Meet the Faculty
Emily Rodriguez
Chief Education Officer
Principal
Emily Rodriguez has been involved in Montessori since the age of 2.5. Her grandmother, Adeline, opened one of the first Montessori schools in Wisconsin back in the 1960s, and her father was head of school for over 23 years at a Montessori school.
Emily received a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UW-Milwaukee, Montessori credentials in Elementary I and II from an American Montessori Society approved training program, and a Master’s Degree in Administrative Leadership from Concordia University. She is a certified Applied Behavior Analyst, an Orton-Gillingham trained reading intervention, a Crisis Intervention and Prevention certified trainer, trained in transgender education, responsive trauma, school safety protocols, and by Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in Diabetes management as an effort to aid and serve students with Diabetes. Emily has taught students aged 6-9 and enjoyed helping them unlock their full potential.
Due to Emily’s passion, love of her family, and desire to honor her grandmother’s legacy, she decided to open Adeline Montessori School. She believes that high-quality education should be accessible to all children and families regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or disability.
Cassie Maduscha
Vice Principal
Special Education Director
Cassie has been in the education field for 20 years in different sectors, including child care, Head Start, public education, and private residential education. Her experience ranges from children at birth to 21 and with diverse student populations. In the past 10 years, her focus has become students with disabilities, families, and advocacy.
Cassie acquired her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership in 2010 from Cardinal Stritch University and a Master’s Degree in Special Education from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 2021. For Cassie, education is about helping a child discover who they are, their strengths and challenges, and finding their place in the world. Working together with teachers, families, and staff every child has the ability to grow, learn, and become a contributing member of our world.
At home, Cassie has her husband, Andy, and twin 12-year-old boys. As a family, they enjoy training their black lab, Titan, as a hunter and therapy dog, being outside doing activities like UTV’ing, snowmobiling, fishing, hunting, biking, and camping. Cassie can often be found with her head buried in a book or training for her next triathlon
Ala Abdeljaber
Speech Language Pathologist
Ala Abdeljaber is excited to begin her second year at Adeline Montessori as the part-time Speech-Language Pathologist. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Speech-Language Pathology from UW-Milwaukee, along with a certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Additionally, she completed the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) fellowship through UW-Milwaukee and UW-Madison.
Ala is passionate about providing neuroaffirming, child-led therapy and supporting students with speech sound and language disorders so they can communicate to their fullest potential; all while keeping therapy fun and motivating. She also values collaboration with families, teachers, and other professionals to ensure each student’s success across all environments.
Outside of school, Ala enjoys traveling, spending time with her family on Lake Michigan, and volunteering to support children and students through organizations such as Muslims Understanding and Helping Special Education Needs (MUHSEN) and the Palestinian Student Scholarship Fund (PSSF).
Ana Albanese
Primary Assistant
Bio to come.
Brook Branscombe
Special Education Paraprofessional
Brook is a special education paraprofessional at Adeline. She has been with us for two school years now. Before joining the team in 2023, Brook received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Long before she studied formally, Ms. Brook discovered her love for being around kids and helping them grow. Learning the Montessori philosophy has been a great addition to her knowledge and has helped her guide children in new ways. This year, she will continue to work at Adeline as she pursues her Master’s in speech language pathology at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Outside of work and school, Ms. Brook enjoys all kinds of outdoor adventures, working on home projects, and spending time with her boyfriend and her dog.
Gabi Bullock
Aftercare Assistant
Bio to come.
Sarah Bullock
Infant 2 Lead
Sarah joins Adeline this year after spending the last three years at another Montessori school as an assistant in their toddler classroom . This is where she fell in love with the Montessori philosophy.
Sarah brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the classroom. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Louisiana State University at Shreveport. After graduating, she began teaching 3rd Grade in Louisiana at an elementary school that catered to hearing impaired students. Over the next 17 years, she worked with 3K to 8th grade students with various abilities. Her educational journey has taken her and her family from Louisiana to California returning her here to Wisconsin where she grew up.
