Academic
Mrs. Ann Brzozowicz, Directress and Administrator of Education
Ms. Brzozowicz received her B.A. degree from Queens University. She completed her Montessori training and earned her AMI Certification from the Toronto Montessori Institute (primary diploma 3-7 year olds). Ann has over 20 years of teaching experience in Montessori classrooms. She has developed and conducted educational workshops for parents and teachers and offers valuable professional expertise to WSMS. Ann has two children who are graduates of Montessori classrooms.
Ms. Bonnie Israel, Directress
Ms. Israel received her B.A. degree from St. Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana. She earned her AMI certification in primary (3-6 yrs.) from the Toronto Montessori Institute and AMI certification in elementary (6-12 years) education at the Washington Montessori Institute. Ms. Israel has taught in Montessori schools for over 30 years, and has 4 children who attended Montessori schools. Ms. Israel has received Level I Orff-Schulwerk music teacher training and certification from DePaul University. Playing piano is one of her special interests, and she enjoys teaching music to the children in the classroom.
Ms. Sunmi Lim, Classroom Assistant
Ms. Lim earned her college degree in child development and psychology at Sung Kwan University in Korea. She received her American Montessori Society certification in primary (3 to 6 years) from the Meca-Seton Montessori teacher training program and has assisted in Montessori classrooms for over 6 years. In addition to her professional Montessori career, Ms. Lim works at Sunday school as a director, plays the piano, and is fluent in Korean.
Ms. Arlette Wasik, Classroom Assistant
Ms. Wasik holds a BFA in Secondary Art Education from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and an MA in Art Therapy from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College in Indiana. She is a licensed professional counselor and is founder and director of a community art studio in the Harrison Street Art District. She has experience working with children, teens, and adults in a variety of settings. She and her family have lived in Oak Park for nineteen years. Ms. Wasik is delighted to have the opportunity to work with the children and staff of WSMS.
Child Care
Ms. Gloria Nash, Child Care Supervisor
Mrs. Nash's child-care career has spanned over 20 years. She received her Montessori Classroom Assistant Training in St. Louis, Missouri. Gloria provides encouragement, respect, and a positive attitude to all the children, staff and parents at WSMS. Ms. Nash develops and implements creative and educational play activities and supervises the child-care program.
Mrs. Nash has attended a number of workshops through Triton College, Morton, and Dominican, where she continues to grow and enhance the activities offered throughout the child care session.
Ms. Colleen Nash, Child Care Assistant
Colleen Nash has been a part of the WSMS family for over three years. Conscientious and dependable, Colleen offers caring supervision to the children in our child-care program.
Ms. Mary Harris, Child Care Assistant
Working with children is a joy for Ms. Harris, who has worked in child care for more than 32 years. She has more than 50 credit hours in child development and a CDA certificate. Ms. Harris has attended Malcolm X, Kennedy-King, and Harold Washington colleges.
Business Management
Mr. Bruce Hartney, Business Manager
Bruce Hartney received his Bachelor’s degree in History from Spring Hill College and his Master’s degree from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. He has over 30 years of experience working in the business community. Bruce wears many hats and is responsible for the day-to-day business operations of WSMS. He is a 30-year resident of Oak Park, where he lives with his wife and teenage daughter.