Staff bios: Learn more about our highly-qualified and experienced staff.

James Farwell, jfarwell@msfortmyers.com

Mr. James grew up in Woodbury, MN attending several Montessori schools throughout childhood including Woodbury Montessori (3-4 years old), Nokomis Montessori School (Kindergarten), J.J. Hill Montessori (1st grade) and Valley Crossing Community School (5th – 6th grade).  A lifelong learner and teacher, Mr. James has served for three years as a Sunday school teacher (1st - 3rd graders), six years as a snowboard instructor (11 – 13 year olds), one year as a teaching assistant at the University of Florida, has served as an occasional guest speaker at Florida International University several times from 2009-2013, and taught financial analysis courses.  Mr. James enjoys finding ways to better serve our students, families, and staff.  In his free time, he enjoys working on the school facility, playing soccer, weight lifting, growing fruit trees, reading, and discussing self improvement. 

Credentials

• Head of School since 2013.
• Montessori Administrator Credential - September 2016.  Seton Montessori Institute, an American Montessori Society (AMS) affiliated teacher education program.
• B.S.B.A. in Finance and minor in Spanish - University of Florida.  Significant college coursework in early childhood education at Nova Southeast University.
• Florida Department of Children & Families - Staff Credential, Director Credential, Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Director Endorsement, 40 hours of child care training, numerous continuing education courses
• Certified Instructor of 15 Hour Redirecting Children's Behavior Course
• Published contributor to Montessori Leadership magazine published by the Montessori Foundation.
• Infant and Child CPR and First-aid certified

Terri Shippey, administrator@msfortmyers.com

A native of Houston, Texas, Ms. Terri began her career in Montessori right after high school. She worked in a small Montessori school as a summer job. This summer job lasted 10 years. During those 10 years, she obtained her Montessori Diploma.  Ms. Terri was given the opportunity to become a Director of a Montessori School in Amarillo, Texas. It was there that Terri gained experience managing a Montessori school. She moved to Fort Myers, Florida in 2008, where she and a few of her co-workers spent the next 8 years transforming a small childcare center in the Dunbar area into a beautiful Montessori school that offered quality education to lower income families.  Ms. Terri loves the outdoors and spending time with her horse, Bexar and photography. She enjoys all sports. She loves the Houston Astros, Rockets and Texans. 

Credentials

• 10+ Years school administration experience
• Spent a summer at the University of Texas 
• Montessori Diploma – Texas Montessori Education Center
• Florida Department of Children & Families - Staff Credential, Director Credential, Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Director Endorsement, 40 hours of child care training, numerous continuing education courses
• Certified Instructor of 15 Hour Redirecting Children's Behavior Course
• American Heart Association - Infant & Child CPR, AED, First Aid, and Blood Borne Pathogen training
• ALICE training
• A.S. in Early Childhood Education- Rasmussen College
• B.A. in Early Education- Rasmussen College
• Infant and Child CPR and First-aid certified

Clare Klitenic, 

officemanager@msfortmyers.com

Ms. Clare was born and raised in England. She moved to the States 25 years ago. She worked and lived in Atlanta for 22 years where she taught  preschool. She moved to Fort Myers in 2021 and started working with us in our Toddler West classroom. In her free time she enjoys walking her dog and working out.

Credentials

• Bachelors degree in Sports Science
•  16+ years experience in Early Childhood Education
• 15 Hour Redirecting Children's Behavior Certificate
• Florida Department of Children and Families - 45 hours Child Care Training
• American Heart Association - Infant & Child CPR, AED, First Aid, and Blood Borne Pathogen training
• Fire Extinguisher Trained

Jerry Nowak, 

maintenance@msfortmyers.com

 Jerry was born and raised in Wisconsin. He is a retired 29+ year U.S. Army veteran who has always had a passion for carpentry and the building trades in general. He is a part time building construction technology instructor for a community technical college, and moved to the Fort Myers area with his wife, Jill, 3 years ago. Jerry loves spending time with his three daughters' families, and has seven grandkids. He is an avid golfer and loves to go boating and fishing as well. 

Ms. Madison

Ms. Madison is  from Lebanon, New Jersey but moved to Bonita Springs three years ago with her family. She has been working in the field of early childhood education for 6 years. She has worked with all ages from three months to eight years old. She also attended a summer camp for ten years where she worked with children from the ages of six to sixteen. In her free time, she likes to spend time with  family and friends, go on adventures, and hang out with her cat. 

