Staff
Our exceptional faculty includes internationally recognized, innovative teachers who combine strong teaching skills with specialty expertise. They mentor, advise and consult teachers and schools from around the world through affiliate organization Montessori Teachers Institute for Professional Studies.
In Montessori schools, children educate themselves via independent activity. Consequently, the role of our teachers is quite different from that of traditional educators. During training, the Montessori teacher learns to observe each child's total development with patience, curiosity and love. He or she carefully prepares and maintains an environment which is able to support the intellectual, physical, social and spiritual needs of each child in the classroom. As custodian of the classroom, the teacher is responsible for the atmosphere and order of the room, the presentation of materials and for the educational program.
According to the National Institute for Early Education Research, early childhood education programs have an average annual turnover rate of 25-50%. On the contrary, the CMS teaching staff has an average tenure of 15 years. Teacher turnover is rare. All have specialized training in various areas. Many are National and International Presenters. The staff at CMS are also on the staff of the Montessori Teachers Institute for Professional Studies, an organization that offers experienced Montessori teachers the opportunity for further education.
Read below and get to know us:
Wendy Calise
Position
- Head of School
- Director, Montessori Teachers Institute for Professional Studies
Time at CMS
22 years
Education
- Bachelor's Degree - Northwestern University Major: psychology
- Association Montessori Internationale Primary and Elementary Diplomas
- Certificate for Mediation Skills Training related to Alternative Dispute Resolution at Northwestern University School of Continuing Studies
Experience
Primary Classroom Teacher, Elementary Classroom Teacher, Educational Director, Swimming Teacher, Published Author, National and International Montessori Presenter, Consultant for MTIPS, Teacher Mentor, Founder of the Montessori Teachers Institute for Professional Studies, Board Member - Roycemore School
Personal History
Wendy is a Northbrook native having moved to this suburb when she was two years old. She continues to reside in Northbrook today. Wendy is a daughter of the Founders of Countryside, Frank and Annette Kulle. She attended CMS through elementary. Following her time at Countryside, she went to the local public schools for four years and then transferred to Roycemore School in Evanston where she graduated Valedictorian of her class. She is married to Elementary Teacher, Guy Calise, and has three children. Dante, 13 years old, who graduated in 2010 and now attends the Hershey Montessori Farm School in Ohio; Cecilia, 9 years old, who attends CMS Elementary; and Rino, 6 years old, who attends the All Year Montessori Program.
Interests
Wendy first and foremost loves to read, both fiction and non-fiction. She also enjoys traveling the United States with her family to visit the natural wonders of our country. She is a writer and has had articles published in several professional journals. Wendy runs 25-30 miles per week, though she doesn't love that so much.
Email Wendy Calise
Position
Toddler Teacher
Time at CMS
14 years
Education
- Association Montessori Internationale Toddler Diploma
- Early Childhood Education, Kendall College and St. Augustine College
Experience
Toddler Classroom Assistant, Care Club Assistant Spanish Teacher
Personal History
Veronica was born in Acapulco, Mexico and moved to Chicago in 1989. She has been married to her husband Juan for eighteen years and has four children, Christian 17, Danny 16, Juan Jr. 14 and Jessica 6. She currently resides in Morton Grove. Veronica enjoys working with young children and she likes increasing her knowledge on child development.She is also very excited and nervous to have her three teenaged boys in high school together.
Interests
In her "spare time" Veronica enjoys swimming, walking, gardening, bicycle riding and spending time teaching her teenage son how to drive.
Email Veronica Armenta
Position
Director and Teacher of All Year Montessori Program
Time at CMS
22 years
Education
- Association Montessori Internationale Primary Diploma
- B.A. Graphic Design, Illinois Institute of Art
Experience
Primary Classroom Assistant, CareClub Director, Published Author, Ad Designer, National Montessori Presenter
Personal History
Michele grew up in Glenview where she later met her "husband-to-be", Jim Aspinall, in high school. Michele and her husband Jim now live Northbrook and have two children who attend Countryside. Michele began her journey in Montessori at Countryside as a part-time assistant in the before and after school program in 1989. She went on to assist in the toddler, primary and elementary environments. Michele directed the many variations of the school's day care program while earning a BA in graphic art in 1995 from the Illinois Institute of Art. She later earned her AMI primary diploma from the Milwaukee Montessori Institute in 2000.
Michele is a pioneer in the creation of one of the first authentic All Year Montessori models in the US. She began her work on this project in 2000, twelve years ago. Since that time she has nurtured and tailored this program into a truly magnificent experience for children who spend much of their lives at school. The program runs from 7:30 - 5:30 for 245 days per year. Over the last two summers Michele presented workshops on her program to over 120 attendees coming from over 16 states and as far as Mexico and Chile.
Michele also wrote an article, "The Road Less Taken", which was published in the AMI USA Newsletter in 2001. Michele shared her All Year Montessori story at an AMI conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 2002. In addition, Michele spoke about the importance of peaceful transitions at a North American Montessori Teachers' Association (NAMTA) conference held in Austin, Texas. Michele continues to teach in the All Year environment. Michele and her husband Jim live in Northbrook and have two children who attend Countryside.
