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.

Amber Halloran, 6-9 Teaching Assistant

I graduated in 2000 from Hanover College with a degree in Elementary Education. I have a teacher's license in the state of Indiana for grades 1-8. In my career I have taught preschool, third grade, sixth grade, and directed the Baxter YMCA preschool. I am very excited to complete my Montessori training this summer.

Angie Miller, 3-6 Teacher

I was first introduced to Montessori while attending Indiana State University helping in there before and after school Program. I received my Early Childhood Credential at The Montessori Academy at Edison Lakes in Mishawaka, Indiana in 1997. I have worked in a 3-6 classroom in Terre Haute for over 5 years and Avilla Indiana for over 3 years. I than took a break to stay home with my two very active boys. I have volunteered at their school for the past 3 years and have missed teaching. In my free time I enjoy camping and fishing with my family. My favorite quote from Maria Montessori is “ We discovered that education is not something which the teacher does, but that it is a natural process which develops spontaneously in the human being.” I believe all children can reach their potential given the right environment

Sarah Sauers, Infant/Toddler Teacher

Sarah first joined the MCH community as a Montessori parent. After volunteering several times in the classroom, we knew she was a natural. She had wonderful learning & fun projects and a solid grasp of the Montessori philosophy. Sarah will be beginning her Montessori certification classes this Summer.