Centennial Montessori Academy is an American Montessori Society affiliated school. We know that it takes great teachers and staff to make a great school.

Our lead teachers/guides are American Montessori Society (AMS) certified teachers. Our classroom co-teachers are currently enrolled in the AMS Early Childhood training program through the Dallas Montessori Teacher Program. Our before and after school staff have experience working with children and a sincere desire to learn more about the Montessori method of education.

Faculty & Staff

ADMINISTRATION

Barbara Lamb, Head of School Barbara Lamb holds a M.Ed. in Education from the University of Toronto (1979), and a B.A. (Honors) in Psychology/ Sociology from York University (1975), Toronto, Canada. She completed the Elementary I (6-9) and was awarded a MACTE certification (1999), working for three years in a early elementary program at a Montessori school. In 2003 she returned to school and achieved further elementary certification and holds an American Montessori Society (AMS) credential in both levels: Elementary I and II from The Center for Montessori Education, in New Rochelle, N.Y. (2004). She completed coursework at Houston Montessori Center, Houston, TX (2006/07) for the AMS administrator's certificate: "Course for leading Schools." In addition, she has completed and received the NAC, childcare Administrator's Certificate from the National Childcare Association (Spring 2008). She has taught at the Elementary levels ages 6-9 and 9-12 from 1999 to 2004 and worked as Director and Head of School to present. Previous for some 12 years, in her capacity as Psychologist/Associate, she had worked with families of Infants, Toddlers, and Preschool children who were identified as having behavior and medical concerns and differences. She acted as liaison and provided supervision of a graduate student practicum placement in Counseling and early Childhood (U. of Toronto) for a number of years. She has served as a member of the Board of the Children's Aid Society in the region. She has also served as volunteer and coordinator to schools, church, and scouting groups.

Monisha Chatterjee, Director/Primary Guide Monisha Chatterjee holds a M.A. in English Literature from Jiwaji University, Gwalior, India (1990). She is certified by the American Montessori Society in Early Childhood Education through the Dallas Montessori Teacher Education Program. She also has a Montessori Pre –Primary Teacher Training Certificate from Brookhaven College. She has many years of experience working with ages 3-6 year old children. Her passion is to create the right Montessori environment at CMA for the children, teachers, and parents.

Peggy Hansen, Director of Admissions/Office Manager Peggy Hansen graduated from the American Institute of Business in Des Moines, Iowa (1986).  She has worked in administration for twenty years, both in the legal field and in the Montessori Environment.  She also brings many years of experience in working with the parents of young children to this position.

Nyra Potemra, Curriculum Director/Primary Guide Nyra Potemra holds a B.S. in Home Economics Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She received an American Montessori Society Early Childhood credential through the Dallas Montessori Teacher Education program. She is also a field consultant for the Dallas Montessori Teacher Education Program.

TODDLER TEACHERS

Terri Bullion Terri Bullion received the American Montessori Society credential in Early Childhood Education through Dallas Montessori Academy Teacher Education Program. She also completed studies in AMS Infant/Toddler education. She has over 15 years of combined experience in Primary (3-6) and Toddler full day classrooms.

Betty Thornton Betty Thornton is an assistant in the Toddler program. She is a native of Managua, Nicaragua and is also the Spanish teacher (See detailed bio under Special Teacher.)

PRIMARY TEACHERS

Nyra Potemra Nyra Potemra, the Curriculum Director is also a Primary Classroom teacher. She is AMS certified and has many years of teaching experience in Montessori Primary (3-6) Classroom. (See bio under Curriculum Director.)

Lottie Bock Lottie Bock has experience as an assistant teacher in a Montessori School and is currently enrolled in American Montessori Society (AMS) Early Childhood Program through the Dallas Montessori Teacher Education.

Monisha Chatterjee Monisha Chatterjee, the Director, is also a Primary Classroom Teacher.  She is AMS certified in Early Childhood program and has years of classroom experience. (See bio under Director.)

Gloria Rodriguez Gloria Rodriguez is currently enrolled in the American Montessori Society Early Childhood Credential through the Dallas Montessori Teacher Education Program. She will be teaching in Primary 3 -6 years. She has over two years experience working with this age group.

Shanthi Ravi Shanthi Ravi earned a P.G. Diploma in Computer Science and a B.S. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering (1997). Has experience teaching Computer Science for Junior and Senior High School students and also working and volunteering with young children. Currently tutoring Math and enrolled in the American Montessori Society (AMS) Early Childhood Program through the Dallas Montessori Teacher Education Program.

SPECIAL TEACHERS

Betty Thornton Betty Thornton, a native Spanish speaker is a graduate of the University of Texas at San Antonio with a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies and is a state board certified classroom teacher with a concentration on Spanish. Over the past decade, Betty has taught Spanish at many different levels from beginner to conversational to a variety of ages from toddler to high-school and even adult. During her tenure as a high-school teacher, Betty led her students to 6 Pan American gold medals and 6 honorable mentions at the Pan American Student Forum Competition. Having been born in Managua, Nicaragua, Betty enjoys having the opportunity to share different cultural experiences with her students. Her most important role, however, is the role of "mommy" to her son Thomas.

Melissa Hartman Melissa Hartman is a native of Dallas Texas and has a BFA/ piano from the University of Oklahoma.  From college she went on to pursue a musical theatre career starting with a singing job at Hershey Park in PA.  From there she performed at a Pocono family resort and then sang her way across the world on a Holland America Cruse ship.  Melissa has traveled to Seoul, South Korea as a magician's assistant in a Harry Potter Musical and then made the big move to NYC where she landed a role in the Off Broadway hit, Schoolhouse Rock Live!   While in NYC she became a certified American Montessori Society (AMS) certified Preschool teacher and was the lead teacher at Park West Montessori School for 3 years.  After 13 years in NYC, she returned to Dallas and resumed her Montessori teaching career, starting at Frisco Montessori Academy.  She is currently teaching music and drama in a variety of schools with Kid builders and Young Audiences of Greater Dallas.  She continues to perform in plays and musicals with a Repertory Theatre Company of Richardson, as well as shows for children.

Marilyn Leher Marilyn Leher holds B.A. from North Texas State University and is the PE/Movement teacher. She is CPR/First Aid Certified for both Child/Adult. She is also Red Cross and YMCA certified Swim Instructor. She holds the Boy Scouts of America Life Guard Certification.  She holds 1st Degree Black Belt – Taekwondo.  She was in Plano Senior High School Girl's Soccer Team – All District Center Halfback (1983/84) and was also in the University of North Texas Woman's Soccer Team (Graduated 1989).

Centennial Montessori Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, nationality or ethnic origin with regard to hiring, admissions or in the administration of any of its programs.