Our Amazing Staff!
Through hard work and great luck, we have assembled an incredible team here at Maple Tree Montessori Academy. All of our teachers and assistants hold the appropriate Montessori Certifications and have a wealth of experience and interests they gladly share. Nearly half of our staff has been at Maple Tree more than a decade and a few of the others have decades of Montessori teaching experience before finding a new home with us!
We are a very complementary and cohesive staff and we are totally united in purpose…to provide your child with the very best Montessori environment. We encourage all parents to come and observe our program in action and to witness the loving and caring atmosphere that we have established at our school!
Patricia Sue Cherry – Ms. Sue is the owner of our school and she has also been a lead teacher in the Primary classrooms. Sue started in education by working as a teacher’s assistant for the Livingston Educational Services Agency in 1977. There she worked with mentally, physically and emotionally challenged children for four years. She discovered Montessori when her oldest of 3 sons Josh was 4 years old. First she was a Montessori parent, the next year an assistant and then in 1982, she took her Montessori Teacher Training from Michigan Montessori Teacher Education Center and became an AMS Montessori certified teacher. She has also taken additional Montessori training in Math, Geography, and Language Development.
In 2003, after years of teaching at other Montessori schools, she founded Maple Tree Montessori Academy in her home town of Brighton. Sue started Maple Tree Montessori Academy with a vision and dedication to provide the parents and children of Livingston County with a high quality Montessori Program that is true to the principles and philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori. Nurturing, developing empathy and following each child’s individual growth. With this vision in mind Sue has supervised and mentored several Montessori student teachers both from Michigan Montessori Teacher Education Center and the Adrian Montessori Teacher Education Institute. She has sponsored several children annually with scholarships. Sue has hosted annual Diversity and other parenting workshops at little to no charge to the public and also sponsored prevention and response training for parents and caregivers, addressing the sexual abuse of children.
Sue’s dedication to the Brighton community does not stop there. She has served as an executive officer on the board of directors for Child Connect for Family Success, a child care provider resource and referral agency. Sue has volunteered many hours helping to raise funds for the agency, providing advocacy on behalf of the early childhood workforce and children in Livingston County.
In the spring of 2012 Sue was awarded the “Power of One Award” by the Child Abuse Prevention Council in Livingston County. This award acknowledged Sue’s single-handed dedication and commitment to the welfare of Livingston County’s children. She has donated a tuition each year, since 2005 to The Family Resource Center Child Abuse Prevention/LACASA and has provided over $24,000.00 to promote the welfare of our children and community.
In the spring of 2013, Sue was inducted into the Brighton Area Women’s History Roll of Honor for her work in education and for her community service. Patricia Sue Cherry believes that “every child is a hope and a promise for mankind” and her continuing work with children and families in Livingston County brings reality to her belief.
Julie Harrison – We are very pleased that Ms. Julie will be teaching in our Montessori Elementary program again this year. Julie is an excellent Montessori teacher with many years of experience, 14 years at MTMA. She took her Montessori Primary training from Michigan Montessori Teacher Education Center and her Montessori Elementary Training at The Center for Guided Montessori Studies. Both are AMS and MACTE approved programs.
In addition to serving on the board of the Michigan Montessori Society, Julie trains Montessori Primary and Elementary teachers at the Michigan Montessori Teacher Education Center and also teaches in many educational workshops. She has taken Montessori Music training, is a certified Diversity Trainer and Project Read instructor. Julie is also in charge of Project Read, an amazing and highly successful tutoring program, after school and during the summer.
We are delighted that Julie brings her expertise, enthusiasm, education and her 25+ years of Montessori experience to our Elementary programs. Her dedication to Montessori and to our students is an inspiration to all.
Andrea Meng – Ms. Andrea is our Lower Elementary Lead Teacher. She was an assistant teacher for many years at Maple Tree, taking Montessori Assistant Training first. She then completed Montessori Lower Elementary training from the Center for Guided Montessori Studies an AMS and MACTE approved Montessori teacher education program. Ms. Andrea has also trained to teach our Project Read tutoring program and works wonderfully well with emerging readers. Andrea is creative and gentle with the students. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts and she shares her wonderful creative abilities, in addition to her love of nature to our school.
