Our Educators
We are very proud and thankful for our teachers here at the Montessori Children’s Garden. They are highly qualified and experienced, but most importantly they are wonderful people.
Sandra Honey has been educating young children for the past 48 years! She’s traveled the world extensively with her late husband, Rex Honey. Mrs. Honey is most proud of her three daughters who have all pursued graduate degrees and are currently living in New York City, North Liberty, and Santiago, Chile. Mrs. Honey has an education degree from the University of Iowa as well as Montessori certification that she obtained in London.
Jane Jones has been teaching for 39 years and has three grown children, four grandsons, two dogs, a husband, and a pile of books. She has two Montessori certifications, one for early childhood and one for elementary education.
Emily Jones lives in North Liberty with her husband and two children, Sam and Charlie. Emily grew up with Montessori, being the daughter of Mrs. Jones. She has an early childhood degree as well as Montessori certification. She’s been working in Montessori schools for the past 20 years in various capacities.
Cathy Wilkie lives here in North Liberty and has one child in college. Cathy has a degree in journalism from Grandview College in Des Moines as well as Montessori certification. Ms. Cathy has been here for 16 years.
Rochelle Arcement-Honey lives in North Liberty with her husband, Michael. Rochelle holds two master’s degrees, one in social work and one in Disabilities and Justice. Ms. Rochelle has been involved in Montessori education her whole life being the daughter of Mrs. Honey and employed here for the past 16 years.
Vina Hill is joining us this year as a Kindergarten Enrichment lead teacher in the afternoon. Miss Vina lives near Swisher with her husband and four children. In the mornings, Vina teaches in the two-year-old classroom next door at the nursery.
Tina Jones lives in North Liberty and has a degree from the University of Northern Iowa in Health Promotion. She served in the Peace Corps in Kenya for two years as a health educator. Tina has her Montessori certification and has been with the school for 14 years.
Liz Randall has two children and lives in Iowa City with her husband. She has been affiliated with Montessori for the past 26 years, working at the Montessori School of Iowa City and now here with us for the past 7 years. Ms. Liz is a calm and loving presence to teachers and children alike.
Lisa Todd hails from the Cedar Rapids area. She has had experience as a vet assistant, preschool teacher, and graphic designer. She holds a graphic design degree from Iowa State University. She teaches our weekly art lesson for extended day children. She has three children, two of whom are still at home. This is her third year with us. We feel fortunate to have a teacher with a great sense of humor and a compassionate spirit.
Rachel Thompson is in her second year with us. She resides here in North Liberty with her husband and her dog, Harvey. Rachel completed her coursework in elementary education at Iowa State University and has experience as a nanny and assistant teacher. We love her patience, her gentleness, and her incredible work ethic.