Elk River, Minnesota, United States
Teachers
K1 Teacher - Kindergarten to 1st Grade
K1 Teacher - Kindergarten to 1st Grade
K1 Teacher - Kindergarten to 1st Grade
Trish Gingras
You may recognize Trish as she first joined our community as an Educational Assistant in the 2021-2022 school year. Trish is a Michigan native; she has a double major in political science and communications with years of experience in Montessori education. Trish has demonstrated a deep understanding and commitment to the Montessori method and educational practices during her time at TRM. She has proven that she values and respects the uniqueness of each child, is a keen observer who is knowledgeable about developmentally-appropriate behavior and practices and is aware of the children's individual needs and interests.
trish.gingras@threeriversmontessori.org
K1 Teacher - Kindergarten to 1st Grade
K1 Teacher - Kindergarten to 1st Grade
K1 Teacher - Kindergarten to 1st Grade
Shanny Snyder
I am so excited to be joining the TRM family! I discovered the Montessori method during my first year in college, and immediately knew it was for me.
I have a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Studies, AMI Montessori Certification, and a tier 3 MN teaching license from birth to 3rd grade. Before coming to TRM, I worked at a Montessori public charter in the area, as a Lead Children’s House Teacher.
I live in Elk River with my husband, Steve, and three children, Jacob, Ethan, and Hannah. We have two German shorthair pointers, two beta fish, and a bearded dragon! My family takes up most of my free time, but I also enjoy painting, throwing pottery, camping, and playing games. I am also a painting instructor in Coon Rapids.
This year my family and I took a long vacation at our family property in Wisconsin where we fished, went fossil hunting, explored nature trails, went cherry picking, and even fed giraffes and pelicans at the zoo!
It is my goal this year to instill a passion for learning so that students will develop a life-long love to learn! I can’t wait to spend the next year getting to know you, learning, and growing with you! I am looking forward to an amazing year together.
E1 Teacher - 2nd to 3rd Grade
K1 Teacher - Kindergarten to 1st Grade
E1 Teacher - 2nd to 3rd Grade
Cassie Zezulka
Cassie Zezulka is the Cedar room's E1 teacher. She majored in Elementary Education at Bemidji State University with a Bachelor of Science degree, received her K-6 Elementary Education License, and is actively pursuing her Montessori Certification in K-6 Elementary Education. In addition, she has invested in the preschool setting as a teacher and administrator before joining Three Rivers Montessori.
Cassie has known she would become a teacher since 1st grade when she would daydream about her future classroom. She enjoyed so many aspects of her school experiences and has a desire to help each child find their connection and witness each student's pride as they progress into mastery of a lesson.
She is unwinding with movies, shopping, and coloring when she is not teaching. In addition, she is pursuing her mastery of cooking and baking in between taking trips up north.
E1 Teacher - 2nd to 3rd Grade
E1 Teacher - 2nd to 3rd Grade
E1 Teacher - 2nd to 3rd Grade
Lori George
I am excited to be joining Three Rivers as an E1 Teacher! Working with children in a variety of settings has been a passion of mine for over 20 years. I’ve had the pleasure of working in Montessori classrooms for the last 6 years as both an Assistant Teacher and Lead Teacher. I love all that Montessori encompasses. I believe that students are encouraged to be life-long, curious, and well-rounded learners through all that Montessori offers.
When I am not working in schools I spend my time coaching high school softball and also run my own pitching instruction business. I live in a nearby community with my husband and 2 boys ages 8 and 13. We enjoy being active and spending time with family and friends. In my spare time I bake, work on my house, and watch as much college softball and hockey as possible. Go Gophers!
E2 Teacher - 4th to 6th Grade
E1 Teacher - 2nd to 3rd Grade
E2 Teacher - 4th to 6th Grade
Sam Siemsen
I am Sam Siemsen. I live in Anoka with my husband and daughter. In our down time we love to get ice cream and go for walks by Rum River.
I have a bachelor's degree in Youth Development, and am finishing my master's degree in Teaching. I have worked previously as a 4th grade teacher at a Kindergarten-12th grade school in South Minneapolis.
