FacultyOur 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 WhoFranklin C. Kulle, PresidentFrank 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 SchoolAnnette 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 TeacherWendy 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.
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 TeacherLisa has been on the CMS faculty since 1992 and serves on Countryside's administrative team.
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 TeacherKim has been on the Countryside faculty since 2002.
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 TeacherMichele 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.
Jennifer Rogers, Primary TeacherJennifer 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.
Kimberly Shultz, All Year Montessori TeacherKim joined the staff of CMS the summer of 1996 as a Primary classroom assistant.
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 TeacherVeronica was first inspired to work with children when she stepped into the toddler classroom at Countryside in 1998.
The Armenta's spend time together with their four children gardening, walking, biking, reading, swimming and exploring nature. Krista Delaney, Physical Education TeacherKrista 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.
Guy Calise, Elementary Physical Education TeacherGuy taught elementary students for over 15 years. He works in the elementary classroom and directs the elementary gym program.
|
Select your language
Office: (847) 498-1105 Fax: (847) 564-1709
info@countrysidemontessori.org
