Meet Our Staff
Lynn Barras, Principal
Lynn was born & raised in Tampa,
Florida, but has made Key West her home for the past 12 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 10 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 fifth year student at MECS. Pam joined MECS 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 was a Montessori teacher in
Colorado with children ranging from toddler age through sixth grade for 14 years
before joining the MECS 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 MECS, where there is a clear sense of
community pride and parent involvement. Michelle, her husband, and son Michael
(who is a returning 3rd year student at MECS) were all excited to trade their
skis and snowboards for the beautiful waters of the Keys!
Miguel Perez, Lower Elementary Assistant
A third-generation Conch, Miguel is
an original graduate of the Montessori Children's School of Key West. He is 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 has completed his first summer of Lower
elementary training. In his free time, Miguel enjoys playing and writing music,
biking around our beautiful island, and being on the ocean as much as possible.
"Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination
encircles the world."
Albert Einstein
LaTania Nicholson, Lower Elementary Instructor
latania@keywestmontessori.com
LaTania Nicholson was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. After graduating from
high school, she attended Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio, where LaTania
began her academic career in the Occupational Therapy program. After about a
year and a half in the program LaTania discovered Xavier's Montessori Lab School
and decided she needed to follow her heart; she was trained and granted
certification in Lower Elementary Montessori education. After teaching for three
years, LaTania returned to Xavier and earned her Master’s degree in Education.
LaTania choose to come to Key West to expand her Montessori journey and to live
the island life. On her time off LaTania spends a lot of time rollerblading,
journaling, scrap booking, and playing in the water. Her thought for the
upcoming school year can be summarized by this quote, " The mind and heart are
gifts that can be opened again and again."
Frances Crucet, Lower Elementary Assistant
Since being introduced to Montessori
in college, Fran has always been interested in pursuing more knowledge about
Montessori and was fortunate enough to encounter the privilege recently. Frances
Crucet is excited to learn and be a member of the Montessori Elementary Charter
School family! Born in the Panama Canal Zone Frances moved to NY as an infant
and spent her childhood in Long Island. She then moved to Coral Gables at the
age of 12, where Fran spent her adolescence and part of her adult life. Frances
has 2 wonderful adult children, Nicole and Nestor who live in Miami. Two years
ago Frances’ husband Kevin realized a lifelong dream when they seized the
opportunity to live in the lower keys. Frances enjoys snorkeling, scuba diving,
nature photography, kayaking, reading, knitting, entertaining friends & family,
spending time with her cairn terrier, Franklin, and learning.
Emmylou Pecor, Lower Elementary Instructor
emmylou@keywestmontessori.com
Emmylou moved here from Vermont where she graduated with a degree in Elementary
Education. She has 8 years of experience in education and most recently embarked
on 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, Lower Elementary 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 and Simon, who both attend the Montessori
Children's School.
Ashlie then started working at a local women's boutique where fashion was her
passion. With two children to raise Ashlie became very involved in their
education process and is currently enrolled in the EPI teacher certification
program at FKCC. 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 19
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 is looking forward to resuming her career
in education. Penny has spent this summer in an intensive training program in
New Hampshire’s Seacoast Montessori teacher education center. Since enrolling
her children in Montessori 9 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. Penny is excited to get back
in the classroom, take all that she has learned and put it all into practice.
Brooke Kozak, Upper Elementary Assistant
brooke@keywestmontessori.com
Brooke Kozak moved to Key West at the end of 2009. Originally from Indiana,
Brooke migrated to Arizona for a few years and has relocated to beautiful Key
West. Brooke’s daughter, Paige also attends MECS as a fifth year student. It was
Brooke’s daughter who first introduced her to the Montessori way of learning;
Brooke became a huge believer of Montessori education when her daughter started
Montessori school in Arizona. Brooke has a degree in Elementary Education and
has been working with various ages since she was 16. In her spare time, Brooke
enjoys cooking, entertaining, yoga and exploring the island life with her
family.
Sonia Rdissi, Upper Elementary Instructor
sonia@keywestmontessori.com
Sonia was 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 education, instead. Always believing education can and should be different, Sonia enrolled in the intensive and rigorous AMI training program at the Washington Montessori Institute at Loyola College in Baltimore Maryland where she graduated with a 6-12 teaching diploma and a Masters in Education Degree (2002). Sonia became passionate about the Montessori philosophy on education. The next several years were spent as a lead upper elementary directress at the River Valley Montessori Charter School in Newburyport, MA. Sonia Relocated back to PA to be closer to family, and worked at a small, family owned private school outside of Philadelphia in a combined lower/upper elementary classroom as the sole 7-12 lead directress. 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 living outside of the big cities of Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Boston, Sonia, her husband and their dog are looking forward to a settling down into a more laidback lifestyle in the Florida Keys. They feel drawn to the island way of life and look forward to sharing the Montessori philosophy with the children and families here in Key West. In her free time, Sonia treasures time spent with friends and family, Steelers football, beautiful sunsets, alternative healing methods, traveling, and live music.
Callie Ford, Upper Elementary Assistant
callie@keywestmontessori.com
Callie's Bio Coming Soon
Elizabeth Halbe, Music Instructor
elizabeth@keywestmontessori.com
Elizabeth earned the degree Bachelor of Music in Piano from the American
Conservatory of Music, with a minor in voice. She went on to a varied career of
performance and teaching both in classical and folk music, and was a core
faculty member of Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music for many years.
Elizabeth and her husband Earl relocated to Key West in the year 2000, and this
will be her eighth year teaching music at Montessori. She also provides private
instruction to both children and adults. Elizabeth enjoys working with the
students of Montessori because they love to explore the musical traditions of
the world, and how they contribute to our history and culture.
Earl Halbe, Theater Instructor
earl@keywestmontessori.com
Earl was born in Aurora Illinois and graduated from Eastern Illinois University
with a BFA in Theatre Arts. After spending sixteen years living and working in
Chicago, Earl and Elizabeth fell in love with Key West, and have made it their
home for the last ten years. Having staged two theatrical productions for
Montessori in the past, he is very pleased to work with Montessori students in
an expanded role this year.
Earl feels children who learn to see for themselves and think for themselves are
children who make intelligent decisions for themselves.
Rebecca Rogan Kuhn, Physical Education & Health Education
Instructor
rebecca@keywestmontessori.com
Rebecca (Becca) is joining our Montessori family to teach PE and Health. She
completed her B.S. in Education with a concentration on Physical Education from
the University of Central Florida. During this time she was reintroduced to the
Montessori philosophy and is very excited to be a part of MECS. Originally from
Key West, Becca has returned to the island to be closer to family and to further
her career in education. William Butler Yeats once said. "Education is not the
filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." Becca feels this is especially
true for physical fitness and promoting a healthy lifestyle. Through her passion
Becca hopes to help the students find their own passion for healthy living and
its lifelong benefits!
Giovanni Novara, Art Instructor
giovanni@keywestmontessori.com
Giovanni Novara came in Key West in 2005 and decided to dedicate himself to art,
his old and deep passion. Giovanni has a background in journalism, and has
studied art at the University of Bologna. He is very happy to be a member of our
school, and enjoys transmitting his passion for art to the children – whom he
credits as an incredible source of suggestions for his art. Giovanni’s hobbies
are painting, carving, drawing, visiting museums, reading, listening to jazz,
pop and classical music, climbing, kayaking, and travelling.
Thought: My dream is to have a large space where to teach art to the children, a
space where we can paint even on the walls if we like!
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