Outside of work Sarah resides in Delafield with her husband and two daughters. Away from school, she enjoys watching her daughters on the lacrosse field, reading, and working in her garden.
Sarah Clark
Toddler Assistant Teacher
Sarah has been in the field of Early Childhood for 23 years. She studied at WCTC, receiving her CDA, and is continuing to build her education, focusing on the Montessori method. Sarah is committed to providing a nurturing, fun learning environment and building strong relationships with students and families.
Outside the classroom, Sarah enjoys spending time with her daughter and family, taking walks around Fowler Lake, exploring new restaurants, and listening to live music.
Lauren Ferch
Upper Elementary Co-teacher
Lauren Ferch holds a lifetime teaching license for the state of Wisconsin in grades 1-9. She grew up in Waukesha and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in education from Carroll University. Shortly after graduation, Lauren was introduced to the Montessori philosophy and spent the years post-graduation working in academic administration and teaching at a Montessori school.
She is committed to teaching children where they are academically, socially, and emotionally to help them become who they want to be, and feels the child-centered approach to Montessori education has the potential to be successful for all learners.
Outside of the classroom, Lauren enjoys spending time with her three children – all of whom are Montessori students at Adeline. The family rabbit, Eddie, joins her in the classroom.
Haley Fritsche
Special Education Teacher
Haley, one of our special education case managers, brings a wealth of experience and passion for education. Fall 2025 will kick off her 4th year at Adeline!
From a young age, Haley desired to be a teacher. She attended the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where she was introduced to the Montessori Method. This experience has allowed her to combine her dreams of teaching special education in a Montessori setting, truly living the best of both worlds.
Haley has worked in various educational roles, including Day Camp Director, reading interventionist, and case manager for young children. She is dedicated to helping students learn their 123s and ABCs while fostering compassion through play, exploration, and reflection. Her training in conscious discipline and the Neurosequential Model in Education enhances her ability to support our students and coach her colleagues.
Originally from Northern Wisconsin, Haley enjoys reading, cooking, spending time with her dog Polly, being outdoors, and traveling.
Shannon Fox
Upper Elementary Co-Teacher
Shannon is a graduate of Alverno College with a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Philosophy. She worked in human resources and office administration for many years, while raising her young children and spending countless hours volunteering at their schools. During this time, she discovered Montessori education, and it was a game-changer. It was then that Shannon decided to return to school and earn her Elementary Montessori licensure to be able to share her love of learning with others. In addition, she has since also completed an Orton-Gillingham training program to improve her literacy instruction in the classroom.
Shannon is committed to helping students develop their whole-self potential, and focuses on creating a prepared classroom environment that is welcoming, academically stimulating, and easily accessible to all students.
Outside of the classroom, Shannon loves to spend time with her family and friends, care for her many pets and plants, read, travel, hike, and savor the many flavors of world cuisine.
Addison Gubbs
Secondary Student Teacher
Bio to come.
Erin Henry
Primary 1 Assistant Teacher
Bio to come.
Amanda Hickey
Primary 2 Lead Teacher
Amanda joined Adeline Montessori School in the fall of 2024 after relocating back to Wisconsin from South Carolina. Her journey in education began in 2017 when she started as an assistant in a Montessori classroom—a role that sparked her passion for the Montessori philosophy.
Amanda earned her bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater in 2017. Inspired by her early experiences in Montessori education, she pursued a master’s degree in Montessori Education at Lander University, graduating in 2020. She also completed her Montessori certification through an AMS- and MACTE-accredited training program.
In addition to her core Montessori credentials, Amanda has an Early Childhood Reading Certificate from the American Montessori Society and has completed Orton-Gillingham training through the Institute for Multi-Sensory Education (IMSE). She is deeply committed to nurturing a love of learning in every child and guiding them to grow with confidence and curiosity.
Outside of the classroom, Amanda enjoys crafting, reading, going for walks, and spending quality time with her fiancé, dog (Penny), and cat (Nacho).
