Volunteer:
• Battered Women’s Shelter – worked with children while moms were receiving job skills training
• Girl Scout Leader
• 4-H Volunteer Leader

Kari has been associated with Montessori Children’s House of Blue Springs for many years.  Her oldest daughter attended M.C.H. for 3 years.                                                                               
During this time, Kari was a substitute teacher.  Kari has 2 daughters.

Jessica Williams - Montessori Intern

• Montessori Teacher Preparation of Kansas City   
• Intern – Montessori Children’s House 
• Blue Springs South High School Graduate