Jennifer Shoemaker 

(Miss Jennifer)

Executive Director 

Email: jshoemaker@lehimontessori.com

Jennifer was born into a Montessori home and has been involved in Montessori her whole life. She has worked in several classrooms as a Montessori Aide over the years. Jennifer worked for Mesa Public Schools for many years running and maintaining their auditoriums, while training students in theatre basics. Jennifer taught Drama and stagecraft classes at Heritage Academy for 16 years. During that time she trained students to run sound and lighting, equipment  as well as basic carpentry skills, costuming, time management, and cooperation. Jennifer's children have been in Montessori schools for the last 13 years. She considers the years involved in Montessori as a big part of what has shaped her love of learning. She is excited to be a part of Lehi Montessori's future.

Michelle Anderson

(Miss Michelle)

Assistant Executive Director 

Email: manderson@lehimontessori.com

My family has been a part of this Montessori community for several years now and we love learning here! My roots in education began over 20 years ago as a classroom teacher for Mesa Public Schools.  While teaching for MPS, I was able to continue my education and received a Master of Counseling degree from Arizona State University, as well as endorsements for Reading, Early Childhood Education, and English as a Second Language. I love being able to work with all of your children in such a beautiful and peaceful school.  

Jill Middlebrook

(Miss Jill)

Lower Elementary Teacher

Email: jmiddlebrook@lehimontessori.com

My family and I have been residents of Mesa for approximately 20 years. During this time I have received my AMI Diploma and my NAMC Diploma for primary and elementary training. I have 7 adult children, most of which attended a Montessori classroom through 8th grade. I love how that experience of Montessori helped shape each of my children into the individuals they are today. I have worked in a Montessori environment for most of my time spent in Mesa. I have worked with toddlers through elementary at different times of my employment. I have the unique experience of having worked in a large 60 student elementary classroom. My experience in having worked with such a broad range of children in age, maturity, learning style and individual personalities has given me a wealth of teaching tools and management skills. 

Alex Klingler

(Miss Alex)

Kindergarten and Preschool Teacher

Email: lehiprimary@lehimontessori.com

I’m Alex Klingler and I’m so excited to be back! I had the pleasure of being here in Lehi from 2008 to 2013 when I graduated with my AMI diploma. I got my feet wet and tried a few different Montessori schools and wished I could come back to Lehi. I was thrilled to be able to come back. Lehi Montessori is the best! In my spare time I like taking drives, learning about nature, playing games and watching movies with my husband and two children. I’m looking forward to teaching and getting to know the children. It’s going to be a great year!

Alissa Irish

(Miss Alissa)

Kindergarten and Preschool Aide

Alissa Irish loves learning! She’s spent the majority of her life teaching and learning together with kids.  She has volunteered for over 13 years in classrooms and presented art masterpiece presentations to elementary classes.  She especially loves creating, coloring, upcycling, children’s art, and picture books.  In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her husband and family- four daughters, one son, 2 dogs, and 8 chickens.  She loves hiking, bike rides, 60 degree temperatures, and nature- especially leaves and trees.  She is excited to join the learning adventure at Lehi Montessori this year in the Preschool/ Kindergarten realm.  

Bonnie Osterman

(Miss Bonnie)

Special Education

Hi!  My name is Bonnie Osterman.  I am so excited to be here at Lehi Montessori!   I feel like I have found a home, and I look forward to working with many of the children. I have my Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and I have been in the field for 11 years, 10 of which have been spent in Special Education. I have had the privilege of working with a variety of students from Preschool to 5th Grade and been able to gain insights to different therapies and strategies that have been able to help the students be successful.

 My husband and I moved to Arizona nearly 30 years ago. We have two adult children a son and a daughter.  My daughter got married in June, so we are excited that our family grew!  I love animals, and have had my own fair share over the years including fish, guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters, birds, ducks, dogs and cats. I love nature and hiking, traveling and being on the water. I have been fortunate enough to travel to Canada, Australia and New Zealand. I have played piano and guitar and enjoy doing a variety of crafts including, scrapbooking, card making, sewing, painting, flower arranging, crocheting among many others. 

Laura Safsten

(Miss Laura)

Teacher's Aide and Music

Laura Safsten graduated from Arizona State University with a bachelors in Choral Music Education and Music Theatre Performance. She loves spending time getting to know all the kids, and build their confidence as they contribute to the creative process. Laura also believes in utilizing music games as a tool to help solidify concepts they are learning in the classroom. Before teaching at Lehi Montessori, she was a show choir director at Red Mountain High School for 8 years and a choreographer for numerous high school Broadway productions throughout the valley. Her other interests include performing improv comedy and making fun vacation memories with her husband and 5 kids.

Sharee Castleton

(Miss Sharee)

Yoga

Sharee graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in child development and a minor in history. As a volunteer she has taught music and art masterpiece in Mesa Public schools for 12 years. In her church community she has taught children Sunday lessons and music for 15 years.  She loves teaching and being with children. Six years ago she began a yoga practice. She loves the strength, flexibility and calm it has brought to her life. She competed yoga teacher training May 2020. She is excited to share this love with the children at Lehi Montessori.

Sam Jones

(Mister Sam)

Sports

Hi, my name is Sam Jones, and I'm excited to come teach P.E. here at Lehi Montessori! While receiving my B.A. in Art, Media, and Engineering at Arizona State University, I spent my summer semesters working with upper elementary, middle school, and high school students in workshops to create interactive art projects, video games, and video projects. For the past several years, I have also developed a passion for fitness and am currently in the process of receiving my personal training certification from The National Academy of Sports Medicine. I hope to share the knowledge I have cultivated over the past several years and get the kids excited about physical fitness and exercise.

Rebecca Tibbetts

(Miss Rebecca)

Art

Rebecca Tibbetts received her Associate of Arts degree from Mesa Community College and her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Arizona State University.

Most recently Rebecca taught junior-high art at Heritage Academy Mesa from Fall 2015 to Spring 2022. She currently enjoys working in her home studio. Rebecca resides in Mesa, Arizona with her husband and has 4 grown children and 9 grandchildren – three of which attend Lehi Montessori School!

Rebecca’s work can be found at the following locations:

Dailypaintworks.com

Facebook at Rebecca Tibbetts Fine Art

Carri Mason

(Miss Carri)

Administrative Assistant

Email: help@lehimontessori.com

Carri is thrilled to be working as the Administrative Assistant at Lehi Montessori! She has years of administrative experience and loves the Montessori philosophy. As a homeschooling mom, she understands the importance of inspiring a love for learning in children at an early age through hands-on learning. She loves to read, write, and share her love for learning with those around her by teaching Enrichment Classes, both in her home and in the community. She is also a qualified dyslexia tutor. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, crocheting, cooking, and hosting dinner parties, but her greatest joy in life has been raising her three children. She looks forward to working with parents to help make their experience at Lehi Montessori a happy one.