Credentials

• Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education and Administration 
• American Montessori Society (AMS) Primary Credential - Summit Montessori Teaching Training Institute (expected June 2022)
• Florida Department of Children and Families - 45 hours Child Care Training
• 15 Hour Redirecting Children's Behavior  Course Certificate
• Infant and Child CPR and First-aid certified
• Fire Extinguisher trained

Ms. Ana 

One of our most experienced staff members, Ms. Ana completed her Early Childhood (3-6 years) Montessori Teacher Training in 1984 and taught for several years at Alexander Montessori School in Miami, FL.  She then opened her own school, Christian Montessori Children's House in Miami, FL,  for 3-6 year old children which she ran for 10 years.  She moved to Cape Coral and soon began work as a lower elementary school lead teacher (grades 1-3) from 1996-2001 at Michigan Montessori Elementary School, the first public Montessori school in Fort Myers, FL.   After Michigan Montessori Elementary School shut down, Ms. Ana worked as an elementary school teacher at James Stephens Intentional Academy, an international baccalaureate school, before joining Renaissance Montessori school in 2010 where she was an elementary lead teacher until 2015.  After a short retirement, Ms. Ana rejoined the Montessori community at our school.

Credentials

• AMS Early Childhood (3-6 years old) Montessori Teacher credential, Montessori Teacher Training Institute (MTTI), Miami, FL
• AMS Lower Elementary Teacher  credential, Barry University, North Miami, FL
• Master of Science Degree in Montessori Education, Barry University 
• Bachelor Degree in Human Resources and Management, Trinity University, Miami, FL
• Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education, Miami-Dade Community College, Miami, FL
• Primary Teacher (PreK-grade 3) Certification, University of South Florida
•  Florida Department of Children and Families- 45 hours Child Care Training 
• Infant and Child CPR and First-aid certified
• 15 Hours Redirecting Children's Behavior Course certificate

Ms. Briana

Ms. Briana was raised in the Chicago area. Prior to joining our school, she volunteered at a child care center in Northfield, IL. She is an Early Childhood Education major at Rasmussen. In her free time, you'll find her either adventuring  on her stand up paddle board or spending time with her pup, Ares. 

Credentials

•  American Montessori Society (AMS) Infant/Toddler Credential (0-3 years old) - Summit Montessori Teaching Training Institute
•   American Montessori Society (AMS) Primary Credential (3-6 years old) - Summit Montessori Teaching Training Institute
• Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education (In progress)
•  Florida Department of Children and Families- 45 hours Child Care Training
• American Heart Association – Infant & Child CPR, AED, First -Aid, and Blood Borne Pathogen training
• Certified Instructor of 15 Hour Redirecting Children's Behavior Course 
• A.S. in Early Childhood Education- Rasmussen College
• Fire Extinguisher trained

Ms. Magda

Ms. Magda was born and raised in Poland. At the age of 15yrs she moved to Melbourne Australia with her mom. After 2yrs they moved to Chicago Illinois to be closer to family. While there she graduated high school and continued her education earning a Associates Degree in Early Childhood and Development. She has worked in education for over 20yrs. In 2022 Ms. Magda and her husband decided to move to Fort Myers to enjoy the sunshine and the FL beaches. In her free time Ms. Magda likes to walk on the beach, do yoga, read, listen to music and spending time with her family.

Credentials

• Associates Degree in Early Childhood and Development.
•  Florida Department of Children and Families- 45 hours Child Care Training 
• Fire Extinguisher Trained
• American Heart Association – Infant & Child CPR, AED, First -Aid, and Blood Borne Pathogen training
•  American Montessori Society (AMS) Primary Credential (3-6 years old) - Summit Montessori Teaching Training Institute

Ms. Petra

Ms. Petra moved to Fort Myers 24 years ago, before that she lived in Germany and the Czech Republic, where she was born. Her whole life she has dreamed to be a preschool teacher and has experienced many preschools throughout her journey but she knew when she walked into our school this was where she wanted to be. Ms. Petra has a 9yr old daughter Ema. 

Ms. Petra is a certified yoga teacher and in a free time she loves to cook and bake cakes for special occasions. She also loves to create jewelry, refurbish furniture and she's also wrote a children's book for VPK students. Ms. Petra has two kittens named Gizmo Mitzi.

Credentials

•  Florida Department of Children and Families- 45 hours Child Care Training
• American Heart Association – Infant & Child CPR, AED, First -Aid, and Blood Borne Pathogen training
• Fire Extinguisher trained

Ms. Ta'norria

Ms. Ta'norria was born in Cleveland Ohio and was raise if Fort Myers Florida. She graduated form South Fort Myers Highschool. Ms. Ta'norria is currently taking real estate classes so she can pursue her real estate dream job. She also owns her own clothing brand and in her spare likes to design new styles to grow her clothing line. 

