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1985 Pfingsten Road Northbrook, Illinois 60062
Office: (847) 498-1105 Fax: (847) 564-1709
info@countrysidemontessori.org
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Faculty

Our exceptional faculty includes nationally recognized, award-winning, innovative teachers who combine strong teaching skills with specialty expertise. They set the example for other Montessori schools across the country.

In Montessori schools, children educate themselves via independent activity. Consequently, the role of our teachers is quite different from that of traditional educators. During training, the Montessori teacher learns to observe each child's total development with patience, curiosity and love. He or she carefully prepares and maintains an environment which is able to support the intellectual, physical, social and spiritual needs of each child in the classroom. As custodian of the classroom, the teacher is responsible for the atmosphere and order of the room, the presentation of materials and for the educational program.

Who's Who

Franklin C. Kulle, President

Frank grew up on the South side of Chicago and graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in General Engineering and Business Administration. He met Annette on her first day of college and they were married one week after graduation.

They spent two years in Germany in the Corps of Engineers where he talked Annette into her first camping adventure in a pup tent in Italy. The rest, as they say, is history. They have camped all over the US and Canada including Alaska and the Yukon; they camped in Europe; and have been four-wheel drive camping in Australia five times!

Annette B. Kulle, Head of School

Annette is a native of Chicago. She graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Math. She and Frank have been married for 47 years.

Annette and Frank have three children, Krista, Jay and Wendy, all former CMS students, all happily married (Brian, Misty and Guy), all former CMS students, and seven grandchildren, Riley, Dante, Rogan, Gianni, Cecilia, Christian, and Rino. Annette likes to think of them as one for each day of the week!

Wendy Calise, Educational Director, Elementary Teacher

Wendy Calise has been at the school for eighteen years, seven at the primary level and ten at the elementary level. Currently she is one of the elementary teachers and also serves as the Educational Director and on the CMS Board of Trustees. As director she has the responsibility of ensuring that the Mission of the school is being practiced in all areas of the school community. Wendy has published articles in professional journals and is a speaker at national conferences.

  • Completed Primary Montessori training in Washington, D.C., and Elementary training in Milwaukee
  • B.A., Psychology, Northwestern University. Continuing education classes in American Lit, Philosophy and World Religions.
  • Certified in Alternative Dispute Resolution, Northwestern School of Business

She has three children: ten, six, and three years old. Wendy was one of Countryside's first graduates.

Lisa Sanden, Head of Lower School, Primary Teacher

Lisa has been on the CMS faculty since 1992 and serves on Countryside's administrative team.

  • Completed Primary Montessori training in Ohio
  • B.S., Geology, University of Miami, Phi Beta Kappa, Cum Laude
  • Association Montessori Internationale, School Consultant
  • Master's Program, Wright Institute in Human Development

She lives in Deerfield with her husband and the two kids who are still home, and sends money to the two who are in college. She has begun the experiential aspect to her masters in Human Performance, and will begin course work in the fall.

Kim Anderson, Elementary Teacher

Kim has been on the Countryside faculty since 2002.

  • B.S., Special Education, Illinois State University
  • Certifications in LD, BD, EMH
  • Masters in Education, Loyola College, Maryland

She has three children, two graduates of CMS and one in the elementary class. Between her studies and working she is a voracious reader and enjoys spending time teaching her teenage son how to drive.

Michele Aspinall, All Year Montessori Teacher

Michele has been a member of the Countryside faculty since 1989. She has worked in each of the environments, including toddler, primary and elementary until she finally settled in as the teacher of the All Year Montessori class.

Michele has published articles in professional journals and is a recognized speaker and consultant on All Year Montessori.

  • Completed Montessori training in Milwaukee
  • B.A., Graphic Design, Illinois Institute of Art

Jennifer Rogers, Primary Teacher

Jennifer has been teaching in a primary environment since 1994 and had been on the CMS faculty since 2003. Jennifer has been published in various newspapers and news magazines. She has three children in the school.

  • Completed Primary Montessori training in Atlanta and Toddler training in Denver
  • B.A., English and Religious Studies
  • Master of Arts in Theology, Emory University
  • Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Training
  • Orton-Gillingham Training

Kimberly Shultz, All Year Montessori Teacher

Kim joined the staff of CMS the summer of 1996 as a Primary classroom assistant.

  • Completed Montessori training in Dallas
  • B.A., Fine Arts, Indiana University

Kim grew up on a farm in Indiana and loves to spend time with her family enjoying the outdoors. Kim and Dennis have two sons, both of whom have been a part of the CMS family since birth and are now enjoying the elementary environment.

Veronica Armenta, Toddler Teacher

Veronica was first inspired to work with children when she stepped into the toddler classroom at Countryside in 1998.

  • Completed her Montessori training in Dallas
  • Attended Kendall College

The Armenta's spend time together with their four children gardening, walking, biking, reading, swimming and exploring nature.

Krista Delaney, Physical Education Teacher

Krista has been on the CMS faculty since 1979. This past summer she was able to teach swimming once again. She will continue to be the mentor for the toddler teacher as well as teach in the gym. She truly enjoys supporting the work the children do in the classroom. She will again teach After School Enrichment gymnastics. Krista is a CMS graduate.

  • Completed her Montessori training in Denver
  • Attended Barat College

Guy Calise, Elementary Physical Education Teacher

Guy taught elementary students for over 15 years. He works in the elementary classroom and directs the elementary gym program.

  • Completed Montessori training in Washington, D.C.
  • B.S., Biology, Illinois State University
  • ISSA Youth Fitness Training Certified


"It is not enough for the teacher to love the child. She must first love and understand the universe. She must prepare herself, and truly work at it."
- Maria Montessori