February Teacher highlights
Iris Pacelt Lower Elementary Montessori Teacher
What does teaching Montessori mean to you?
Montessori to me means having the ability to see students as living breathing people rather than numbers on a spreadsheet. Montessori is an ever changing pathway that represents the living breathing network of student interaction with their learning.
What is your favorite thing about North Star?
My favorite thing about North Star is the support of the staff, the people I work with, and my students.
Cat, Dog, or axolotl?
Axolotl all the way! Let me know if you need anything else from me.
Stephanie Rohder Lower Elementary Montessori Teacher
What does teaching Montessori mean to you?
To me, Montessori embodies the perfect approach to learning for ALL children. It's flexible, it's rigorous, it allows for the natural ebbs and flows of learning. As a teacher, it provides an opportunity to give individual students what they need, when they need it, and in the way they need it. It doesn't get much better than that! Our students are challenged academically, and they're happy. It's literally the BEST environment to work and learn in!
What is your favorite thing about North Star?
It's hard to pick just one favorite thing about North Star. So I won't even try. I love the students and families we have. I admire and respect the teaching and support staff. I appreciate the hard work and dedication our awesome administration puts in. I love working in an environment where I'm supported as a teacher. I love my class and the fun we have learning together!
Cat, Dog, or axolotl?
Dog
January Teacher highlights
Amy Jo Klas Teacher for Preschool and Kindergarten
What does teaching Montessori mean to you?
Montessori teaching means differentiated education based on the needs of the ENTIRE child. It recognizes that children in school need to learn academics as well as the other skills needed to be productive members of our world.
What is your favorite thing about North Star?
I love the families and the staff I get to work with.
Cat, Dog, or axolotl?
Unicorns
Sarah McLeod High school Teacher
What does teaching Montessori mean to you?
Montessori is really a support system to me. One of the big goals at our level is meeting the needs of the whole child. Academics are important, but more so is the need to show students how to learn and process information. It means encouraging curiosity and helping students to grow comfortable in who they are and what they enjoy doing. ori gives us the structure we need to make it successful.
What is your favorite thing about North Star?
Our community is the thing that keeps me here every year! We have such a wonderful mix of staff, students, and parents!
Cat, Dog, or axolotl?
Cat
December Teacher highlights
Cristina Ferrier Special Education Teacher
What does teaching Montessori mean to you?
Teaching Montessori means that students can learn at a pace that works for their individual needs.
What is your favorite thing about North Star?
One of my favorite things about North Star is that we have an environment that encourages students to be themselves and not be afraid to be different.
Cat, Dog, or axolotl?
Cat, since I have two of them, but axolotl would be pretty cool.
Adrian Francisco Title 1 Teacher
What does teaching Montessori mean to you?
Teaching Montessori for me means that we get the amazing opportunity to meet each child where they are, and move them forward to where they need to go next without the pressure of everyone needing to be in the exact same place at the exact same time. It's the way I always wanted to teach- but Montessori gives us the structure we need to make it successful.
What is your favorite thing about North Star?
My favorite thing about teaching at North Star is the freedom that we have to do what is best for every one of our students as individuals.
Cat, Dog, or axolotl?
I would say I'm a dog person, definitely. But after our almost 16 year old dog passed away last fall, we've decided that we don't have the time to raise a puppy with our 3 very busy teen and preteen children at home. So, I let my 10 year old daughter adopt three bugie birds. I didn't think I would like them as much as I do, but they're actually very cute and sweet and have funny personalities!
Casie Hill Middle School teacher
What does teaching Montessori mean to you?
Meeting the students where they are at and focusing on the whole child rather than just academics. Students need to know you care and are willing to learn along with them.
What is your favorite thing about North Star?
It feels like a family rather than a job. I am able to make connections with students, families, and staff members and feel as a team.
Cat, Dog, or axolotl?
I love dogs, however, according to my husband, I am not old enough to have one.
November Teacher highlights
Alex Bott Science Teacher
What does teaching Montessori mean to you?
To me, Montessori is a way to acknowledge the unique learning styles of all students. My teaching philosophy is all about meeting students where they are and adapting my lessons to help them be as successful as possible.
What is your favorite thing about North Star?
My favorite thing about North Star is the supportive environment, open-mindedness, and flexibility to new ideas! I love my students and fellow teachers.
Cat, Dog, or axolotl?
I am definitely a cat person! I love all animals, but cats are #1 for me. I've included a photo of me and my cat, Jack.
Jessica Brooks PreK -K teacher & Preschool Director
What does teaching Montessori mean to you?
I enjoy meeting each child where they are at, Montessori not only allows that but encourages it. I get to spend all day laughing and playing and learning.
What is your favorite thing about North Star?
The best thing about North Star is the strong community between teachers, kids and families.
Cat, Dog, or axolotl?
That’s really hard… I’d have to pick dog.
October Teacher highlights
Autumn Bates Lower Elementary Montessori Teacher (Grades 1-3)
What does teaching Montessori mean to you?
Montessori means that not every child pops their kernels at the same time. Every child develops at different rates and Montessori supports individual learning styles.
What is your favorite thing about North Star?
My favorite thing about NSMA is the family-like atmosphere
Cat, Dog, or axolotl?
Dog even though I have cats at home
Anna Bauers Physical Education and Health Teacher
What does teaching Montessori mean to you?
For me, Montessori means teaching to students at all levels and allowing them to have an environment where the student can be themselves.
What is your favorite thing about North Star?
My favorite thing about North Star is the community feeling throughout the staff and students. Everyone truly cares for each other and wants to help each other.
Cat, Dog, or axolotl?
Definitely, Dog.