Sasha Gitre – Congratulations to Sasha! She has finished her Montessori Elementary
1 & 2 credential. It was several years of diligent work, study, and practicum. Sasha came to us as an assistant, although she was already a certified teacher with years of experience. We are so grateful to have her on our Montessori Elementary Team!
Anca Cosma – Anca is happy to have joined the wonderful team of teachers at Maple Tree Montessori as a lead teacher in the Primary Program in the 2019-20 school year. Anca was born and raised in Romania, where she started her career as a teacher in 1997. Anca received her bachelor degree in School Psychology in 2002 and Montessori Training Certificate for Early Childhood in 2014. Altogether, Anca has 15 years experience in Montessori education, 7 years as classroom assistant and 8 years as a lead teacher.
Anca has been happily married for over 20 years and has two wonderful sons! Together they enjoy outdoor activities like camping, kayaking, boating, and skiing.
Joel Parkkila – Mr. Joel has been at MTMA for 15 years. A former Montessori student himself, Mr. Joel is a lead teacher in our Primary program. In addition to 2+ years of college, Joel has Montessori Teacher certification from the American Montessori Society – Adrian Dominican
Montessori Teacher Education Institute. Joel is a talented musician and artist; he is very creative and is wonderful with the children. He is also offering Guitar and Drum Lessons at Maple Tree Montessori. Mr. Joel is a strong asset to our school in so many ways!
Cecilia Mellem –Ms. Cecilia teaches Spanish and is a lead Primary teacher. Cecilia’s native language is Spanish, a gift that she shares beautifully and with great love and enthusiasm. She engages the children, stimulates their interest and leads them to a better understanding and command of the Spanish language.
Cecilia is originally from Mexico City and she attended Universidad Feminine of Mexico, where she studied Child Development. Cecilia completed Montessori Teacher training at MMTEC becoming an AMS certified Montessori teacher and has been with us for 17 years! She works diligently to incorporate the Montessori Philosophy into her Spanish groups and lessons and is a wonderful Primary teacher. Cecilia loves the Montessori method because it allows every child the opportunity to reach their unique potential. She is a joyful light in our community!
Becky Grinnell – Becky started at MTMA as an assistant in our Primary. She first completed Montessori Primary Assistant certification and then entered training to become a lead Primary teacher. Becky primary received her Montessori Teaching credential in 2023 and now enjoys leading her own Primary classroom at Maple Tree. We appreciate her dedication, hard work and consistent desire to learn!
Theresa Reynolds – Ms. Theresa is a wonderful Montessori parent and staff member. She is the Lead Teacher in our Toddler Community, a Montessori trained Assistant, she is currently completing her Montessori Infant / Toddler certification at CGMS. Theresa studied Elementary Education in college and then became a mom, her youngest son attended Maple Tree for 10 years . She loves the classroom and is a natural teacher. She teaches Project Read after school and also volunteers with children at Children’s Hospital. We all appreciate her calm and happy presence at Maple Tree.
Stefanie Tunison – Stefanie came to Maple Tree as a Montessori mom of 2 toddlers! Soon, she began working as an assistant in our Toddler community. Stefanie first took the Montessori Toddler Assistant training and recently completed her Infant Toddler CDA. She is a lead and a crucial, loving and dedicated part of our toddler team!
Sandi Cherry – Ms. Sandi has been at MTMA since 2005. Sandi has many years of experience with children of all ages. Sandi has Montessori Assistant training from MMTEC and she is an assistant teacher in Mr. Joel’s Primary classroom. We are all grateful for her experience and her patience, especially in practical life skills, sewing and gardening.
