WHO WE ARE
Established in Rochester Hills, Michigan in 2010, we offer every child a safe and nurturing environment. In 2023 we are opening our second Campus Crystal Lake.
Each classroom is led by a certified* Montessori Guide and supported by teaching assistants. Their role as observers is to guide and facilitate each child’s learning based on their individual needs and interests. In so doing, our guides lead each child to discover their own talents and potential while inspiring a love of learning.
Our Guides, visible in their tenure at our school, offer stability, warmth and experience. They undergo quarterly training and development, bringing fresh ideas to their classrooms.
*Certified by the AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) and/or the AMS (American Montessori Society.
WE ARE GROWING!
Rochester Hills Campus
Rochester Hills Campus
Rochester Hills Campus
Our Rochester Hills campus is located on the corner of Livernois Rd and South Boulevard, this location will host the programs for Infant - 3rd Grade students on the Fall of 2023.
Summer camp program at this location will be for Infants thru Kindergartner campers.
Located at: 3976 S Livernois Rd.
Crystal Lake Campus
Rochester Hills Campus
Rochester Hills Campus
We are opening our second campus this Summer!
Our Crystal Lake Campus is surrounded by the rolling hills and lakes of the Crystal Lake Golf community, nestled amongst the Bloomfield border of Northern Oakland County.
Summer Camp grand opening will host Elementary thru Middle School campers.
School Year 2023-2024 will host Infant through Middle School students.
Located at: 825 Golf Dr.
Our Montessori Guides
JOANNE SHANGO
Founding Head of School
Montessori certified in Early Childhood and Adolescence through 12th grade, Joanne holds diplomas from both the American Montessori Society (AMS) and the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI). Paired with her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Michigan, Joanne brings creativity to the classroom that inspires genius. She leads with kindness and compassion to create learning environments rich in creativity.
Joanne is dedicated to meeting the needs of her students. To this end, she challenges and develops herself professionally outside the classroom. She regularly collaborates with the best minds in Montessori education, including the Montessori Leadership Collaborative (MLC) and as co-founder of the Global Montessori Network (GMN).
Joanne founded the Montessori School Rochester in 2010 to meet the needs of students and families looking and needing alternatives to the conventional schooling system. As the fastest growing private school in the area the Montessori School Rochester began with 27 students and now educates 228 students with a new campus scheduled to open in fall 2023 in Northern Oakland County.
What I love about Montessori:
“I love Montessori because it brings joy and discovery and brings a deep love of learning within a child.”
Ms Joanne
MADELINE TAYLOR
Lead Guide – Elementary
With 10 years experience in childcare and teaching, Ms Maddy has spent her last 4 years specialising in Elementary Montessori instruction as an AMS certified lead guide. She is currently completing her Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education to complement her Bachelors in Elementary Education from Hope College in Holland, Michigan.
Ms Maddy is adept at weaving cross-curricular lessons with character and community building, to inspire leadership in each child.
What I love about Montessori:
“I love how Montessori education follows the developmental needs of each child and fuels their natural desire to learn about the world around them.”
Ms Maddy
JUDY GORAL
Lead Guide - Primary
AMS Certified Montessori primary guide of over 13 years, Ms Judy also carries an Associate Degree in Applied Science. Drawing on both, she has an amazing ability to spark the imagination of young children with the wonders of STEM, and bring clarity to complex concepts. Her experience in early childhood education ranges from infant to toddler to primary age.
What I love about Montessori:
“Montessori education supports a child's natural curiosity in a self-directed environment and guiding that journey is a very joyful experience. Witnessing a child's development or "construction of himself" is much like planting a seed and watching it sprout and grow into the most beautiful flower.
I enjoy being the gardener for all my seedlings.”
Ms. Judy
EMILY TROUTMAN
Lead Guide - Primary
From her first moments in a Montessori classroom in the summer of 2018, Ms Emily knew she had found her calling. She has since completed her AMI diploma at the Southwest Institute of Montessori Studies in Arizona, and her Master of Education in Montessori Education at Loyola University Maryland. Combined with her B.A. in Psychology and Interpersonal Communication from Michigan State University, Ms Emily’s gift is apparent in her rapport with children of all ages. She shares a genuine love of learning and exploration with her students.
What I love about Montessori:
"I love the joy and independence it offers the child. Montessori provides children with the freedom and opportunity to make discoveries about the world around them and their place in it. There is so much “magic” that comes from this method, but really, it’s not magic at all…it is a pedagogy that truly is centered on the child and follows the child’s natural way of learning."
Ms. Emily
AUDREY SPENCER
Lead Guide - Toddler
Ms Audrey has over a decade of experience in early childhood education in home and school settings. She stumbled upon Montessori and fell instantly in love with the philosophy. Now an AMS certified infant and toddler guide, Ms Audrey has 5 years of experience in Montessori toddler classrooms.
A nature lover, she enjoys showing toddlers wildlife and the beauty of nature. Often this is through reading nature-based books, making art and class materials from items discovered outdoors, feeding and watching birds, or simply jumping in puddles.
What I love about Montessori:
"My favorite part of Montessori is that they learn everything hands-on and are exploring all of their senses. We learn so much through the eyes of a toddler if we take the time to slow down, be patient, and listen!"
Ms Audrey
ERIN MALLORY
Program Director & Lead Guide – Infant
As an AMS certified guide, Ms Erin has lead primary, toddler and infant classrooms in her 11 years of Montessori teaching and 17 years of childcare experience. Child education is evidently Ms Erin's lifelong passion. During her Bachelors of Science (Education) at Central Michigan University, she majored in Child Development and minored in both Elementary Reading and Mathematics.
Ms Erin draws on her varied experiences in education to bring rich learning experiences to all in her care. These have included Reggio Emilia, public and private elementary classrooms as well as a student teach abroad program in Australia. As a Montessori mom she loves living Montessori at home with her two young daughters.
What I love about Montessori:
“I love that Montessori includes a deep respect for the whole child. I feel like it is truly my calling and a way to help make changes in the world by creating future leaders and productive members of our society. It also allows me to continue to learn every day not only about the child, but the lessons they teach me about myself. I am blessed to have an opportunity to do what I love and to contribute to the development of these amazing little humans.”
Ms Erin