Enrollment Application for the 2025/2026 school year is now open!

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Admissions
  • TRM FAMILIES
    • Resources for Families
    • Announcements
    • Testing and Assessments
  • Board of Directors
    • Board & Meeting Schedule
    • Parent Committee Updates
    • TRM Policies/Minutes
  • Our Programs
    • Food Services
    • Pathfinders
  • Employment
  • Contact
  • Blank
  • More
    • Home
    • About Us
    • Admissions
    • TRM FAMILIES
      • Resources for Families
      • Announcements
      • Testing and Assessments
    • Board of Directors
      • Board & Meeting Schedule
      • Parent Committee Updates
      • TRM Policies/Minutes
    • Our Programs
      • Food Services
      • Pathfinders
    • Employment
    • Contact
    • Blank
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Admissions
  • TRM FAMILIES
    • Resources for Families
    • Announcements
    • Testing and Assessments
  • Board of Directors
    • Board & Meeting Schedule
    • Parent Committee Updates
    • TRM Policies/Minutes
  • Our Programs
    • Food Services
    • Pathfinders
  • Employment
  • Contact
  • Blank
Three Rivers Montessori Charter School

Three Rivers Montessori Charter School

Three Rivers Montessori Charter SchoolThree Rivers Montessori Charter SchoolThree Rivers Montessori Charter School

Program Summary

Three Rivers Montessori School offers an authentic Montessori education to families living in Elk River, surrounding communities, and those living  within School District 728. Montessori Philosophy and environmentalism go hand-in hand, therefore the school will align its objectives with those of Elk River as a Green Step City since 2010, and with  Osprey Wilds, to instill a connection and commitment to the environment through experiential learning.


Montessori supports a mastery learning model which affords students the opportunity to have experiences and work with materials at a pace that matches their learning. Under their watchful eye, the specially trained teachers present interesting and exciting lessons when each student demonstrates their ability to move on. A large part of the teacher’s work is student observation and documentation in order to tailor challenge and guidance to the individual students.

Montessori Method

The Montessori Method is focused on education for the whole being. We organize our work through building educational experiences for the head, heart and hands. This means that at every level we are cultivating curiosity and offering high quality academics (head), fostering healthy social/emotional interactions (heart), and providing work that is experiential and hands-on (hands). 


Essential Montessori principles call for education that brings peace to the child’s inner world, peace in their community, and an education for peace (heart) to affect the larger world. The practice of anchoring academics in meaningful work integrates concept understanding and skill-building with whole body activity (head and hand components).


Each level of the school will need to articulate the intersection of their program with these three key principles as well as those of environmental sustainability. These principles will be the foundation of annual school-wide initiatives and evaluation, as well as an organizing structure that directs and informs goal setting for each teacher.

Optimal Environment

Our goal is to provide an optimal environment that allows our students to demonstrate their true nature as motivated, respectful, and considerate individuals. Our goal is that each classroom will embrace the Montessori Philosophies and grant the freedoms of choice, movement and repetition while allowing for both the human tendencies and the sensitive periods of the student.

Empower Students

Our goal is to empower each student by offering individualized, hands-on instruction based on observation and an understanding of the child’s needs and abilities in order to encourage independent, self-driven, critical thinkers. 

Engaged Citizens

Our goal is to foster a globally conscious and civically responsible student able to go forth, having met their fullest potential being ready to become an engaged citizen of the world.  


We will support, educate, and continue developing our students’ natural connection and responsibility to nature through our curriculum and by our role modeling on a daily basis. Our goal is for each student to further develop a sense of respect for our planet and understand the urgency of protecting our precious resources we often take for granted. Our school will consistently bring the outside environment in and bring the classroom and learning philosophy out in order to maximize learning and discovery. The intention is to eventually occupy or renovate a physical building to be designed to minimize the barrier between the inner and outer environments. We will accomplish this by designing large, airy, naturally lit classrooms with warm inviting colors. Each classroom will include an abundance of natural artwork, adopted classroom pets and a variety of plants.

