Meet The Dedicated Team At Montessori Of Woodridge
The educational experience and dedication to learning never ceases for the trained and experienced staff at Montessori. Each one of our teachers continues to take classes in Montessori, attend seminars and acquire new degrees. They reevaluate their work daily using the Montessori method in light of new and different times. Each and every staff member is CPR and First Aid trained.
First Floor: The Infant/Toddler Classroom
Stephanie Scates
Stephanie has her degree in engineering from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She has done previous in metallurgy and Auto Cad Design of parts for automotive industry, military industry and locomotive industry. She has also taken sociology and psychology at College of DuPage which had extensive sections on early childhood. Stephanie has taken the paraprofessional classes in infant/toddler at Meca Seton. She plans on expanding her Montessori training for Infant/Toddler during the spring and summer to qualify as a lead teacher and head director for a Montessori School. Stephanie understands and believes in the ability of all the children. She also knows where they are emotionally and understands they are adults in training, encourages self-sufficiency and expects independence emotionally and physically.
First Floor: The Twos Classroom
Jasmine YeeMan Pao
Jasmine has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Applied Music from Taylor University. She was inspired to be a Montessori teacher when she worked in a school in Japan and was amazed by the freedom and independence the children were given. She aspires to learn more about how the Montessori classroom works while pursuing her current studies to be a lead teacher.
Second Floor
Pat Whyte
Pat has a bachelor’s degree in General Studies from Northern Illinois University. She completed her 3-6-year-old Montessori training in 1979 from MECA-Seaton in Clarendon Hills, IL. The children in Pat’s classroom are happy, well-mannered, and play with a purpose. The classroom atmosphere that she creates is a peaceful one. Pat works in the classroom from 9:30 am - 2:30 pm.
First and Second Floor Substitute
Razia Balach
Razia has her Montessori training for 3 to 6 year old children. This summer/fall she took additional classes in Montessori for infant and toddlers. Razia has also taken child development classes at College of DuPage. Her past Montessori of Woodridge experience was with children of all ages. She has a quiet and unintrusive manner appreciated by teachers and children alike. Her Montessori approach shines through in all she does. Both she and Stephanie Scates will be working in the infant room.
First and Second Floor Substitute
Jim Whyte
Jim Whyte is a qualified assistant and helps in the classroom during naptime and after school.
Office Team
Pat Whyte
As education coordinator and school administrator, Pat works closely with all. The hiring of our wonderful faculty is to her credit and hard work. Her broad knowledge of the Montessori materials and the Montessori philosophy in the classrooms is seen in the beautiful environments. Pat is Montessori trained for 3-6-year-olds, 6-9-year-olds, and 9-12-year-olds.
Jim Whyte
Jim is the son of Pat Whyte. He began volunteering in the office shortly after September 1, 2011. Montessori of Woodridge is happy to have his support both in taking care of the building, the grounds, shopping, booking, cooking the meals,and helping in the office.
Others You May See Around The Building
- Infant/Toddler Pediatric Nurse who inspects our infant/toddler and Twos classrooms once a month.
- DHS Health Department who checks our kitchen once a month.
- City Water Department who checks our water six times a year.
- Local and State Fire and Sprinkler System Inspectors who regularly check our systems.
- General Maintenance and Repair Companies.
Rest assured, our dedicated faculty wants nothing more than to assist in the success of your child. We look forward to meeting you and your child. Give us a call today at 630-964-3533.