Sophie Howard
Secondary Lead Teacher
Sophie Howard joined the Secondary Classroom at Adeline back in Fall 2023. She graduated from UW-Whitewater with a B.S. in Secondary English Education and two minors- one in Anthropology and another in Creative Writing. She has had experience in helping and supporting diverse individuals from her time as a Behavior Technician, as well as a Residential Care Specialist in a variety of mental health fields. Her major was English Education, but she is always so excited to learn and research with the kids about science, social studies, health, and math!
In her free time, Sophie loves to read, play with her cats, and paint. She hopes to transfer some of those skills into each Field Study the classroom takes on!
Myra Jones
Bus Driver and Paraprofessional
Myra is excited to join the Adeline Montessori team as both a Bus Driver and a Paraprofessional. She brings nearly 10 years of professional driving experience, including 2 years dedicated to safely transporting students as a school bus driver. Myra takes pride in creating a safe, positive environment for children from the moment they step onto the bus to the time they leave school.
Outside of school, Myra is all about creativity, whether she’s cooking up new recipes, sketching tattoo designs, styling hair, or belting out a song at karaoke. She’s also an animal lover and shares her home with her 6 year old cat, Margo. Myra’s always on the lookout for fresh inspiration, from browsing local farmers’ markets to discovering her next creative project!
Liz Kennow
Lower Elementary 1 Lead Teacher
Liz attended and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater with a Bachelor’s Degree in both Early Childhood Education and Special Education. She completed her student teaching at Adeline Montessori and has been working here full-time since January 2022. During this time, Liz completed her Lower Elementary Montessori Training in May of 2023. Liz was introduced to Montessori when she attended Racine Montessori school from Primary through Lower Elementary. She has dreamed of becoming a teacher since before she can remember. Liz was re-introduced to the Montessori philosophy briefly in college, and it hasn’t left her mind since! In addition to all of this, she has since also completed an Orton-Gillingham training program to improve her literacy instruction in the classroom, as well as been trained in Conscious Discipline, which will further enhance her ability to support her students.
She welcomes all children into an environment where they can express their thoughts, feelings, and ideas freely and safely. She believes that the Montessori environment is the perfect place for children to learn and grow. Liz is eager to learn and grow alongside her students during the upcoming school year!
In Liz’s free time, she enjoys listening to podcasts, eating sweets, listening to and reading books, spending time with friends, and rewatching her favorite TV shows. She loves spending time with Zach, her husband, and Donut, her dog.
Deborah Kuzenski
Administrative Assistant
Debbie joined the Adeline Montessori staff in the fall of 2023. After years of working in a public school setting as a 4K paraprofessional, she has really enjoyed this opportunity working in a Montessori setting.
Debbie lives in the area with her husband, and 3 beautiful, amazing daughters, and a Newfie named Rufus. Debbie and her family love spending time outside, camping, at a beach, or movie nights in the backyard while enjoying a bonfire. In the colder months, you’ll catch the family at volleyball tournaments or dance!
Debbie has loved the connections she’s made with all the students and their families at Adeline Montessori School.
Kelley Lang
Toddler 2 Lead Teacher
Ms. Kelley lives in Palmyra and previously worked with infants and toddlers at another Montessori School. She was previously a paraprofessional for twelve years in Special Education. Kelley will complete her two-year educational Montessori Program in May 2026.
Kelley loves working and learning from the children. From the amazing children, to the program, to the work the children are offered, to the beautiful building and incredible co-workers, Kelley is so excited to be working at Adeline Montessori School!
Kelley is happily married with three adult boys- Dylan is 26 years old, and Reece & Troy are fraternal 24-year-olds. She loves her little black Pomeranian and three cats. She has a small online clothing and household items business, she enjoys art (especially making things with children), reading, swimming, kayaking and boating, and spending time at their little cottage with family and friends by Eagle Springs Lake.
Laura Mammerow
Lower Elementary 1 Assistant Teacher
Laura is thrilled to be entering her third year at Adeline Montessori as the Lower Elementary Assistant Teacher! With a background in both biology and dietetics, she earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point and completed her dietetic internship at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay.
