"I believe the Montessori method is the ideal method for young children because of the freedom offered to a child within boundaries."
Claudia Alvarez
FOUNDER And Directress
Owner and Directress, Claudia Alvarez, is an American Montessori Society (AMS) Infant/Toddler certified teacher. She studied Child Development at La Universidad de Las Americas (UDLA) in Puebla, Mexico. She also has experience in the Bradley Method of natural childbirth training.
For 30 years, Ms. Claudia has strived to bring excellence to the community using the Montessori philosophy. Ms. Claudia loves guiding children through each new stage of learning and feels great privilege to play a role in molding a child’s life. Ms. Claudia finds it particularly rewarding to guide children in learning practical life work, such as hand washing. She feels there is a fascinating simplicity and complexity to the mastery of these skills. She has an affinity for parent-infant classes and looks forward to partnering with families to promote children's growth and independence. When she is not in the classroom, Ms. Claudia spends time with her husband of over 30 years and four adult children. She likes to read, run, and share meals with friends and family.
Traci
Primary Teacher
Traci Tyszka (Ms. Traci) hails from Chicago’s Southside. She studied Education, as well as Psychology, Criminal Justice, and English (Literature and Writing) at UIC, Chicago. She trained and earned her Montessori Certifications at the Seton Institute (MECA), worked in both Birth to 3 and 3-6 for 10 years. During that time, Ms. Traci also immensely enjoyed working with adults,- communicating with parents and lecturing for the Training Center. She mentored a number of interns over the years, and continues to this day as a Field Representative for Seton, visiting Teachers in Training.
Ms. Donna
Primary 2 Teacher
Donna Furmanek (Ms. Donna) is a retired public school teacher who has a BA in Elementary Ed. and a M. Ed., in Early Childhood Leadership and advocacy, she also received her AMS Early Childhood certification in 2011 from Seton. Donna is a certified Yoga therapist, she is licensed in Yoga for the Special Child and an author of an NAEYC publication.
Toddler House
Ms. Arianna- AM Toddler Assistant
Ms. Elda- Toddler Guide
Ms. Daniela- AM Young Toddler Assistant
Toddler House
Ms. Silvana- PM Lead Assistant
Ms. Abby- PM Toddler Assistant
Ms. Monica- PM Toddler Assistant
Ms. Maggie- PM Young Toddler Assistant
Ms. Aurora- PM Young Toddler Assistant
Primary Community
Ms. Marisol- Primary 2 Assistant
Ms. Suzy- Primary 1 Assistant
Primary Community
Ms. Melany- PM Primary Lead Assistant
Ms. Ericka- PM Primary Assistant
Ms. Elizabeth- PM Primary Assistant
Ms. Lynnete- PM Primary Assistant
