Caitlyn McPhillips (Miss Caitlyn)
Miss Caitlyn is the Assistant Director of Michele's Montessori School and the Lead Teacher in the Maple Room (3.5-4.5-year-olds classroom). She attended Central Michigan University, taking classes in Family Studies and Early Childhood Development. She has her International Montessori Diploma, and is currently studying Childhood Psychology at Southern New Hampshire University. Before working at Michele's Montessori, she worked as a Licensed Behavior Technician which gave her the opportunity to work with a multitude of children with various special needs and behavioral challenges.
Miss Caitlyn started at Michele’s Montessori in 2018 as an Assistant Teacher. She got the opportunity to be the Lead Teacher in the Toddler Room before moving to the Preschool Program to be Lead Teacher. Miss Caitlyn loves to cook, paint, and dive into a good book. However, teaching children is Caitlyn’s biggest passion and source of happiness. She looks forward to meeting your children and being their teacher, friend, and playmate.
Miss Caitlyn started at Michele’s Montessori in 2018 as an Assistant Teacher. She got the opportunity to be the Lead Teacher in the Toddler Room before moving to the Preschool Program to be Lead Teacher. Miss Caitlyn loves to cook, paint, and dive into a good book. However, teaching children is Caitlyn’s biggest passion and source of happiness. She looks forward to meeting your children and being their teacher, friend, and playmate.
Pam Wolfgang (Miss Pam)
Miss Pam has worked at Michele's Montessori School for 12 years, and is currently teaching in the Maple Room (3.5-4.5-year-olds classroom). Before that she worked in the Merrill School District and as a Nanny for 18 years. She's been married for 40 years, has two wonderful sons, six beautiful and wonderful grandchildren, and beautiful daughter-in-laws.
Miss Pam loves the outdoors (in the summer) and also likes to scrapbook. But most of all she loves to teach!
Richa Sharma (Miss Richa)
Miss Richa started at Michele's Montessori School in the summer of 2023 and is currently an Assistant Teacher in the Maple Room (3.5-4.5-year-olds classroom). She earned a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from India and worked as an Assistant Professor in College before moving to the United States in 2015. Miss Richa has been married for 13 years and a proud mother to a 10-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son.
In her free time, she loves to travel, do adventurous things, and spend time with her family. She is very passionate about teaching.
In her free time, she loves to travel, do adventurous things, and spend time with her family. She is very passionate about teaching.
Katie Kole (Miss Katie)
Miss Katie earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Studies and Education and her Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from Michigan State University. Katie previously worked at the Firm Foundations Early Learning Center and started working at Michele’s Montessori in June of 2023. She is currently an Assistant Teacher in the Elm Room (2.5-3.5-year-olds classroom) In her spare time, she enjoys crafting, reading, gardening, and spending time with family. Katie lives in Midland with her husband Andrew, daughter Amelia, and their small army of wiener dogs.
Josie Cripe (Miss Josie)
Miss Josie is a Junior at Midland High School and plans to attend college to study Elementary Education. She works in the Elm Room (2.5-3.5-year-olds classroom). In her free time, she loves to read, listen to music, and spend time with her family and friends. She loves to watch the kiddos learn and grow!
Fina M. (Miss Fina)
Miss Fina has been working for Michele's Montessori School since February of 2021, and is the Lead Teacher of the Get Ready for Kindergarten Program. She graduated from Baker College with an Associate's Degree in Business Management. She enjoyed the years she worked for the private non-profit organizations, Arenac County Council on Aging and NEMCSA as an Administrative Assistant. After many years of volunteering and then applying for a position at Midland Public Schools, she developed a love for working with children. She worked for MPS for 5 years as a Special Education Paraprofessional with Tracheostomy and G-tube training.
