Meet the Staff
Director
Office Manager
Upstairs Class
Junior Class
Outside class
Downstairs class
- Amy Duzan
- Printiss Henry
Toddler Class
Auxiliary Staff
- Brittany Green
- Steven McRae
- Mary Dodson
- Mary Katherine Hall
Teacher Details
Nancy Scott
Nancy Scott, Director, was introduced to Montessori during high school when her parents were involved in starting Little Rock Montessori School, and Arkansas Montessori Society. Dr. Wilkinson, her father, was Chairman of the Board. After pursuing a music major, she was captivated by the opportunities for joyful learning in Montessori, and she received her early childhood degree from the Association Montessori Internationale in Atlanta, studying under Mario Montessori and Margaret Stephenson. She returned to Arkansas and opened the North Little Rock Montessori School in 1969. In 1973, she and her husband, Dr. Whit Hall, began Children’s House with fourteen tiny students. Nancy’s six children attended Montessori through their elementary years. Nancy currently directs the Upstairs Class.
Sheila Patterson
Sheila Patterson, the office manager, has been with Children House for twenty-three years. Before coming to Little Rock, with her husband, she worked at a public school in Montrose Scotland. Sheila’s two daughters, Lynne a registered nurse and Fiona a research assistant in Pennsylvania, were educated at Children’s House. Her grandchildren currently attend the school.
Sheila Atwood Kuonen
Sheila Atwood Kuonen has been associated with CHMS since January of 1984 when she began teaching Creative Energies. She received Montessori certification, birth to sixth grade, from St. Nicholas Training Centre for the Montessori Method of Education in London, England. She has trained in Memphis, Tenn., Houston, Texas and Maitland, Fla. Sheila also holds an Early Childhood Education degree from Little Rock University as well as an Arkansas teaching certificate. She brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to CHMS.
Amy Duzan
Amy Duzan has been teaching at CHMS for three years. Amy decided to become a Montessori educator after working with her mother-in-law on a summer break from Hendrix College. She was inspired by the Montessori philosophy. She holds a degree in psychology with a minor in anthropology as well as Infant/Toddler Certification from North American Montessori Center. Her three children, Jack, Henry and Ruby, attend CHMS. She is the lead teacher in the Downstairs Class.
Jasmine Nathani
Jasmine Nathani comes to us from Orlando, Fla., where she was teaching in a Montessori environment. Jasmine has had extensive Montessori training, completing 3-6 AMI in Hyderabad, India, and 6-12 AMI training in Milwaukee, Wis. She speaks both English and Hindi. She teaches in the Outside Class in the morning and works with the Juniors Class in the afternoon.
Lonnie Smith
Lonnie Smith has been teaching at CHMS since 1988. After serving as a PE teacher, he discovered Montessori and felt compelled to become a trained Montessori educator. He has worked with Nancy Scott, the director of CHMS, for 28 years. He works with the primary-aged students in the Outside Class along with Courtney White. Lonnie brings a love of children, along with more than 28 years experience as an educator, to CHMS.
Dede Lowe
Dede Lowe has worked at CHMS for almost two years. She came to CHMS because she was inspired by the Montessori method, she knew several people here and was able to bring her two children, Jack and Audrey, with her. Dede holds a bachelor of arts in psychology and sociology. She teaches in the Toddler Class with Amy Duzan and Pearl Rodgers.
Courtney White
Courtney White has been teaching at CHMS for a year and a half. Her mother taught at CHMS for 14 years. Courtney was able to work with her while in high school. She attended school here through early elementary. She wanted to be a Montessori educator because she loved the environment and was inspired by teacher mentors as well as her mother. Courtney obtained Practical Life, Sensorial and Art training in Knoxville, Tenn., at Montessori Educators International. She currently teaches in the Outside Class.
Pearl Rodgers
Pearl Rodgers has been working at CHMS for six months. She is currently obtaining Infant/Toddler Certification from NAMC. She attended a Montessori school in Winslow, Ark., at the age of 4, for one year. Pearl’s son, Henry, is a student in the Upstairs Class. She assists Amy in the Toddler Class.
Beverly Corbie
Beverly Corbie has worked at CHMS for 16 years. She became involved with Montessori because “she always felt called” to work with children. For a number of years, Beverly worked at the Montessori Co-op, which was run by a group of parents in downtown Little Rock. Beverly has received professional development and training at Clear Lake Montessori School in Houston, Texas. She assists Nancy Scott in the Upstairs Class.
Fannie Harper
Fannie Harper has worked at CHMS for 10 years. After observing the work cycle of the students and the environment in which they were learning, she fell in love with the Montessori method and had to be a part of it. Fannie brings a deep love of working with the students. She assists Nancy in the Upstairs Class.
Steven McRae
Steven McRae is beginning his third year at CHMS. He became involved with Children’s House through his sister who, at one point, taught in the Outside Class. Steven is in the process of obtaining degrees in political science and radio, TV and film. He works after school in the Outside Class.
Brittany Green
Brittany Green has worked at Children’s House for a little more than two years. Brittany came to CHMS because her sister worked here and shared such great things about it. She is currently obtaining her Master of Health Education degree. Brittany works in the Downstairs Class with Annick O’Bryant.