I am passionate about holistic learning, supporting students in developing into physically and emotionally healthy adults, as well as supporting them in their academics. I have also witnessed the joy that students have and how well they learn when given opportunities to do hands-on work. I am looking forward to the opportunity to lean into holistic, hands-on learning with students and developing my Montessori teaching skills.
E2 Teacher - 4th to 6th Grade
E1 Teacher - 2nd to 3rd Grade
E2 Teacher - 4th to 6th Grade
Rose Bleymeyer
We are honored to have Rose Bleymeyer rejoining TRM as our new E2 teacher. Rose brings Three Rivers Montessori her years of experience as a Montessori teacher, leader, and former Montessori child. She has a bachelor's degree in Applied Behavioral Sciences specializing in autism therapy from the University of Kansas. She was certified as an AMI elementary teacher through the Montessori Center of Minnesota and held a Master’s in Education from St. Catherine University. Rose is overjoyed to participate in the Three Rivers Montessori community as an educator. She looks forward to bringing her years of Montessori experience to the E2 classroom. Rose’s knowledge and experience will allow our students to receive a truly authentic Montessori education. She will be a guide who ensures that students become confident and productive members of society wherever their path leads them.
Special Education Teacher
Special Education Teacher
Special Education Teacher
Alison Belford
I am excited to be part of Three Rivers Montessori Charter School. My education started in the early years of my life, attending a montessori school from preschool through fourth grade. I loved working with the materials, and learning through hands-on experiences. I am excited to be on the teaching side of montessori.
I graduated from Augsburg College with my elementary education degree. I taught preschool through third grade in many types of schools (private, public, and charter). I went back to school to get my license in special education from St. Cloud State University where I received my Autism Spectrum Disorder certification. I have taught in various levels of special education the last five years.
I have two teenage boys who keep me very active. We spend a lot of time playing board games, watching movies, and just started cooking together. In my free time, I love to work in my vegetable garden, hike trails, and do stuff with my family and friends.
educational assistants
Educational Assistant K1
Educational Assistant K1
Educational Assistant K1
Jan Creed
Jan is the previous Owner/Director of Heritage Montessori School in Big Lake, MN. She is a certified Montessori teacher with a master's and Ph.D. in Education. Jan brings her knowledge and years of experience into the role of Educational Assistant.
Educational Assistant K1
Educational Assistant K1
Educational Assistant K1
Heather Weems
I'm Heather, this will be my 4th year working in a Montessori. I have a husband and two daughters. Our girls will also attend Three Rivers this year. Our oldest is 8 and will be in second grade and our youngest is 6 years old and will be in Kindergarten this year.
We love to be outdoors, camp, kayaking, hiking and traveling in our spare time. I look forward to working with the students this year and getting to know everyone.
heather.weems@threeriversmontessori.org
Educational Assistant E1
Educational Assistant K1
Educational Assistant E1
Lyudmila Belair
I am very happy to be a part of Three Rivers Montessori!
I grew up in Russia and first time read about Maria Montessori and her method there. Since then, I have been very interested in her system of education.
I have a business related bachelor degree from Russian University, but always want to work with kids, because I love and cherish all children. They are the best part of humankind!
I have worked for 12 years in ISD 728 in various positions: Russian Language Interpreter, ELL Assistant, Instructional Assistant, Math Corps Tutor and then Reading Corps Tutor, EdVenture Club Childcare Worker and Summer EdVenture Club Programs Enrichment Specialist.
My husband and I have three children: Michael (19) enlisted to serve The US Air Force, John (17) is our tech guy and Kathryn (6) attends TRM.
We live in the Nowthen area, where we have 3 acres of land, where I enjoy gardening. I love all animals.
I am bilingual and have a passion for teaching my first language - Russian.
I love to read in both Russian and English. Especially Russian poetry. My relaxing time is time that is spent with a book.
I am looking forward to becoming a good and skilled classroom assistant and good facilitator of growth and development of TRM students' talents!
Educational Assistant E1
Educational Assistant E1
Educational Assistant E1
Nikki Patterson
Nikki enjoys experiencing the Montessori method and the variety of learning materials that go along with it. She feels that they really make learning more fun.
Nikki is currently working on her teaching degree with a minor in Special Education to accompany her degree in Psychology and AA degree.
Nikki and her husband moved to Monticello in 2017 and have enjoyed getting to know the area with their little boy, Brayden. They spend a lot of time outdoors as a family.