Interests
Michele likes to spend her spare time in the kitchen. Cakes, cookies, pies; you name it and she bakes it! Michele also enjoys antiquing and locating good finds.
Email Michele Aspinall
Position
Primary Teacher
Time at CMS
9 years
Education
- Association Montessori Internationale Assistants to Infancy Diploma
- Association Montessori Internationale Primary Diploma
- M.T.S. Emory University, Atlanta, GA
- B.A., Religious Studies and English, Albion College, Albion, MI
Experience
Primary Directress, Published Author, Orton Gillingham Reading Tutor
Personal History
Jennifer's father and mother spent their professional lives in the service of children, families and education. Her father was a high school counselor, coach and history teacher for more than 30 years. Her mother has worked in obstetrics, prenatal health and community education for more than 40 years.
After high school graduation, Jennifer began a brief period of study at Oberlin Conservatory, as a music performance major. However, her love of music was not as strong as her love of literature and her interest in the spiritual dimensions of literacy and inspiration. Jennifer transferred to Albion College where she spent five years working on a double major in English and Religious Studies.
After completing a Master of Theological Studies at Candler Seminary at Emory University, she enrolled in Primary Montessori Training. She has been a passionate advocate for Montessori education ever since.
Jennifer now lives in Northbrook with her husband of 17 years, two sons, and a daughter. Her three children attend Countryside Montessori School.
Interests
Reading, writing, music, baking
Email Jennifer Rogers
Kim Shultz
Position
Primary Teacher
Time at CMS
17 Years
Education
- Association Montessori Internationale Primary Diploma
- B.A., Fine Art, Indiana University
Experience
Primary Classroom Assistant, Care Club Assistant, Published Author, Dining Room/Kitchen Assistant, Elementary Assistant, Director of Assistants
Personal History
Kim and her husband, Dennis, grew up in a small farming community in Indiana. They lived in California for ten years before returning to the Midwest in 1995. After spending many years in the retail banking industry, Kim decided it was time for a change and began a new adventure in the world of Montessori. Kim received her Montessori Primary diploma in 2007 and was in the first class to graduate from Dallas, TX.
Interests
Boating, needlepoint, sewing, baking, reading, karate
Email Kim Shultz
Position
Teacher, Lower Elementary Class, ages 6-9
Time at CMS
10 years
Education
- Association Montessori Internationale Elementary Diploma ages 6-12
- Masters of Education, Loyola University, Maryland
- B.S. Special Education, L.D., B.D., E.M.H certifications, Illinois State University
Experience
Elementary Teacher, Primary Classroom Assistant, Toddler Classroom Assistant, High School Special Education Teacher
Personal History
Kim was Born and raised in Des Plaines. She attended Catholic school through eighth grade and went on to public high school. For her undergraduate studies a large state school for her teaching degree seemed most practical, but she wanted a small private school for her masters. After college she taught high school for five years in Elgin.
Interests
Kim is a voracious reader of fiction, especially historical fiction. She looks forward to wandering and getting lost in used bookstores. She also enjoys spending time with her family, which includes her husband, two teenage sons, an eight year old daughter and two bulldogs. Shopping is always at the top of her list of interests.
Email Kim Anderson
Position
- Elementary Teacher
- Elementary Physical Education Instructor
Time at CMS
22 years
Education
- Bachelor's Degree - Illinois State University, Major: biology
- Association Montessori Internationale Elementary Diploma
- Certificate for Employment as an Emergency Medical Technician
- ISSA Certified Personal Trainer - Youth and Adult
Experience
Elementary Classroom Teacher, Elementary Physical Education Instructor, Swimming Instructor, National and International Montessori Presenter, Consultant for MTIPS, Teacher Mentor, Personal Trainer for Poliquin Performance, Owner - Classic Car Dealership
Personal History
Guy was born in Providence, RI and lived there until he was four years old, after which he moved to Glenview. He attended Main North and Main East before going on to Illinois State. He graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in biology. Guy is married to Head of School, Wendy Calise, and has three children: Dante, 13 years old, who graduated in 2010 and now attends the Hershey Montessori Farm School in Ohio; Cecilia, 9 years old, who attends CMS Elementary; and Rino, 6 years old, who attends the All Year Montessori Program.
Interests
Guy enjoys playing baseball in the summer. Since his youth, he has had a commitment to personal physical health and maintains a rigorous work out program. Guy also enjoys buying and selling classic cars.
Email Guy Calise
Krista Delaney
Position
Director and Teacher of the Primary Physical Education Program
Time at CMS
34 years
Education
- Association Montessori Internationale Assistants to Infancy Diploma
- Attended Barat College
Experience
Primary Classroom Assistant, Elementary Classroom Assistant, Toddler Classroom Assistant, Summer Camp Director, Swim Instructor, Primary Physical Education Director, Toddler Teacher Mentor, Admissions Director, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Reading Tutor, and almost everything else!
