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. Caroline’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 Hofmeir, Educational Assistant

Debbie Miller, 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, 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, NAMC Lower Elementary Certificate, 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

Nirmala Raman, Educational Assistant

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Ann Coon , Educational Assistant

I am a Denver native and received my undergrad from the University of Denver before continuing on to get my Masters in Education from Regis University. My husband, Allen, is a pharmacist at The Children’s Hospital and we have two sweet sons, Winton (9) and Ellis (6). Before having children of my own I taught preschool, 3rd grade, and 6th grade math.

Reading, painting, gardening, and baking are activities I try to squeeze in during my free time. I have a deep fondness for DCS Montessori and feel honored to be a part of this community.

Lindsay Etter, Lead Teacher

I was born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada and moved to the beautiful state of Colorado in 2008. In 2006, I obtained a degree in Elementary Education from the University of Regina. Since then, I have spent the past 18 years working with children in various educational settings.

I discovered my passion for Montessori education, when I began working at DCS Montessori in 2010 as an educational assistant. The following year, I received my Primary Montessori Teaching Credential from the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies (AMS). This will be my 15th year at DCS Montessori.

In my spare time I enjoy reading, spending time with my friends and family, watching my kids sporting events and traveling. My son is a 6th grader and my daughter is a 4th grader this year at DCSM.

I am so grateful for DCSM and the opportunity to teach your children!

Email: Lindsay Etter

Gabby Sharp , Educational Assistant

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Hello, my name is Gabrielle Sharp. I am so happy to be a part of Ms. Lindsay’s class and am very excited for this upcoming year. I am currently a student at MSU Denver majoring in biology and minoring in psychology. My current goal is to one day become a Physician’s Assistant in pediatrics. I absolutely love working with children and want to include that in my career. Before DCS Montessori, I was a behavioral therapist for children.

I absolutely love the community DCS Montessori has created between staff and families. I am learning more about the Montessori philosophy every day and how to implement it into the classroom. Life is all about learning because it never stops teaching:)

Brittnie Watkins, Educational Assistant

Hello, I’m Ms. Brittnie, I try to be 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 Southern California and I moved to Colorado after receiving my AMI diploma from the Montessori Institute of San Diego in 2010. I’m still a beach girl at heart, but Colorado quickly became home! I continued my education here in Colorado with a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from CU Denver in 2021. In my free time I love reading, going to the zoo, playing board games with family and friends, going to the Colorado Rapids’ games, and being an aunt to my best friend’s little girl.

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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, moved with my husband to San Antonio, TX. in 1996  and relocated with my family to Colorado in 2012. I have a Degree in Food Engineering but decided to stay home to spend time with my kids before they started school. 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 have three boys, two in their twenties and one in college.

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 the Montessori School of Aurora and 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 my new vocation as a Lead Teacher at the Primary level.   I love Colorado, in my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband and kids watching movies, going to soccer games, hiking, and reading a book.

Email:  Coco Peralta

Jessie Castro, Educational Assistant

Ashley Yeh, Educational Assistant