DCS Montessori Charter School

Caroline Johnston, Lead Teacher

I was born in Virginia, just outside of Washington, D.C. I moved to Castle Pines North when I was five and have loved this area ever since. I have lived in various places along the front range and have put down my own roots in Parker with my husband and two boys. I earned my paralegal certificate in 2009, but decided to become a stay-at-home mother instead of pursuing work in the legal field. When both of my children began attending DCS Montessori, I knew I had to return to school to pursue my life-long dream of teaching and started working toward that dream. I completed my Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education at Regis University. I continued on to earn my Primary Certification at Montessori Education Center of the Rockies.

In my spare time, I enjoy going on adventures with my children. These adventures typically take us to zoos, museums, and the outdoors. I also really enjoy yoga, exercising, traveling, music, and doing whatever crafts I can get my hands on. I love learning about the world and sharing my passion for learning with everyone I meet.

Email:  Caroline Johnston

Janinne Maurer, Educational Assistant

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Jolia Cruz, Educational Assistant

Hello, my name is Jolia Cruz. I am so excited and grateful to be assisting in Ms. Heather’s class this year at DCS Montessori. I am a mother of two adorable children who are four and seven years old. They inspired me to start my journey as a Montessorian. We have been doing Montessori activities at home since they were little, they absolutely loved it. To dig deeper into the Montessori pedagogy, I finished my Montessori AMI primary training in Southwest Institute of Montessori Studies. It consolidated my passion to be a Montessori guide on a professional level with my desire to apply it to my children. During my training, I observed and taught in DCS Montessori which was a very delightful and inspiring experience, that made me fall in love with DCS Montessori immediately. Because of my love of this incredible school, I enrolled both of my children in DCS Montessori as well, I believe they will thrive more than ever with the help of the Montessori philosophy, the supporting faculty and the beautiful environment.

During my spare time, I like reading, hiking, practicing yoga, dancing, running, skiing etc. Besides all the personal hobbies, spending time with my husband and children is always my favorite. I’m looking forward to spending time with my future students.

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Email:  Greta Colson

Sandy Hoffmeier, Educational Assistant

Katie Hovde, Educational Assistant

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Janet Humphryes, Educational Assistant

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Denise Glenn, Lead Teacher

Originally from New York, I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature and Education from Ithaca College. Montessori’s work was introduced to me as an undergraduate and I felt an immediate philosophical alignment. After teaching at a private Montessori school in Lakewood from 1991-2014 and a Montessori Head Start program in Denver for a year, working with at risk children, I joined the staff at DCS Montessori. It is a joy to share my passion for learning in this thriving community.

I hold an AMS Primary Credential, Colorado Director Qualification and a Colorado State Teaching License In Early Childhood Education. It was an honor to be a presenter at the 2016 Rocky Mountain Early Childhood Conference and DCS Montessori Apple Award recipient in 2017. I am an independent facilitator of Love and Logic ®️.

When I am not working with the children, I am usually taking in our beautiful Colorado landscapes. I enjoy reading and spending lots of time with my kids and grandkids.

Email:  Denise Glenn

Karen Lindsey, Educational Assistant

Hello! I am very excited to be assisting in Ms. Denise’s class this year. I am a recent transplant to Colorado to be closer to my children and grandchildren. I am very passionate about education and homeschooled all four of my own children. I am a firm believer in the Montessori principles and am very committed to its educational mission. Three of my grandchildren will be starting at DCS Montessori this year, we are all thrilled to be a part of this amazing community. In my free time I enjoy gardening, interior design, baking, hiking, and spending time with my
family.

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Gillian Negron , Educational Assistant

My name is Gillian, but I also go by my nickname, Gillie. I was born in Colorado and raised here in Castle Rock. I recently got married in 2022 to my husband, Chris, and we have a dog named Otis and two cats named Stella and Luna. We are often busy with work and school but love making it up to the mountains for a quick adventure whenever we can.