Before stepping into the classroom, Laura worked closely with children and families in the field of dietetics, supporting them through various eating challenges. That experience made for a natural and rewarding transition into education, where her passion for working with children continues to thrive.
What Laura loves most about each school day is helping students grow into their unique selves—creating a balance of structure, social-emotional learning, and fun. She especially enjoys bringing her nutrition expertise into the classroom through interactive activities like Taste Test Tuesday, which has become a student favorite!
Outside of school, Laura enjoys time with her husband, Mike, and her two boys, Declan and Bennie, who both attend Adeline Montessori. They all enjoy unwinding at their family cabins, playing sports together, traveling, playing board games, or a cozy movie night. She also loves seeing live music with friends, tackling home projects, meal planning and prepping, and getting lost in a good book.
Dariela Martinez
Primary 3 Assistant Teacher
Bio to come.
Cheyenne Matson
Special Education Teacher
Cheyenne will be starting out her first year at Adeline and is super excited! Cheyenne recently graduated in Spring of 2025 from the University of Wisconsin Whitewater with her bachelor’s of science in Special Education. During her time in school she worked as a behavioral health technician, at a daycare, & finished her last year being awarded special education department student of the year. She is currently working to be certified in Montessori!
Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her girlfriend and their two cats! She enjoys lots of crafts and creating art. Cheyenne also is a photographer and finds joy in creating and capturing moments.
Elizabeth Milam
Primary 2 Assistant Teacher
Elizabeth joined the Adeline family in 2022 as part of the aftercare team. Over the past three years, she has worked with students from Infant through Lower Elementary in a variety of roles and is now in her second year in the Primary classroom. Each experience has strengthened her passion for the Montessori philosophy, and she feels she has truly found her home at Adeline.
She is currently completing her BA in Elementary Education at Concordia University and will graduate in December. After receiving her degree, she plans to pursue her Montessori certification. Elizabeth’s main goal as an educator is to ensure that every child feels welcome to come as they are. She is dedicated to supporting children’s growth not only academically, but also socially and emotionally—helping them build confidence, empathy, and a lifelong love of learning.
Elizabeth grew up in Delafield, where her love for teaching began during her own K–12 years, inspired by teachers who encouraged her curiosity and creativity. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys spending time with friends and family. Along with spending time reading, writing, or anything artistic. She also enjoys going to concerts!
Lucy Miller
Lower Elementary 2 Lead Teacher
Lucy is ecstatic to be returning for her second year at Adeline. She began working with children at the young age of 12, becoming a camp counselor for bible camp, teaching dance classes, babysitting, and more. She later continued to follow that passion with her schooling. Throughout her years in college, she worked in childcare with ages 0-4 and helped to run local summer camps in Pewaukee and Brookfield with ages 4-12. Lucy graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education for elementary and middle school. Before finding a classroom to call her own, she substitute taught in many local districts. She was introduced to the Montessori philosophy in college, but did not reconnect with it until a few years ago. Since then she has been fully immersed in its beliefs to continue to learn and grow her Montessori skill set.
She has also completed her Orton-Gillingham training program to deepen her expertise in literacy instruction and has also been trained in Conscious Discipline, equipping her with even more strategies to effectively support and nurture her students’ growth. She is excited to use her abilities and techniques to support the Adeline Montessori community.
Lucy is passionate about creating a warm and welcoming environment where students can thrive creatively, grow, and learn at their own pace. The Montessori approach is ideal for this, allowing each child to explore and develop in their unique way. She is filled with excitement for the opportunities this year will bring and looks forward to learning and growing with her students.
Lucy lives in Waukesha and enjoys visiting coffee shops and stores in the downtown area. She enjoys trying new restaurants and spending time with her fiancé, family, and their dogs. She also will never pass up an opportunity to see live music or visit an amusement park.