Carrie Luma – Ms. Carrie is working as an assistant at Maple Tree Montessori. She is a recently retired Kindergarten teacher with a BA in Elementary Education and an Early Childhood Endorsement. She worked at Paw Paw Public Schools, Kalamazoo Country Day School and AMI Montessori Preschool. Her passion is working in the classroom and is excited to have completed her Montessori Assistant Certification through AMS
Ms. Carrie has two wonderful sons and loves to spend time with her family. She is a warm, experienced addition to our school and we are happy to have her back this year!
Sonia Cherry – Sonia joined Maple Tree this past year. She was already a preschool lead teacher with a CDA for the preschool level. Sonia is an energetic, talented. teacher that loves to learn and has fully embraced Montessori. She is an assistant and will be taking Montessori Primary Assistant Training this fall.
Hailey Taylor – Hailey came to us as an experienced Montessori Assistant. She is gentle and patient. Hailey is a new mom and is part time for now. She has taken Montessori Assistant Training and looks forward to being back full time.
Morgan Eckley – Morgan is a patient, loving, and very dedicated part of our Toddler community. She came to us as a mom and already had a Preschool CDA. Morgan fell in love with Montessori for her daughter and for herself. She has take Montessori Toddler Assistant Training and has also earned an addition CDA at the Infant Toddler level. She is wonderful with our Toddlers!
Victoria Ciminelli – Tori is an assistant in our toddler community. She is kind, patient, and loving to all. Tori has completed her Montessori Toddler Assistant Training and is a natural Montessorian.
Charing Bostic – Charing is a loving, caring assistant who flows from age group easily to the next. She has completed Montessori Toddler assistant and Montessori Primary assistant courses. Charing loves all ages and it certainly shows!
Faith Bedwell – Faith is a brand new mom and is with us part time. She has fully embraced Montessori and will be taking Montessori Assistant Training in her anticipation of becoming full time as her baby becomes old enough to be a student. Faith is hard working, patient, and kind she is a welcome team member!
Grace McCarter – Grace came to us as a new mom and we are glad for her calm and loving presence. Grace is studying to be a nurse and we appreciate her desire to learn, both in and out of our Toddler community. Her schedule varies according to school and we are grateful for the time she works with our toddlers!
Lauren Smith – Lauren is our newest assistant and is currently floating in all of the levels. She is very good with all of the students and we look forward to watching her grow as she takes Montessori Assistant Training this fall.
Kim Koehn – Ms. Kim assists us in all of our office accounting concerns. She brings with her great organizational skills and many years of business management experience. We are grateful to have her keeping us all organized and efficient. She is also a Montessori trained assistant and enjoys helping us during Summer Camp.
Jacob McGraw – Mr. Jake is a former Montessori student, has earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and is currently working on a Master’s Degree in Public Administration with an emphasis in Nonprofit Administration at the University of Michigan-Flint.
He has taken Outward Bound training and is a certified Wilderness Facilitator and is also an EMT. Jacob has worked extensively with troubled adolescents and teens at SUWS wilderness camps in Idaho and North Carolina. He has also tutored college bound students in a formal program In Marquette. Jacob has assisted in both our Primary classrooms and our Elementary program. He
has been Ms. Sue’s Administrative Assistant for over 15 years.
Jessica Enderle – Jessica Enderle is our Violin and Piano teacher. She started our Violin program several years ago and is again, offering lessons at Maple Tree Montessori.
Jessica has taught violin, viola, and piano privately since 1998. She earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in musical performance from Wayne State University and from the University of Hawaii. Additionally, Jessica completed Suzuki teacher training in 2001 on violin and viola. She has successfully trained hundreds of students, each with their own unique abilities and interests. Jessica is an active performer in the metro Detroit area, in symphonies and chamber ensembles.
Jessica is an amazing teacher and we are very glad to have her back at Maple Tree Montessori.
In addition to our wonderful staff, Maple Tree Montessori participates in a shared time program with the Brighton Area Schools. They provide certified extra’s teachers to our school including instruction in Art, Music, French, Spanish, Computer Education and Physical Education. These teachers are all fully qualified and work with our staff to provide these areas of instruction to our Elementary students, fully integrated with our Montessori environment and philosophy.