I attended DCS Montessori for elementary school, and my mom is one of the Lower El teachers at the school, Ms. Lynn. I have stayed involved in the school by working summer camps with Ms. Lynn and helping in her classroom from time to time. In the 2022/2023 school year, I subbed in many different classrooms but worked in Ms. Denise’s class as a long-term sub from spring break through the end of the school year. I absolutely loved being in the classroom and am so excited to be a part of her classroom officially!

I will graduate from Metropolitan State University of Denver this December 2023 with a Psychology and Child Development degree. I also completed my CDA (Child Development Associate) in preparation for this school year.

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Lindsay Etter, Lead Teacher

I was born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada and moved to the beautiful state of Colorado in 2008 to get married. In 2006 I obtained a degree in Elementary Education from the University of Regina. While still living in Canada, I was a substitute teacher for K-8th grade classrooms. Shortly after moving to Colorado I worked as a PreK-Kindergarten teacher at Primrose School at the Flatirons. My husband and I decided to move closer to Castle Rock to be closer to family and that is when I began working at DCSM as an assistant teacher. I knew right away that the Montessori Philosophy was a perfect fit for my style of teaching. I went on to receive my Primary Montessori Teaching Credential from the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies (AMS).

In my spare time, I enjoy playing and watching soccer, running, yoga, and traveling (which is usually back to my hometown in Canada or to visit my husband’s family in Ohio). My days are full as I have a 10 year old son and a 7 year old daughter (who both attend DCSM). My husband and children are such a blessing in my life!

I am grateful to belong to this amazing community at DCSM for my 14th year and to get to be a part of yours and your children’s lives.

Email: Lindsay Etter

Gabby Sharp , Educational Assistant

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Brittnie Watkins, Educational Assistant

Hello, I’m Ms. Brittnie, the one who is always smiling and joyful. I am excited to learn and to be a part of DCS Montessori Charter School. Children are my passion, I have over ten years experience working with children and have been a Nanny for almost six years. I graduated with my Director Certificate in Early Childhood Education in 2021. At this stage of my life, I believe learning is never-ending and I’m ready to continue to grow.

Most of the time I am dancing and singing or whistling. I enjoy cooking, cleaning, and make handmade soaps with my sister. I also love to get outside and go on nice walks with my dog. Enjoying life as the days go by.

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Shannon Kittle, Lead Teacher

I was born and raised in California and attended California State University San Marcos where I received a Bachelor’s Degree in Visual Arts. I then received my AMI Primary certification from the Montessori Institute of San Diego in 2010 and moved to Colorado.  I have been teaching Primary for the four years but spent the last school year working with Lower Elementary students in Ms. Lara’s classroom.  I’m so excited to again be working with DCS Montessori Primary students!

Being from California I’m kind of a beach girl, but I’m finding that the four seasons of Colorado suit me! I love being outside enjoying the weather, riding my bike or catching a Rockies game. I love music and have been playing handbells since I was 7 years old and direct the youth handbell choir at my church.

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Email:  Shannon Kittle

Maizy Bursell, Educational Assistant

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Lisa Polanco, Educational Assistant
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Coco Peralta, Lead Teacher

I was born in Mexico City, I moved with my husband to San Antonio, TX. in 1996, and relocated with my family to Colorado in 2012. I decided to stay at home to spend time with my kids before they went to school. I have three boys, 17, 15 and 9 years old. I have a Degree in Food Engineering. During this time with my boys, I started a daycare business at home. This is how I found my new vocation, being a teacher.

I had the opportunity to teach Spanish to first, second and third graders as a volunteer at DCS Montessori Charter School where I fell in love with the Montessori teaching philosophy and decided to take my training to become a Certified Directress at the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies. I finished my practicum as a Co-Teacher at Montessori School of Aurora and I worked as a Lead Teacher at Montessori del Mundo.

I have worked at DCS Montessori as an Educational Assistant for several years and am now enjoying being a Lead Teacher in the Primary level.   In my free time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my husband and kids watching movies and Soccer games.

Email:  Coco Peralta

Glory Arndt, Educational Assistant

Carol Berger, Educational Assistant

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