Children's House Faculty

Tricia Miller-Purvis | Email
Emerald Room Teacher

WSM teacher since 1995, parent of a WSM alum and a current WSM student

Bachelor of Education from Bowling Green State University, Master of Arts from Siena Heights University

Montessori Certified by AMS at Adrian Dominican Montessori Teacher Education Institute for Early Childhood Education

Leadership:
Served on AMS re-accreditation teams, and Children’s House Team Leader

What Tricia loves about the Montessori method:
“I love the individualized learning and hands-on, tailored materials used in the Montessori classrooms.”

“I love teaching at West Side because I am teaching to the students, not to a test.”

Stephanie Sullivan | Email
Sapphire Room Teacher

WSM teacher since 2012

Bachelor of Art

Montessori Certified by AMS at A.D.M.T.I for ages 3-6 

What Stephanie loves about the Montessori method:
“It allows children to be independent, problem solvers and develop a love of learning.”

“I love teaching at West Side because the staff is dedicated to the children and Montessori method.”

Ruth Zajac | Email
Sapphire Room Teacher

WSM teacher since 1991, parent of three WSM students.

Honors Bachelor of Arts from the National University of Ireland, Preschool Education Degree from Dublin Institute of Technology, 3-6 Year Montessori Diploma from AMI Montessori College, Dublin

Montessori Certified by AMI at AMI Montessori College, Dublin for Preschool Ages 3-6

What Ruth loves about the Montessori method:
“I love that the Montessori method teaches the “whole child,” from grace and courtesy, art, peace, and language to math, geography, character education, science, leadership, and music.”

“I love teaching at West Side because of the flexibility and creativity I can have in my classroom; because I can see the results happen in front of my eyes regarding the children’s development; because I can nurture children for three years; and because of the supportive staff, families, and community.”

Risa Cohen | Email
Children's House Music & Literacy Teacher

WSM Music teacher since 2010, parent of a WSM student

Bachelor of the Arts in Theatre from New York University, Masters in Education - Early Childhood/Elementary Education, Bank Street College

Leadership: Chair of the Peace Committee

What Risa loves about the Montessori method:
“Montessori teachers are committed to the peace curriculum. As Maria Montessori said, “...establishing lasting peace is the work of education, all politicians can do is keep us out of war”.

“I love teaching at West Side because everyone is respectful and kind.”

Leah Sellers | Email
Children's House World Language Teacher

WSM Perrysburg World Language teacher since 2012

BA in Modern Foreign Languages from Lee University

TEFL Certificate from ITC (International TEFL Certificate program) Barcelona

What Leah loves about the Montessori method:
“I love teaching at West Side because the atmosphere created by the teacher guides and beautiful materials truly allows for creativity to blossom in each child.  I also appreciate how independence is fostered at the youngest ages. That independence leads to confidence and the willingness to learn more about our amazing world.”

Cory Hall | Email
Black Cherry Room Teacher

WSM teacher since 2005.

Montessori Certified by AMS at Adrian, ages 3 - 6

Leadership: Kaboom/Science Program

What Cory loves about the Montessori method:
“I love the children are so self-directed and independent to get them ready for real-life experiences.”

“I love teaching at West Side because I love the children, co-workers and the environment.”

Kyla Gray | Email
Black Cherry Room Teacher

WSM teacher since 2014, parent of three WSM students

Bachelor of Education, Bowling Green State University, University of Hawaii

Montessori Certified by AMS at Sienna Heights, Early Childhood Education ages 3-6 years

What Kyla loves about the Montessori method:
"The confidence and independence that it fosters in children.”

“I love teaching at West Side because of its supportive community.”

Amy Lawrence | Email
Maple Room Teacher

WSM teacher since 1998, parent of one WSM alum and one current WSM student

Bachelor of Education K-8 from The University of Toledo

Montessori Certified by AMS at The Montessori Teacher Institute of Bowling Green, Children’s House Level (3-6 years)

What Amy loves about the Montessori method:
“I love the abundance of hands-on materials, the multi-age groups where the children learn from and tend each other and the principle of following the child and their needs.”

“I love teaching at West Side because there is a strong sense of community amongst staff as well as families and everyone supports each other. The children are the focus of everything that happens at our school - their well being and success is a top priority.”

