
The Staff at Leelanau Montessori Public School Academy
Administration and Student Support
- BA Geology - Denison University
- BA Social Studies and Elementary Education - Grand Valley State University
- Montessori Primary Certification - Michigan Montessori Teacher Education Center
Beth began her Montessori career back in 1998 with the Montessori Children's House. She started out as an assistant in the classroom and in 2000 when they moved to the Suttons Bay campus she began working part time in the office. Eventually she became full time in the office and is now the office manager. Beth attended Northwestern Michigan College and helped run the family automotive assembly plant. After her children were born, Beth ran in-home childcare before she started working in Montessori. Beth and her husband Bill have three children, Paige, Nicolette, and Garrett and three grandchildren, Everett James, Norah Mae, and Clara Beth. Beth enjoys gardening, walking, cooking, swimming, traveling and spreading the word about Leelanau Montessori!

- BA Political Science - University of Iowa
- JD - University of Wisconsin Law School
Ann Lightbourn
After School Care Director
After School Care Director
Bio Coming Soon!

- BA K-12 Art Education - Northern Michigan University
- BA 6-12 Spanish Education - Northern Michigan University
Toddler Environment - Sprouts
- Fluent in Spanish
- Musically inclined
- Pre-nursing Northwestern Michigan College
- Southwest Institute of Montessori Studies
- AMI 0-6 Guide (Completion date May 27th, 2023)

Hello! My name is Hope, I have lived in Leelanau County since I was seven years old. I've loved growing up in this beautiful county; it aided in my deep love and appreciation for the natural world that surrounds us. I try to spend all my free time outside, whether that be taking my two "fur-babies" for hikes, wake surfing on Glen Lake, rock picking along Lake Michigan's shoreline, or star/moon gazing late into the night. I have a deep fascination with the night sky, I spend a good chunk of time learning about both Astronomy and Astrology. I'm an avid reader and writer, but focus mostly on poetry. My love for children started when my little brother was born, I was eight years old, and as I grew older I spent many summers babysitting friends, family, and neighborhood children. In 2021, I started my Early Childhood Education career. I started in a daycare setting then jumped at the opportunity to join this Montessori community. I finished an assistant Montessori certificate course this fall but in the coming years plan to take a lead Montessori guide program.

Anne Rodeck has been an early childhood educator for over 20 years. She began her teaching career at The Montessori Children’s House in Traverse City in 2001 after graduating from Hope College in Holland, Michigan with a degree in Language studies. She moved to Suttons Bay soon after and accepted a job working with Parenting Communities. From 2003- 2018 Anne worked at The Leelanau Children’s Center. She received her associates degree in Child Development and her certification in toddler development. She enjoys using the outdoors as her classroom throughout the seasons. Anne is a lifelong learner and is found spending time learning about our natural resources in the area and sharing what she knows with others. She has been inspired by local courses such as Fresh Water Studies and Ecology Field Studies, where she has felt an overwhelming need to help children feel connected to their environment, (in the age of technology.) More recently, she completed a 12-month internship at The Leelanau Conservancy as a Stewardship Technician. You can find her exploring coyote dens in her own backyard, enjoying bird migrations around the county, finding Owl pellets in the woods and hiking and adventuring to new places.
Primary Environments - Aspen and Sugar Maple
- BA - Elementary Education with Early Childhood Endorsement - Alma College
- Montessori Primary Certification - Michigan Montessori Teacher Education Center
Monica is so excited to join the Leelanau Montessori community. Monica has been working with children for many years beginning with nannying while growing up to working for an assistant at the Children's House Montessori school in Traverse City. She always knew she wanted to be a teacher someday. The first time she walked into a bustling Montessori toddler classroom she specifically remembers watching the children gracefully set up a beautiful and inspiring lunch table. It was that day, Monica fell in love with the independent whole child approach to learning.
Bio Coming Soon!
- Bachelors of Science, Psychology- Western Illinois University
- Masters of Science, Experimental Psychology- Western Illinois University
- Montessori Para-professional trained- Michigan Montessori Training Center
Bio Coming Soon!

- Associates Degree - Social Service/Early Childhood Education, Ferris State University
- Para Professional Training- Michigan Montessori Education Center
- CDA Credential - Child Development Associate, 2022
Lower Elementary - Apple and Birch
- Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with a Early Childhood major from Wayne State University, 1999
- Montessori Certification from Center for Guided Montessori Studies, continuing
BS Elementary Education: Integrated Sciences - Calvin College
Rebekah is excited to begin this next school year with you all!
- Montessori Training (In progress!) - Center for Guided Montessori Studies
Rebekah is excited to begin this next school year with you all!
- BA in Social Work from Hope College in 1997
- Montessori Primary Certification from Michigan Montessori Teacher Education Center in 2000
Upper Elementary - Hickory
Hello! My name is Tanya Hill. I am the Upper Elementary guide serving children in the fourth, fifth, and sixth grades. I was introduced to Montessori education when my son went to a Montessori school in Midland, MI. I was instantly drawn to the Montessori philosophy and pedagogy as he went through his four-year-old year. I began my AMS training to receive my Primary credential and I have taught in a Montessori environment for 26 years. Since my time in Midland, MI, I have served in two other schools. I was at Kingsley Montessori School in Boston, MA., and just recently at Esprit International School in The Woodlands, TX. I have a passion for Montessori education and teaching children of all ages. I recently completed my master’s thesis in Montessori Integrated Learning at Endicott College in Massachusetts where my love for Cosmic education was deepened and informed. When I am not in the classroom, I am at home with my husband remodeling our house and taking care of our “farm” and dogs. I love to visit my children and grandchildren in Texas, Louisiana, and Florida.

- Upper Elementary BS Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services and Administration Outdoor Education
- CMU & University of Iceland
Montessori Coaches

- BA Elementary Education with Science Endorsement – CMU
- Upper Elementary Training – Seton Montessori

- Alma College - Bachelor of Arts
- Loyola College Maryland - Masters of Education in Montessori
- AMI Washington Montessori Institute - Elementary 6 - 12