
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
- BA Political Science - University of Iowa
- JD- University of Wisconsin Law School

Chelsea Hummon
In House Substitute, Land Steward and Elementary Support
hummonc@leelanaumontessori.org
In House Substitute, Land Steward and Elementary Support
hummonc@leelanaumontessori.org
- Upper Elementary BS Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services and Administration Outdoor Education
- CMU & University of Iceland

- BA K-12 Art Education and 6-12 Spanish Education - Northern Michigan University

Sprouts - Toddler Environment

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. Hope has her Montessori Assistant Certificate and is currently studying her Lead Montessori Certificate.
Primary Environments - Aspen and Sugar Maple
- -BA in Social Work from Hope College in 1997
- -Montessori Primary Certification from Michigan Montessori Teacher Education Center in 2000
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.
- BA, French - University of Michigan
- MA, Linguistics - Michigan State University
- Bachelors of Science, Psychology- Western Illinois University
- Masters of Science, Experimental Psychology- Western Illinois University
- Montessori Para-professional trained- Michigan Montessori Training Center

Rose Jelinek
Primary Assistant - Aspen
Primary Assistant - Aspen

Primary Assistant - Sugar Maple
Lower Elementary - Cherry
- 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
Upper Elementary - Hickory
Tanya was introduced to Montessori education when her son went to a Montessori school in Midland, MI. She was instantly drawn to the Montessori philosophy and pedagogy as he went through his primary class as a four-year-old. Tanya began her AMS training to receive her Primary credential and has taught in a Montessori environment for 26 years. Since her time in Midland, MI, she has served in two other schools. She was at Kingsley Montessori School in Boston, MA. and Esprit International School in The Woodlands, TX. Tanya has a passion for Montessori education and teaching children of all ages. She completed her master’s thesis in Montessori Integrated Learning at Endicott College in Massachusetts where her love for Cosmic education was deepened and informed. When Tanya is not in the classroom, she is at home with her husband remodeling their house and taking care of their “farm” and dogs. She loves to visit her children and grandchildren in Texas, Louisiana, and Florida.
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