Staff & Faculty

Kym founded Island Village Montessori Charter School and Early Childhood Program in 2001 and served as its executive director for 16 years. Kym founded Montessori Live Educator Training Program in 2008 and serves as its executive director. She holds a doctorate in instructional technology and distance education and a master’s degree in charter school educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University as well as a bachelor’s degree from New College of Florida. 

Kym earned Montessori teaching certificates from the American Montessori Society for both early childhood and elementary levels and Florida professional teaching certificates at the elementary, middle grades, and high school levels as well as certification for school leadership and special education. 

Jenifer joined Montessori Live as the registrar in 2009.

Now, she’s the backbone of the organization, wearing every hat imaginable. When you apply, have a question, or need help with anything Jenifer will be the bright smiling voice on the other side of the phone. Jenifer has her certificate of paralegal, as well as over 30 years of experience in finance and business management.  She graduated from Eastern University with a bachelor of science degree in business administration.  

Kym is founder and executive director of Montessori Live. Kym holds a doctorate in instructional technology and distance education and a master’s degree in charter school educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University. She graduated from New College with a BA in general studies and from Pine View School, both institutions located in Sarasota, Florida. Kym earned Florida professional certifications in educational leadership, elementary education (K-6), integrated middle school curriculum (5-9), earth and space science (6-12), exceptional student education (K-12), and English (6-12). Kym earned teaching certificates from the American Montessori Society for the early childhood and elementary levels. Kym founded Island Village Montessori School in 2001 and served as its executive director until 2016. She assisted Sarasota University with its original application to Council for Independent Education for Montessori Education and Leadership programs and was an adjunct instructor for both Sarasota University and Argosy University. She currently lives in Colorado along the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

Cathy holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Movement Science from Penn State University, a Bachelor of Arts in Health and PE from Sierra Nevada College, and a Master of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of Phoenix. She has her certification in Elementary Education, K-6 along with her certification in Health and Physical Education K-12, and her ESOL endorsement.

She is certified and MACTE accredited in the Montessori Method ages 3-6 (Early Childhood), from the Canada Montessori Teacher Education Institute in 2008, and 6-9 (Elementary I), and 9-12 (Elementary II) MACTE certified from Montessori Live in 2016. She is also a mentor teacher for Monroe County, FL. Ms. Cathy taught in Nevada and California before moving to Florida. She is also a certified CPR/First Aide instructor. She has been teaching at Treasure Village Montessori Charter school since 2007. She has taught ages 3-12, currently teaching in a 4/5 environment.

Mary-Beth is a mathematics instructor for the online Elementary level as well as co-teaching all subjects for the Elementary Summer Residency face-to-face component.

Mary-Beth has been a Montessori Elementary Educator since 1999. She is a certified AMS teacher for Elementary I-II. She is also a certified Florida Elementary K-6 teacher. Mary-Beth earned a Master of Arts in Education (concentration major: Elementary School Teaching) in 1998 from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA. She co-presented a lecture workshop titled “Geometry with Kites” at the 2005 Montessori Foundation Peace Conference (International Montessori Council). She also published an article (1999) focusing on arts education and Montessori in the journal, “Montessori Leadership.”

She currently works for Duval County at a Montessori magnet school.

Lynn holds a Masters in Montessori Leadership from Sarasota University, as well as a Bachelor of Arts Honours in English and History and Bachelor of Education in Elementary Education from the University of Saskatchewan, Canada.  She teaches Elementary in Saskatoon, Canada and is a graduate of Montessori Live Elementary I and II programs. Lynn had taught at the elementary level in traditional elementary schools for a number of years and is certified for K-12 in Saskatchewan. She has taught Montessori at the elementary level since 2010 at Allegro Montessori School.

Dr. Czaja has been involved in the Montessori movement since 1960. He received an MA in philosophy and his doctorate in education from Fordham University. Dr. Czaja received his American Montessori Society Primary Diploma and Association Montessori Internationale Certificate in 1963. Dr. Czaja was on the founding faculty and, eventually, headmaster at the famous Whitby School, the American Montessori Center, in Greenwich, Connecticut, from 1960 until 1978. Montessori teacher trainer for many years. He worked with many Montessori public and private schools throughout the United States, China, and Central America until he passed in 2018. We are honored to have his video lectures as a continuing legacy for future Montessorians.

Judi has been a Montessori educator for over 40 years. She is certified in early childhood education by the National Center for Montessori Education and the American Montessori Society for 6-12 elementary education. Judi completed her elementary training with Harvey Hallenberg. She holds a MA in gifted education from the University of South Florida. Judi started the Junior and Senior elementary program at Palm Harbor Montessori Academy. She was the elementary dean at New Gate School for 11 years. More recently, Judi has served as principal of various Montessori charter schools in Florida and is a consultant for Montessori programs.

Monique has been an AMS Montessori elementary and early childhood educator since 1978. Monique has been a teacher trainer since 1986. She received her bachelor’s degree from Bradford College, in Massachusetts, with a concentration in liberal arts and humanities. Before retiring, Monique was a faculty member and supervising educator at Island Village Montessori.

Zech has been an AMS and MACTE Montessori elementary educator since 2014. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, with a concentration in theatre and speech. Zech is currently a lead instructor of upper elementary and supervising educator at Joseph Bruno Montessori Academy. He has also been a teacher, naturalist, and professional storyteller. He is currently working on his master’s in elementary education. His wife and two boys are the drivers of his continued success.

Todd leads a public Montessori program within the Des Moines Public School District that includes grade levels from early childhood through middle school. Todd graduated from Wartburg College with a BA degree in Elementary Education with a reading endorsement. He holds a Master Educator License and is an authorized elementary classroom teacher (K-6) and reading teacher (K-8). He holds a Master of Education Administration degree from Grand Canyon University. Todd holds a professional administrator license and is authorized to serve as a public school principal/special education supervisor (PreK-12) and evaluator (certified and classified staff). He has been an educator since 2002 and has served as the principal at Cowles Montessori since 2017. Todd has completed the professional development certification portion of the Montessori Live School Leadership program. He enjoys family time with his wife and two children. They enjoy family walks with the dog, traveling, running, eating at restaurants, and trying new things together.