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Staff Bios – EI


Michelle Baker Rogers

mrogers@mecr.edu
After having been an elementary educator in public schools in Utah, Wyoming and Colorado, I was drawn to the Montessori strand in my last school in Carbondale, CO. Seeing the children work with materials in an independent fashion intrigued me and spoke deeply to both my mind and my heart. The spiritual transformation that occurs when becoming a Montessori guide has provided a renewed sense of purpose, allowing me to be a better educator, mother and human. The reverence for and the potential seen in each child continues to inspire me as a guide of both children and adults.
Bachelor of Science in Education, Weber State University

Andrea Blackwell

ablackwell@montessorihawaii.org
I found Montessori after I finished my BA in Elementary Education. I was looking for a job and found an asst. position on Craigslist and within 6 months I had fallen in love with the method and wanted to pursue training. I received a Masters of Education in Montessori 6-12 from Lander University and taught at Montessori schools in Charleston, SC, Warsaw, Poland, and Honolulu, HI. I have consulted with Montessori schools in Georgia and observed Montessori schools around the world.

Currently I am completing a PhD in Educational Foundations, Global and international Education from the University of Hawai'i. My dissertation focuses on Montessori education in Poland, in particular the importance of adaptations to the Montessori method to meet local communities needs. I believe that adaptations are inevitable, but that they need to be done carefully and intentionally in order to ensure the fidelity of Montessori schools.

In addition, I think continuous growth and lifelong learning is necessary for all individuals, but especially individuals in education. I hope that through working with MECR I can support others lifelong learning as we grow together.
Doctorate, University of Hawai'i

Mandi Franz

mfranz@mecr.edu
I attended a Montessori school from age 18 months through Upper Elementary. I am the teaching coach at Ross Montessori Charter School in Carbondale, CO and a MECR Elementary and Administrator course instructor. I also volunteer as a member of the AMS Teacher Education Action Commission.
Masters Degree - Montessori Leadership, Endicott College

Candace Proctor

cproctor@mecr.edu
I entered my first Montessori classroom in 1995 when I had the opportunity to observe a Toddler classroom at Riverbend Montessori in Sugar Land, Texas. At the time, I planned a career as a child care director. One hour into the observation, my career plans changed, and I never looked back. I loved everything about that beautiful environment and the other incredible Montessori classrooms in the school. When the head of school invited me to serve as a substitute in the Toddler classroom and later as an assistant in the Upper Elementary classroom, I eagerly agreed. In the following years, I explored other career paths, but every one led me back to Montessori. I've found a school home at The Montessori Academy of Arlington, where I lead the Elementary team and my Upper Elementary classroom. My son, Benjamin, will be graduating from our Upper Elementary classroom in May, and I feel grateful that he will carry the best of our Montessori school with him as he moves to middle school.
Bachelors, Texas Womans University

Janel Wade

jwade@mecr.edu
Freedom within limits defines a key component of the Montessori realm for me. I came from a public education background but I was fascinated and drawn by the choice given to children both in academics and in how they learned to behave within their environment. I started as an assistant working in ‘aftercare’ while in my last year of high school. By that time, I was hooked and just couldn’t leave this wonderful philosophy which was designed to nurture the whole child. In Montessori philosophy, I found the nurturing, guidance and choice that I myself needed as I grew to adulthood. After earning my degree, I taught both lower and upper elementary classes before eventually fostering and adopting my son. I have recently specialized in forming inclusive support strategies for unique learners in the Montessori classroom. I now enjoy sharing my passion for Montessori with adults who are new to this ‘freedom within limits’ philosophy.
Masters of Arts in Teaching, Metropolitan State University