The Centre at Conway in Chesterfield Staff

Hello! My name is Ms. Anne and I began as the assistant director at Centre at Conway in September 2017. Since January 2022, I have been the Administrative Director at CAC. I am originally from a small, coastal town south of Boston, MA and moved to St. Louis in fall 2007 when I started my undergraduate education at Webster University. I graduated with a BA in early childhood education with a minor in music in 2012, and then worked for six years as an infant/toddler teacher before coming to CAC. I earned my master’s degree in early childhood administration in 2017 from National Louis University.

My strengths are building trusting relationships and communication. My favorite part of working in early childhood education is seeing the amount of development that occurs in the first five years of life.

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my husband, children, friends, and family. I love playing board games, baking, musicals, and watching TV and movies.

“Children are human beings to whom respect is due, superior to us by reason of their innocence and of the greater possibilities of their future.” ~ Maria Montessori

My name is Ms. Thenn. I have worked as a lead teacher/transition at The Centre at Conway since 2002. I have a bachelor’s degree and many years of experience in child care. I enjoy watching and helping the young children grow and achieve their developmental milestones, such as taking their first steps, tasting new food, exploring their sensory skills and developing social and emotional skills. Being an early childhood educator is my passion, and I love working with young children. The favorite part of my job is to simulate the young minds with hands-on action and work on activities that develop their motor skills through exploration and free play time.

I enjoy watching movies, listening to music, reading world events, family time and get-togethers with friends in the community. It is a pleasure working with The Centre at Conway team, and thanks to all the parents in trusting the dedicated staff and considering The Center At Conway for their kids’ early childhood foundation.

> “The hands are the instruments of one’s intelligence”

My name is Jennifer and I am the Toddler 3 lead teacher. I have been teaching at CAC since 2002. I have a bachelor’s degree in English, and I have been doing childcare work in various capacities for at least 25 years. My strength in teaching is my spontaneity and finding teaching moments in everyday routine. My favorite part of teaching is seeing a child accomplish something they could not do before.

“The only language men ever speak perfectly is the one they learn in babyhood, when no one can teach them anything“!

Hello! I have been teaching two- and three-year-olds since January 2011. I have always known I wanted to become a teacher so I could help kids become better human beings as they grow. My favorite teacher growing up was my dad. I grew up seeing how his students loved, cared, and respected him, and vice-versa. He was my true inspiration for becoming a teacher.

I get kids excited to learn by incorporating all five senses, especially when they include play, songs and real-life materials. This is why Dr. Seuss books are my favorite children’s books: they are exciting blends of words and pictures that encourage children to read all by themselves.

Hi, my name is Kathy. I obtained my bachelor’s degree in psychology and human development and family life (HDFL) from the University of Kansas. Doors opened for me to do a Preschool Practicum in the HDFL Department, which led to a Preschool Teaching Certificate. After graduating, I was offered the opportunity to take Montessori Preschool training with the Montessori Institute of America, and the next year, I finished Elementary Montessori Training with the Association Montessori Internationale. So many doors opened for me in the field of Early Childhood Education, I began to see it as my calling.

For 15 years, I worked with the University of the Nations in Kona, Hawaii, where I trained preschool teachers from all over the world. We also did outreach in other countries as part of the training program, and started preschools or helped in already-established preschools. In 2004, I moved back to the St. Louis area to help with family.

In September 2011, I started working at The Centre at Conway. I am a lead Montessori preschool teacher, which is a mixed-age grouping of 3- to 6-year-olds.

People tell me my strengths are finding creative ways and resources to present concepts to the kids. I love reading good, quality books to the kids and exposing them to well-written, beautifully illustrated “food” for their minds and souls. I enjoy the creative process of making preschool concepts hands-on, and I think I can talk to children this age at their level.

In my spare time, I like to take care of animals. I have several pets, nothing exotic though. My dog used to be my “personal trainer,” but he is getting up there in age now, so we stroll a lot. I am still involved with the University of the Nations and help with their teacher training program either in-person or via Skype. Through technology, I am able to keep in touch with a lot of my former students and colleagues. I am also very involved with my church. Cooking, and getting together with friends and extended family is always something I am up for.

