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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