Who We Are
Faculty & Staff
Amy Shen
Head of School
Master of Education, Independent School Leadership, Columbia University
Master of Arts in Teaching, School of International Training
Bachelor of Arts, Carleton College
Jenae Pedersen
Administrative Assistant
Bachelor of Business Administration, Organizational Management, University of Minnesota
Claudia Gisonda
Elementary Lead Guide
Master of Education, Special Education, Hofstra University
Bachelor of Arts, Villanova University
AMI Elementary Certificate: Ohio Montessori Training Institute
Carmen Climent
Bilingual Elementary Assistant Guide
Ph.D. (ABD), Educational Psychology and Development, University of Valencia (Spain)
Master of Art, Educational Psychology, University of Valencia (Spain)
Bachelor of Art, Elementary Education, Jaume I University (Spain)
Catherine Bauer
Children’s House Lead Guide
AMI Primary Certificate: Montessori Training Center of Minnesota
Associate Degree, Normandale Community College
Cora McGlauflin
Children’s House Lead Guide
Bachelor of Science, Outdoor Education & Psychology, University of Minnesota
Teaching Licensure: The College of St. Scholastica
AMI Primary Certificate: Montessori Training Center of Northern California
Daphne Amundson
Children’s House Assistant Guide, Assistant to the Head of School on Special Projects
Master of Divinity, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education & History, University of Texas
AMI Primary Certificate: Montessori Training Center of Minnesota
Brenna Kightlinger
Children’s House Assistant Guide
Bachelor of Arts, Spanish & Elementary Education, Wellesley College
Samantha Simonson
Children’s House Childcare Assistant
Bachelor of Science, Exercise Science & Psychology, University of Wisconsin
Rebecca Bryan
Extended Day Care Assistant
Master of Environmental Education, University of Minnesota
Bachelors of Science, Wildlife Biology, University of Alaska
Coral Stephens
Childcare Assistant
Early Education, The College of St. Scholastica
Certified Nursing Assistant, Lake Superior College
Brook Crossen
Extended Day Care Assistant
Kayla Watt
Extended Day Care Assistant
Bachelor of Science, Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Minnesota
Trustees
Governance: Montessori School of Duluth is led by a self-perpetuating Board of Trustees. The Board is comprised of up to 12 members, including independent professionals, parents, parents of former students, and alum.
Jim Keith, Board President
Administrative Center Director, University of Minnesota Medical Center, Duluth
Mia Thibodeau, Board Member
Attorney, Fryberger, Buchanan, Smith & Frederick; Current parent
Amy Shen, Ex-Officio Board Member
Head of School
Nicole Bakken, Board Member
Current parent
Joe Wicklund, Board Member
Director of Enrollment, Marshall School