Credentials

• Working towards Florida Department of Children and Families- 45 hours Child Care Training
• Fire Extinguisher trained

Ms. Leigha

Ms. Leigha was born and raised in Cape Coral. She attended Ave Maria University. She is currently pursuing a degree in Elementary Education at Florida Southwestern College. In her free time she enjoys playing volleyball.

Credentials

•  American Montessori Society (AMS) Infant/Toddler Credential (0-3 years old) - Summit Montessori Teaching Training Institutes Behavior Course certificate
• Fire Extinguisher trained
•  Florida Department of Children and Families- 45 hours Child Care Training 
• American Heart Association – Infant & Child CPR, AED, First -Aid, and Blood Borne Pathogen training

Ms. Pam

A life-long Montessori teacher, Ms. Pam began teaching at Florence Foster Montessori School in Chicago, IL in 1986 where she taught until 1989 when she moved to Fort Myers.  Ms. Pam has taught at Montessori School of Fort Myers since 1990 as an assistant teacher and is a strong presence in the classroom.  She loves working with our children and is very skilled in keeping her classroom running in good order.

Credentials

• Florida Department of Children and Families – 45 hours Child Care Training
• 25+ years of in-service training courses in a variety of early childhood education topics
• American Heart Association – Infant & Child CPR, AED, First -Aid, and Blood Borne Pathogen training
• 15 Hour Redirecting Children’s Behavior Course certificate
• Fire Extinguisher trained

Ms. Persilla

Ms. Persilla grew up in Michigan and moved to Fort Myers when she was 18 years old to go to Florida Southwestern University where she is majoring in education. In her free time she enjoys reading, crocheting and spending time with her cat Jax.

Credentials

• Fire Extinguisher trained
• Working towards her  Florida Department of Children and Families –  Staff Credential, 45 hours Child Care Training.
• 15 Hour Redirecting Children’s Behavior Course certificate
• American Heart Association – Infant & Child CPR, AED, First -Aid, and Blood Borne Pathogen training

Ms. Melanie

 Ms. Melanie is originally from Michigan and relocated to Cape Coral, Florida in 2018. She has previous experience working with infants and children of all ages in Michigan starting at a young age. Ms. Melanie is the Redirecting Children's Behavior instructor for both staff and families. She enjoys spending her free time with her husband, three grown children, and two dogs. 

Credentials

•  American Montessori Society (AMS) Infant/Toddler Credential (0-3 years old) - Summit Montessori Teaching Training Institute.
• Florida Department of Children and Families- 45 hours Child Care Training
• Fire Extinguisher Trained
• American Heart Association – Infant & Child CPR, AED, First -Aid, and Blood Borne Pathogen training
• 15 Hours Redirecting Children's Behavior Course  certificate
• Redirecting Children's Behavior Certified Instructor

Ms. Rebecca

Ms. Rebecca was born and raised in Union, SC. She moved to Lehigh Acres about a year ago. She is excited to work with us and pursue a long career in early childhood education. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her partner and her Great Dane, Scooby.

Credentials

• Florida Department of Children and Famlies-45 hours Child Care training.
• Fire Extinguisher Trained
• 15 Hours Redirecting Children's Behavior Course certificate
• American Heart Association – Infant & Child CPR, AED, First -Aid, and Blood Borne Pathogen training

Ms. Flabia

Ms. Flabia was born in Cuba and came to United States at the young age of three for better opportunities. Ms. Flabia has been working with young children since high school since her mother had an in home daycare.
Seeing a need for healthy learning environments Ms. Flabia has made her goal to do everything she can to provide a safe and engaging environment for children of all ages. Her main goal is to be a license therapist so that she can help those who don’t have a good support system.
Flabia enjoys being at home with her animals as well as seeing family and friends. 

Credentials

•  Bachelors in applied psychology 
• Working on her  masters degree in clinical and mental health with an emphasis in trauma. 
• Florida Department of Children and Famlies-45 hours Child Care training.
• Fire Extinguisher Trained
• 15 Hours Redirecting Children's Behavior Course certificate
• American Heart Association – Infant & Child CPR, AED, First -Aid, and Blood Borne Pathogen training

Ms. Lyndsey 

Miss Lyndsey was born in Indianapolis, IN and spent her childhood living with her oldest sister in the summers and back to her parents during the school year.  In 2003 Miss Lyndsey moved to Atlanta from Palm Beach, FL. She has twin boys that were born in 2004. Miss Lyndsey moved back to FL two years ago, she comes from a multicultural home with her father being Hungarian and her mother being Italian and Austrian. Miss Lyndsey is fluent in Hungarian, Italian, and English. She is semi fluent in German and French.  Miss Lyndsey started her teacher career  

started teaching in 2022 at Primrose in Atlanta, GA.
When not working you'll find her surfing, traveling when she can, or curling up with her beloved Beagle Miss Abigail Roo.

