Montessori School of Denver

What's the buzz at MSD?

Each member of our experienced Faculty is trained by one of the nation’s American Montessori Society-accredited training centers, holds a Bachelor’s degree, and often has further educational training or a Master’s degree. Classroom teachers have at least one Assistant, many of whom also have a Bachelor’s degree or are completing their Montessori internship. All teachers are committed to enhancing their professional development through workshops, classes, and special events.

Toddler Team

Siobhan Sullivan, Toddler Teacher, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Columbia College in Columbia, Missouri. Siobhan first joined MSD in 2000. She has served as a field consultant and teacher trainer for the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies, where she was trained in both Infant/Toddler and Primary education levels. Email Siobhan at ssullivan@msd-co.org.

Laura Tyler, Toddler Teacher, joined MSD in 2007 at the start of our Toddler Program. She attended Florida State University and is completing her Bachelor of Arts degree with an emphasis in English. Laura is trained in Infant/Toddler from the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies. Email Laura at ltyler@msd-co.org.

Primary Team

Mary Bareis-Golumb, Primary Teacher, has over 20 years of experience as a Montessori teacher. Mary received her training from the Midwest Montessori Teacher Training Center in Illinois. Prior to teaching in Colorado, Mary taught in Montessori schools in South Dakota as well as in Chicago. Mary has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies and is committed to environmental education in the classroom. Mary has served as both a supervising teacher and field consultant for the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies. She joined MSD in 2005. Email Mary at mbareis-golumb@msd-co.org.

Karin Cassidy, All Day Primary Teacher, has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Behavioral Science/Elementary Education from Metropolitan State College and her Primary Montessori certification from the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies. Karin worked at MSD from 1990 to 1998, and rejoined our Faculty in 2007. Email Karin at kcassidy@msd-co.org.

Robin Haugland, Primary Teacher, is a graduate of Colgate University with a double-major in Anthropology and Sociology. Robin received her Primary Montessori certification from the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies in 2002. Robin first joined our community as a parent in 2000 and then as a staff member in 2002. Email Robin at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Deborah Matyjevich, All Day Primary Teacher, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Sociology from Emory University. She received her Primary Montessori certification from the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies. Deb completed her internship at MSD and rejoined our Faculty in 2008. Email Deborah at dmatyjevich@msd-co.org.

Niki Meganck, All Day Primary Teacher, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies and Psychology from Florida State University. She received her Primary Montessori certification from the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies and joined MSD as an Intern in 2008. Email Niki at nmeganck@msd-co.org.

Rachel Northrop, Primary Teacher, received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Psychology from the University of Minnesota. She completed her Montessori Primary teacher training at the Center for Contemporary Montessori Programs in Minnesota as well. Rachel has been a supervising teacher for the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies. Rachel joined MSD in 2001. Email Rachel at rnorthrop@msd-co.org.

Elementary Team

Paul Bareis-Golumb, Lower Elementary Teacher, received his Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from the University of South Dakota. He holds a Masters degree in Christian Education from the McCormik Theological Seminary. Paul was trained in both Lower and Upper Elementary Montessori education at the Midwest Montessori Teacher Training Center in Chicago, Illinois. He has also served as a supervising teacher and course instructor for the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies. He has also presented at the American Montessori Society (AMS) National Conferences. Paul has been teaching since 1982 and joined the MSD Faculty in 2003. Email Paul at pbareis-golumb@msd-co.org.

Min Chu, Lower Elementary Co-Teacher, is a graduate of the University of Colorado (Boulder) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology. She is Lower Elementary certified from the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies and is fluent in English, Chinese, and Korean. Min has spent time working in Korea and Taiwan for an international education committee. Min joined MSD in 2007. Email Min at mchu@msd-co.org.

Peggy Donohoe, Upper Elementary Teacher, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management and Marketing from Purdue University. Peggy has worked at MSD since 2002 and completed her Montessori Upper Elementary teacher training at The Center for Montessori Teacher Education in New Rochelle, New York in 2009. Prior to working at MSD, Peggy owned her own business. Email Peggy at pdonohoe@msd-co.org.

