OUR TEACHING STAFF

Greta Collins has lifelong roots in the AMI Montessori community and the Midwest. Raised on Chicago’s North Shore, she attended An AMI Montessori school from 18 months through eighth grade, giving her a deeply grounded understanding of Montessori education and its impact on children and families. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Northwestern University, an AMI Primary (3–6) Diploma from the Washington Montessori Institute, and a Master of Education from Loyola University Maryland.

After beginning her career by opening a new AMI Primary environment at a farm school in Virginia, Greta returned home to the Chicago area and joined West Suburban Montessori School. She served the WSMS community for six years as a Primary Guide, before becoming Head of School. She serves on the editorial board of the AMI/USA Journal and is a published author whose work contributes to conversations within the AMI Montessori community. She feels honored to serve WSMS as Head of School and is committed to nurturing the strong, connected community that has long been at the heart of the school.

Greta lives in River Forest with her husband, their two young daughters, and three rescue cats. In her free time, she enjoys reading, knitting, and going on walks with her family (when the weather permits).

Andrea was raised in Flower Mound, Texas, with two younger siblings and several dogs. She attended the University of North Texas, graduating with a degree in Philosophy in 2015. Immediately after graduation, Andrea followed in her grandmother's footsteps and enrolled in AMI Primary Training at the Montessori Institute of North Texas. Andrea earned her Primary diploma in 2016.

After guiding a Children's House environment in Georgia for three years, Andrea returned to Texas, where she guided another class for two years. Now, she is excited to begin a new chapter at West Suburban Montessori School. In her free time, Andrea enjoys cooking, hiking, camping, walking her dog, and reading.

Carolyn McDonald was born in Dublin, Ireland. She attended a Montessori school from ages 3 to 6, while growing up in a small rural Irish town. Later, her family moved to Texas, where she spent the majority of her childhood. Carolyn moved to Chicago to attend the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where she received a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Ceramics and Community Based Art Education. Carolyn has taught art to children at contemporary art museums, art galleries, summer camps, park districts, and other not-for-profit institutions. It was while working at the Oak Park Art League that she found her way to WSMS and reconnected with her love for Montessori.

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Carolyn completed the AMI 3-6 Primary training at the Montessori Institute of North Texas under the direction of Uma Ramani and Beth Ann Slater.

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Carolyn lives in Lyons with her Husband Mike. They enjoy playing disc golf and fostering English bulldogs through Chicago English Bulldog Rescue. In her free time Carolyn makes her art at a local ceramics studio and listens to lots of podcasts.

Daniela was born in Chicago. She is the daughter of immigrant parents and has two siblings. At the age of 5, her whole family moved back to Mexico, where she lived in a small town and enjoyed helping her grandparents on their farm. Daniela started working with children at 17 in high school.

She attended Northeastern Illinois University, where she received her bachelor’s Degree in History. After several years as a substitute teacher and nanny, she began working at WSMS in 2021. Daniela completed her AMI montessori training at the Montessori Institute of Northern Texas in 2024. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, embroidering, and visiting art museums. 

Emily grew up in Western Springs, Illinois. As a child, she was involved in activities including Girl Scouts, running cross country, and playing piano. 

After high school, Emily attended Saint Louis University and studied elementary education. She became interested in Montessori education, completed AMI elementary training at the Montessori Institute of Milwaukee, and then continued her studies at Loyola University Maryland to earn a Master's in Education. 

Emily has been an elementary directress at WSMS since 2015. She lives in Brookfield with her husband and two children, Oliver and Julia. Outside of work, she spends time exploring local parks, visiting the zoo, and searching for the best donut in town. Emily looks forward to coming to work in such a beautiful community every day.

Sean grew up on the south side of Chicago. He studied music and theater at the University of Illinois at Chicago and completed Montessori training at the Montessori Training Center in Milwaukee. He has cared for children ever since he wasn't one - for many years as a nanny and now as a Montessori teacher and a father to Hal and Magnolia. In the classroom, Sean loves to inspire children to take risks and learn to think and act as a community. He lives in Oak Park with his husband, Dennis, and two children.