Meet Our Staff
Lynn Barras, Principal
Lynn was born & raised in Tampa, Florida, but has made Key West her home for
the past 13 years. She and her husband, Clinton, moved to Key West on a whim
in 1998 and felt a resonance with the island life. Lynn became one of the
founding directresses of the Charter School and later served as Principal
from 2003 – 2006. After staying at home for almost three years with her two
young daughters, Lynn returned to her position as principal in December
2009. She and her husband appreciate tropical Key West living with their two
daughters, Skylar and Zoe. Bike rides through quiet island streets and
evening walks in Old Town are treasured family rituals. Lynn is committed to
education, firmly believes in Dr. Montessori’s method, and is an advocate
for healthy living.
Pam Niles, Administrative Assistant
Paula Niles, affectionately known as "Pam", has lived in Key West for 11
years. Pam was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, and came to Key West in
March 1998. She is married and her daughter, Sarah-Mishel, is a sixth year
student at KWMCS. Pam joined KWMCS in February of 2002, and has enjoyed
being of service to this remarkable school. She loves to cook, and among her
local favorites are Cuban roast pork, picadillo and key lime pie.
Michelle Anthony, Lower Elementary Instructor
michelle@keywestmontessori.com
Michelle was a Montessori teacher in Colorado with children ranging from
toddler age through sixth grade for 14 years before joining the KWMCS Lower
Elementary staff last school year. She has AMS certification at both the
Early Childhood and Lower Elementary levels; her many years of experience
with kindergarten classes helps our first year students make a smooth
transition to the expectations of the elementary curriculum. Before finding
the Montessori philosophy of education, she has been a vision therapist,
tutor and was on the staff of the National Association of School
Psychologists.
Originally from the Philadelphia area, she earned a
bachelor's degree in Psychology/Education & Human Development from the
University of Maryland. She feels her extensive experience in both private
and charter Montessori schools has prepared her to be here in Key West at
KWMCS, where there is a clear sense of community pride and parent
involvement. Michelle and son Michael (who is a returning 4th
year student at KWMCS) were excited to trade their skis and snowboards for
the beautiful waters of the Keys!
Miguel Perez, Lower Elementary Teaching Assistant
A third-generation Conch, Miguel is an original graduate of the Montessori
Children's School of Key West. He is also a graduate of the University of
Florida and holds a Bachelors Degree in English and Education, as well as an
Associate’s Degree in Graphic Design. In addition to being a former
substitute teacher in Gainesville, Miguel has taught middle school at the
Ombudsman School in Key West. Miguel is currently pursuing his Montessori
teacher training, and will be responsible for part of the Lower Elementary
curriculum. In his free time, Miguel enjoys playing and writing music,
biking around our beautiful island, and being on the ocean as much as
possible.
Frances Crucet, Lower Elementary Instructor
Since being introduced to Montessori in college, Fran has always been interested in pursuing a career teaching Montessori and was elated to transition from a traditional setting when the opportunity arose last year (2010-2011). As the assistant in the Green Iguana Classroom, Fran had a unique perspective of the Montessori environment and was immediately reassured she had made the right career move. She is excited to return as the Lead Guide in the Green Iguana Classroom and is looking forward to reuniting with returning students/families as well as welcoming new students/families. Aside from the assistant experience, Fran brings a plethora of knowledge she has developed since entering the education field in 2000. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Pre-K/Primary (age 3 – grade 3), a Master’s degree in Curriculum/Instruction and Technology and is in the process of completing her Montessori teacher training. As a teacher, Fran has taught Kindergarten and Second grade. She also has experience as a Curriculum Specialist and an RtI (Response to Intervention) Coach for Monroe County. Fran enjoys scuba diving, nature photography, kayaking, cooking, reading and knitting.