Nikki's favorite memories have been made camping on the weekends and she can’t wait to make many more memories with traveling and exploring.
Educational Assistant E2
Educational Assistant E1
Educational Assistant E2
Rebecca Lehn
My name is Rebecca, but I will respond to almost everything except Becky. Some fun facts about me; I'm a Hufflepuff dog mom of 3, I am married to my high-school sweetheart Nathan and we just bought our first house in Big Lake.
I'm a summer to heart, I love being outdoors in the warm weather, and being in or around water. Duluth is one of my most favorite cities. I love how I can spend hours just walking and hiking around the many footpaths that Duluth offers. My favorite holiday is any holiday spent with my family and friends.
Educational Assistant E2
Educational Assistant E1
Educational Assistant E2
Angel Adam
Hello, my name is Angel, and I am very excited to be part of the Three River Montessori team. I am thrilled to learn more about the Montessori method and the way kids learn and develop from it.
I have worked with children in the Elk River School District for the past few years and finally decided to switch to the Montessori School.
I live in Elk River with my husband Dustin and my 4 kids, three of my kids attend Three Rivers and my 7th grader is at Spectrum.
In our spare time we are either at the Hockey rink where I coach my daughter's hockey team or, in the summertime, we are at the soccer fields trying to get to 4 different practices. I also love being outdoors, swimming, fishing or just hanging out with the kids.
Special Education Support
Paraprofessional
Paraprofessional
Paraprofessional
Kristen Ennis
Kristen loves being part of the atmosphere and experiences that Montessori learning has to offer.
She has a degree in nursing, along with many years of experience working as a licensed childcare provider. She has a passion for working with children, and loves watching and helping them grow to their full potential.
Kristen lives in Zimmerman with her husband, three children, and their mini golden doodle - Cooper.
She enjoys watching their two boys play their favorite sport- hockey, and spending time with her daughter when she comes home to visit from college.
Paraprofessional
Paraprofessional
Paraprofessional
Sami Maske
Sami has worked with children off and on throughout the years and feels like she has found her calling within this community. She is super excited to be apart of the kids lives and watch them grow!
Her family is made up of her 19 month old daughter named Scarlett, her wonderful husband, and two cats named Oscar and Felix. They enjoy playing outside and playing games as a family.
samantha.maske@threeriversmontessori.org
Paraprofessional
Paraprofessional
Paraprofessional
Aubrey Henrickson
Bio Coming Soon!
Paraprofessional
Paraprofessional
Paraprofessional
Rachel Wenz
I’m so excited to be joining the Three Rivers Montessori team! The staff and environment are very welcoming, and I can't wait to learn more about the Montessori method!
My passion for this field started in 2013 working as a Special Education Para. I've worked with several different age groups and nothing makes me happier than seeing them progress and succeed to their full potential.
I currently live near Becker with my husband and 8 year old son. We love being outdoors, traveling, and spending time with family as much as possible.
rachel.wenz@threeriversmontessori.org
Paraprofessional
Paraprofessional
Paraprofessional
Laura Duce
Laura Duce returns to TRM as a paraprofessional. Her warm, compassionate, calm presence will be an asset in the classroom and for the students she supports.
laura.duce@threeriversmontessori.org
Paraprofessional
Paraprofessional
Paraprofessional
Zack Maske
Bio Coming Soon!
Behavior Interventionist
Behavior Interventionist
Behavior Interventionist
Callie Olson
Bio Coming Soon!
Operations
Office Manager
Montessori Curriculum Coordinator
Montessori Curriculum Coordinator
Connie Wrightsman
Connie comes to us with a wealth of experience in office management, including the management of a large boarding school school setting, legal offices, and most recently managing a family crisis center. Connie's focus on building systems and processes, ensuring connection and community are present within her role, and her collaborative approach to all she does are just some of the reasons the hiring committee selected Connie.
Montessori Curriculum Coordinator
Montessori Curriculum Coordinator
Montessori Curriculum Coordinator
Debbie Hutton
Debbie has worked for many years as a Montessori teacher and is thrilled to use her experience and knowledge to help TRM thrive. She also feels grateful that she can be a part of bringing a true Montessori experience to the families within her own community.