Parents as Partners

A Montessori way of life assumes a strong, triangular bond between the parents, students, and the school. We must engage parents in this awesome, life changing work by inviting them to school for philosophical and curricular presentations, discussions, board meetings, or simply to gain their parental perspective. It is essential that these relationships be based on trust and be built not only between the students and educators, but among the parents as well.  To affect real success and societal change, we must all work consistently together.  We aspire to have a strong parent and community volunteer based program so everyone can participate and experience the difference that Three Rivers Montessori will make in their lives.


To enhance the richness of the fully-embodied Montessori curriculum, we are excited about the educational possibilities at our doorstep. Students will have access to city services such as the historical Grain Elevator and Oliver Kelley Farm, along with the city’s trend towards a sustainability focus and implementation of environmental technologies. The students at TRM will have many opportunities to serve their community, through volunteerism at CAER, Habitat for Humanity, at the local nursing homes and assisted living community of Guardian Angels, as well as participating in neighborhood beautification efforts. A curriculum and school culture rooted deeply in sustainability, nonviolence, acceptance and respect will help children develop the skills necessary for living a peaceful life of passionate advocacy in the 21st century.


Maria Montessori’s dream was to achieve world peace through the education of children.  Students with many different needs, abilities, strengths, and challenges all come together here to live in an environment of respect, mutual admiration, acceptance, patience, and understanding.  When students develop this confidence in themselves and a strong sense of well-being, they are able to make great strides in their academic achievement.  We hope that students will leave TRM prepared to be leaders in our world, and more importantly, advocates for all of humanity.



Welcome from Executive Director, Dr. Paula Henry

Welcome Three Rivers Montessori Families!

 

Greetings!

I am excited to serve Three Rivers Montessori School, the students, families, staff, and community as the next Executive Director. I promise to lead with compassion, heart, and joy, continuing to support the kindness and learning that grows here. I look forward to getting to know each and every one of you. My top priority is the well-being and success of all students and families.

In my time as an educator, I have learned a lot about empathy. While I always had care and concern for children and for people in general, my time as an educator has deepened it. I am eager to help children prepare for their futures and help Three Rivers Montessori School plan for success.

I am passionate about Montessori education and I am proud to share that my three children attended Montessori school. They have wonderful memories of joyful learning, making friends, building their sense of self, and exploring new concepts. I am also passionate about shifting the paradigm for the future of learning for students, and empowering them to succeed in a world full of wonder and choices. I love observing students soar academically, and I find joy in their hopes and dreams. Professionally, I am a former superintendent for Thief River Falls School District, and Lake Park Audubon School District in Minnesota. Prior to this I served as an elementary principal in West Fargo, ND. and as principal at Madison Elementary School in St. Cloud, MN. which was also home to Guang Ming Academy, a Chinese Immersion School. Many years before this I served as a Montessori School director in Madison Wisconsin. My education includes a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, Superintendent licensure, Principal licensure, and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction with a reading certification. I have over 30 years of experience in education and served in various roles leading teams of dedicated educators and administrators who shared a common vision of providing high quality and equitable learning opportunities for all students.

I have a depth of knowledge in district/school climate and culture, educational best practices, educational leadership, school finance, coaching, mentoring, systems change, and board and community collaboration. I love to build on people’s strengths and connect teams for collaboration. I am committed to excellence and uncompromising in my quest for quality educational opportunities for all young people. I never lose sight of students and their needs. I seek out collaborative solutions aimed at supporting parents, staff, and community. I have a tremendous sense of pride for educators and have a high degree of respect for all who work in our noble profession. I am constantly in awe of colleagues and educators as they work tirelessly to inspire and empower our students. They show up each day and give their very best to our students. I am proud to walk alongside them.

Now, I am honored and humbled to be the Executive Director of Three Rivers Montessori School. I will proudly serve students, staff, families, and the community.

