Classroom Faculty

All of our teachers have attended intensive Montessori training at American Montessori Society (AMS) MACTE (Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education) approved Montessori teacher education centers. Teachers receive a Montessori Teaching Credential which is internationally recognized for teaching positions around the globe. Our teachers also hold State of Florida Educator Certification.

Primary Teaching Faculty
Ages 3 to 6 years old (PreK3, PreK4 & K)

Cara Helpling
Age 3-6 (Primary) Teacher

• Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education K-8 from Bryan College, Dayton, TN
• State of Florida Professional Teacher Certification, Elementary Education Grades K-6, ESOL endorsed
• AMS Montessori Elementary Teaching Certification from the Florida Instutute of Montessori Studies
• AMS Early Childhood Teaching Certification (Age 3-6) from the Orlando Montessori Teacher Institute
• Began teaching in 1997 and joined Lakeland Montessori in 2004

Kim Scott
Age 3-6 (Primary) Teacher

• Bachelor's Degree in Education - Special Education: Behavior Disorders/Specific Learning Disabilities from University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
• State of Florida Professional Teacher Certification, Elementary Education Grades K-6, State of FL Professional Teacher Certification Emotionally Handicapped Grades K-12, Specific Learning Disabilities K-12, ESOL endorsed
• AMS Early Childhood Teaching Certificate (Age 3-6) from the Orlando Montessori Teacher Institute
• Kindermusik Certification in 2004
• Began teaching in 2001 and joined Lakeland Montessori in 2007

Brittany Watson
Age 3-6 (Primary) Assistant Teacher to Ms. Helpling

• Associate of Science Degree in Office Administration from Trinity Baptist College, Jacksonville, FL
• Montessori Classroom Leadership Course completion from the Center for Guided Montessori Studies
• Joined Lakeland Montessori in 2010

Age 3-6 (Primary) Assistant Teacher to Mrs. Scott

• Master of Music Degree from Manhattan School of Music, New York, NY.
• Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Performance from Florida Southern College, Lakeland, FL.
• Montessori Classroom Leadership Course completion from the Center for Guided Montessori Studies
• Joined Lakeland Montessori in 2009

Elementary Teaching Faculty
Lower elementary - Ages 6 to 9 years old (Grades 1, 2 & 3)
Upper elementary - Ages 9 to 12 (Grades 3, 4 & 5)

Susan Stewart
Lower Elementary Teacher

• Bachelor's Degree in Music from Wright State University, Dayton, OH
• State of Florida Professional Teacher Certification, Elementary Education Grades K-6
• AMS Montessori Elementary Teaching Certification from Seacoast Center for Montessori Education
• MEPI Early Childhood Teaching Certification (Age 3-6) from Montessori Educational Programs International, Inc.
• Began teaching in 1990 and joined Lakeland Montessori in 2004

Heidi Reed
Lower Elementary Teacher

• Bachelor's Degree in Spanish from Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
• State of Florida Professional Teacher Certification, Elementary Education Grades K-6
• AMS Montessori Elementary Teaching Certification from Seacoast Center for Montessori Education
• Began teaching in 1997 and joined Lakeland Montessori in 2005

Jorge Haro
Lower Elementary Assistant Teacher

• Bachelor's Degree in Sociology from University of Autonoma, Madrid, Spain
• Bachelor's Degree in Economics and Business from University of Autonoma, Madrid, Spain
• Educational Preparation Institute Certification from Polk State College, Lakeland, FL
• State of Florida Professional Teacher Certification in Elementary Education Grades K-6 and Spanish Grades K-12
• Montessori Classroom Leadership Course completion from the Center for Guided Montessori Studies
• Joined Lakeland Montessori in 2009

Kate Zinninger
Upper Elementary Teacher

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Development from Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, FL
• State of Florida Professional Teacher Certification, Grades K-6
• AMS Montessori Elementary Teaching Certification from Seacoast Center for Montessori Education
• Began teaching in 2006 and joined Lakeland Montessori in 2004

Gregory Hicks
Upper Elementary

• Master of Music degree from the Manhattan School of Music, NY
• Bachelor of Music degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music, OH
• Educational Preparation Institute Certification from Polk State College, Lakeland, FL
• State of Florida Professional Teacher Certification, Elementary Education, Grades K-6
• Joined Lakeland Montessori in 2011

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Board of Directors
 
Administrators