Community Montessori School

Community Montessori is housed in a quaint historic building in Olde West Chester, formerly The Discovery Center. 

The Discovery Center was established at this location as a Montessori school in 1982.  For almost 30 years, between these walls, many hundreds of children have received the gift of Maria Montessori's education methods.

Staff

Director/Lead Teacher is Jamie Minniear who has thirteen years teaching experience in both public and private schools.  She holds an Elementary Education degree from the University of Cincinnati as well as 3-6 Montessori Degree from the Greater Cincinnati Center for Montessori Education. 

Jamie is a strong advocate for children and their desire and thirst for learning.  She honors the foundational Montessori beliefs and has a heart for teaching parents about the wonderful philosophy of Maria Montessori.  Jamie will be teaching full time in both the AM and PM classes. 

Teachers:

Theresa Gartner has eight years teaching experience.  She holds a 3-6  Montessori Degree from the Greater Cincinnati Center for Montessori Education and an Early Childhood degree from Cincinnati State.  Theresa will be working full time in both the AM and PM classes.

Marsha Kelpe has over fifteen years teaching experience and holds an Early Childhood degree from Purdue University.  She holds a 3-6 Montessori teaching certificate from the North American Montessori Teachers' Association.  Marsha will be working part time in the AM class.

Julee Cifani holds an Elementary Education degree from the University of Toledo and a Masters Degree in Elementary Education/Language Arts from Bowling Green State University. She has fourteen years experience teaching in a traditional setting and four years substitute teaching experience in Montessori environments.  She is currently enrolled in the Greater Cincinnati Center for Montessori Education working towards her 3-6 Montessori Certificate.  Julee will be working part time in the PM class. 

What are parents saying?

"I have had the pleasure of knowing Jamie Minniear on both a personal and professional level for five years, including the year she was my youngest son's Kindergarten teacher.  She is truly a fantastic teacher, and her heart for teaching children is evident when you see her working with the students."