Our Staff

Nanci Olesen | Director | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
I have a B.A. in Theatre from Gustavus Adolphus College, the AMI Montessori Primary Diploma, and an M.Ed from Loyola University Maryland. After a year in Children’s House 4 and as the Parent Resource Center coordinator, I’m excited to bring my skills and my love of Mayflower to the role of director of the school.  My husband and I have raised three Montessori children. Before I began my work in Montessori education I worked in public radio, primarily reporting on issues related to parenthood. I've lived in the Kingfield neighborhood for 30 years.

Margaret Shreves | Business Manager | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
I have a B.A. in Business Administration, an M.B.A., a Master’s in Education, and the AMI Montessori Primary Diploma.  I am delighted to continue on at Mayflower ECC as the Business Manager – what a lively and wonderful community of families!  Prior to working in schools, I enjoyed a career in banking and finance, and several years as a stay-at-home parent. My youngest daughter went to a local Montessori school which inspired me to go back to school for the Montessori Primary Diploma and finish my M.Ed. in Montessori education.  I’m married with 3 daughters and 3 grandchildren, and enjoy music, golfing and walking around Lake Harriet.

Leah Popova | Parent Outreach Coordinator | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
I have a B.S. degree in English Literature from the University of WI-River Falls, the AMI Primary Montessori Diploma, and an M.Ed from Loyola University.  After 8 years of invaluable experience as a Children's House Lead Guide at Children\'s Workshop Montessori, I took last year off to explore other paths of involvement in the Montessori community-some of which included substituting, leading workshops, facilitating mentorship meetings, and coaching new teachers.  I am excited to continue this exploration as Mayflower's Parent Outreach Coordinator starting this fall. I recently got married and live with my husband in St. Louis Park. 

Dagmar Hoebertz | Lead Teacher, Children’s House 1 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
I grew up in the Western part of Germany and earned my Masters degree in Elementary Education at the University of Cologne. Since 2003 our family has lived in Minnesota. First I taught German to children and adults at the Germanic American Institute. Through my own children I got interested in Montessori education and took the Montessori Primary Training for children ages 3-6 in St. Paul. After leading a Children’s House at Cornerstone Montessori School in St. Paul for three years, I took the opportunity to open Mayflower’s Children’s House 1 last year. I am excited to move to a 4 day program this year. I live in Lino Lakes with my husband, three sons, and our puppy! I am excited for my second year at Mayflower! 

Tymber Anderson | Assistant, Children’s House 1 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
I grew up on the shores of Lake Superior in northern Wisconsin, where I still enjoy spending time canoeing, hiking, and camping.  I lived and worked abroad from 2002 to 2010, spending five years working as a preschool teacher in Munich, Germany.  In May 2011, I graduated from the Montessori Training Center of Minnesota with an AMI Primary Diploma and am a current student at Metropolitan State University.  I live in Saint Paul’s beautiful Cathedral Hill neighborhood with my husband.  This is my second year as a Children’s House assistant at MECC.  In my free time I like to garden, juggle and indulge in doing crafts and making thrifty homemade wonders.

Erin Haapala | Lead Teacher, Children’s House 2 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
I am the lead teacher in Children's House 2 and very proud to say that I helped to grow Mayflower's Montessori program when it all began in 2009.  I have my Masters in Education (Loyola University/Maryland) and received my Montessori AMI Primary Diploma in 2009. Before my Montessori career began I graduated from the University of Minnesota with degrees in Anthropology and Archaeology. One of my favorite things about being a Montessori teacher is getting to see how and in what ways all these very different children develop into independent, life long learners.  And I get to dust off the old sewing machine every once  in a while!

Kathy Reynaud | Assistant, Children’s House 2 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
After studying psychology in the Auvergne region of France where I am from, I worked as a French assistant in two different schools in Minneapolis.  My second experience was at a Lake Country School (Montessori school in South Minneapolis), which deepened my desire to work with young children in a Montessori environment.   I just received my AMI primary certification at the Montessori Training Center of Minnesota  in May 2012 and I am very excited to start my career at Mayflower as the Teacher's assistant in CH2.

