Our Staff
Each room is staffed by a Lead teacher with early childhood education. Our lead teachers have Montessori certification, Montessori professional development training or the opportunity to acquire the certification through AMS. All professional staff meet yearly requirements for continuing education with additional trainings.
All staff participate in Professional Development opportunities throughout each school year and are given the opportunity to attend Montessori-based workshops and conferences.
Teacher-student ratios are 1:5 (Young Toddler), 1:8 (Toddler House) and 1:12 (Children’s House and Kindergarten). Lead teachers have assistants who have completed various levels of certified Montessori training.
Teachers and assistants are assessed each year by the Head of School and the parents so that the staff is continually improving their skills and capabilities.
Teacher Training
- All Day Montessori teachers are Montessori certified or are in the process of completing their certification.
- All lead teachers have bachelors degrees in education or comparable student teaching experience.
- Assistants are strongly encouraged to complete their undergraduate degrees.
- All Day Montessori requires all lead teachers to complete their Montessori certification and provides financial assistance for this purpose.
Staff -2025/2026 School Year
Toddler Houses
Young Toddler House (15 months – 30 months)
Denneille Thomas
Co- Lead teacher, Assistant Head of School
Denneille or Mrs Nell joined the ADM family in 2021. She is married with three children, ages 13, 18 & 19. Previously, she worked with children for over 10 years in a home daycare setting. Most recently she was a teacher’s assistant with 1st and 2nd grade special education students. She recently received her Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Practice from National Louis University. This achievement led her back to her passion of working with preschool age children. When not teaching Mrs. Nell loves to spend time with her family! Nell has completed the Discover Montessori course at Seton Montessori Institute.
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Celeste De La Torre
Co-Lead teacher
Celeste grew up on the south side of Chicago. She discovered ADM after moving into the Evergreen Park neighborhood with her husband and two daughters. She first discovered Montessori in 2018 while working as an assistant with infants. She quickly fell in love with the beautiful way children were learning. She completed her Montessori training at Seton Montessori institute in 2021 and is currently taking her CDA training to further her education. Celeste has worked with children from 6 weeks old to 3 years old. She loves singing songs in Spanish and sharing her Mexican culture with the students.
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Tami Hopkins
Assistant teacher
Tamalynd, affectionately known as Tami, is a dedicated early childhood educator who studied at Northeastern Illinois University. Her passion for working with children blossomed from her experiences as a loving aunt to many. Tami finds joy in shaping young minds and helping to mold the future generation. Currently, she is recently enjoyed the arrival of her first child.
Toddler House I (2 years – 3.5 years)
Brianna Burge
Lead Teacher/ Childcare coordinator
Hello! I’m Brianna or Ms. Bri. I joined the ADM family September 2022 and am the lead teacher in TH1. I have a BA in Family Consumer Sciences with a concentration in Family Services from Eastern Illinois University. I have been in the early childhood education field for 3 years as both a lead teacher and permanent substitute. When I am not teaching, I am spending time with my family and dog! I come from a big family of 7 brothers and sisters, most of whom are younger than me. They are where my passion for children and education derived from. As a teacher my goal is to encourage my children to flourish and become independent young people.
Brianna has completed the Discover Montessori course at Seton Montessori Institute. She is currently completing her Montessori Endorsement Program at Seton Montessori.
Gwendalynn Hohman
Assistant Teacher
More info to come
Toddler House II (2 years – 3.5 years)
Mayra Contreras
Lead Teacher
More info to come
Brenda Castellanos
Assistant Teacher
Children’s Houses (3 years – Kindergarten)
Children’s House 1 (Annex Building)
Betsy Sosa
Lead Teacher, Director of ADM Young Toddler/Toddler House Program, Assistant Teacher/ Morning Care Staff
Ms. Betsy is an AMS certified Montessori Directress with an early childhood background. She joined the ADM staff in 2016. She had been working in a Montessori Environment for the previous ten years. In her free time she enjoys sewing, painting with watercolors, cooking, and being with her cat, Marce. While here at ADM she has been teaching Spanish to all the students and enjoys getting to spend time with each and everyone of them.
Cy McGourtyAssistant Teacher
Cy is a former ADM student excited to return as an assistant teacher in TH1. As an artist, Cy loves creating art with and for children. They are a practiced baker and science enthusiast who is passionate about encouraging a curiosity and sustained love for learning.
Children’s House 2 (Annex Building)
Angela Franklin
Lead Teacher/ Morning Care Staff
Angela joined the ADM staff in 2017. She has found much joy in working with children for the previous five years. Before starting to work with the kids, Angela worked with the elderly population in places like Iowa, California, and Hawaii. When she is not at ADM, Angela enjoys cooking and traveling the world. Angela is completed her full Montessori endorsement credentials in 2025.
