Meet the TRMS Staff!

Lauren Shewman, Administrative Assistant: Last winter marked Lauren's third year here at TRMS. Four years ago Lauren made a career transition from culinary arts into the business community and is wrapping up a BA in Marketing.

Jodie Zehner: Jodie received her Associate Infant & Toddler Credential through MECA - Seton in Chicago. This will be her sixth year of teaching in the toddler environment. She enjoys working with the toddlers, especially watching how much they grow and change in their first three years of life. When she is not at school, you can find her reading, horseback riding, sewing and knitting.

Alicia Purdy: This is Ms. Alicia’s fifth year at TRMS and her 3rd year as a Lead teacher in the Toddler Room. She is certified as an Infant and Toddler Teacher from MECA in Chicago. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a minor in Sociology from Indiana University-Bloomington. Working with children fills Alicia's soul and brings joy to her life. She believes watching them learn, develop and become independent is a wonderful thing to experience. Each day brings a new opportunity for the children to show her a new way of thinking in the world they see.
In her spare time, Alicia enjoys spending time with friends and family, practicing Yoga & Pilates, traveling, painting, reading, trying to golf, attending concerts, musicals & plays, and cooking. She recently celebrated her first wedding anniversary with her husband, Jason. They are excited to have purchased their first home. They are looking forward to starting a family, but for now enjoy playing with their German Shepherd/Beagle, Bella.

Lisa Huntzinger: Lisa is joining us for her third year at TRMS. Lisa is from Iowa where she received her Associates of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education. She then completed her infant/toddler Montessori training from the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies in Boulder, Colorado. She comes to us from Oak Farm where she was a lead teacher in the toddler classroom for 5 years. She is assisting in the toddler classroom and says she is "Very happy to be returning to such a loving family-centered school".

Linda Babb: Linda Babb has been affiliated with TRMS since her daughter was 3 years old. She started as an employee the following year when her son was two and started in the toddler class. She completed her assistants training through ADMTEI, in Michigan; and her 3-6 teachers training through Montessori Teachers Academy/IUSB. She enjoys books, art, music, gardening, and anything to do with the natural world. She and her husband Kevin have an eleven year old sheltie named Sonny, a cat named Tiger, a turtle named Marco Polo, and two goldfish whose names change often. Their daughter Alyssa is now 15 years old and a freshman at South Side High School, and their son Ethan is now 13 years old and in seventh grade at Memorial Park Middle School.

Laura Hayden: Laura Hayden is a Primary teacher and has worked at TRMS for many years. She is Montessori certified to teach children from birth-6 years. Laura is happily married to husband Chris and has a son Jake who is a junior this year!

Linda Vandemark: This is Linda's 2nd year as the teaching assistant in Ms. Laura's 3-6 classroom, she has been with TRMS for 3 years overall. Linda is teh mother of three adult children and the grandmother of two girls. In Linda's spare time she sells Avon, enjoys cooking, watching the Colts and IU basketball.

Melissa Antonios: This is Melissa's second year at TRMS. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from IPFW in 2007. Melissa went to Montessori training in Houston this past summer and is now an intern in the Elementary classroom. She has two daughters who are also at TRMS; Amber is in first grade and Megan is in Ms. Linda’s Primary class. Melissa enjoys spending time with her children and husband, Bryan. They all love participating in a weekly family game night on Tuesdays.

Paula Thompson: This is Paula's 18th year at TRMS! Paula and her husband Michael have two sons, two daughter-in-laws named Jennifer and five wonderful grandchildren who live in Indianapolis and Virginia. When shes not working, you will find Paula cooking or reading.

Veronique Carini: Hola! Although Veronique is a native of France, she is fluent in Spanish after studying in Mexico City. She asnd her husband, Andrew, have two daughters, Marina and Julia, who are both TRMS alumni. Veronique loves to garden, cook, and read. She enjoys the arts and works hard to keep up with what is happening in three countries (France, Mexico and the United States). Not always easy!

Janna Richardson: This begins Janna's fourth year at TRMS. Her son, Nick, is the reason she is a Montessorian. When she enrolled him in a small Montessori School in Seminole, Florida it completely changed her family's lives. Janna has a B.S. in Elementary Education (K-6th grade) from Indiana University and after Nick's positive experience in the Montessori classroom, Janna went back for her Montessori certification. She holds a Montessori primary certification (3-6) from Adrian Dominican Teacher Training Program in Adrian, Michigan. She also has 118 hours toward her Lower Elementary Certification from Houston Montessori Center in Houston, TX. Teaching Montessori for over 16 years has given Janna the opportunity to be the Head Directress in Seminole, Florida and Grand Rapids, Michigan. Since the death of her husband three years ago, Janna spends time with her two adult children, Christina and Nick.

Three Rivers Montessori School

2315 Long Road
New Haven, IN 46774

ph. 260.493.3114
fax 260.493.9089

Staff and Board