MCS Educators
Founder
Mary Kern
Mary Kern was born and raised in San Luis Obispo and received her Montessori training from Margaret Homfray and Phoebe Child at Cal Poly State University. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development, a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, and a Montessori Primary Diploma. She founded MCS in 1983 and continues to love working with children and families, supporting teachers, and learning new things every day.
Mary enjoys spending time with her family, her chickens, and other animals. She is also a voracious reader. If you have time, ask her what she has been reading lately!
Teachers
MCS = Montessori Children’s School, MWEI = Montessori World Educational Institute
Philosopher Class
Cathy Cobarr
Philosopher Teacher
Profile coming soon!
Satia Widmann
Satia Widmann has been teaching for over 38 years. She graduated from Mills College with a Bachelors of Arts and then received her Master of Arts and Montessori Diploma at St. Mary’s in Moraga, California. After one year of “retirement,” she returned part-time to continue the joy of making connections with the fabulous MCS children, families, and colleagues.
Satia enjoys traveling with her husband Jim, hiking, dancing, and spending time with her three grown children, all MCS alumni.
Lori May
Lori May has been teaching for 30 years. She received her Montessori training and diploma from MWEI and worked at MCS for six years in the primary and elementary classrooms. A move to Los Angeles allowed her to follow a history passion, and she received her Bachelor’s in History from Cal State Dominguez. After 15 years of teaching in in El Segundo, she returned to the MCS Philosopher class. She also works for Blackbird, an English Language Arts company.
Lori is an avid reader and knitter, and loves to walk with friends and their dogs at the beach.
Explorer Class
Martine Imboden
Martine was born and raised in Switzerland and was a Montessori student during her childhood. Math was her first love of the Montessori curriculum, and her understanding was directly connected with her sensorial experience. She completed her training at MWEI, and worked at a Montessori school in Grover Beach and Children’s House in Atascadero before joining MCS for three decades as the head Explorer teacher. She enjoys helping children build skills, explore interests, and become independent learners.
Martine is the mother of three young men who were MCS students. She enjoys reading, researching culture, being in nature, and gardening.
Nichole Guidotti
Nichole has been teaching for ten years. She received her Bachelors of Science in Microbiology with a minor in Chemistry from Colorado State University in 2013. She received her postgraduate degree in Early Childhood Education in 2015. She taught kindergarten in several states throughout the country but moved back to California after the birth of her first daughter. She worked in the MCS Stargazer room for four years until the birth of her second daughter. This is her second year teaching in the Explorer classroom.
Natalie Ozzimo
Natalie is a Central Coast native and long-time Montessori enthusiast. Her journey at MCS began in 2009 as an aftercare teacher and grew into her teaching position in the Explorer class. She’s thrilled to be a part of this school as a teacher and a parent of three MCS children.
Natalie also runs a local business in the wedding industry. She enjoys the great outdoors and being immersed in a good book.
Riley Hessler
Explorer Teacher
Profile coming soon!
Stargazer Class
Susie Lickness
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 five children, she has been teaching the Stargazer class. As a parent and teacher, Susie appreciates the learning and caring environment provided to all children. She is proud to say that her children have enjoyed their own experiences at MCS. She is honored to be teaching Spanish and guiding children in the Stargazer class to explore the world around them.
Laurie Ray
Laurie has over two decades of experience working with children. After receiving her Bachelor of Science in Developmental Psychology from Cal Poly, she obtained her Primary Montessori diploma from MWEI. She is grateful for the many years she has been able to grow with the staff, children, and families at MCS.
Laurie is married to her best friend and they have a wonderful son, Jasper. She enjoys hiking, hanging out at the beach, and good meals with friends and family. Laurie is also an animal lover, but above all, trusting relationships with her students is the most rewarding.
Elizabeth Stears Romero
Liz completed her Bachelor of Science in Child Development at Cal Poly. During her internship at MCS, she discovered her love for Montessori pedagogy. This internship began her journey with the school, starting as an after-care teacher and progressively advancing to her current role in the Stargazer classroom.
Liz enjoys spending time with her husband, family, and friends. She also enjoys singing, music festivals, and crafting miniature homes. She looks forward to growing alongside her students and peers — the lifelong learning principle of Montessori philosophy.
Trailblazer Class
Cassie Lorton Idler
Cassie discovered the Montessori method while studying child development and fell in love with the approach during her work in the MCS extended care program. She pursued a pre-primary and primary diploma through MWEI and was a head teacher in the 3-6 year old classroom until her oldest son, Sully, was born. Afterward, Cassie started a Montessori childcare program, which she continued until her second son, Lennon, was born. Cassie’s passion for education is matched by her love for art, particularly pottery. She enjoys working with clay and exploring various mediums, teaching children’s art and ceramic classes and adult workshops in her studio. She taught art to the elementary students at MCS, and when her children became school-aged, she transitioned to teaching full-time 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.
Sasha Tselikova
Sasha began working with young children during her studies of Early Childhood Education in college, almost a decade ago. She soon realized she was especially interested in the Montessori method and began her training at Montessori Northwest in Portland, Oregon. After obtaining her primary diploma, she moved back to the Central Coast and spent several years working in the toddler classroom at a local Montessori school. Sasha is delighted to now begin her first year teaching in the Trailblazer class at MCS. What she most enjoys about teaching is the unique opportunity to build close and supportive relationships with children.
Sasha lives in San Luis Obispo with her little dog, Ellie. She enjoys cooking, reading, walking in nature, biking, and rollerblading.
Extended Care
Madison Martin
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 through experiences as a swim instructor, lifeguard, and camp counselor. She worked as a substitute teacher in the Boise School District and a preschool teacher in Washington D.C. The extended care program at MCS has quickly turned into her happy place! During her free time, she enjoys walking her little dog, crafting, and exploring thrift stores.
Kaiya Martin
Kaiya is a Liberal Studies major at Cal Poly. She is pursuing a career in elementary education. 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 8th grade as a junior camp counselor at a STEAM for Girls camp and has continued volunteering alongside them into her young adult life. She has cherished every second of her time as an extended care teacher. In her free time, she enjoys crafting, writing by the beach, and spending time with her mom who is her best friend.
Madeline Allen
Profile coming soon!