Head of School
Linda Amos
Head of School, Lower Elementary Teacher, 3 - 5 Science Lab Teacher
DEGREES
NAMC / North American Montessori Center, International Montessori Lower Elementary Program Diploma Awarded (2012)
The Life Coach Institute, Certified Life Coach (2010)
Wichita State University, M.Ed./ Student, Personnel, and Guidance Counseling (1980)
Emporia State University, B.S., Education (1974)
WORK EXPERIENCE
Wichita Montessori School (2010 – present)
Private Life Coach and Math Therapy (2009 – present)
The Independent School, Counselor, Classroom and Science Lab Teacher (1990 – 2009)
Untied Laces, Tutoring and Counseling, Owner (1985 – 1990)
Quest Center for Creative Studies/Gifted Education, Denver, CO (1983 – 1985)
Wichita and Greece, NY, Public Schools, Teacher (1975 – 1981)
PHILOSOPHY
“The greatest good we can do for others – is not to share OUR riches, but reveal THEIRS.” – Zig Ziglar
Administration
Jane Collins Saunders
Director of Admissions and Business
DEGREES
BA Business Administration, Western State College, Gunnison, CO (1977)
WORK EXPERIENCE
Wichita Montessori School Business/Admissions Director (1991 – present)
Operations Supervisor, 1st National Bank of Steamboat Springs, CO (1988 – 1990)
Management trainee, Assistant Manager Facility, Wichita State Bank (1979 – 1981)
PHILOSOPHY
“Upon first observing WMS classes for my two children, I knew that this was a special place. It has been my pleasure to work with professionals whom I admire and with a program that I believe works well for every child. It is easy to promote our faculty and our program, as I have the highest regard for them. Working around joyful children is truly a gift.”
Upper Elementary
Sara Walden
Upper Elementary Teacher
DEGREES
Wichita State University, BA of Performing Arts (Dance and Elementary Education) (2006)
Grand Canyon University, MA in Elementary Education
WORK EXPERIENCE
Wichita Montessori School (2017-present)
Buckner Elementary, Dance K-5th, Math Enrichment 4-5th Reading Enrichment 4-5th, and Teacher in Charge (2009-2017)
Wichita Children’s Theater & Dance Center, Dance Teacher and Choreographer (2007-present)
PHILOSOPHY
Lower Elementary
Mary Nur
Lower Elementary Teacher, Spanish, French, Art
DEGREES
NAMC/International Montessori Teacher Training Program (2014)
Wichita State University, BA French, Minor Spanish (1990)
WORK EXPERIENCE
Wichita Montessori School (1998 – present)
French teacher, The Independent School, Wichita KS (1990 – 1998)
Conducted extra-curricular Spanish course, Wichita KS (1991)
Foreign language teacher, summer sports camp, Wichita KS (1991)
PHILOSOPHY
“It is important for a child to feel successful. This can build a confidence that will stay with the child throughout their life. An atmosphere of discovery and responsibility is the ideal classroom environment.”
Miranda Stegman
Lower Elementary Teacher
DEGREES
M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction, Southwest Baptist University, Bolivar, MO (Anticipated May 2016)
B.S. Elementary Education 1-6/Art Education K-12, Southwest Baptist University, Bolivar, MO (2009)
WORK EXPERIENCE
Wichita Montessori School (2015 – present)
Village Green Primary/Elementary Teacher, Glen Ellyn, IL (2009-2014)
5th Grade Student Teacher, Bolivar Intermediate School, Bolivar, MO (2009)
PHILOSOPHY
“Our care of the child should be governed, not by the desire to make him learn things, but by the endeavor always to keep burning within him that light which is called intelligence.”
Joni Wilson
Lower Elementary Teacher
DEGREES
NAMC/International Montessori Teacher Training Program (2013)
BA Elementary Education + 40 hours, University of Wyoming
WORK EXPERIENCE
Wichita Montessori School (2006 to present)
Teacher in American schools overseas, teacher in a Vietnamese refugee camp, tutored English to Japanese students (1986 – 1996)
1st Grade Teacher, Midwest WY (1979 – 1983)
PHILOSOPHY
“Prepare the child for the path, not the path for the child.”