One of Montessori’s quotes I find myself using a lot is: “The world is so full of so many wonderful things \[to teach the children\], why would we ever need fantasy!” (My paraphrase).

My name is Laurel, and I have been teaching preschool in the Pre 3 classroom at CAC since January 2018. I have a B.A. in philosophy from Colby College in Waterville, Maine, and a master’s degree in early childhood education from Maryville University. I hold a Montessori certification to teach at the primary level (ages 3-6) from the American Montessori Society, and I have been teaching for 20 years. I love watching the children grow in independence and learn, and enjoy giving them opportunities to explore their world using math, science, cultural studies and reading. I enjoy reading, gardening, working with stained glass, spending time with family and friends and going to the beach.

> “Whoever touches the life of the child touches the most sensitive point of a whole which has roots in the most distant past and climbs toward the infinite future.”

Hello, my name is Hatka. I was born and raised in Bosnia (the former Yugoslavia). I am a lead teacher in Toddler 4 and I have been a part of the CAC family since 2017. Before my career at CAC, I earned a degree in accounting and management. I also worked in a non-profit children’s language learning center, called ARIA, that specializes in teaching children reading and writing skills in their native language, Bosnian. I also speak Bosnian, English, and German.

Working with children brings me great joy and they give me the inspiration to teach. They make me smile, everyday! It’s such a pleasure to watch them achieve their first milestones in life. I love working with children, and everyday it amazes me what young children are capable of doing! I am very happy to be part of the CAC family, and will continue to do my best, for all the children that walk through, the door of CAC!!!

In my spare time, besides spending time with my family and friends, I enjoy and love to interior design, sew, read, wander around Flea markets, look for Mid Century Modern art, and fabric! I also love Organic Food! I married my high school sweetheart and I have two beautiful children, daughter, 16 years old, and a son 13 years old.

> “Free the child’s potential, and you will transform him into the world!”

My name is Ms. Kristin. I began as a teacher at the Centre at Conway in 2017 and am currently serving as CAC’s Administrative Assistant. I have over 10+ years’ experience in childcare. My strength in teaching would be my passion for children, my ability to love and bond with the children as if they were my own. My favorite part of teaching is watching the kids grow and go from different stages, watching them learn, seeing their different personalities as they discover little things about themselves. When I am not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my family. I love the movies and I also enjoy home decor and party planning. DIY projects are my favorite!

> “Our care of the child should be governed, not by the desire to make him learn things, but by the endeavor always to keep burning within him that light which is called intelligence.” > > – Maria Montessori

My name is Jawaria and I have been working as with preschool, ages 3-5, since July 2017 when I first started my career in childcare. I believe what I am best at is teaching young children through a holistic approach, ensuring our kids receive broad and diverse viewpoints. My favorite part of my job is watching the look of awe and excitement on a student’s face when they learn something new! In my spare time I like to watch movies, relax with my family, and travel whenever we get the chance.

“The greatest sign of success for a teacher… is to be able to say, ‘The children are now working as if I did not exist.’” – Maria Montessori

My name is Ms. Kyya. I am the assistant teacher in Pre 2. I have been with The Centre at Conway for over 20 years. I believe my patience, ability to connect with children, and passion make me a great teacher. My favorite part of teaching is when I see a child’s face light up when they learn something new. I like to spend my spare time with my family, going on vacations, going out to restaurants, or just having a movie night.

> “The child is both a hope and a promise for mankind.”

My name is Sakina. Since 2017, I have been an assistant teacher in Preschool at The Centre at Conway. I strive to learn new skills so I may become a better teacher. My favorite part of teaching is when I see a child master a piece of Montessori work.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my four grandchildren, and traveling with my husband.

“The greatest development is achieved during the first years of life, and therefore it is then that the greatest care should be taken.”

Hello, my name is Ms. Ermina and I am a cook at CAC. I have been working in the kitchen for four years now. I enjoy cooking and preparing meals for all of the amazing CAC kids. My favorite part about being part of the CAC family and coming into work every day is when the kids stop and say hello with bright smiles on their faces. I always make sure to give them a warm smile back. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family and playing with my puppy.

> “Children become like the things they love.”