Faculty & Staff
Our guides, or lead teachers, are Montessori certified with years of in-class experience. Together with the guides, our assistants, administrators, and enrichment staff play an integral role in our students’ success. We hold everyone to the highest professional standard and seek out faculty and staff who embrace the Montessori ideal and share an enthusiasm for continuing their own learning and professional development.
Primary (Ages 3–6)
Annie DeMott
Primary Guide (Blue Beech Classroom)
Master of Arts in Education & Bachelor of Arts in Theology, University of Notre Dame
Indiana Elementary Generalist License, K—6
Early Childhood Certification, (AMS)
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Level 1, (NACGS)
On staff at GSMS since 2021
Margarita Ruvalcaba-Rodriguez
Primary Assistant (Redbud Classroom)
On staff at GSMS since 2023
Scott Smithburn
Primary Assistant (Blue Beech and Redbud Classrooms)
On staff at GSMS since 2017
Jessica Bayer
Primary Assistant (Redbud Classroom)
On staff at GSMS since 2024
Caroline O'Callghan
Primary Guide (Redbud Classroom)
On staff at GSMS since 2024
Mariana Castellanos-Pierce
Primary Assistant (Blue Beech Classroom)
On staff at GSMS since 2024
Patricia Vazquez
Primary Assistant (Blue Beech Classroom)
On staff at GSMS since 2024
Maria Renee Montufar Turcios
IVEP Primary Assistant (Blue Beech & Redbud Classrooms)
On staff at GSMS since 2024
Lower Elementary (Ages 6–9)
Barbara Garland
Lower Elementary Guide (Dogwood & Silver Maple Classrooms)
Bachelor of Science in Education W/Minor in Special Education, IPFW
AMS Elementary (6-9) credential, Center for Montessori Teacher Education
On staff at GSMS since 2005
Claire Sandler
Lower Elementary Lead Assistant (Dogwood & Silver Maple Classrooms)
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with Minors in French & Spanish, University of Wisconsin
On staff at GSMS since 2016
Celina Robles
Lower Elementary Lead Assistant (Dogwood & Silver Maple Classrooms)
On staff at GSMS since 2021
Kelly Hehn
Lower Elementary Assistant (Dogwood & Silver Maple Classrooms)
On staff at GSMS since 2024
Upper Elementary (Ages 9–12)
Sara Lundberg
Upper Elementary Assistant (River Birch Classroom)
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Washington University in St. Louis
On staff at GSMS since 2022
Don Elliott
Upper Elementary Guide (Cedar Classroom)
Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, Jacksonville State University
Transition to Teaching Licensure, Bethel College (Indiana)
AMS Elementary I/II (6–12), Montessori Elementary Teacher Training Cooperative (METTC)
On staff at GSMS since 2012
Kim Barreto Loaiza
Upper Elementary Guide (River Birch Classroom)
Bachelor of Music Education, Florida International University
Master of Science in Montessori Education & Specialist in Education & AMS Early Childhood credential & AMS Elementary I/II credential, Barry University
On staff at GSMS since 2020
Maria Melendez
Upper Elementary Assistant (Cedar Classroom)
On staff at GSMS since 2024
Junior High (Early Adolescents)
Andrew Garvey
Junior High Guide (Elm Classroom)
Bachelor of Arts in History (in progress), Indiana University South Bend
AMS Secondary I Training, Houston Montessori Center
On staff at GSMS since 2009
Laura Garvey
Junior High Guide (Elm Classroom)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Indiana University South Bend
Introduction to Adolescent Studies, NAMTA
On staff at GSMS since 2013
John DiTillo
Junior High Assistant & Watershed Stewardship Specialist (Elm Classroom)
Master of Arts in International Peace Studies & Bachelor of Arts in History, University of Notre Dame
On staff at GSMS since 2016
Educational Specialists
Laurie Rousseau
Art Specialist
Master of Fine Arts in Drawing, University of Cincinnati
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drawing and Painting, Kendall College of Art and Design
On staff at GSMS since 2008
Theri Niemier
Farming Education Specialist
Bachelor of Arts, Indiana University South Bend
Permaculture Design Certification
Master Canner Certification (Master Food Preserver Certification)
On staff at GSMS since 2002
Charlotte Wolfe
Farming Education Specialist
Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Science, Indiana University
Master of Science in Systems Ecology, University of Florida
Bachelor of Science in Geology, Case Western Reserve University
On staff at GSMS since 2007