Kind regards,

Dr. Paula Henry
Executive Director

Our Staff

K1 Teacher - Kindergarten

E1Teacher - 1st Grade-3rd Grade

E1Teacher - 1st Grade-3rd Grade

Jan Creed

jan.creed@threeriversmontessori.org



E1Teacher - 1st Grade-3rd Grade

E1Teacher - 1st Grade-3rd Grade

E1Teacher - 1st Grade-3rd Grade

Nikki Patterson

nikki.patterson@threeriversmontessori.org

E1Teacher - 1st Grade-3rd Grade

E1Teacher - 1st Grade-3rd Grade

E1Teacher - 1st Grade-3rd Grade

Cassie Zezulka

cassie.zezulka@threeriversmontessori.org

E2 Teacher - 4th to 6th Grade

E2 Teacher - 4th to 6th Grade

E1Teacher - 1st Grade-3rd Grade

Lydia Skadberg

lydia.skadberg@threeriversmontessori.org


Special Education Teacher

E2 Teacher - 4th to 6th Grade

Special Education Teacher

Cassie Gruber

cassie.gruber@threeriversmontessori.org

Special Education Teacher

E2 Teacher - 4th to 6th Grade

Special Education Teacher

Julie Grenier

julie.grenier@threeriversmontessori.org


Special Education Teacher

Special Education Teacher

Special Education Teacher

Sophie Lind

sophie.lind@threeriversmontessori.org


School Social Worker

Special Education Teacher

Special Education Teacher

Breanna Cox

breanna.cox@threeriversmontessori.org


Pre-School Teacher

Special Education Teacher

Pre-School Teacher

Kristen Ennis

kristen.ennis@threeriversmontessori.org


Educational Assistant K1

Educational Assistant K1

Educational Assistant K1

Trish Gingras

trish.gingras@threeriversmontessori.org

Educational Assistant E1

Educational Assistant K1

Educational Assistant K1

Ameryst Schuh

ameryst.schuh@threeriversmontessori.org

Educational Assistant E1

Educational Assistant K1

Educational Assistant E1

Aurora Grembowski

aurora.grembowski@threeriversmontessori.org

Educational Assistant E2

Educational Assistant E2

Educational Assistant E1

Shawna Anderson

shawna.anderson@threeriversmontessori.org



Behavior Interventionist

Educational Assistant E2

Behavior Interventionist

Brittany Stroman

brittany.stroman@threeriversmontessori.org



Paraprofessional

Educational Assistant E2

Behavior Interventionist

Megan Kociscak

megan.kociscak@threeriversmontessori.org



Paraprofessional

Paraprofessional

Paraprofessional

Selena Vang

selena.vang@threeriversmontessori.org



Paraprofessional

Paraprofessional

Paraprofessional

Abby Humphreys

abby.humphreys@threeriversmontessori.org



Paraprofessional

Paraprofessional

Paraprofessional

Brittany Roehl

brittany.roehl@threeriversmontessori.org


Paraprofessional

Food Service Coordinator

Paraprofessional

Mallory Mitchell

mallory.mitchell@threeriversmontessori.org


Food Service Coordinator

Food Service Coordinator

Food Service Coordinator

Anita Johnson

anita.johnson@threeriversmontessori.org


Media Center Specialist

Food Service Coordinator

Food Service Coordinator

Derryl Bell

derryl.bell@threeriversmontessori.org


Executive Director

Pathfinders Coordinator / Title 1

Administrative Assistant

Dr. Paula Henry

paula.henry@threeriversmontessori.org 


Administrative Assistant

Pathfinders Coordinator / Title 1

Administrative Assistant

Sarah Roell

sarah.roell@threeriversmontessori.org

Pathfinders Coordinator / Title 1

Pathfinders Coordinator / Title 1

Pathfinders Coordinator / Title 1

Chris Castagneri

chris.castagneri@threeriversmontessori.org


Three Rivers Montessori Charter School

17267 Yale St. NW Elk River, MN 55330

(763)-595-1213

We are authorized by:

Osprey Wilds Environmental Learning Center
Erin Anderson, Director of Charter School Authorizing
1730 New Brighton Blvd.
Suite 104, PMB 196
Minneapolis, MN 55413
(612) 331-4181
csdadmin@ospreywilds.org
https://ospreywilds.org/charter-school-division/csd-who-we-are/

Copyright © 2019 Three Rivers Montessori - All Rights Reserved.  Three Rivers Montessori is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Powered by

Now accepting enrollment applications!

Welcome to our website! We are now enrolling for the 2025/2026 school year!

Learn more