At Cornerstone, we understand that providing well trained faculty and staff is an essential component to providing the highest quality learning environments for each child.

Administration

      Liza Davis, Head of School

Liza earned her AMI Primary (ages 3-6) diploma in 2001 and her B.A. from St.       Olaf College. Liza was a guide for eight years before becoming an administrator. Prior to joining the Cornerstone staff in spring of 2009, Liza was part of the founding team of a Montessori school in Germany where she served as the head of pedagogy.

     Xong Her, Administrative Assistant

Xong is in her third year at Cornerstone. She has a Bachelor of Science degree from California State University in Business Administration and Accounting.

Toddler Community, Ages 16 to 33 months

     Mary Santelman, AMI Trained Morning Guide

Mary graduated with a B.S. in Elementary Education/Special Education and began her teaching career as a public school Special Education teacher.  She attended graduate school at the University of Minnesota for certification to work with deaf and hearing impaired children.  She also worked as a Sign Language Interpreter for the City of Minneapolis.  After receiving her AMI Primary Diploma from the Montessori Training Center of Minnesota, she worked at White Bear Montessori and Lake Country School.  She obtained her AMI Assistant to Infancy Diploma from the Montessori Institute of Denver and Masters of Education from Loyola College in Maryland.  She founded Oak Hill Montessori’s Infant and Toddler Communities.  Mary enjoys traveling, volunteering, walking and reading.  She treasures times with friends and her family which includes her husband, two daughters and her Cavalier King Charles dog, Buddy.

     Laurie Pittman, AMI Trained Afternoon Guide

Laurie obtained her AMI Assistants to Infancy Diploma from The Montessori Institute in Denver, Colorado.  She obtained her AMI Primary Diploma from the Montessori Training Center of Minnesota in 1995.  Laurie has worked as the Afternoon Toddler Guide at Cornerstone Montessori School, since its conception in 2008.  In addition to her love of working with children, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, volunteering with Lions Clubs International, reading, dancing and playing tennis.

     Miriam Vite-Melchor, Spanish Speaking Aide

Miriam took the AMI Assistants course during the summer 2011 after having worked six months in the Children’s House. She looking forward to school year filled with new learning experiences that will help her help the children develop their many assets.

     Meriel Kosokar, Float

Meriel Kosokar is starting her third year at CMS.  She is a native Minnesotan, but spent 10 years living and teaching in Japan.  She graduated from the University of Minnesota with a major in English, and got her TEFL certificate from Hamline university.  She completed her Primary training across the hall at the Training Center.  She is very happy to be at CMS working with inspiring and supportive staff, and of course:  the amazing children.

Children’s House (2.5 to 6 years)

Children’s House 1

     Sara Papacek, AMI Trained Guide

Sara holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development and Family Science with a minor in Psychology from North Dakota State University. Sara worked for several years at Lake Country School at the Children’s House level and completed her AMI Primary training at the Montessori Training Center of Minnesota in May of 2009. Sara is currently pursuing a state teaching license through Augsburg College.

     Tiffany Heaver, AMI Trained Assistant

Tiffany is delighted to join the Cornerstone family. She grew up in St. Paul and holds a B.A. in English from St. Olaf College. As a student, Tiffany enjoyed tutoring ESL students, coaching gymnastics, writing for a community art center, and volunteering in Ghana. Tiffany, a Montessori child herself, reunited with the Montessori community while working for a year as an intern at The Montessori Training Center of Minnesota. She recently received her AMI primary diploma and is pursuing her Master’s degree in Montessori Education from Loyola University.

     Ana Vite, Spanish Speaking Aide

Children’s House 2

     Kristen Campbell, AMI Trained Guide

Kristen graduated from Northwestern University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 1995; in 1997, she completed a dual master’s program, earning degrees in journalism and theological studies. From 1997 to 2009, Kristen worked as religion reporter, columnist and editor at the Press-Register in Mobile, Ala., where her work received local, state and national recognition. She earned her Primary diploma in May 2010 and days later, began working as a trained assistant at Cornerstone; in January 2011, she began serving as guide in Children’s House Two. Kristen is also currently pursuing a Masters in Education and a state teaching license at Hamline University.

     Solanye Samaneigo, AMI Trained Assistant

Soly was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador and moved to Italy as a child. She completed her education in Italy studying travel and tourism. Soly completed the ESL program at the U of M. While attending the university, she worked as an instructor teaching Italian to children as well as tutoring students in Spanish. She graduated from the Montessori Training Center of Minnesota in 2011 and is currently studying Early Childhood Studies at Metro State. Soly enjoys speaking Spanish to the children and finds Cornerstone to be a perfect fit.

     Patricia Scofield, Spanish Speaking Aide

Patty is originally from Mexico and has been at Cornerstone since 2009. Patty took the Montessori Assistants training in 2009 and worked for two years as the Spanish speaking aide in the Toddler Community.