Gary Guenther, Lower Elementary Junior Teacher, completed his Lower Elementary training at Montessori Education Center of the Rockies. Gary holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from Southern Illinois University. He has worked as a Physical Therapist, a Personal Trainer, and as an Assistant at MSD since 2005. Email Gary at gguenther@msd-co.org.

Anne Hewetson, Lower Elementary Teacher, earned her Bachelor’s degree in French from the University of Puget Sound. She received her Lower Elementary training from the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies and joined MSD in 2003. Anne has served as a supervising teacher for the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies. Email Anne at ahewetson@msd-co.org.

Liza Hubbell, Director of Elementary Education and Upper Elementary Teacher, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Southern Indiana and a Master’s degree in Art, American Studies and Women’s Studies form the University of Wyoming. She received her Lower Elementary teacher training from the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies and her Upper Elementary teacher training from the Institute of Advanced Montessori studies in Maryland. Liza has served as a field consultant for the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies. She joined MSD in 1998. Email Liza at lhubbell@msd-co.org.

Chris Imhof, Upper Elementary Teacher, received his Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Anthropology and a Bachelor of Science degree in Classics from the University of Colorado (Boulder). He holds a Master’s degree in Archeology from the University of Colorado (Denver) and took Upper Elementary teacher training at the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies. Chris worked as an archeologist prior to joining MSD in 1996. Chris has presented at the American Montessori Society (AMS) National Conference, the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Annual Conference, has written for the publication, Montessori Life, and was named one of the 25 NAIS Teachers of the Future. Email Chris at cimhof@msd-co.org.

Nathan LeMasters, Upper Elementary Assistant/Drama Teacher, graduated from Prescott College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education. Nathan studied Theater and Film at the University of Colorado, Denver, has directed Children’s Theater, and has performed in a number of productions across the state. He joined the MSD team in 2006. Email Nathan at nlemasters@msd-co.org.

Jennifer Straus, Upper Elementary Associate Teacher, joined MSD in 2003. She is a graduate of Colorado State University and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Botany. Her experience prior to MSD includes her work as an environmental science education officer for schools in Jamaica, West Indies. Email Jennifer at jstraus@msd-co.org.

Julia Welch, Lower Elementary Teacher, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Missouri and a Master’s degree in Non-Profit Management from Regis University. Julia completed her Lower Elementary training at the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies where she has also served as a supervising teacher. Julia joined MSD in 2006. Email Julia at jwelch@msd-co.org.

Sonny Zwierkowski, Lower Elementary Teacher, joined MSD in 2001. He completed his Elementary Montessori teacher training at the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies. Sonny received his Bachelor of Arts degree in English, with an emphasis in writing, from Metropolitan State College. He has a passion for all things Asian and is proficient in Japanese. Email Sonny at szwierkowski@msd-co.org.

Specials Team

Lizzy Allen, Music Teacher, graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music with an emphasis in voice. She sang Opera in college and also learned to play piano, guitar, flute, and viola. Lizzy performs in a local band that plays in Denver and surrounding cities. Her philosophy about teaching Music is to build confidence and creativity through musical expression which she was taught do when she was a child. Lizzy joined MSD in 2008. Email Lizzy at lallen@msd-co.org.

Chris Bangs, Physical Education Teacher, joined MSD in 2007. He graduated from Union College in New York with the Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Chris is also a Certified Massage Therapist and an avid outdoor enthusiast. Chris attended a Montessori school when he was young. Email Chris at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Joy Giles, Art Teacher, has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in printmaking from the Kansas City Art Institute. She is an accomplished artist who has shown her work from Kansas to Japan. Joy has taught children from ranging in age from three through 21. Joy joined MSD in 2004. Email Joy at jgiles@msd-co.org.

Amanda Guilinger, Librarian, joined MSD in 2009. Amanda holds a Master’s degree in Library Information Science from the University of Denver, and a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Literature from Ave Maria University. Amanda has a passion for children’s literature and her experience includes working with children and teachers at the Bookies Book Store as well as volunteering at the Children’s Museum. Email Amanda at aguilinger@msd-co.org.

