Staff
Leah Adair: co-director (she/her)
Leah fell in love with the Montessori philosophy after student teaching. She observed in a Saint Paul Public Schools Montessori classroom and instantly felt at home. She was so impressed by the joy children found in learning. She loved seeing students of all cultural backgrounds connect with the materials and engage in lessons. Leah has taught in Saint Paul Public Schools for 15 years. She has a Master’s in teaching K-8 from the University of St. Thomas and her Montessori certification is from Midwest Montessori Teacher Training Center in Evanston, IL. Leah’s husband is a woodworker which has been so helpful in designing some of our Montessori furniture. Leah loves travel, spending time with family and friends, art, exploring the Twin Cities restaurant scene, and seeing the world through her two son’s eyes.
Tami Eshult: co-director (she/her)
Tami Eshult has over 30 years experience in education. Tami will work as co-director at Little Garden this Fall.
She has experience as a developmental therapist, overnight camp director for youth with Autism, and was an intervention specialist in Saint Paul Public Schools.
Tami is married with 3 children and 1 dog. She enjoys spending time outdoors, reading, yoga, trying a variety of the cuisines in the twin cities, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.
Grace Larson (she/her):
Otter Lead Guide (Toddlers)
Grace has over 15 years of Early childhood experience. She is currently pursuing her Montessori certification. Grace is married and a mother to a 7 year old (Luca). She enjoys gardening and being a plant mom. She also has several cats. Grace is a Licensed Practical Nurse.
Cece Ler (she/her):
Otter Guide (Toddlers)
Cece attended Saint Paul Public schools as a child and attend Montessori schools from Pre-K-8th grade. Cece is a beloved staff member to the Otter children. Cece loves the Minnesota Timberwolves and also loves to teach all of us about Gen Z terminology. Cece is currently pursuing her Montessori certification.
Kelly Gawreluk (she/her): Turtle Room Guide (33 mo-age 6)
Kelly graduated from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse with a degree in Early Childhood Education, and began her career in Tanzania, helping to establish an early childhood education center with a non-profit organization. This experience was followed by classroom teaching roles in Atlanta, Georgia, and Heidelberg, Germany. Most recently, she has taught Pre-K in a childcare setting and finds great joy in working with young learners, particularly because her daughter June is also of a similar age. She has Montessori experience ranging from Children's House to E2, and is looking forward to pursuing her Montessori Certification this year. Outside of education, Kelly enjoys traveling, reading, studying the Enneagram, engaging in creative activities, and spending time with her family and friends.
Shannon (she/her):
Turtle Guide (33 mo-age 6)
I went to college at the University of Northern Iowa, and did my student teaching in Apple Valley, MN. I was able to get a job at the school where I student taught and taught there for five years. in Kindergarten and 1-st grade. In 2004 I went back to school and got my master's degree from St. Mary's University. We moved to Memphis, TN for a few years. to pursue a job opportunity for my husband. I taught one year in Memphis and then my daughter Irene was born in July 2008. Shortly after she was born we moved to Kenntucky, where my son, Isaac was born.
Thankfully in 2011 a job opening became available here in the Twin Cities for my husband and we were able to move back. I continued staying home until Isaac started 1st grade, but did many long term-substitute positions. Two of the positions I did were at Crossroads Montessori in St. Paul, where my kids were going to school. I fell in love with the Montessori method and started another Master's program at the University of Wisconsin at River Falls. I started the program and teaching Children's House at Cherokee Heights Montessori the same year. After two years at Cherokee Heights, and completing my Montessori Certification, I was able to take a position a Nokomis Montessori South. I live on the East side of Saint Paul and I’m so excited to work at Little Garden.
Katie Lane (she/her):
Admin Assistant
Katie is a mom to three kiddos , ages 8, 6 and 3. She loves spending her time with family and friends, exploring the adventures near the Twin Cities, traveling and being outside.
Katie has always had a heart for teaching and has been an educator for over 10 years working with learners spanning from preschool to college students. Katie has a master's degree in education and has most recently utilized her love for teaching in higher education working with students with intellectual disabilities and also teaching yoga.
After 9 years in higher education, Katie is ready for a new opportunity and to learn more about the Montessori method and work with younger learners.
Nicole Lundy (she/her):
Loon Room Guide (33 months-age 6)
Nicole taught Montessori PreK and K for 15 years in St. Paul Public schools. She loves how the Montessori philosophy nurtures each child's natural curiosity of the world through hands on learning.
Nicole has a Master's of Elementary Education from the U of M and a Montessori Children's House Certification from Midwest Montessori Teacher Training Center in Evanston, IL. Her son and daughter have both attended a Montessori school since the age of 4. Currently, they both go to Great River Montessori. In her free time, Nicole enjoys reading, being outside, and traveling with her family.
Wendy Latjes-Newhouse (she/her): Loon Room Assistant
Wendy has a background in real estate and moved to Minneapolis from The Netherlands in 2017. It’s been fun adjusting and discovering the American culture, but Wendy also loves to travel back to Europe as well. The Montessori approach finds its roots in Europe so she is very drawn to this way of life, and she feels very excited to work at a school that embraces this philosophy as well!
Wendy has a passion for travel, interior design, plants, discovering new restaurants and spending time with her husband Josh, little girl Georgie and their dog Frankie.
Kelli Skinner (she/her):
Loon Room Assistant
Kelli is excited to bring her passion for child development into the classroom as a teaching assistant. With hands-on experience from raising her two young children and caring for her nieces and nephews, she has developed a strong foundation in creating engaging learning experiences. Her volunteer work in children's programs has further fueled her enthusiasm for fostering a nurturing environment.
Kelli lives in Minneapolis with her husband, their two children, and their playful aussiedoodle. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys baking, spending time outdoors with her kids, and exploring the Twin Cities. She is thrilled to be part of the Montessori community and looks forward to embarking on this journey with your children!
The early developmental years are important. Learn more about Little Garden Montessori to make sure it's a good fit for your child.
Now accepting applications for '24-'25 school years. Secure your child's spot at our nature-based Montessori school.
Curiosity is something we value. If you're wondering about something, check out our FAQs or contact us directly and we will answer your questions.
“The Child is both a hope and a promise for mankind.” - Dr. Maria Montessori
The Montessori method believes “play is the work of the child.” Children are so capable and filled with wonder and an authentic desire to learn.
Dr. Maria Montessori was an inspiring and innovative woman who saw children as their full selves – capable of independence. She developed an education method built upon ways that children learn naturally and at their own pace. Montessori materials provide a hands-on approach to learning with beautiful, natural materials focused on language, mathematics, culture, practical life, and the senses.
Little Garden Montessori values the whole child’s development: physical, social, emotional, and cognitive. Our mission is to provide children a quality, nature-based Montessori education in a loving and nurturing environment. We believe play and learning go hand in hand.
"Play is the work of the Child" - Dr. Maria Montessori
As your child grows, there are so many ways to foster learning. Pointing out beginning letter sounds at the store or park, counting with everyday objects at home, and simply reading together are some wonderful ways to partner together in learning. Asking your child open ended, thought-provoking questions is a wonderful way to facilitate meaningful connections to the everyday world.