Justin Collier
Assistant Teacher
Hello my name is Justin. I’ve worked in childcare for 2 years and I’ve been a Montessori teacher for the past year. I’m 1 of 5 children and I was born and raised in the Chicago area. I believe childcare is the most important job in the world and I’ve wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember. I think children learn best when they are happy and feel safe, so creating a positive learning environment is my first priority. My goal is to help create a healthy balance between building independence and, and giving the children tools within the curriculum to flourish as they move forward in their academic process.
Support Staff
Jada Hayden
Floating Assistant Teacher
Jada returns to ADM for her third year. A recent Saint Xavier graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Associates in Arts and General Studies, she strives to connect with the children and support the classrooms when they need it.
Gwenivere Anaya-Crotty
Extended Care teacher
Gwenivere is a recent graduate from Evergreen Park High School. She has a little sister and loves to do art. She babysits often and loves to implement creativity when with children. She is very excited for the opportunity to join the ADM team and work with all the aftercare students.
Dorothy Price
Kitchen Manager
Dorothy has been with ADM since 2015. Dorothy and husband, Leo celebrated 61 years of marriage in 2024. They have seven daughters, 18 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.
LaVerne Bailey
Annex Kitchen Coordinator/Floating Assistant
I am the mother of 5 children so that makes it so easy to care for the children at ADM. To be surrounded by children and supporting the philosophy of ADM is a pleasure! To teach a child the language of respect and kindness can go a long way in any environment! I have an Associate Degree in Business Management and love arts and crafts, showing and teaching kids the craft world is so delightful! If you can so the joy on their faces when we do an art project, is a joy for me! Love being an assistant teacher at ADM!
K’La Salley
Extended Care teacher
Hi! My name is K’La(Kay-La), I was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago. I graduated with my bachelors and Masters from Northern Illinois Univeristy, GO HUSKIES! I have been working with children since I was the age of 13, so I have a true passion for it. I enjoy working with children, seeing them grow and learn new things. In my free time, I enjoy shopping, binge watching TV shows and hanging out with my friends and family!
Lydia Wilbon
Extended Care Teacher/Substitute Teacher
Hi! My name is Lydia. I was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago and have been working in childcare for almost 12 years. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from Loyola University Chicago. Working in early childhood and secondary education has shown me children are the future and we are here to support, empower, and value their choices. Outside the classroom, I enjoy crafting, bowling, singing karaoke, and playing with my dog, Zippo.
Nevel Kasiner
Substitute Teacher
Ms Nevel has been with ADM since 2013. She has been working with young children for over 20 years, with emphasis on children with special needs. Her background includes integrated learning programs, early childhood training and special needs adult services.
Jumitrius Reed
Floating Assistant Teacher
Jumitrius originally started in 2021 as the kitchen coordinator. She loved the children so much that she was asked to step into the classroom was an assistant teacher. She loves to read and sing and is a natural comedian.
Latisha Russell
Extended Care Teacher
(info coming soon)
Administration
Caitlyn Solomon
ADM Head of School
headofschool@alldaymontessori.org
Caitlyn (She/Her) is eager to return to All Day Montessori as the Head of School! She has worked in Montessori for over a decade as a teacher and administrator, including six years at ADM when she first started teaching! Caitlyn earned her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and her 3-6 Montessori certification from Xavier University in Cincinnati. Her love of learning continued as she got her M.ED in Educational Policy and Leadership with a focus on Diversity and Equity in Education from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. Caitlyn was awarded the American Montessori Society (AMS) Impact Medal in 2025 and serves on the Association of Illinois Montessori School (AIMS) Board. When not in school, Caitlyn loves riding her bike, crocheting, reading, and being with her family.
Cyndi Williams
Business Manager
cwilliams@alldaymontessori.org
Cyndi joined the ADM staff in the Spring of 2016. She received her BA from the University of Illinois, Chicago, and a Masters in Curriculum & Instruction from the American College of Education. A former 6-12 Language Arts and Social Studies teacher with years of office management and accounting experience, Cyndi is married with three children and enjoys the theater, reading and traveling with her husband, George. Her granddaughter and grandson are the delights of her life.
Cyndi has completed the Discover Montessori course at Seton Montessori Institute.
Pat Bentley
Administrative Assistant
assistant@alldaymontessori.org
Mr. Pat joined the ADM family in the summer of 2023. Pat has lived in the Beverly area all of his life. He attended Moraine Valley Community College and received his bachelor’s degree in English from Governors State University. He enjoys doing work in an office setting, and outside of work enjoys playing board games, walking his dogs and playing pickup games of soccer on the weekends.