Kindergarten
Barbara Foreman
Kindergarten Teacher
DEGREES
Association Montessori Internationale, Washington Montessori Institute, Montessori Diploma (1997)
Wichita State University, BS Education (1985)
Kansas State University, coursework (1973)
Kansas State Teachers College, Emporia KS, coursework (1970 – 1972)
WORK EXPERIENCE
Wichita Montessori School (1986 – present)
Montessori Children’s House, West Wichita (1983 – 1986)
PHILOSOPHY
“Maria Montessori’s educational philosophy encompasses the core of child development. Current brain research confirms her study and beliefs. My own AMI training was a Montessori heritage, a spiritual journey, one of transformation. My hope is to approach each day at Wichita Montessori School with humility and patience that I may see the potential in every child.”
Kelly Wilson
Kindergarten Assistant Teacher
DEGREES
Graduated Burlington High School, Burlington IA (1977)
WORK EXPERIENCE
Wichita Montessori School (1995 – present)
Kindergarten, Pre-K and nursery teacher in various churches (1981 – 1994)
PHILOSOPHY
“I believe that children who understand and demonstrate consistency and respect in the classroom are better equipped to learn and to feel successful. When teachers mentor these behaviors we can affect the children with whom we interact and help them develop to their greatest potential.”
Primary
Toranj Irani
Primary Teacher, Program Director
DEGREES
High School – Karachi Grammar School, Karachi, Pakistan (1986)
Bachelors in Arts – Karachi, Pakistan (1990)
American Montessori International Certification – Karachi, Pakistan (2001)
Early Learning Childhood Diploma Certificate – Karachi, Pakistan (2001)
WORK EXPERIENCE
Wichita Montessori School (2006 – present)
Woodland Lakes Early Learning Center (2004 – 2006)
Learning Tree Preschool, Pakistan (2003 – 2004)
Links School, Pakistan (2001 – 2003)
PHILOSOPHY
“A key to a child’s heart is to accept, care and love them for who they are.”
Jennifer Flemming
Primary Teacher
DEGREES
B.S. Elementary Education, KSU (1989 – 1994)
WORK EXPERIENCE
Wichita Montessori School (2009 – present)
Discovery Place Preschool, Asst. Teacher (2008 – 2009)
The Independent School, K Teacher (1997 – 2006)
Celebration Montessori Center, Teacher (1994 – 1996)
PHILOSOPHY
“A child’s classroom is truly successful when he or she demonstrates a love of work, respect of materials and exhibits graciousness towards teachers and peers.”
Mary Beth Hendrickson
Primary Teacher, P-3 Music, K - 2 Science Lab
DEGREES
Xavier University, BS Montessori Education 3-6 year old- AMS certified (1989)
Xavier University BS Elementary Education pre-K -3rd Grade (1989)
WSU, Masters Curriculum & Instruction (2011)
WORK EXPERIENCE
Wichita Montessori School Primary (2011 – present)
Upper Elementary Teacher, Cheyenne Eagle Butte, SD (1996 – 1998)
Children’s House Montessori School, Pierre, SD (1993 – 1996)
Parker & Lone Tree Montessori Schools, CO (1989 – 1992)
PHILOSOPHY
“Each child has a matchless combination of potentials to be unleashed. It is the responsibility of a teacher to nurture the growth and development of each student in his or her preparation for life. This requires the guidance of the child with freedom to be uniquely himself or herself, but never usurping the freedom of others.”
Specials
Tina Fawver
Physical Education Teacher Primary-Grade 3
DEGREES
NAMC/ International Montessori Teacher Training Program (2018)
Colorado State University — Grief Studies Program (2016)
Mississippi State University — BA in Communication and Public Relations (1983)
WORK EXPERIENCE
WMS — 2018 – present
Substitute Teacher for WMS and Andover Public Schools (2008 – 2018)
Program Director for Kidzcope (2014 – 2016)
PHILOSOPHY
John Wooden