Meet The Staff

Toddler

Teacher: Kelly Banner

Years at Montessori Country Day School: 3
Years as an Educator: 4
Education: Bachelor of General Studies from TWU
Experience: 4 years teaching experience
Family: Married, mother of 3 children ages 8, 6 and 1
Enjoys: Hiking, biking, stand up paddle boarding, I love to be outside and exploring nature with my kids, I also enjoy spending time with friends, movies, and shopping

Teacher: Rebecca Carroll

Years at Montessori Country Day School: 3
Years as an Educator: 10
Education: BA from Austin College, Master of Arts in Teaching from Texas Woman’s University, Montessori Certification from Collin County Community College
Experience: 10 years experience working with children
Family: 2 sons, both attend MCDS, married since 2008
Enjoys: Watching my son play baseball

Teacher: Hannah Ferris

Years at Montessori Country Day School: 1st year
Years as an Educator: 2
Education: Montessori Certification Program, Collin County Community College
Experience: 2 years of Montessori teaching experience, finished studies to become a certified Montessori teacher and is currently completing observation hours at MCDS and other schools to receive Montessori certification
Enjoys: Spending time with family, especially her two nephews, hiking and exploring nature, a good book, and traveling

Teacher: Kelly Cannon

Teacher: Anne Orcutt

Years at Montessori Country Day School: 4
Years as an Educator: 22
Education: BA Communications, University of Alabama, Major in Advertising, Minor in Marketing, Montessori Certification
Experience: 22 years of Montessori teaching experience
Family: Married 34 years, mother of 2 children ages 30 and 27, 2 grandchildren
Enjoys: Travel, jogging, cooking, Alabama Football (Roll Tide)

Teacher: Manisha Shah

Years at Montessori Country Day School: 4
Years as an Educator: 24
Education: Bachelor of Science (Microbiology) from Bhavnagar University, India, Pre-Primary Teacher's Training (India), Montessori Certification
Experience: 24 years teaching experience
Family: Married 35 years, Mother of a daughter age 30
Enjoys: Spending time with family and friends, travelling all around the world, reading, and cooking

Teacher: Anisa Virani

Years at Montessori Country Day School: 1st year
Years as an Educator: 15
Education: Bachelors from UNT, Texas Teaching Certification (Early Childhood-4th grade), Montessori Certification
Experience: 15 years of teaching experience, Bilingual.
Family: Married for 17 years
Enjoys: I enjoy spending time with my family, especially taking vacations, I love reading books with my boys and helping them with projects, organizing, decorating my classroom and home, creating work, DIY projects, relaxing, and spending time with my friends

Teacher: Kim Smith

Years at Montessori Country Day School: 3
Years as an Educator: 21
Education: BBA from UNT, Texas Teaching Certification (Early Childhood – 4th grade), Montessori Certification
Experience: 21 years teaching experience
Family: Married 29 years, Mother of 2 boys ages 21 and 23
Enjoys: Spending time with family and friends, Texas Rangers, Cowboys, Frisco Roughriders, outdoor activities, DIY Projects, loves the beach

Director: Rachel Ames

Years at Montessori Country Day School: 2
Years as an Educator: 16
Education: Received AMI Montessori Diploma for ages 3-6 year olds in 2007
Experience: Started working in Montessori Schools in 2003, Worked with many age groups (toddler, primary and elementary), 6 years experience as a Montessori School Director
Family: Married 11 years, Mother of a 10 year old son
Enjoys: Running and exercise, traveling, hiking, camping, and spending time with family

Director: Leslie Jenkins

Years at Montessori Country Day School: 2
Years as an Educator: 13
Education: Attended University of Texas at Dallas for childhood learning and development
Experience: Worked in the Montessori environment for 13 years, hands on in the classroom for 4 years, and in managerial positions for 9 years
Family: Married, live in Bartonville with our family of 5
Enjoys: Spending time with family, organizing and decorating, being outdoors

Owner: Bill Vesterman

Years at Montessori Country Day School: 13
Years as an Educator: 14
Education: BA Economics, Harvard
Experience: Education experience includes K-12 Administration and Montessori training, business experience includes Wall Street firms, international firms (Hong Kong), Fortune 50 firms, small businesses, military experience includes 2 tours in Iraq with US Marine Corps Infantry
Family: Married for 11 years
Enjoys: Spending time with family, friends, Veterans, runners, triathletes, and watching movies

Owner: Lisa Vesterman

Years at Montessori Country Day School: 11
Years as an Educator: 11
Education: BA in Communications from San Diego State University, Studied Montessori Education
Experience: Current Residential Real Estate Agent, worked in the Real Estate Industry for 30 years
Family: Married 11 years
Enjoys: Cooking, gardening, horseback riding and DIY projects, love spending time with family and friends, especially if it involves the beach or water sports