Teachers at Montessori Children's House

Paula Evans, Founder and 6-9 Teacher

Miss Paula in the Little SchoolI earned my B. A. Degree from Butler University and did my M. A. at Indiana University. I hold Montessori preschool (three to six year olds) diplomas from St. Nicholas (1974) and MECA-Seton (1980). I completed the American Montessori Society diploma for six to nine year olds at Xavier University in 1984.

For years, I was an avid camp fire leader and I really enjoy bringing skills and songs from that experience to our classes. I collect dolls and artifacts from all over the world and bring neat things to illustrate the different cultures we study. (I was told by the AMS school certifiers that we have the best collection of artifacts at our school that they had ever seen.)

I love fossils, anthropology, and prehistoric studies and I enjoy exposing the children to these subjects.

Both my daughters were Montessori preschoolers and are now Montessori teachers. My grandchildren (of course!) have all attended school here at Montessori Children’s House.

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Terri Havens, 3-6 Teacher

Miss Terri and her DaughterI am a former student of Montessori Children’s House and I have been involved with Montessori Children’s House since age three. As a teenager, I did volunteer work at Montessori Children’s House and I began teaching here in 1990.

My undergraduate degree is in Business and Accounting. I received my AMS certification after completing my training at MECA-Seton in Chicago.

I am also a former Arthur Murray Dance Instructor, a musician (I play the clarinet), and a dancer. I have been a Scottish dancer in the Gordon Pipers Bagpipe Band and I am currently studying Middle-Eastern dance.

My diverse background works well within the Montessori environment, whether I am sharing my love of math, music, reading, or dance with my students.

I am a mother of two wonderful children who both attended Montessori Children’s House when they were younger. The love of learning we have all acquired here has remained with us and will remain with us eternally. I am grateful to have the opportunity to pass it on to your children.

Michele France, Director and 3-6 Teacher

My journey with Montessori began as a parent. Dropping my three year old daughter, Emily, off for the first time was more traumatic to me than her. As I walked her in the classroom on her first day, two girls near by were working together and looked up at us. The first words that were said to Emily by these lovely girls was "Are you new? We'll be your friend." That really sums up the essence of what Montessori is all about.
Being amazed at the things Emily was coming home with, all good, I decided to start volunteering in the classroom to learn more about what her day was like.
Long story short,I loved it!!! The Montessori method made so much sense, it truly is what is best for the child.I received my AMS certification from CMEC in Columbus,Ohio and have been teaching at Montessori Children's House ever since.
I had the chance to fulfill a dream of mine not too long ago. In January 2010 I was able to purchase Montessori Children's House. Although I know I have some very big shoes to fill, I am privileged to be able to become the next generation for Montessori.
My son Ethan now also attends Montessori Children's House and I could not be farther from where I started. My background in sales and public relations is such a distant memory.I looked forward every year to what the children will learn and what I will learn from the children.

Alicia Lovell, Teaching Assistant

I am the Elementary Assistant at Montessori Children's House. I attended Montessori Children’s House for kindergarten when I was younger. I have been working as an assistant in the 6-9 year old class here at Montessori Children’s House for 22 years. I have been trained to aid the children on their quest for knowledge by AMS certified Montessori teachers. I have two wonderful children.

Amira DutraeMello, Teaching Assistant

I have been involved in the wonderful Montessori world since my oldest daughter Laila (later joined by my youngest Isabella) started attending Child’s World Montessori in Greenwood/IN in 1999. I have consistently volunteered as a parent there – in charge of fundraising and organizing events - during the many years of my children at Montessori and then I was invited to join as an assistant teacher, where I worked until 2006 when the school closed. I was born and raised in Indianapolis/IN and lived and Chicago for several years, where I graduated and worked as a LPN. I have also volunteered as a doula and hospice care.
I definitely enjoy traveling and understanding different cultures. I have been to Europe, Middle East (where I volunteered as a nurse) and Brazil, where I lived two years and return every year to visit family there. I believe my international experience combined with my nurturing and communication skills perfectly match the foundations of the Montessori education and, I am very happy to join the faculty of Montessori Children’s House.