Our Staff
Evergreen Montessori Academy has high expectations of our staff. We ask that all lead teachers hold a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree and that they hold Montessori teacher certification for their specific age grouping from a MACTE accredited teacher training program. For those teachers who are in the process of completing their Montessori certification, we ask that they complete all requirements within three years. Because this specialized training is not only a financial sacrifice but also intensely time-consuming and rigorous, our staff exemplify commitment and professionalism to our educational philosophy. We select teachers based on their ability to observe the children, connect with them intuitively, and tailor each lesson to the unique students in their classrooms. Our teachers are always looking for new ways to make their classroom and curriculum more inviting and interesting to the children. We are creative so that the children enjoy the work and the teachers remain challenged and engaged as well. Even though many of our lessons are repeated year after year, there are always new ways of approaching the same lessons.
Ms. Amy Van Vliet, School Director
Nearly ten years ago, Ms. Amy Van Vliet was introduced to the Montessori approach to education. After spending a number of years working in the corporate world, she began to study the Montessori Method and found an insatiable interest in the philosophy. Here was a method that provided a hands-on, individualized approach where children could seek their own personal potential and teachers could be facilitators in a natural & creative learning process. Ms. Amy graduated from Trinity University in Washington, D.C. with a degree in Psychology and Sociology. She completed her Montessori teacher training at the Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies in Silver Spring, MD where she was certified by the American Montessori Society (AMS) as a lead elementary teacher. She taught in the Washington, D.C. area before moving back to Utah to be near family & friends. Amy acted as lead elementary teacher at the Ogden Valley Montessori School for three years before opening Evergreen Montessori Academy in 2006. Amy's passion for the Montessori approach as well as her desire to provide a comprehensive, high-quality Montessori program for children through 6th grade prompted her to open Evergreen. Ms. Amy is grateful for the opportunity to work every day with the children and staff of Evergreen.
Ms. Sally Gruber, Lead Teacher, Toddler Program
We are happy to introduce Ms. Sally Gruber as our lead Toddler teacher. Ms. Sally was born and raised in South Africa and graduated from Northeastern College in New Jersey with a major in Psychology & Counseling and a minor in Education. She has worked for the past ten years as an educator for children with special needs. Her experience as both an educator and mother of two (nearly grown) children, as well as her life-long pursuit of excellence, growth, and loving care for others make her such a beautiful part of our Toddler classroom and school. Ms. Sally is constantly looking for ways to enhance the experience of her little students and brings such warmth, dedication, and professionalism to her classroom. In the short amount of time she has been here, she has proven herself to be an integral part of our community. We are truly grateful to have her with us!
Ms. Chelsea Tracy, Lead Teacher, Early Childhood Program
We are pleased to announce Ms. Chelsea Tracy as Lead Teacher in our Early Childhood program. Having previously worked closely with Ms. Amy in our Lower Elementary program, Ms. Chelsea has proven to be an excellent teacher and mentor to the children she has worked with. Many of our younger children and parents also had the opportunity to get to know Ms. Chelsea over the summer as she co-directed all of our summer programs this past year. We are very excited to have her leading our Early Childhood program each day as she brings such positive energy, enthusiasm, and sincere desire to connect with and inspire the children in her classroom. Ms. Chelsea received her Bachelor of Science degree from Weber State University and has worked in a diversity of roles both in and out of the education field. We are very excited for her to bring her natural teaching ability, creativity and passion for education to our Early Childhood program.
Ms. Angela Choberka, Lead Teacher, Elementary Program
Ms. Angela Choberka comes to Evergreen from Weber State University where she currently serves as an Adjunct Professor in the English Department. She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree from New School University and her Lower Elementary Montessori training from The Institute for Guided Studies in SLC. She is currently receiving additional training through the prestigious teacher training program at the Houston Montessori Center. Ms. Angela will be receiving her Master’s Degree in December 2010 from Weber State University. Ms. Angela has extensive experience in the field of education having worked in various administrative roles at the university level and as a middle school teacher in Brooklyn, NY. She fell in love with the Montessori Method when her daughter began attending a Montessori school years ago. She was an active parent and volunteer before joining EMA as the Upper Elementary lead teacher in 2006. Ms. Angela’s curiosity, love of learning, and high standards keep her students challenged and engaged, while her sincere ability to see children’s potential and to empower them to find it for themselves make her an incredible asset to our elementary program.