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Please take a moment to meet our teachers
(teacher photos by Clare Maylone)


Ms. Ona
Ms. Ann
Ms. Traci

Ms. Ona
Ona
Cvilikiene was born in Lithuania, and came to the United States in 2000.
She first studied Theatre Production successfully and worked in a Cultural
Center for about 5 years. She decided she wanted to teach, so she studied
for 5 years in the program of Organization of Education and Culture at the
Conservatory of Lithuania from 1985 until 1990, where she was awarded the
qualification of Manager of Education and Culture.
For many
years Ona enjoyed work as a High School Science teacher and also as an
Assistant Principal in Lithuania.
Five
years ago Ona came to Chicago with her family. Through a suburban
Lithuanian School, she found work on weekends teaching children Lithuanian
Cultural Dance. Ona really loves working with children… After a time and
many conversations, and through friends’ recommendations, she came one day
to observe at Hope, where she found a new calling. Ona trained at MECA and
received her Montessori Assistant Teacher Certificate in 2003, and with
welcome arms joined the staff at Hope. This will be
Miss Ona’s third year at Hope Montessori.
In her
spare time, Ona enjoys theater, music, reading books, directing plays,
bungee- jumping, and travel.
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Ms.
Ann
Ann
Signore first came to observe at Hope Montessori in 2002. Traci and Ann
had met while doing volunteer work locally, and a series of conversations
they had shared tweaked Ann’s curiosity. Ann was so inspired by what she
saw that she made the decision to change her career path (which had
included nearly 20 years at an area hospital). She completed the MECA
Paraprofessional Course in 2003, and joined the Hope staff…
Ann is
currently pursuing a Montessori Head Teacher Certificate for ages 3-6! Whoo-hoo!
We are so excited for her! This is Ms. Ann’s Internship year.
Ann was
born and raised on the Southside of Chicago. She is married and has three
sons, one daughter and two dogs. In her spare time she reads, gardens,
bikes, hang glides, and plays the guitar (badly).
She hopes to
be apart of the Hope family for many more years to come!
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Ms.
Traci
Traci Tyszka hails from Chicago’s Southside. She studied Education, as well as
Psychology, Criminal Justice, and English (Literature and Writing)
at UIC, Chicago. You might say Traci started her career in Education as a
Professional Student…
After
graduating, she first found work after College as a Substitute Teacher in
the field of Special Education for a group of schools in Chicago Heights
and surrounding areas. That work was an education in itself… Traci
observed a large range of teaching styles, and had many questions and
thoughts about how to improve educational systems… Something was missing…
until that friend of a friend of a friend encouraged a visit to her
Montessori classroom. Traci was so impressed,-yet felt like she had found
her home at last! This experience motivated her to pursue more
education, to learn all she could about Montessori.
After
training in Birth-3 and 3-6, she completed internships at the MECA Lab
Schools in Hinsdale and Clarendon Hills, Illinois. Traci taught at the
lab schools from 1990 -2000 in a range of Teaching, Mentoring,
Coordinating, and Training capacities,-working with other educators,
interns, parents, infants, toddlers and preprimary-aged children. The
MECA lab schools was a hub of inspiration; a center continuously fed by
enthusiasm and interest in Montessori and her work.
Traci’s
own children attended at the lab schools from infancy through
Kindergarten, though residing in Tinley Park. It was from a desire to
bring Montessori to Tinley Park and its surrounding communities that Hope
Montessori was established. Traci helped to found Hope Montessori in
2000, and has been the Administrator and Director of Education and acting
Head Teacher ever since.
Hope
Montessori keeps her busy, but she still makes time to enjoy life outside
of the school. Favorite hobbies include: reading, writing, but not
arithmetic, attending theatre and ballet, hiking, horses, snorkeling, bull
riding, and gardening.
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Ms. Shannon
Shannon Truse joined Hope in 2006 as
a
new Assistant Teacher. Shannon had been an active
member of the Montessori community for the preceeding five
years, working in the Hyde Park area. She had worked as
a Therapist Aid for children with Autism. Shannon taught Special
Education at Argo Community High School in Summit, and
has also worked as a Substitute Teacher. Shannon has always
loved children … her love for Montessori
has lead her to where she is today.
Shannon was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago
and has lived in Tinley Park for the last 10 years.
She is a newlywed and we wish for her a permanent
honeymoon!
Shannon has three dogs and loves the outdoors. In her
spare time, Shannon and her true love enjoy traveling and
exploring new places. Her hobbies include hiking (even
though she was chased by a black bear once!), kayaking,
gardening, lion-taming, working out, and cooking.
She is
very happy to be a part of
this wonderful community! We are so glad to have
her with us at Hope!
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Ms. Jeanne
Jeanne Fleming joins our team this
year as our School Secretary/Registrar. She originally
hails from New Hampshire. She moved into the Tinley
area 6 years ago with her husband and daughter. Jeanne
holds a degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Education
from River College in Nashua, New Hampshire. She is
deeply interested in Montessori and is learning more
every day. A major goal this year is to get the office
in order, and to hopefully find Ms. Traci’s desk (it’s
under there somewhere!). Jeanne will also be in the
classroom a few days a week assisting the children with
computer “works”, and subbing as needed.
Jeanne’s interests
include: reading, gardening, sailing, photography,
acrobatic water skiing (she is the pinnacle of the human
pyramid), travel and caring for her family. In the
past, she has volunteered as a “Band and Chorus Mom” at
her daughter’s school. She also volunteered time here
last year working with the children in the language
area.
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