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. Catherine's 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 and she also works alongside Ms. Kim with preschoolers.  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 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 works with the Older infant age group as well as the school agers.  Ms. Deb has two grown daughters and four grandchildren.  She lives with her husband in Northfield.


Kieya Ballard-Tyler

Ms. Kieya has been with All Stars since September 2007 (just after we opened).  She has worked with the older infant age group and the school agers and now works alongside Ms. Brittany with the 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 sons and a daughter.  She lives with her family in Burnsville.


Carolyn Finken

Ms. Carolyn joined All Stars in January in 2008 when we expanded our Preschool Program to two rooms.  She works with the preschool age group.  She has many years experience working with children.  Ms. Carolyn has two grown daughters and two grand daughters.  She lives in Eagan.


Kate Papaqui

Ms. Kate joined All Stars in March of 2009.  She works alongside Ms. Deanna, Ms. Jessica, and Ms. Deb in the Older Infant classroom.  She has her degree in Child Development and has been working in Montessori for over ten years.  She taught with Ms. Tracy and a Montessori school in the past.  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 joined All Stars in October 2009.   She worked alongside Ms. Kate at another Montessori school in the past and they are happy to be reunited in the Older Infant room.  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 has previously worked with the preschoolers and has a lot of experience in child care and has taken education classes. Ms. Jessica will work alongside Ms. Kate, Ms. Deanna, and Ms. Deb in the Older infant classroom. Ms. Jessica has two sons and a daughter.  She lives with her family in Burnsville.


Brittany Neuman

Ms. Brittany joined All Stars in February 2010.  She works with the toddlers alongside 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.


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 is currently working towards completion of her Montessori Certificate.  Ms. Kirsten works with the preschool age group as well as the school agers.  She lives in Lakeville with her family. 


Collette Ilinkovich

Ms. Collette joined All Stars in December 2010.  She has lots of experience with children and loves working with them.  Ms. Collette works with the infants and preschoolers and lives in Savage.


Lynnsey Carlsen

Ms. Lynnsey joined All Stars in March of 2011.  She works with the preschoolers and has over five years experience working with children.  She has received her National CDA Credentials.  Ms. Lynnsey lives in Apple Valley with her husband.

Hannah Crookes

Ms. Hannah joined All Stars in the Summer of 2010.  She works afternoons with the preschoolers.  Hannah is currently a Senior at the School of Environmental Studies in Apple Valley.


Jordan Augustin

Ms. Jordan joined All Stars in January of 2011.  She works afternoons with the preschoolers.  Jordan is currently a Senior at Eastview High School in Apple Valley.


Samantha Marhula

Ms. Samantha joined All Stars in the Spring of 2009.  She previously worked as a substitute in all age groups and will be joining Ms. Carolyn in the preschool age classroom.  Ms. Samantha has a son and a daughter and lives in Rosemount with her family.


Jessica Behm

Ms. Jessica joined All Stars in March 2011. She has worked with the preschool and infant classrooms, her past experience in child care includes long-term nannying. Ms. Jessica has a Bachelors degree in Marketing and is almost finished with her Masters degree in Project Management. Ms. Jessica will be assisting Ms. Erika in the office as well as spending time in the infant, preschool, and school-age rooms. Ms. Jessica lives in Eagan with her fiance.


Kim Vinje

Ms. Kim joined All Stars in November 2011. She has been working with children for over 10 years.  She has her Child Care Specialist certificate and Child Development Associate credentials. Ms. Kim will work with Ms. Denise in the preschool  age classroom. She lives in Rosemount with her husband and her dog. She has two grown children.


Michele Harris

Ms. Michele joined All Stars in September 2011. She has several years of experience in early childhood learning centers, as well as nannying. She is currently working towards her Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Studies. Ms. Michele works with Ms. Heather in the baby room. She lives in Eagan.


Sarah Krummel

Ms. Sarah joined All Stars in the Summer of 2011.  She works afternoons with the older infants.  Sarah is currently a Senior at Eastview High School in Apple Valley.


Kelley Hyytinen

Ms. Kelley joined All Stars in the Summer of 2011. She is good friends with Ms. Tracy and has also worked in the Montessori setting for nearly 20 years. Ms. Kelley works in the mornings with school agers and preschoolers.






 
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.