Our teachers
Marie Deslate
Director of EducationAs a devoted wife and mother of three, Marie is happiest when she is helping others. A native of the Philippines, she received Bachelor's degrees in Journalism, Advertising and Broadcast Media from the University of Santo Tomas, where she also completed post-graduate courses in Kindergarten Education & Education Methods. Upon arriving in the United States in 2001, Marie pursued her education career further, initially studying Montessori Curriculum at the University of California (East Bay) and ultimately becoming a member of the American Montessori Society. Marie has been a Montessori Directress and Teacher for the last eight years.
Currently, Marie's time is divided between her teaching responsibilities and her administrative duties in the front office. However, she is primarily accountable for ensuring that the high Academic, Music and Dance standards established over the years by Montessori and Music Center are diligently upheld and consistently improved upon.
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Masha Chaadayev
Business Manager and AdministratorOriginally from Ukraine, Masha attended the Zhitomir State Pedagogical University and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in English, Foreign Literature and Russian. She was also a graduate of the Zhitomir's Musical Institute, where she focused on Piano and Vocal Performances. Before moving to the United States in 2001, Masha worked as an English language tutor for young children in the Ukrainian Public School System.
Upon moving to the United States, Masha pursued her passion for teaching young children and adopted the principles of a Montessori education.
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Anna Katz
Teacher, Infant CareBefore moving to the United States in 2006, Anna received her Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from the State Pedagogical University in Moldova. There she specialized in Preschool Pedagogy and Psychology. She also lived in Israel, where she attended graduate school at the Israeli College of Ahva and became a certified senior teacher for preschool children as well as 1st and 2nd graders. In Israel, Anna was a kindergarten and preschool teacher at the Educational Center of World Organization of Zion Women. She was also employed as a pedagogical instructor and director at the Park District of Ashdod. Furthermore, Anna taught at the Jewish Early Childhood Educational Center when her family relocated to England for one year.
In America, Anna accumulated even more experience at the Jewish Community Center of Chicago where she worked with young children. The skillsets she acquired throughout her extensive career translate very well at Montessori and Music Daycare Center, as she now works in the infant classroom and loves every moment of it. (back to top)
Jessica Tarakanov
Teacher, Preschool and KindergartenJessica is an enthusiastic mother of 2 daughters and devoted teacher. She has been working with children for 11 years. Starting when she opened her own home daycare. She received her Associate Degree in Early Childhood Development in 2000. Jessica went on to further her education at Trinity International University, where she earned her Bachelor in Elementary Education with a minor in Psychology. For six years she taught third grade in Gurnee focusing on special education , English Language learners and Gifted Education. Her passion is and will always be working with children of all ages and personalities. She loves dynamics of the classroom and the ability to witness the beautiful growth of the children. Her goal is to obtain her Masters in Special Education and continue growing within education.
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Koyun Lin
Teacher, PreschoolKoyun Lin is passionate about early childhood education and has been working with children for more than 10 years. Starting in South Korea and now in the united states , she has been a teacher in various early child education institutes. To further her career in education, she had studied and became a certified Montessori early childhood teacher. Through using Montessori method and designing other learning activities, she makes her classroom a fun and creative learning environment for the young students.
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Valentina Silkina
Teacher, PreschoolValya is experienced educator, who worked with children of different ages. She received her Bachelor and Master degrees in Biology and chemistry from Mordovian State university in Russia. She received her experience as a teacher in public school in Russia. In 2001 Valya moved to United States with her family. She is mother of two sons. She starts her experience in America with Edgar A. Poe Elementary School as a tutor. Since 2008 she started to work with children (preschool age) in private home day care. In her work she applies individual approach to each child to reach their full potential.
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Neelima Mehrotra
Teacher, Toddler CareNeelima moved to the United States in 1985. Originally from India, she knew she wanted a career working with children and, nearly 25 years later, she could not be more satisfied with her profession.