Miss Fina has been married for 23 years and is the mother of two teenagers. She is a voracious reader and loves to spend time with her family, especially at the beach or rustic camping. Miss Fina loves children and watching them learn and grow. The best part of her day is seeing them have fun! |
Allison Blaszczyk (Miss Allison)
Miss Allison is the Lead Teacher in the Willow Room (Toddler Program). She has a bachelor's degree in Rehabilitative Medicine, and is finishing the final year of her master's degree in Early Childhood Education. She has worked in childcare settings for three years, which has allowed her to find her passion for teaching. Allison moved to the tri-city area in 2021, and taught in Saginaw for one year. Outside of teaching and school she enjoys painting, playing with her cat Doorknob, and exploring the surrounding cities. She is so excited t watch your child grow during their time in the Willow Room.
Elizabeth Blumenshine (Miss Elizabeth)
Miss Elizabeth joined the teaching staff at Michele’s Montessori in April 2024, after retiring from MyMichigan Health, where she served as an executive assistant. Miss Elizabeth is an Assistant Teacher in the Toddler Program (Willow Room). She earned her master's and bachelor's degrees from Saginaw Valley State University and also completed Montessori Teacher Training for 3-6-year-old children and is expected to complete Infant and Toddler Montessori Teacher Training in June 2024. Miss Elizabeth has been married for 42 years and is the mother of five adult children and grandmother to seven grandchildren. She has a passion for teaching, guiding, and caring for young children and supporting families. Elizabeth enjoys being with her family, reading, gardening, and taking walks outside.
Mackenzi Provow (Miss Kenzi)
Miss Kenzie started at Michele's Montessori School in 2022 as an Assistant Teacher in the Preschool Room, and is now the Lead Teacher in the Birch Room (Infant Program). She attained her International Montessori Diploma in July of 2023, and has plans to attend school to study Childhood Psychology. Miss Kenzi loves being able to teach and watch children (especially infants and toddlers) learn and grow.
Jenna Facundo Rytlewski (Miss Jenna)
Miss Jenna started at Michele's Montessori School in June of 2023. She is currently a Junior at Western High School, and attends the career center, studying childcare from infancy to 17 years old. She works in the Infant and Toddler rooms, and she loves to watch them grow and reach their accomplishments.
In her free time, she loves to play tennis, listen to music, and spend time with her family and friends, including her 11-month-old niece and two-year-old nephew.
In her free time, she loves to play tennis, listen to music, and spend time with her family and friends, including her 11-month-old niece and two-year-old nephew.
Kyle Konechne (Mr. Kyle)
Mr. Kyle started at Michele’s Montessori School in October of 2023 as an Assistant Teacher working in the K-Ready and Before and After rooms. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Digital Media from Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He previously worked in the fields of Visual Communications, Graphic Design and eLearning Development, and for many years has considered pursuing a teaching career.
Mr. Kyle enjoys working with children and has a passion to help them learn and grow. He hopes to share his creativity with the students and other staff members. In his spare time, he enjoys the outdoors and a multitude of artistic activities including drawing, digital art, 3D printing, jewelry making, sculpture, and crafts.
Mr. Kyle enjoys working with children and has a passion to help them learn and grow. He hopes to share his creativity with the students and other staff members. In his spare time, he enjoys the outdoors and a multitude of artistic activities including drawing, digital art, 3D printing, jewelry making, sculpture, and crafts.
Molly Leet (Miss Molly)
Miss Molly is currently attending Saginaw Valley State University and is majoring in Social Work to become a school counselor. She has been babysitting since she was 12 years old and has always loved working with children. Before starting at Michele's Montessori, she worked at a tutoring center where she taught early-learners how to read, write, and count.
Michele Parker (Miss Michele)
Michele is the founder of Michele's Montessori School and has taught Montessori for over 36 years including 15 years at a local Montessori before opening her own school in 1999. During this tenure she has also trained and monitored dozens of Montessori interns as they worked toward becoming Montessori teachers. In addition to her work with interns, she has also been a Montessori consultant helping some Mid-Michigan Montessori area schools as they prepared to open their doors.
She is currently a consultant for the school after her recent retirement. She attends class time every now and then to work with the children.
She is currently a consultant for the school after her recent retirement. She attends class time every now and then to work with the children.
Staff Photos supplied by Schaffert Studios (989) 687-6884