Sarah Duvall | Email
Maple Room Teacher

WSM Children’s House Teacher since 2012, parent of a WSM student

BS Elementary Education and English Language and Literature from Gordon College

Montessori Certified by AMS at Montessori Center for Teacher Education in San Diego, CA for Early Childhood

Leadership: After school yoga teacher for Children’s House, Lower Elementary, and Upper Elementary

What Sarah loves about the Montessori method:
"I love how the prepared environment allows for freedom within limits.  The Montessori method provides an opportunity for children to become independent, revealing their true nature, and becoming confident in who they are."

“I love teaching at West Side because the staff, students, and parents are like my family.  I feel loved and supported every time I walk through the door and I can see that the students experience this same sense of community.”

“Let us leave the life free to develop within the limits of the good, and let us observe this inner life developing.  This is the whole of our mission.” — Maria Montessori

Kayla Weil | Email
Sassafras Room Teacher

WSM teacher since 2017

Bachelors in Early Childhood Education, The University of Toledo

Montessori Certified by AMS at Michigan Montessori Teacher Education Center, Level: Early Childhood

What Kayla loves about the Montessori method:
“Students being in charge of their learning and independence in all areas."

“I love teaching at West Side because of the staff, students, and parents."

Wendi Rowland | Email
Sassafras Room Teacher

WSM teacher since 1998, parent of two WSM students

Bachelor of Education from Bowling Green State University

Montessori Certified by AMS at MTEIBG for Early Childhood Education

What Wendi loves about the Montessori method:
“I love to see the peer-learning, the leadership, and the opportunities to nurture other students that happen because of the multi-age classrooms."  

“I love teaching at West Side because of the sense of community. We are there for the children, but we are there for one another too."

Sarah Knox | Email
Poplar Room Teacher

WSM teacher since 2014, parent of two WSM students

Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Elementary Education from Evangel University, Masters in Cross-Cultural and International Education from Bowling Green University

Montessori Certified by AMS at Seton Montessori Institute, Level: Early Childhood

What Sarah loves about the Montessori method:
“I love the hands-on learning and that children are able to follow their interests. I also love the mixed age classrooms that provide leadership opportunities as children grow.”

“I love teaching at West Side because the work culture is one that allows and encourages growth, learning, collaboration, and friendship. West Side provides a family feel in my job.”

Amy Wagner | Email
Poplar Room Teacher

WSM teacher since 2009, parent of a WSM student

Played Soccer Division 1, Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Loyola University of Chicago and University of Illinois

Montessori Certified by AMS at Midwest Montessori Teacher Training Center for Early Childhood Education

Leadership: Social Studies Instructor and Intern Consultant at Columbus Montessori Education Center

What Amy loves about the Montessori method:
“I love that it invites every child into engaging their full potential emotionally, physically and spiritually.”

“I love teaching at West Side because of my Team. They are my second family.”

Melissa Snyder | Email
Sycamore Room Teacher

WSM teacher since 2005, parent of two WSM students

Bachelor of Science in Education, Ohio Dominican University

Montessori Certified by AMS at Adrian MI, Level: 3 - 6 years

Leadership: Emerging Leaders Fellowship

What Melissa loves about the Montessori method:
“It allows children to learn as individuals.”

“I love teaching at West Side because we are family.”

Katie Bellman | Email
Sycamore Room Teacher

WSM Children’s House Teacher since 2018

Bachelor’s Degree from University of Toledo

What Katie loves about the Montessori method:
“I love teaching at West Side because the children are the main focus. West Side teachers follow the children’s lead. All children essentially get their own education plan specific to their needs. I also feel respected and have since the moment I stepped inside West Side’s front door. Finally, I love WSM’s value of outside education. Fresh air and learning make a great combination!”

Risa Beth Cohen | Email
Children's House Music & Literacy Teacher

WSM Music teacher since 2010, parent of a WSM student

Bachelor of the Arts in Theatre from New York University, Masters in Education - Early Childhood/Elementary Education, Bank Street College

Leadership: Chair of the Peace Committee

What Risa loves about the Montessori method:
“Montessori teachers are committed to the peace curriculum. As Maria Montessori said, 'establishing lasting peace is the work of education, all politicians can do is keep us out of war.'”

“I love teaching at West Side because everyone is respectful and kind.”

Brianne Smythia | Email

Children's House - 4th Level Spanish Teacher

WSM teacher since 2013

Bachelor Degree in Counseling and Bible Counseling, Central Bible College

What Brianne loves about the Montessori method:
“How it is presented and how it sparks the students' curiosity.”

“I love teaching at West Side because it is a place that allows for the students to be themselves while learning and because it has allowed me to challenge myself to grow as a teacher and as a person.”