Teaching Children to Teach the World
Montessori Academy of the Upper Keys provides a warm, loving and educational environment for the children. The children and teachers share a vision of peace and respect. We work to achieve this peace by satisfying the unique needs of every child. We motivate and follow the lead of the child, promoting confidence and empowering them to become true assets to society.
Ms. Bridget
My name is Bridget Dangel. I am originally from Canada. My husband, David and I moved to the Keys is 1999. I worked for eight years at the Montessori Island Charter School and then for two years at the Montessori Island School. I have taught ages 3 through 9 and acted as the Assistant Principal during those years. I opened the Montessori Academy in 2009. I have a four-year-old daughter named Alice and a new daughter named Emma. I will be teaching in The Children’s House with Ms. Kris. I am very excited to be teaching your children this year!
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Ms. Kristina
Hello! My name is Kristina Koch. I moved to the Florida Keys from Maryland in 1993. I graduated from Coral Shore High School in 2007. Shortly after graduation I was hired on as Ms. Bridget's assistant. On the very first day, I knew this was what I wanted to do. Working with the children is such a rewarded experience. After two years of being Bridget's assistant, I was honored to accept the offer to move with her and help her to open the Montessori Academy. This will be my fifth year working with Bridget with many more years to come. This past June was very exciting month, I completed my Montessori Teacher training (2.5-6 years old) and shortly after, I welcomed my daughter Alexis into the world. This will be my third year working in the Toddler Community. I am very excited to be co-teaching with Ms. Jean this year.
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Ms. Kris
Aloha! I'm Kris Sullivan. I have a Bachelors degree in communications from West Virginia State University and a Masters degree, from Marshall University, in Journalism. I have my Early Childhood Montessori certification (from MTTI, Miami). I am a Florida certified teacher with my certificate in K--6. I have been teaching in the Montessori system for the past six years. I have a son,Greysen, who attends the Montessori Academy's infant program.
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Ms. Julia
Hello! My name is Julia O'Steen. I am starting my second school year at the Montessori Academy, and I am very excited to be a part of your children's education. This year I will be teaching french and art, and assisting all of our wonderful teachers at the school. I have worked with children for the last six years, and have enjoyed every minute of it! I speak fluent french, and have an A.S. Degree.My husband and I have been together for ten years, and we have two amazing girls, Emma is 8 years old, and Mia is almost 5. I am looking forward to being a part of such a fantastic team, and making a difference in your childrens lives.
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Ms. Jean
Hello to all! I am so happy to be joining Bridget and the staff here at the Montessori Academy of the Upper Keys. I relocated to Miami from St. Louis, MO in 1996. I met my husband in Miami and the rest is history. We have one son, 11 years old and I have two adult stepsons. I received my Montessori Infant Child Training in 2004 and was a directress for 4 years in the Toddler Room at a Montessori School in Miami. I then transitioned to the Public School System where I worked 5 years as a PreK/K Teacher in a Montessori Magnet. I am so thrilled to be back in the Montessori Environment and will be the Lead Teacher in the Toddler room this year. I am so looking forward to working wth your children this next school year.
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 Ms. Natalie
Welcome to Montessori Academy! My name is Natalie Amador and I live in Homestead. The Montessori Method is in my heart and blood as I have attended a Montessori school as a student from age 2 to 8th grade! I began working in an After-Care program at a Montessori school during high school and eventually worked in a preschool classroom as an assistant for almost 10 years. I was fortunate enough to experience other roles in different Montessori schools in Miami-Dade County as well. It was such a pleasure to meet Ms. Bridget in 2010, as she was my instructor for my Montessori certification training course for ages 2 1/2 to 6 and I fell in love with her charming school. Now, I will be the lead directress in the Infant House with Ms. Sharon. I hold an Assosicate degree from Miami-Dade College, specialized in Early Childhood and am going to begin the Montessori Infant and Toddler Training Course in 2011. I am looking forward to an amazing experience with great families and lovely children.
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Ms. Sharon
My name is Sharon Gardner. I am originally from North Carolina but grew up in a military family and travel all over the country. I am married and have two wonderful boys. My husband and I moved to the Keys in 2008 from Alabama where I was a full-time preschool aide teacher. After two years of course work at college, I worked 10 years managing front desks at hotels and resorts in North Carolina. I have always loved working with children and found the perfect fit within the Montessori environment. I am currently going to be working in the Infant House with Ms. Natalie and cannot wait to work with your amazing children.
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Ms. Gracie
Hola! My name is Gracie Kross. I was originally born in Miami and was raised in frigid arctic air of Connecticut. During my later adolescent years, I moved back to South Florida and met my wonderful husband Nick, who is an Active Duty Coast Guard Officer. In 2005, we moved to Key Largo due to our assignment transfer to Coast Guard Islamorada. Since then, Nick has transferred four times, and we still remain in the lovely little latitudes known as the Florida Keys. We have two children, Bella who is 8 and Nicholas who is 4. Both of our children have attended Montessori Academy of the Upper Keys and continue to interact with the school and its functions. This will be my second year as office manager at Montessori Academy and I look forward to seeing our returning students, families, and look forward to welcoming the new. I enjoy exercising, boating, traveling, cooking, sunbathing, and most of all, Dolphins Football Sundays!
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| No School on Monday September 6th No School on Monday September 6th |
| Montessori Academy opening covered in the Free Press "Montessori school to open in Key Largo" by Robert Slik
..."I spent nine years developing this idea," Dangel said while providing a tour of the school last week. "I wouldn't do it until it was absolutely perfect."... |
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School Calendar 2011-2012
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Mon - Aug 22
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Mon - Sep 5
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Mon - Oct 10
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Fri - Nov 11
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Wed - Nov 23
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Thu - Nov 24
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Fri - Nov 25
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Fri - Dec 23
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Mon - Jan 9
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Mon - Jan 16
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Mon - Feb 20
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Mon - Mar 19
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Mon - Mar 26
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Mon - Apr 2
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Mon - May 28
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Fri - Jun 1
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