Emmylou Pecor, Lower Elementary Instructor
emmylou@keywestmontessori.com
Emmylou moved here from Vermont where she graduated with a degree in
Elementary Education. She has 9 years of experience in education and is
completing her Montessori teacher training. She is excited to be a part of
the Montessori Community and is looking forward to the year ahead! Emmylou
enjoys being out on the water, spending time with friends & family, running,
reading, and listening to music of all kinds.
Ashlie Hood, Upper Elementary & Adolescent Teaching Assistant
ashlie@keywestmontessori.com
Ashlie Hood was born and raised in a small town in Kentucky. After receiving
her BFA in Graphic Design at Western Kentucky University, Ashlie was offered
an internship in Key West, where she fell in love with the ocean and island
life. Ashlie was the page designer for The Key West Citizen for four years.
Soon after she had two children, Parker who attends the Charter school, and
Simon who attends the Montessori Children's School. Ashlie then started
working at a local women's boutique where fashion was her passion. Ashlie is
a true believer in the Montessori approach and has seen amazing results with
her own children. Ashlie looks forward to eventually completing a Montessori
training after receiving her teacher certification.
In her "free" time
Ashlie loves yoga, especially on a paddleboard, tennis, and boating.
Penny Maun, Upper Elementary Instructor
penny@keywestmontessori.com
Penny Maun met her husband at The University of Tampa, where she earned a
bachelor's degree in Finance. Penny then completed the Elementary Education
program through Nova Southeastern University and received her Gifted
Endorsement through Barry University. Penny has been living in Key West for
the last 20 years and looks forward to becoming a part of the Montessori
staff family as our Upper Elementary and Gifted Endorsed teacher. Penny
previously taught the Gifted Education program at Horace O'Bryant Middle
School in Key West. After taking time off to be with her family, Penny has
just completed an intensive training program through the Seacoast Montessori
teacher education center. Since enrolling her children in Montessori 10
years ago Penny has been impressed by the foundations of Montessori
education. In her free time Penny enjoys boating with family & friends,
playing tennis, and photography.
Mendy Hyatt-Hensley, Upper Elementary Instructor
mendy@keywestmontessori.com
Mendy joins KWMCS in her 13th year of Montessori teaching - lucky 13, as she
and her two sons begin a new life journey in Key West. Mendy grew up
in Columbia, Missouri, left to explore other cities and Montessori
experiences, returned two years ago to be with her Mom at the end of her
life. Mendy's career began in retail management and visual
merchandising, as she followed her fashion design degree from Stephens
College. Then she realized the bigger picture of her life, and
completed her Master’s in Education coupled with 6 to 12 year old Montessori
training from Xavier University. She has taught 4th through 6th grades
in private Montessori schools from Cincinnati, to Sarasota, to Cincinnati
(again), and Columbia for a total of seven years. Mendy has also
taught 7th & 8th grades in a Cincinnati public Montessori school, and in a
private Montessori school in Sarasota, for a total of four years. For
one year Mendy taught 2nd and 3rd graders in Columbia, and her Internship
year she was in a 6 to 9 year old classroom in the Lab School at Xavier.
Mendy’s oldest son, Soyer, will be in 3rd grade at KWMCS, and her youngest,
Kohen, will be in Kindergarten at the Montessori Children's School.
Mendy enjoys photography, blogging, and working on the school newsletters.
Reading, swimming, art and exploring are some of the other favorite
activities of this busy family.
Sonia Rdissi, Adolescent Program Instructor
sonia@keywestmontessori.com
Sonia was proudly born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A few months
before graduating from Penn State University with a degree in Kinesiology
(2000), a chance meeting with a very special professor inspired her to give
second thought to chiropractic school and pursue a career serving children,
instead. After graduation, Sonia joined Americorps working for
The Second Mile, a non-profit organization which serves underprivileged
youth in the Central PA area. Upon completing her year of service with
Americorps, Sonia entered the intensive and rigorous AMI training program at
the Washington Montessori Institute at Loyola College in Baltimore Maryland
where she graduated with a lower/upper elementary AMI Teaching
Diploma (2002) and a Masters in Education Degree (2003). The next 3
years were spent as a lead upper elementary directress at the River Valley
Montessori Charter School in charming Newburyport, MA.