Karen Milligan
Infant Assistant Teacher
Karen joined the Adeline team in the middle of the 2024-25 school year after working for another school district for 17.5 years. She was the Main Office Administrative Assistant to the Principal at all levels from K4 to Grade 12 and handled the student medical needs as well for her 17.5 years in that district. When her former district implemented a brand new Montessori School Program, she was reintroduced to child care, as she originally started her working career in child care as a Lead Infant Teacher, which led her to have a home daycare caring for children of friends for 13 years while raising her own children. After working in the new Montessori daycare setting for her last 1.5 years at her past district, she realized it was a good time for a change back to working with the youngest of learners. She has a passion for working with infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children. Being new to Montessori, she has a desire to learn the Montessori practices as an Infant Assistant Teacher to accompany her vast knowledge of infant care.
Karen has an Associate of Applied Science Degree/Administrative Assistant and also a Head Infant/Toddler Teacher Certification from MATC. She is the mother of three grown young men, one who is married and lives in Texas, and the other two who are local, one of which is also engaged to be married next year. They are all college graduates with professional careers in the tech industry. She and her husband and their two very spoiled little dogs have resided on Lake Beulah in the Town of East Troy for the past nine years after raising their children in the Town of Genesee for 24 years, and she grew up in West Allis. She loves to spend time kayaking and boating on their lake with family and friends, and sneaking away to their cabin in Egg Harbor/Door County as often as possible.
Kristin Mikrut
Lower Elementary 2 Assistant Teacher
Kristin is excited to be joining the Adeline team as the Lower Elementary 2 Assistant Teacher this year! This is her 7th year working in the education field. She has worked with all ages ranging from birth to 8th grade and has held a variety of roles throughout her time working in education. Kristin has a degree in Early Childhood Education and is pursuing a second degree in English Literature. She has also been trained in Conscious Discipline.
Kristin has always had a passion for education and believes that every student deserves an education that accepts them and meets them where they are to make their learning experience as meaningful as possible. She believes that students learn best when they are able to learn hands on. While this is her first year working in a Montessori setting, she has always admired the philosophy.
Kristin lives in Hartland with her husband and two dogs. You can always find her with a book to read or in the kitchen baking. She also enjoys travelling with her family, exploring local parks and lakes to find ducks and other waterfowl, and finding local cafes to try.
Karina Mrosko
Occupational Therapist
Karina is excited to be starting her third school year at Adeline as the staff Occupational Therapist. Karina has been working with children for 15 years and has taught various subjects including instruments, dance, acting, and writing. She received her Masters of Occupational Therapy from Concordia University Wisconsin in 2022. She started her practice as an OT in pediatric mental and behavioral health and is thrilled she gets to continue addressing these needs at Adeline alongside motor development, social skills, and participation in other skills necessary for school success.
Karina believes strongly in the importance of the need of felt safety for children before meaningful relationships and learning can happen. She promotes inclusivity and emotional and physical safety for students and staff alike.
Karina and her family live in Madison while her husband attends UW-Madison for his graduate program in Veterinary Medicine. In her free time, Karina loves spending time with her husband, daughter, and son (and their very silly dog). She loves crafting—especially fiber arts, drinking coffee, watching Dancing with the Stars, and baking bread.
Wilma Murphy
Primary 3 Lead Teacher
Wilma Murphy moved from México to Wisconsin, where she learned English as a second language. She and her husband have two children, Jenny and Tony. She began her career in education in 2005 and quickly found a deep connection with the Montessori philosophy. Over the past 20 years, she has served in a variety of roles, including Montessori Assistant Teacher, Co-Lead Teacher, and Spanish Specialist, working with students from early childhood through middle school.
In 2011, Wilma earned her Montessori Early Childhood Certification (ages 3–6) from Seton Montessori Institute, an AMS-accredited teacher education program. She has since brought this knowledge into the classroom with dedication and creativity, fostering environments where children feel supported and inspired to learn. Wilma is passionate about sharing her language and culture with students and values the meaningful relationships she builds with children and their families. She approaches each day with curiosity and joy, always eager to learn alongside her students.
Outside of the classroom, Wilma enjoys visiting her family and friends in México. She also enjoys taking walks with her dog, boating, and spending time with her family.