Molly Petracca | Lead Teacher, Children’s House 3 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
My first Montessori experience was as a preschooler myself in a small school in St. Paul. I became very passionate about everything related to children and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a B.A. in Early Childhood Education. From there I have done various things such as work for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Minneapolis, teach English in France, and assist in a a Montessori classroom. I now have the AMI Montessori Primary Diploma for children 3-6 years of age and I am very excited to be the lead guide in CH3 in September 2012. I live in Minneapolis with my husband and our two cats: Kuro and Shiro. In my free time I love kayaking, practicing yoga, and collecting rocks on hikes. 

Tom Bird | Assistant, Children’s House 3 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
I have a BA in Global Studies and Spanish/Portuguese Studies from the University of Minnesota and I've completed the AMI Assistant Training. I look forward to helping provide a safe and stimulating learning environment for the children of Children's House 3 this year. I grew up in Southwest Minneapolis, where I spent summers working at Southwest Community Education and Children's Workshop Montessori in Plymouth. I've also volunteered as an English teacher in China and Brazil.

Katy Hunt | Lead Teacher, Children’s House 4 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
I started out going to Montessori School at my mom's school in Forest Lake.  I grew up in Scandia and eventually left MN after two years at the University of MN.  I continued my education in various places along the west coast and finished my undergrad with a B.S. in Herbal Sciences in Seattle.  I received the Montessori AMI Primary Diploma in May of 2010 and since then have coordinated several Montessori programs and have substituted in local schools.  Children have always been the highlight of my life, from helping out at my mom's school to being a nanny or simply caring for children in their home.  I had a lovely year at Mayflower last year as the Children's House 4 Assistant and I know this year will be just as rewarding!  I look forward to growing together! 

Elara Willett | Administrative Assistant, After Care Assistant | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
I have a BA from Oberlin College in mathematics and computer science and an AMI Primary diploma from the Montessori Training Center of Minnesota. I am currently pursuing a M.Ed. in Montessori Education from Loyola University Maryland. I have worked in Minneapolis as a software developer and as an assistant in the extended care program at Lake Country School. I look forward to spending every day with the most inspiring and joyful of people: children. I live in Minneapolis with my husband and our most adorable dog. 

Kelli Michel | AfterCare Coordinator | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
I'm incredibly passionate about learning, and have been in pursuit of a medley of interests ranging from my degree in Interior Design, vocal training in Opera Performance at the UNI, as well as Early Childhood Arts coursework at the University of Iowa.  For several years, I thoroughly enjoyed acting, and writing at various community theatres in Iowa.  Once I started teaching drama to youths in 2007, I knew education was where I belonged.  In 2010, I made the decision to leave the state of Iowa for Minnesota to earn the A.M.I. Primary diploma at the Montessori Training Center of Minnesota.  I began my Montessori journey as the Extended Day Coordinator at Cathedral Hill in 2011.  I look forward to being a part of the Mayflower community!

Emma Jo Lackie | Nap Room Coordinator | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
I have been a member of Mayflower Church for 30 years and involved with the various children's programs at the church for over 25 years, both as an instructor and as an assistant. Last year I completed the AMI Children's House Assistants Course. This year I will serve as the nap room coordinator and an afternoon aide. I love working with children! My husband and I live in Richfield with our over demanding cat.

Tamira Omer | Aide | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
I have lived in Minneapolis for four years. I graduated from Roosevelt High School in 2011.  This is my first time working with children at a school, but I grew up with my grandma in Ethiopia. When my grandma died, I moved back with my mom.  Here in the United States I have helped care for my cousins, ages 1-5 years old!  I love being with the children at Mayflower Early Childhood Center and being close with the children!

Zara Idris | Aide 
I am from Ethiopia but I have lived in the United States for 22 years.  In Seattle I worked for 9 years as a homecare aide and as a daycare provider.  I was a nanny for 7 years.  I have lived in Minneapolis for 4 years.  I have 3 boys, ages 27, 20, and 17.  In my family of origin, I am one of 11 children, so I am very comfortable with children and families.  I love children and I love working with them!  I am the bathroom aide to all classrooms at Mayflower, and I also clean the classrooms and do all the dishes.