Relocating back to PA to be closer to family, she worked at a family owned
Montessori private school in the western suburbs of Philadelphia for 5
years. This situation was unique because it was a combined lower/upper
elementary classroom where Sonia was the sole lead directress for grades 2 -
6. Teaching in both the Montessori Public and Private sectors enables Sonia
to have a broad range of experience with state guidelines while maintaining
the true essence of a Montessori education, which encompasses educating the
whole child.
After teaching the Goliath Grouper class last
year, she expanded upon her Montessori training and entered the Houston
Montessori Center's Adolescent Middle School and High School Training
Program this summer. Upon completion, this will certify her to teach
Montessori for grades 7 - 12.
After living outside of the big
northeast cities of Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Boston,
Sonia enjoys the laidback lifestyle in the Florida Keys. Sonia
treasures time spent with her dog, friends and family, Steelers & Penn
State football, alternative healing methods, beach days, traveling,
paddleboard yoga, and live music.
Jennifer Catalano, Academic Coach
jennifer@keywestmontessori.com
Jennifer has lived in Key West for nine years. She was born and raised in the suburbs of New York City. She received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from SUNY Cortland. Her senior year of college she spent in Washington, D.C. at Gallaudet University where she experienced full immersion in the Deaf Culture and began learning American Sign Language. Jennifer then moved to Tucson to obtain her Master’s degree in Deaf Education at the University of Arizona. After completing her thesis which focused on identifying giftedness in Deaf students based on the Theory of Multiple Intelligence and meeting her husband, she moved back East. During her 4 ½ years in Boston, Jennifer taught preschool students at the Learning Center for Deaf Children. In August 2002, Jennifer and her husband came to Key West to be closer to her mom. Before becoming the first itinerant teacher of Deaf and visually impaired students for Monroe County School District in August 2003, Jennifer spent the year doing odd jobs including a 5 month stint as an assistant at Montessori Children’s School. This is where she fell in love with the Montessori approach and philosophy. While working as an itinerant teacher in the school district, Jennifer also taught Intensive Reading and Sign Language at Key West High School. Due to budget cuts, the position was eliminated. Jennifer then began working at Glynn Archer Elementary as the K-2 Varying Exceptionalities/Autism teacher. She is very excited to now be working at KWMCS with students who are struggling in academic areas, providing teachers with support and strategies, and teaching American Sign Language to all of the students.
Tanya Moss, Upper Elementary Teaching Assistant and Physical
Education Instructor
tanya@keywestmontessori.com
Tanya moved to Key West from Boston just before school started at KWMCS. Having just completed her Masters of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction at Boston College, she knew that after 5 years, and very long winters, that she was ready for warmer weather and to be closer to her parents, who live in Fort Myers. Tanya was born and raised in New York, then attended high school in Naples, Florida and graduated from Elon University in North Carolina in 2005. She has a B.A. in Elementary Education and is certified to teach grades K-6. While pursuing her Master’s degree at Boston College, Tanya realized that she would like to combine her love of sports and teaching and began another Masters program at Boston University in Physical Education and Coaching; she is in the process of completing this degree. Before coming to KWMCS, Tanya had only read about the Montessori philosophy in her education courses, but after being in the KWMCS setting for just a short time, she is so impressed and excited by Dr. Maria Montessori’s methodology that she would like to obtain her Montessori certification. In her spare time, Tanya loves to be with her dog, Mara, play sports (especially tennis, softball, soccer, and dodgeball), read, watch the Red Sox, Celtics, Patriots, and Bruins play, and be in the Florida sunshine. She looks forward to helping promote a healthy lifestyle for students through P.E. and by making a home-school connection so that students and their families can incorporate physical activity into their daily lives.
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