MSLF Welcomes Danna Ayres, new Adolescent Program Director for 2021-2022 school year
May 7, 2021

The Montessori School of Lake Forest is excited to share the following news with our community:

We continue to look forward to the new school year and beyond. We are extremely excited to announce that we are moving forward with the addition of an Adolescent Program , grades 7 & 8, to our program offerings for the 2021-2022 school year. The additional class will be conducted at our Laurel Drive Campus, using existing space as we re-introduce the program at MSLF.

Along with the new program comes an announcement of a new program director. We hope you will join us in welcoming Danna Ayres back to MSLF.

Danna is thrilled to be returning to MSLF to lead the re-opening of the Adolescent Program. She previously taught math and led students in the MSLF Adolescent Program from 2014 to 2017. Since then, she has been teaching math to elementary students and adolescents at Chicago Montessori. Danna has also been tutoring math for over 15 years, for students age 10 and up.

Danna holds a BA in History, with a concentration in History of Science and a minor in Philosophy from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She also has a Masters in Mathematics Education from DePaul University. While at MSLF, Danna completed the Montessori Orientation to Adolescent Studies, and she has continued her learning about Montessori mathematics in courses and workshops.

Danna shares her passion and vision for the MSLF AP:

“I have always loved both learning and teaching, and when I discovered the world of Montessori education, it was as though everything clicked into place. The idea that subject areas are integrated and interwoven, and that the development of the whole child is valued above isolated academic achievements resonated most with me.

At this stage of development, it is essential for students to move beyond simply gathering facts, and to really begin learning how to learn. My greatest hope in teaching any subject is that my students wouldn’t just know the material, but that they would love what they’re doing and find joy and excitement in the learning process.

To work with adolescents, one must truly love and understand that age group in order to establish an atmosphere based on mutual trust and respect. I have found that my personality, sense of humor, and ability to have fun while still being firm all help me to get along easily with adolescents, and provide them with an environment where they feel they are free to express themselves, to make mistakes without judgment, and to ask for help when they need it, whether it be academically or personally.

I cherish the personal connection with my students, the opportunity to work with families to help their children meet their goals and conquer their challenges, and the freedom to adapt my curriculum and teaching methods based on the needs of my students. I especially appreciate MSLF’s family-centered atmosphere and culture of respect and kindness. I believe this culture should also be central to the Adolescent Program, and will strive for that in my relationships with students, parents, and other teachers.”

Please join us in welcoming Danna back to MSLF!

 

More about Montessori Adolescent Programs and Curriculum

Dr. Maria Montessori believed adolescents should be given the opportunity to experience self-worth through real and important work—a process she called valorization – providing the opportunity for adolescents to realize they are strong, worthy, and capable of effort. A Montessori Adolescent Program strives to meet the adolescent’s need to exhibit creativity, to problem solve, to take responsibility, and to claim independence. The ultimate goal of the program is to support each student as they find a place in the community and become a respectful, responsible, and ethical contributor to society.

 

 

MSLF Retirement Announcement

January 29, 2025
Dear MSLF Community, After over 20 years of teaching Lower Elementary students at MSLF, Kathryn Jasinski has shared her plans to retire from teaching at the end of the current school year. There is no doubt about the impact Miss Jasinski has had on our school community during her long tenure here. Kathryn has been well known for her dedication to her students, to developing the whole child, and for her passion for Montessori education, always staying true to the core tenets of Montessori philosophy. Her legacy at MSLF will certainly live on in each of the students who have been lucky enough to have been in her class and in the many words of wisdom she has shared with her fellow colleagues, past and present. No doubt each one of her current or former students who receives a note from her in the mail instantly recognizes her perfect cursive writing and the thoughtful note inside. Kathryn’s care of her students extends well beyond their time in her classroom as she has kept in touch with dozens of her former students and has even welcomed some back to work alongside her as assistants. She has been a mentor to many, imparting her years of expertise on all those who have had the privilege of working with her. While we are sad to see her go, we know that she will enjoy her well-earned retirement, and we look forward to celebrating Kathryn’s legacy more this year. MSLF is pleased to announce that Laura Earls will be the new Lower Elementary lead teacher for the 2025-26 school year. Laura has been co-teaching in our Upper Elementary classroom since the beginning of the current school year. Laura Earls joined the MSLF team from Higher Ground Education where she was Regional Program Lead, working to elevate program quality in all Guidepost Montessori schools across the Chicago area. It was during this work that she realized how much she missed working directly with children in the Montessori classroom and decided to return to teaching. Laura received her BA in art history from the University of Dallas and completed graduate work at the University of Notre Dame. Soon after, Laura shifted her career to education and earned her AMI Elementary Montessori Certification (6-12 years old) at the Montessori Institute of Milwaukee. She then taught in an Elementary classroom at Forest Bluff School, and her classroom was profiled in Paula Polk Lillard’s book, Montessori Today. After moving to Wisconsin to raise her three children, Laura received her AMI Primary Montessori Certification (3-6 years old) at the Midwest Montessori Institute. After that, she worked as a Primary Directress and Director of Admissions at a Montessori school in Wisconsin, as Head of School of Forest Bluff School, and as Senior Head of School at Guidepost Montessori. Laura has three grown children who all experienced Montessori education themselves and are thriving in college and beyond. Laura has lived and studied in both Paris and Rome and is an accomplished pianist. Laura is excited to make the transition to the Lower Elementary classroom and looks forward to working closely with current and new Lower Elementary families next year. She also looks forward to meeting families in the Lower Elementary classroom during the Open House on February 5. With Laura transitioning to the Lower Elementary classroom following the current school year, MSLF will be conducting a search for a new co-teacher to work alongside Debbie Lincoln in the Upper Elementary classroom for the 2025-26 school year. We are thankful to Laura for all the support she has offered the Upper Elementary community this year. Please join me in wishing Kathryn a peaceful and fulfilling retirement and in welcoming Laura to the Lower Elementary community. Sincerely, Hope Allegretti Head of School - Executive Director Montessori School of Lake Forest

Montessori Assessments at MSLF

By Teresa Pavelich • January 8, 2025
An overview of how Montessori schools assess student progress and development
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