Personal History
Born in Germany and raised in Northbrook, Krista has two children, ages 14 and 12. Her eldest graduated from CMS in 2009 and her youngest will graduate from CMS in 2011.
Interests
Reading, Cooking, Keeping Fit
Ben Price
Position
Elementary Teacher Assistant/Elementary Physical Education Instructor
Time at CMS
1 year
Education
- BBA, Marketing, Organization Management, Emory University
- MS, Education: Kinesiology, Coaching, Michigan State University
Experience
Service Learning Liaison, Middle School/High School and Elementary Teacher Assistant (North Shore Academy/Elementary),Instructional Assistant in self-contained Autistic Spectrum Disorder classrooms (District 54), Basketball Coach, Fitness Specialist (Buffalo Grove Park District)
Personal History
Ben grew up in Mount Prospect and attended Hersey High School in Arlington Heights before attending Emory University in Atlanta where, despite a degree earned in business, began his pursuit of coaching basketball professionally. This led to attendance at Michigan State University and an advanced degree before once again, and finally, shifting his professional pursuits toward education.
Interests
Ben has been a high school basketball coach the last 8 years and is currently coaching at Hersey High School while he continues the pursuit of his own high school program, Ben is also a published author and writes frequently in his free-time.
Joseph Francavilla
Position
Music Director
Time at CMS
12 years
Education
- Masters of Music, Piano Performance, Northwestern University
- Bachelors of Music, Piano Performance, Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University
- Additional studies in piano and theory pedagogy at both schools.
Experience
Piano Instructor, Chorus Director, Composer, Performer, Published Music Arranger, Piano Technician
Personal History
Joe was born and raised outside of Washington, DC. As a child he began his musical studies on guitar, and a few years later, piano. While in college he also studied voice, harpsichord, and organ. After graduation, Joe worked for several years as a professional performer and accompanist before joining the staff at Countryside. He and his wife Stacy live in Evanston.
Interests
In his spare time, Joe enjoys playing the piano, reading, humor writing, running, and hiking in the Rocky Mountains. He also enjoys every manner of taking things apart, including recently disassembling and rebuilding a harpsichord.
Karen O'Malley
Position
Director of Admissions/Business Manager
Time at CMS
15 years
Education
- St. Mary's University, Winona, Minnesota
- BA Accounting
Experience
Except for teaching, there isn't much she hasn't had her hands on!
Personal History
Born and raised in the Chicago area, Karen and her husband have 3 grown children and 2 grandchildren. She has worn many hats at Countryside but her passion is introducing new families to the school.
Interests
Karen enjoys running, boating, biking, window shopping and spending time with her family and friends.
Jim Aspinall
Position
Time at CMS
6 years
Education
Experience
Technology Leasing, Equipment Portfolio Management
Personal History
Jim grew up in Glenview, recreating as many John Hughes scenes as possible. He works at CMS with his wife Michele, who works right down the hall. He has two children, one in AYM and the other in the elementary class.
Interests
Bike riding (all kinds), running, White Sox, endurance events
Lisa Sanden
Position
- Director of Development
- Head of Lower School
Time at CMS
21 years
Education
- Association Montessori Internationale, Consultant's Certification
- Association Montessori Internationale Primary Diploma
- B.S., Geology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa
Experience
Primary Classroom Assistant, Primary Classroom Teacher, Teacher Mentor, Swimming Teacher, Published Author, National Montessori Presenter
Personal History
Lisa grew up in Glenview, behind the old Pier One. She spent most of her childhood running the neighborhood with the 20 other kids from her street and the neighborhoods nearby. Once, she found 40 small frogs in a pond and happily brought them home to her mom, thinking mom would be just as thrilled. An error in judgment, perhaps, but definitely an indication of her love of the natural world. Lisa now lives with her husband of 12 years, their fabulous mutt Dodger, and the last of four children at home, who goes off to college next fall. She is beginning a new adventure this year, leaving the class after 19 years and moving into the office where she will be working on marketing and development.
Interests
Lisa is working towards a Masters degree in human development, and enjoys taking yoga classes, boating and swimming.
Frank and Annette Kulle
Founders
Frank grew up on the South side of Chicago and graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in General Engineering and Business Administration. He met Annette on her first day of college and they were married one week after graduation.
They spent two years in Germany in the Corps of Engineers where he talked Annette into her first camping adventure in a pup tent in Italy. The rest, as they say, is history. They have camped all over the US and Canada including Alaska and the Yukon; they camped in Europe; and have been four-wheel drive camping in Australia five times!
Annette is a native of Chicago. She graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Math. She and Frank have been married for 51 years.
Annette and Frank have three children, Krista, Jay and Wendy - all former CMS students, all former CMS students - and seven grandchildren, Riley, Dante, Rogan, Gianni, Cecilia, Christian, and Rino. Annette likes to think of them as one for each day of the week!
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