Kathy Oyer
Lower Elementary Music Specialist
Doctor of Musical Arts in Viola Performance and Pedagogy, University of Iowa
Master of Music in Jazz Studies, Indiana University
Master of Music in Violin Performance, Northwestern University
Bachelor of Arts, Goshen College
On staff at GSMS since 2005
Heidi Ferris
Choral Specialist
Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance, Bethel College
On staff at GSMS since 2019
Virginia Lehner
Spanish Language Specialist
On staff at GSMS since 2021
Katie Ball-Boruff
Level II & III Catechist
Master of Theological Studies, University of Notre Dame
Bachelo of Arts, Theology and English, University of Notre Dame
Certificate in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level I, II, & III, (NACGS)
On staff at GSMS since 2019
Ingrid Schubkegel
Reading Support Specialist
On staff at GSMS since 2023
Alexis Duffy
Level I & II Catechist
On staff at GSMS since 2023
John DiTillo
Junior High Spanish Language Specialist
Master of Arts in International Peace Studies & Bachelor of Arts in History, University of Notre Dame
On staff at GSMS since 2016
Kelly Klee
Level I Catechist
On staff at GSMS since 2024
Administration & Support Staff
Dr. Joshua A. Kaiser
Head of School
Doctor of Philosophy in Theological Ethics, University of Edinburgh
Master of Theological Studies, Duke Divinity School
Bachelor of Arts, George Fox University
On staff at GSMS since 2022
Andrew Garvey
Dean of Students & Faculty
Bachelor of Arts in History (in progress), Indiana University South Bend
AMS Secondary I Training, Houston Montessori Center
On staff at GSMS since 2009
Elaine M. Sizemore
Operations Manager
Bachelor of Business Administration, Saint Mary's College (Indiana)
On staff at GSMS since 2010
Meredith Anatolios
Director of Family and Student Support
Master of Divinity, The Weston Jesuit School of Theology
Bachelor of Arts in Theology, Georgetown University
On staff at GSMS since 2021
Mark McDonald
Director of Building & Grounds
On staff at GSMS since 2010
Nancy Kirbie
Assistant Operations Manager
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Montana State University
On staff at GSMS since 2007
Katie Rutledge
Executive Assistant
Bachelor of Arts in German and Philosophy, University of Notre Dame
On staff at GSMS since 2022
Brittany Nichols
Administrative Assistant | FPC Coordinator
Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences - Sociology, University of Hawai'i - West O'ahu
Word of Life Bible Institute - Certificate of Completion
On staff at GSMS since 2017
Michael Totten
IT Specialist
Associate Degree in Computer Science, Saint Clair County Community College
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, Certified 2000-2018
On staff at GSMS since 2016
Michele Woody
Kitchen & Hot Lunch Coordinator
Associate Degree in Early Childhood, Bethel College (Indiana)
On staff at GSMS since 2003
Heather Tuttle
Kitchen & Hot Lunch Assistant Coordinator
On staff at GSMS since 2021
Grace Kyle
Office Assistant
On staff at GSMS since 2019
Kate Sollmann
School Nurse
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Saint Mary's College
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Loyola University Chicago
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of Notre Dame
Family Nurse Practitioner, Board Certified
On staff at GSMS since 2016
Sarah Kulwicki
Montessori Consultant | Primary Catechist
Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology, University of Notre Dame
AMI Primary Diploma, Montessori Institute of San Diego
Master of Education with a concentration in Montessori, Loyola University
Credentialed in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Levels I & II, (NACGS)
On staff at GSMS since 2022
Amanda S. Kershner-Dehmlow
Para-Professional
Maria McKenna
Academic Consultant
Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Foundations, Saint Louis University
Master of Science in Education, Northwestern University
Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Communications & Theatre, University of Notre Dame
On staff at GSMS since 2019
John A. Petersen
Educational & Developmental Consultant
Psychology Doctorate in Clinical Psychology & Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology, Adler School of Professional Psychology
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Earlham College
Owner of Family Psychology of South Bend
On staff at GSMS since 2008