A graduate of the University of Lucknow in India, she received her Bachelor's degree in Education as well as a Master's degree in Botany. In the United States, Neelima worked for two years as a teacher for KinderCare and later joined the team at Children's House Montessori School. Today, as a teacher for Montessori and Music Center, she proclaims that it is the only place she feels truly happy and full of energy. Everyday, her mission is to pass on her enthusiasm and vigor for life, learning and continual development onto her students.
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Anna Lorenc
Teacher, Toddler CareAnna Lorenc is originally from Poland. She received her Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education with a teaching major in Music, and a Master of Arts degree in Education. Her passion is music and working with children. She is convinced that the greatest happiness comes from a child's smile. In Poland she was employed as a piano teacher and accompanist in Elementary and Music High School. Also she leaded music in preschools. She moved to the United States in 2006. Her working experience continued as a music teacher and lead teacher at the Polish Sunday School.
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Sarah Myers
Teacher, Toddler CareSarah Myers is a young teacher who earning her associates degree in early childhood Education. Working as a nanny for 5 years she got a lot of experience in teaching children. She is Certified in CPR and she is a certified nursing assistant. She is very friendly, energetic and caring person. She loves children and dreams to have her own school.
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Chona A. Cabrera
Assistant TeacherChona was born, raised and educated in the Phillippines, where she received her Bachelor's degree in Commerce with a major in Accounting from the University of Santo Tomas. Before moving to Chicago, she has lived in California, Hong Kong and New York with her husband and daughter. She has always been very active in volunteer programs involving elementary schools and religious education.
Chona loves working with children and guiding them to become literate, creative, engaged and liberated human beings. For her, teaching is both challenging and fulfilling. She is committed to helping children grow both socially and intellectually, and she is always happy to see them discover their skills and interests.
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Liesa Hoeks
Assistant TeacherLiesa is young ,self motivated, enthusiastic, educated mother of 2 year old son. She has a great passion for working with children of different ages. She has a lot of experience and knowledge in Montessori Education. Being a Montessori Teacher's Assistant for 3 years she received on site training. She is CPR certified and working towards her CDA and Assosciates Degree in Early Childhood Education.
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Daniela Smith
Teacher, MusicDaniela Smith was born in Bulgaria, where she grew up enthralled by music and privy to long-term benefits it brings to children when incorporated into their education. Daniela pursued her passion to the Plovdiv Conservatory of Music and Dance where she received her Bachelor's and Master's degree in Music Pedagogy with a major in Piano Instruction. While still in Bulgaria, she taught Music Theory, Music History and Solfeggio at a local performing arts academy. Upon moving to the United States, Daniela taught at several Montessori academies across the east coast before finally settling in at Montessori and Music Center.
Daniela loves teaching her students how to play the piano - enriching their lives through the profoundness of music while simultaneously developing their work ethic and engraining the importance of ambition and perseverance into their character.
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Alexander Rubinchyk
Teacher, Physical EducationBorn in Berdyansk, Ukraine, Alexander is a Martial Arts Master with over 30 years of coaching and teaching experience. He was an Honorary National Coach of Wushu in Ukraine and a 2nd Dan Black Belt in Karate-do Shotokan. Alexander has also judged international martial arts competitions and currently owns a training academy that specializes in Wushu, Karate, Boxing, Weight lifting and Aerobics.
At Montessori and Music Center, Alexander teaches his students the importance of physical wellness and activity in the school's state-of-the-art facility.
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Tanya Sukhostavska
Teacher, DanceTanya is a versatile, energetic, and multi-lingual dance instructor with a broad experience in International and American Ballroom Dance, ballet and folk dances. She has extensive experience teaching ballroom dance to adults and children in both a group and individual setting. Tanya has enjoyed the art of dancing since 6 years old and still shows the same passion today. Tanya received her dance education in Ukraine and has worked for several studios in the United States before starting her own studio. She can speak English, Ukranian, Russian and Polish. Tanya has participated in local, regional, and international competitions and has won several awards. Tanya also accompanies her students in local and national dance competitions.
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