Debbie lives in Elk River with her husband where they raised their two grown children.
She received her Associates of Arts degree from Anoka Ramsey Community College and her Primary Level Montessori Certification from AMI in St. Paul, MN.
When she is not working, Debbie usually can be found at her cabin. She loves to relax, swim, and play on the water. In the winter, She is most likely knitting or reading next to the fire.
Executive Assistant
Montessori Curriculum Coordinator
Pathfinders Coordinator / Food Service Aide
Jonna Duke
Jonna Joins us as the Executive Assistant who will support the office of the Executive Director and also coordinate the front office answering phones and directing visitors as needed. Three Rivers is so happy to have Jonna continuing on in support of our school.
jonna.duke@threeriversmontessori.org
Pathfinders Coordinator / Food Service Aide
Pathfinders Coordinator / Food Service Aide
Pathfinders Coordinator / Food Service Aide
Emily Rossmeisl
Emily is a recent graduate of Elk River Highschool. She is returning to TRM as our Food Service Coordinator and our Pathfinders Coordinator.
emily.rossmeisl@threeriversmontessori.org
Food Service Coordinator
Pathfinders Coordinator / Food Service Aide
Food Service Coordinator
Katie Horner
Bio coming soon!
Social Worker
Pathfinders Coordinator / Food Service Aide
Food Service Coordinator
Rebecca Tripp
Bio Coming Soon!
2022-2023 Administration
Executive Director
Special Education Coordinator
Special Education Coordinator
Antonio Kuklok
Antonio began his career teaching preschool in Sauk Rapids MN before transitioning to the kindergarten classroom at Tatanka Elementary STEM school in Buffalo MN. He holds an Early Childhood teaching license and is a licensed K-12 Principal. Antonio was quickly promoted at Tatanka to Curriculum Integration Coordinator where h
Antonio Kuklok
Antonio began his career teaching preschool in Sauk Rapids MN before transitioning to the kindergarten classroom at Tatanka Elementary STEM school in Buffalo MN. He holds an Early Childhood teaching license and is a licensed K-12 Principal. Antonio was quickly promoted at Tatanka to Curriculum Integration Coordinator where he developed and managed the school’s newly implemented STEM and Engineering programming.
After completing his Educational Leadership program at St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, Antonio was hired by Community School of Excellence, a Hmong language and culture school in St. Paul, as their Elementary Principal where he led educational programming for over 900 PreK through 5th-grade students. After two years in the principalship, Antonio was promoted to the role of Chief Academic Director where he developed, implemented, and managed academic and behavioral programming for over 1,400 Prek through 11th-grade students, 4 administrators, and 125 teachers and paraprofessionals.
Antonio believes that providing hands-on authentic learning experiences is a necessary shift our educational systems must make. His master's thesis focused on embedding student-led experiences into the classroom and showed a positive impact on standardized testing when students took charge of their learning.
He believes that we are not only sending our children into a world where they will work in fields that don’t yet exist but that our children will create these new fields themselves. He believes we need to foster independence, self-determination, and grit in our young learners so they are prepared to enter a diverse and ever-changing world outside of the school walls.
Contact:
Special Education Coordinator
Special Education Coordinator
Special Education Coordinator
Kelly Lewis
Hello TRM families, I am Kelly Lewis, the new Special Education Coordinator. I am
excited to join our Montessori community and humbled to lead responsive and effective special education services with our amazing team of caring teachers, paraprofessionals and specialized staff.
As a parent I have been a strong advocate over th
Kelly Lewis
Hello TRM families, I am Kelly Lewis, the new Special Education Coordinator. I am
excited to join our Montessori community and humbled to lead responsive and effective special education services with our amazing team of caring teachers, paraprofessionals and specialized staff.
As a parent I have been a strong advocate over the last 20 years for my own daughter who lives with disabilities and I understand education is all about relationships. Each of us has a story that is being written everyday in the relationships and experiences we have. I have been a parent advocating at the table for my own child in educational services so I share that as part of my story. I believe parents and caregivers are the experts in their children and teachers and specialized staff share an area of expertise to promote healthy outcomes for all students. Our collaborative goal as a Special Education team is to partner with each family and celebrate your children and foster their social, emotional and academic learning.
Contact: