Selecting caring and qualified staff is important to us.  We carefully interview each potential teacher, check their references and conduct a background study.  All of our staff are experienced with children and genuinely love to work with them.  We work together as a team, and all of our staff are "cross-trained" to be knowledgeable and comfortable with all age groups.  Because our goal is to maintain a warm, home-like environment, the children have the opportunity to get to know all of the teachers and relationships are cultivated and nurtured throughout the child's attendance at All Stars Montessori.  Our staff is versatile and flexible and always ready to adjust with us as we grow and hire new staff.  We know that what makes a successful school and happy, well-adjusted children are happy teachers who enjoy coming to school each day to educate and care for your children.
 
Our staff obtains continued training in areas such as CPR, First Aid, Shaken Baby Syndrome and SIDS as well as various training in Montessori education and other child development areas. 
 
INTRODUCING OUR STAFF...

Tracy Magnuson

Ms. Tracy is one of the owners of All Stars Montessori.  She received her Montessori degree from St. Catherines and has been teaching preschool Montessori for nearly 20 years.  She is the lead teacher of the Preschool Montessori program.  Tracy has two sons and a daughter of her own and lives with her family in Apple Valley. 


Denise Muir

Ms. Denise is the other owner of the school.  She and Ms. Tracy worked alongside one another at another Montessori school before deciding to open the in-home.  She has her Montessori certificate with a specialization in infants and toddlers, as well as a background in the medical field.  She is the lead teacher of the Infant Program.  Denise has three sons of her own and lives with her family in Rosemount. 


Erika Owens

Ms. Erika is the school's Director and has been with All Stars Montessori since it opened (and before).  She has a background in both child care and administration.   She and Ms. Tracy have been close friends since they were young.  Erika has three sons of her own and lives with her family in Rosemount.


Deb Miller

Ms. Deb is one of our Preschool Assistant teachers.  She has been with All Stars since it began in Denise's home in 2004.  She also worked with Ms. Denise and Ms. Tracy in the past at other schools.  She is part of Ms. Tracy's extended family, too.  Ms. Deb has two grown daughters and four grandchildren.  She lives with her husband in Northfield.


Alli Gormley

Ms. Alli is one of the teachers in the older toddler room.  She has also been with All Stars since it began in the home.  (And, she's Ms. Denise's niece.)  She is currently finishing school to receive her Montessori certification with a specialization in Infant and Toddler.  Ms. Alli lives with her family in Richfield.


Kieya Ballard-Tyler

Ms. Kieya has been with All Stars since September 2007 (just after we opened).  She has worked with the toddler age groups the entire time and now works alongside Ms. Alli with the older toddlers.  She is currently completing classes for her Early Childhood Education certificate.  Her past experience in child care includes nannying as well as working in another child care center.  Ms. Kieya has two young sons and lives with her family in Eagan.


Carolyn Finken

Ms. Carolyn joined All Stars in January in 2008 when we expanded our Preschool Program to two rooms.  She is the lead teacher in "Preschool 2" where the children will add to their Montessori learning with:  arts & crafts, music & movement, fine motor skill development and much more!  Ms. Carolyn has two grown daughters and two grand daughters.  She lives in Eagan.


Sky Linde

Ms. Sky has been with All Stars since April of 2008 while still attending high school at the School of Environmental Studies in Apple Valley.  She graduated in 2009 and is currently attending Inver Hills Community College studying her generals.  Ms. Sky is a beg help in all of the age groups.  She lives with her family in Apple Valley.


Maudi Mitchell

Ms. Maudi has been with All Stars since December 2008.  She has been a big help in all of the age groups.  She gained her experience in child care through working for a substituting service.  Ms. Maudi has a young daughter of her own and lives with her family in Shakopee.


Kate Papaqui

Ms. Kate joined All Stars in March of 2009 as our preschool program continued to expand.  She works alongside Ms. Tracy in the Preschool Montessori classroom.  She has her degree in Child Development and has been working in Montessori for over ten years.  She and Ms. Tracy co-taught years ago and are happy to be reunited.  Ms. Kate has two daughters of her own and lives with her family in Burnsville.


Heather Grafstrom

Ms. Heather joined All Stars in September 2009 as Ms. Denise's co-teacher in the infant room.  She has known Ms. Tracy all of her life and her own son has attended All Stars since an infant at the in-home.  (She is also Ms. Erika's sister.)  She has worked in child care in the past and has loved babies for as long as she can remember.  Ms. Heather has one son of her own and lives with her family in Farmington.


Deanna Borbor

Ms. Deanna also began as a substitute in October 2009 and quickly became a permanent "floater" as well - helping out with all age groups.   She worked alongside Ms. Kate at another Montessori school in the past.  Ms. Deanna has a son and a daughter of her own and lives with her family in Rosemount.


Jessica Myhre

Ms. Jessica joined All Stars in February 2010.  She usually works with the preschool and older toddler groups in the morning.  She has a lot of experience in child care and has taken education classes.  Ms. Jessica lives with her fiance and her two sons in Savage.


Brittany Neuman

Ms. Brittany joined All Stars in February 2010.  She works with the older toddler group alongside Ms. Alli & Ms. Kieya.   She loves to keep the toddlers smiling and she keeps smiling right along with them.  Ms. Brittany lives in Wisconsin with her son.


Brianna Luebner

Ms. Brianna joined All Stars in  March 2010.  She is currently a senior at Eastview Highschool.  After taking Child Development courses and working in various preschool settings, Brianna determined it's what she loves to do.  She lives in Apple Valley with her family while she finishes school then she will be off to college at Mankato State University.


Kirsten Countryman

Ms. Kirsten joined All Stars in June 2010.  She received her Early Childhood degree from Dakota County Technical college and gained her experience while working at Berean Preschool in Burnsville.  She live in Lakeville with her family.


Samantha Marhula

Ms. Samantha joined All Stars in the spring of 2009.  She currently works as a substitute in all age groups.  Samantha lives in Rosemount with her husband, daughter and son.


Jann Hillenbrand

Ms. Jann joined All Stars in July 2009 and is currently a substitute.  She has had her own in-home daycare as well as caring for many foster children.  Ms. Jann has five daughters of her own and lives with her family in Apple Valley.



 
Tracy and Denise strongly desire to keep staff turnover to a minimum and will do all they can to ensure that children and parents continue to see the familiar faces they've grown to love.