Staff

In June 2023 Satia Widmann "retired" after 38 years of teaching in Montessori schools, but after one year away has returned part time to continue to enjoy the joy of making connections with the children, families and fabulous colleagues of MCS. When not teaching Satia enjoys traveling with her husband Jim, hiking, dancing, and spending time with her 3 grown children, all alumni of MCS.

Martine was born and raised in Switzerland and had the privilege to be a Montessori student during the first 2 years of school in her life, which had a lasting impact on her. When she came to San Luis Obispo, Martine took the Montessori training from Montessori World Educational Institute (MWEI) and became a teacher. She worked at a Montessori School in Grover Beach for a few years, then became the Kindergarten teacher at Children’s House in Atascadero. She was later invited to Montessori Children’s School to work in the Elementary Class with Judilyn Duba. During that time, she took the Elementary Montessori training courses. She is now the head teacher in that classroom where she has worked for three decades. Her first love of the Montessori curriculum was math and geometry and felt that her understanding of such subjects is directly connected with her sensorial experience of those subjects as a child. She is the mother of three young men who were students at Montessori Children’s School. She enjoys working with this age group, helping them become independent learners, building skills and exploring areas of interest, particularly in the cultural subjects. She is amazed daily at their creativity, joy of learning in the company of their friends. Outside her work, she enjoys reading, researching cultural subjects, being in nature and gardening.

Laurie is honored to say that she has over two decades of experience working and learning alongside children. Laurie has her Bachelor of Science in Developmental Psychology from Cal Poly. After graduating, she began her Montessori training from the Montessori World Educational Institute (MWEI) and obtained her Primary Montessori diploma. For the last several years she has worked and played in the Stargazer classroom at Montessori Children's School. She is so grateful for the many years she has been able to learn and grow with the staff, children and families at MCS. Laurie is married to her best friend and they have a wonderful son named Jasper. She loves living with them on the Central Coast. She enjoys hiking, hanging out at the beach and enjoys a good meal with friends and family. Laurie is an animal lover too, but above all she would say that forming trusting relationships with each of her students is the thing that she finds most rewarding.

Susie has a California teaching credential and taught 2nd grade as well as English as a 2nd language for 11 years in Pasadena, Mexico, and San Juan Capistrano. After taking time off to raise her 5 children, she is delighted to be here at Montessori Children’s School. She is proud to say that all of her children have enjoyed the Montessori experience and 4 of them at this school. As a parent, and now a teacher, Susie appreciates the caring environment provided to all children as well as learning how to learn and learning how to care for one another. She is honored to be here teaching Spanish and guiding children in the Stargazer class to explore the world around them.

Liz was born and raised in Southern California. She relocated to the Central Coast after her marriage, where she pursued her passion for child development. Liz completed her Bachelor of Science in Child Development at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. During her studies, she began an internship at Montessori Children's School of SLO, where she discovered her love for Montessori pedagogy. This internship marked the beginning of her journey with the school, starting as an after-care teacher and progressively advancing to her current role in the Stargazer classroom. Outside of her professional life, Liz enjoys creating new experiences with her husband and spending quality time with family and friends. She enjoys music and singing and likes to attend music festivals. In her leisure time, Liz also pursues the creative hobby of crafting miniature homes. She looks forward to continuing to grow alongside her students and peers embodying the lifelong learning principle central to Montessori philosophy.

Cassie discovered the Montessori Method while studying child development and fell in love with it’s approach during her work in the MCS extended care program. She pursued a pre-primary/primary diploma through the Montessori World Educational Institute and served as a head teacher in the 3-6 year old classroom until her oldest son, Sully, was born. Afterward, Cassie started a Montessori childcare program at home, which she continued until her second son, Lennon, was born. Cassie's passion for early childhood education is matched by her love for art, particularly pottery. She enjoys working with clay and exploring various art mediums, teaching both children's art and ceramic classes, as well as adult workshops in her home studio. She taught art part-time to the elementary students at MCS and when her children became school-aged, she transitioned to full-time teaching again in the Trailblazer classroom. In her free time, Cassie can be found creating art, kayaking, paddleboarding, hiking and adventuring with her husband, children and dog.

Lori May has been a teacher for thirty years. She was first introduced to the Montessori philosophy as a volunteer at MCS and was smitten. She received her Montessori training and diploma from MWEI and worked at MCS for six years in both the primary and elementary classrooms. A move to Los Angeles allowed her to follow another passion, history and she received her bachelor’s in history from Cal State Dominguez. After fifteen years teaching in a macro school in El Segundo she returned to San Luis Obispo, where she has been privileged to return to her Montessori home to teach in the Philospher class, and to work for the ELA company Blackbird. In her spare time Lori is an avid reader and knitter, and loves to walk with friends and their dogs at the beach.

Kaiya is Arroyo Grande born and raised and is currently a Liberal Studies major at Cal Poly SLO. She is pursuing a career in elementary education and will graduate in Spring 2025 and begin her credential program. From a young age, Kaiya knew she wanted to work with kids as she and her friends would play “school” and dreamed of having their own whiteboards. She began working with children in eighth grade as a junior camp counselor at a STEAM for Girls camp and has continued volunteering alongside them into her young adult life. For the past two years, she has been an extended care teacher and has cherished every second of it. When she is not in class or at the Montessori she can be found crafting, writing by the beach, or spending time with her mom (her best friend).

Madison grew up in San Diego and attended Boise State University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Family Studies. She identified her passion for working with children early on, starting in a role as a swim instructor, lifeguard, and camp counselor. When she relocated to Boise and Washington D.C., she worked as a substitute teacher in the Boise School District and an early preschool teacher. For the past year, she has been an extended care teacher at MCS, which has quickly turned into her happy place! During her free time, she enjoys walking her little dog, crafting, and exploring thrift stores!