Meet the Staff of Our Montessori School

Anita Goel

Anita Goel, the Head Teacher for the Morning Preschool Program, holds the distinction of being our teacher of longest standing.  Her joy and dedication to her work and her enthusiasm for working with the children have only grown over her many years of service.  Anita is committed to maintaining a high level of harmony and cohesion with her assistants and it shows in the smooth team-oriented operation of the classroom.  Her strengths include assessment of special needs and adapting her Montessori program to accommodate the varied learning styles of her students. She brings her own love of music into the classroom by preparing the students to serenade our parents at the Annual Potluck Dinner.

Jeanne Sheridan

Jeanne Sheridan has been with MSOL since 1987, taking over the responsibilities of Lead Teacher in the All day afternoon program in 1989.  Jeanne and her staff balance the highly structured morning academics by focusing on the development of good social skills and providing many creative activities for “learning through play”. Her strengths include helping children deal with conflict by verbalizing their feelings and finding an acceptable resolution, fostering the child’s innate creativity, and developing a high level of self-esteem. Respect for the earth, our environment and each other are also strong values she works hard to instill.  Jeanne also conducts our Cultural Awareness and beginning Spanish programs.

Janice Knowles

Janice Knowles joined MSOL in 1986, has been teaching kindergarten since 1990 and became the Head Teacher in the All Day Program in December of 2003.  Janice is very approachable and therefore her students consider her a friend as well as a teacher.  Besides a strong academic foundation, Janice strives to foster a love for learning and an inner self-confidence within each of her students.  One of the most rewarding things about teaching for Janice is that so many of her former students keep in touch and continue to remember their days at MSOL with fondness.  In addition, she strives to maintain a close working relationship with parents and to recognize each student's special needs.  Janice's strengths include her creativity, dedication and ability to make learning just plain fun.

Julie Johnson

Julie Johnson came to Montessori School of Lisle in 1992 from Raintree Montessori in Kansas. She completed her Montessori training at MECA at Hinsdale in 1994. It was at that time that she assumed the position of Head Teacher in the Afternoon Preschool Program. She can also be found behind the desk each morning working closely with new and "seasoned" parents in her duties as School Administrator.  Julie’s goals for her students include developing a positive self-image, instilling self-discipline and making the preschool experience a happy and successful one. Her strengths include the ability to create a close personal rapport with parent and child, providing an atmosphere of love and acceptance, and being the teacher most children would like to "take with them".

Shelly Bruno