Angelica Ortiz
Art Teacher
Angelica has always had a strong passion for teaching. After graduating high school, she immediately jumped into the child care field and started working for an afterschool program that assisted all different age groups; it was there that she pursued and completed her Early Childhood Education. After taking some time off to start her family, Angelica happened to enroll her own child at Adeline Montessori. After visiting the campus, Angelica knew she wanted to be more involved with this wonderful community and applied to join the team.
While working for Adeline for the past four years, Angelica fell in love with the Montessori Art concept and decided to go back to school to receive her Montessori Art Certification. Angelica is DPI licensed, Montessori Art Certified, Orton-Gillingham trained, and has completed her Montessori training through Oaks Montessori. Angelica has also completed her Neuro-Diversity training, Love & Logic training, and holds several certifications in first aid and safety.
Angelica looks forward to welcoming all children into her classroom. She hopes each child feels free to express themselves while unlocking new creativity and exploring the endless possibilities that Montessori Art has to offer.
Outside of school, Angelica loves spending family time with her daughter, husband, and their two cats. She also enjoys hiking, cooking, and visiting local festivals/farmers’ markets.
Maria Reber
Music Teacher
Maria began teaching at Adeline Montessori School in the Spring of 2025. She is excited to be returning for her first full year as Music Teacher and Literacy Interventionist! She graduated from Ripon College, where she studied Music and Theatre Education. Since graduating, she has spent time refining her pedagogical practice through individual and group music instruction, as well as supporting youth and young adults with disabilities.
Maria is an active member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) and the Wisconsin Music Educators Association (WMEA). She has completed training in “Sensory Songs: Music Considerations for Regulation,” and received reading interventionist certification through the Institute of Multi-Sensory Education’s Orton-Gillingham Plus Course. Maria is committed to creating an inclusive environment in the music room. She advocates for music as an essential tool for social-emotional and language development. As she continues to get to know the Adeline family, Maria is also eager to bring performances to school events!
When away from school, Maria enjoys time at home in Milwaukee with her partner and their dog, Mango “Tater” Habanero, their cats, Eevee and Mew, and their bearded dragon, Azula. Her favorite non-musical activities include camping, kayaking, hiking and enjoying a good book.
Patty Recinos
Primary Assistant
Bio to come.
Kelly Rehfeldt
Toddler 1 Lead Teacher
Kelly has always had a strong passion for children and knew she always wanted to be a teacher. She graduated from Concordia University in 2001 with a Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and a minor in adaptive education. She taught kindergarten in the Watertown school district for three years and took a long sabbatical to raise her two children. In 2017, she went back into teaching 3K and 4K. Kelly has many years of experience and believes that children learn best through play and hands-on experiences in a safe environment where they can explore freely.
For the past two years, Kelly has had the pleasure of working as an assistant in the Toddler 1 classroom at Adeline. During this time, she has developed a deep appreciation for the Montessori philosophy and has found great joy in supporting young children as they grow into independent and capable individuals. Kelly has been fortunate to learn from an exceptional Lead Teacher whose mentorship has greatly influenced her journey.
As she steps into the role of Lead Teacher in the Toddler 1 classroom, she is excited to begin this new chapter at Adeline and looks forward to continuing to learn and grow alongside the children, their families, and the dedicated staff.
In her free time, Kelly likes everything outdoors, hiking, walking, beaches in the summer, spending time with her children, family, friends, cooking, baking, and traveling. Lastly, Kelly enjoys exploring wineries in the state of Wisconsin!!
Mike Richter
Physical Education Teacher
Mike Richter has spent 17 years as an educator in a Montessori environment. During these years of teaching experience, Mike has been a physical education specialist (17 years), afterschool coordinator, director of enrichment, summer program coordinator, and art teacher. Mike earned an Associate of Arts degree and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from The University of Wisconsin–Whitewater. Mike also holds a WI DPI license and paraprofessional training certificate, is trained in transgender education, responsive trauma, and by Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in Diabetes management.
Mike’s philosophy in the classroom is a three-pronged approach – help the child realize their potential, help the child stay safe, and most importantly, have fun!
In his free time, Mike enjoys fishing, slow-pitch softball, golfing, laughing with friends and family, playing the piano, and watching every Wisconsin-based sports team.