Magdalena McGrady, Spanish Teacher, has experience in a public dual language Montessori program, as well as with Spanish curriculum design. Magdalena joined MSD in 2007, and is passionate about curriculum integration – believing that you need to teach people about the places, food, traditions – not just the language. Email Magdalena at mmcgrady@msd-co.org.

Administration

Carole Baran, Director of Development, has a marketing degree from the University of Colorado (Boulder). She has experience as a Special Events Coordinator and has logged lots of volunteer hours with other non-profits in the Denver area. She joined MSD in 2007. Email Carole at cbaran@msd-co.org.

Julie Bragdon, Assistant Head of School and Director of Primary Education, has duel Primary Montessori certifications from the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies and Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. Julie has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities with a minor in Art History from the University of Colorado (Boulder) and a Master’s of Education with an emphasis on Montessori Education from Xavier University. She has served as a field consultant, supervising teacher, and course instructor at the Montessori Center of the Rockies. She has presented at the American Montessori Society (AMS) Annual Conference and served as an accreditation consultant. Julie joined MSD in 1993 as a Primary Intern and was a lead teacher in the All Day Primary Program from 1997-2005 before becoming the Director of Primary Education. Email Julie at jbragdon@msd-co.org.

Lydia Desmarais, Business Office Assistant, joined MSD in 2002. Lydia attended Plymouth State College in New Hampshire and served in the United States Army. Prior to working at MSD, Lydia worked for a children’s publishing company. Email Lydia at ldesmarais@msd-co.org.

Ed Feist, Director of Technology, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Arts from Colorado State University. He earned his Master’s degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Northern Colorado. He holds a Doctorate in Education from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Ed taught computer classes in public high schools for 31 years. He joined MSD in 2001. Email Ed at efeist@msd-co.org.

Stephanie Pax Flanigan, Head of School, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies from Mount Holyoke College and a Juris Doctorate from Case Western University School of Law. Stephanie first came to MSD as a parent, and served on the Board of Trustees for three years, two years of which she was Chair. She then joined the staff in 1997 and prior to becoming Head of School served as Associate Head of School. Stephanie has 15 years experience as a trial lawyer and has taught and directed children’s theater. Currently, she is the Vice President of the Association of Colorado Independent Schools (ACIS) and is the chair of the ACIS Accreditation Committee. Stephanie has presented at the American Montessori Society (AMS) Annual Conference, National Association of Independent Schools Annual Conference (2010), and is a frequent presenter at the annual ACIS Trustee/Heads of School Workshop. Email Stephanie at sflanigan@msd-co.org.

Tara Gehrke, Director of Admission, joined MSD in 2005. Tara graduated from the University of Idaho with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. Tara is an experienced Fourth Grade teacher as well as an experienced Administrative Assistant. She also works collaboratively with the other ACIS Admissions Directors throughout the school year and has successfully placed many MSD graduates at the Middle Schools of their choice. Email Tara at tgehrke@msd-co.org.

Tom Graham, Director of Facilities, Safety, and Security, is a long standing member of the MSD community. He holds certification from Colorado State University as an A.H.E.R.A. Inspector and Management Planner. He has trained in computer technology related to hardware and network construction. Email Tom at tgraham@msd-co.org.

Kindra Limke, Communications Coordinator, holds a certificate in Early Childhood Education from Arapahoe Community College. Prior to joining MSD, she worked as a nanny for six years. Kindra is an accomplished artist, who also works with MSD’s After School Enrichment Program and on the Yearbook. She joined MSD in 2004. Email Kindra at klimke@msd-co.org.

Ann Poundstone, Business Manager, earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre from William Woods College. Ann has worked at MSD since 1989, during which time she filled a variety of roles. Ann is recognized nationally for her work as a Business Manager and was presented with the Will J. Hancock Award from the National Association of Business Managers in 2008, for her excellent work. apoundstone@msd-co.org.

Carrie Ross, Assistant Business Manger, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities and Social Sciences from Colorado State University. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Business Administration at the University of Phoenix. She joined MSD in 1996. Email Carrie at cross@msd-co.org.