Credentials

• Florida Department of Children and Famlies-45 hours Child Care training.
• American Heart Association – Infant & Child CPR, AED, First -Aid, and Blood Borne Pathogen training
• Fire Extinguisher Trained

Ms. Cira

Ms. Cira is originally from Maryland. She has completed her Associate's Degree and is currently obtaining her Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education from FSW. She has always had a love for children and genuinely enjoys working with them. In her spare time she loves going to the beach with her family and playing fetch with her puppies.

Credentials

•  American Montessori Society (AMS) Infant/Toddler Credential (0-3 years old) - Summit Montessori Teaching Training Institute
•  Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education
• Currently completing her Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education
• 15 Hour Redirecting Children's Behavior Course Certificate
• American Heart Association – Infant & Child CPR, AED, First -Aid, and Blood Borne Pathogen training

Ms. Emma

Ms. Emma was born in Springfield Illinois but moved down to Cape Coral Florida with her family in 2006. She graduated from North Fort Myers High School. Has always wanted to peruse a career in Education and is currently working towards getting a degree in childhood education at Florida South Western. In her free time loves to read and spend time with friends and family. 

Credentials

•  Florida Department of Children and Families- 45 hours Child Care Training.
• Fire Extinguisher Trained
• 15 Hours Redirecting Children's Behavior Course certificate.
• American Heart Association – Infant & Child CPR, AED, First -Aid, and Blood Borne Pathogen training

Ms. Joyce 

Ms. Joyce was born and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil where she studied Bio medicine. Soon after moving to Florida she found her love of teaching at a small Montessori school in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She joined our school in 2013. Her nurturing spirit and love of young children makes her a wonderful addition to our Infant program. In her free time Joyce enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Credentials

• Infant/Toddler Credential (0-3 years old), Summit Montessori Teaching Training Institute.  SMTTI is accredited by Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE) and affiliated with the American Montessori Society (AMS).
• Bachelors Degree in Bio medicine from Centro Universitario de Maringa in Sao Paulo, Brazil
• Florida Department of Children and Families –  Staff Credential, 45 hours Child Care Training
• 15 Hours Redirecting Children's Behavior Course certificate
• American Heart Association – Infant & Child CPR, AED, First -Aid, and Blood Borne Pathogen training

Ms. Gianna

Ms. Gianna grew up right here in Fort Myers. She is currently a senior at Fort Myers High School and wants to pursue a career in teaching preschool. In her free time she likes to read and draw. She loves spending time with her dog Karma and volunteering whenever she can.

Credentials

• Working towards her Montessori Infant Toddler Lead teacher Credential at Center for Guided Montessori Studies.
•  Florida Department of Children and Families –  Staff Credential, 45 hours Child Care Training.
• American Heart Association – Infant & Child CPR, AED, First -Aid, and Blood Borne Pathogen training
• Fire Extinguisher trained
• 15 Hours Redirecting Children's Behavior Course certificate

Ms. Julia

Ms. Julia was born and raised in Michigan and moved to SWFL in 2017. She graduated from Oasis High School in Cape Coral. She has recently earned her Associate in Arts degree from Florida Southwestern State College, where she is currently working towards her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, playing video games, reading, going to the gym and taking care of the family yorkie, India. 

Credentials

• Associates of Arts from Florida State University.
• Fire Extinguisher trained
• Working towards her Florida Department of Children and Families- 45 hours Child Care Training
• 15 Hour Redirecting Children’s Behavior Course certificate
• American Heart Association – Infant & Child CPR, AED, First -Aid, and Blood Borne Pathogen training

Ms. Madelyn

Ms. Madelyn grew up in a small town named Medina Ohio, she lived there until she was 10 when her family made the move to Cape Coral Florida. She is  currently in college at FSW to become a teacher, her goal is to become a second grade teacher and help change students lives. Ms. Madelyn's goal is to be done with school hopefully by next year. In her free time she enjoys going to the beach, paddle boarding, baking, and hanging out with friends.  

Credentials

• Working towards her Florida Department of Children and Families- 45 hours Child Care Training
• 15 Hour Redirecting Children’s Behavior Course certificate
• Fire Extinguisher trained
• American Heart Association – Infant & Child CPR, AED, First -Aid, and Blood Borne Pathogen training