Araceli Rodriguez
HR/Business Manager
Araceli Rodriguez is thrilled to join the Adeline Montessori team as the Human Resources and Business Manager. With a strong passion for fostering positive and productive workplace environments, Araceli focuses her studies and professional efforts on employee satisfaction, motivation, and aligning individual growth with organizational goals.
Araceli earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Legal Studies from the University of Wisconsin La Crosse in 2024. She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology at Colorado State University and is set to graduate in the summer of 2026.
Before joining Adeline Montessori, Araceli worked closely with adults with disabilities, helping them develop employment skills and build confidence in the workplace. This experience strengthened her commitment to creating inclusive, supportive, and empowering work cultures.
Outside of her professional and academic pursuits Araceli enjoys being outdoors, scrapbooking, trying new foods, and watching an array of movies and shows.
Shannon Roehl
Bus Driver and Paraprofessional
Shannon is joining the Adeline team this year as a Bus Driver and a Paraprofessional, helping out in the classrooms part-time. Although her career has primarily been in office positions, she has always had a passion for helping others, especially children, and thought this could be a great opportunity for her and her family. Shannon has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from UW Green Bay, as well as an Associate’s Degree in Accounting from WCTC. She began her Master’s Degree in Counseling, but had to delay due to family needs. While working in a school is a new path for Shannon, she is excited to take on this new adventure, as her high school dream was to be a school counselor helping kids navigate through tough times, and she hopes to one day finish her Master’s.
Shannon grew up in Oconomowoc and loves that her kids get to as well. At home, Shannon enjoys spending time with her husband Mike and their 4 kids, 2 of whom will be joining her on the bus and at Adeline! Her daughter Annalise (Anna) is 4 and will be in 4k this fall, Wyatt is 7, joining 2nd grade, then her stepdaughter Skylee is 13, living all the way in Wausau, and her stepson Michael is 17 and starting his senior year in Jefferson High. You might find her on the bike trail with her family or walking around the lake. She also loves taking pictures, crafting, kayaking, and has a passion for animals. They have a small zoo at home consisting of 2 Dobermans, 4 Cats, a Cockatoo, 3 Cockatiels, some Goldfish, and a Bearded Dragon!
Jamie Ronco
Toddler Assistant Teacher
Jamie is a toddler assistant at Adeline Montessori. She has been passionate about childcare for as long as she can remember, starting as a mother’s helper and then working as a babysitter before becoming a full-time nanny for seven years. Before joining Adeline Montessori in 2023, Jamie also gained valuable experience working in a daycare setting. Seeking to expand her impact in a school environment, she found the perfect fit at Adeline Montessori. She began her journey in the infant room and has since moved to the toddler room, where she thrives supporting young learners through the Montessori philosophy. Jamie loves the children deeply and cares for each one with kindness and dedication. She enjoys watching them explore, learn, and grow at their own pace, and she deeply values building strong, trusting connections with the families she works with.
Outside of work, Jamie loves spending time outdoors with her fiancé, Trent, their white Boxer dog, and their two cats. She enjoys quality moments with her family, whether they’re exploring nature, sharing laughs, or simply relaxing together. Jamie is also involved in her church community, where she finds joy and connection beyond the classroom.
Caitlin Schatz
Primary 1 Lead Teacher
Bio to come.
Angela Taylor
Infant & Toddler Program Director
Angela Taylor is the Infant and Toddler Program Director at AMS and serves as the in-house trainer for the Infant and Toddler staff. This role consists of spending time in each classroom weekly, working closely with staff, students, and families. She has joyfully worked alongside children for the past 18 years, the last 10 being in a Montessori environment. She received her Associates in Early Childhood Education from Waukesha County Technical College, and she has completed her Infant and Toddler Montessori Certification through Oaks Montessori. She is also a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, ensuring that children, from infant to adolescence, are kept safe in and around vehicles. From car seat checks to helping parents and caregivers understand all they can do to prevent unintentional injuries in and around cars.
She looks forward to each new partnership with families, as together, caregivers and families support and encourage children. She truly enjoys what she does and appreciates each unique personality that she meets in the Infant and Toddler community. The infant and toddler years go by quickly, and she finds it a true pleasure to have the opportunity to support each child during this incredible time of growth.
In addition to serving in the classroom, she volunteers her time in the spring and fall to referee youth soccer through the Town of Mukwonago and can’t get enough of her two dogs, two cats, and sweet baby boy. When Angela is not in the classroom, she enjoys all that the outdoors has to offer. She appreciates hunting and foraging, camping, running, kayaking, and visiting with friends. When not outside, you can find her baking, getting crafty, or enjoying a good show curled up with her fur babies.
Soraya Thielen
Infant Lead Teacher
Soraya Thielen joined the Adeline Montessori team in the summer of 2025 with over a decade of experience dedicated to creating nurturing and engaging learning environments. She brings a deep passion for helping children and a genuine love for her work, which is reflected in her commitment to fostering positive relationships with students, families, and colleagues. She finds nothing more rewarding than working with children and is inspired by their curiosity and enthusiasm for learning and discovering the world around them.
A true advocate for young learners, Soraya attended the Early Childhood Program at Waukesha County Technical College in 2009 and has worked in the field ever since. She is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association. Her skills extend to strong communication and problem-solving. She is dedicated to fostering a love for learning and providing a supportive, welcoming environment where every child can thrive and exceed their potential.
Outside of work, Soraya loves spending time with her family and friends, exploring the beautiful lake country, attending sports events (especially those involving her children!), going for walks, and tackling house projects.
Samantha Thom
Special Education Paraprofessional
Samantha Thom is excited to be returning for her third year at Adeline and is grateful to be a part of the Adeline family. She is a DPI-certified Paraprofessional, trained in Crisis Prevention and Intervention. She also has training in suicide prevention, Love and Logic, medication administration, as well as first aid and CPR. She is constantly improving her knowledge and skills.
Sam is continuing her education at UW-Whitewater towards a bachelors degree degree in special education.
Sam lives in Hartford with her boyfriend and their dogs, Stella and Gus. Outside of school, she enjoys painting, crafts, shopping, hanging out with friends and family, and playing outside and hiking with the dogs.
Megan Zurn
Special Education, 4th-8th Grade
Megan always had a true passion for working with children and has made it her life’s work. Her pathway into education started with receiving her Inclusion Credential through UW Platteville, then graduating with high honors from Moraine Park Technical College with an Associate of Applied Science Degree and Preschool Credential, followed by receiving her Bachelor of Science in Early Education from UW Whitewater. While in her bachelor’s program, she started working as a lead teacher in a multi-age classroom in a Montessori/Waldorf-inspired program in East Troy, WI, which led her to a position at Adeline Montessori and joining the special education team 2 years ago. Megan continued her education, earning a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Graduate Autism Specialist from UW-Whitewater and ultimately completing a Master of Science in Education Degree. Megan always had a love for Special Education, and while expanding her knowledge in Montessori education, she also enjoys learning new educational methods to help children find independence and benefit their future in any way possible. Megan has completed her Montessori Training in the Fall of 2023 at Oaks Montessori and has currently finished her Cross-Categorical License Program through the CESA 1 program.
Outside of school, Megan enjoys the outdoors with Matt (the love of her life for many years) and their 6-year-old son Lynyrd, along with their identical twin daughters Gracelynn Jo and Jacelynn Gene, who were born in February 2025 and will be attending Adeline Montessori this Fall. Along with their dogs, Female (Siberian Husky), Male (White German Shepsky), and a few other small family pets, they love the country life in Mukwonago, WI. Their family enjoys Asphalt Snowmobile Racing in the Fall, Spring, and Summer in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan, and has many other outdoor-related hobbies. Their son, Lynyrd, enjoys his school sports, which include baseball, Wrestling, and ATVs of all kinds. This has led him to recently start his new hobby of racing motocross in Wisconsin and Michigan. The family enjoys being home, but their hobbies cause them to travel and keep busy during their free time.