Staff and Management

Head of School

Wanda Whitehead is the Head of School at Casa di Mir. She was the first teacher for Casa di Mir in 1989, and assisted the founding board in the establishment of the school. Her key focus and vision is Maria Montessori's "Education for Peace." Wanda taught for 17 years in the Palo Alto Unified school district, grades 2-6. She holds a State of California Standard Teaching Credential for elementary K-8, as well as AMS Montessori Certification for ages 6-12.

Teachers, Lower Elementary (6-9 years old)

Stephanie Kruse holds a Montessori Credential from the Montessori Institute of Milwaukee as well as a Masters in Education from Loyola University in Maryland. Stephanie began her teaching career in 1997. Stephanie works part-time as a teacher at Casa di Mir and in her free time is a children’s book author.

Pranita Patel holds a 6-9 Montessori Credential from the Claremont Center for Advanced Montessori Studies in Florida, as well as a BS in Marketing with a Minor in Anthropology from Indiana State University. She has worked as a Clinician with the Lindamood-Bell Learning Process. Pranita has been teaching since 1998.

Nancy Wilcox, a 6-9 class teacher since 1991, also provides art instruction to all elementary students in the school. Prior to Casa di Mir, she taught adult education programs, was an art teacher for Treton Museum and Outreach programs, and was head docent for Art Vistas fine art program at Carlton School in San Jose. Nancy holds an AMS Montessori credential for ages 6-9, a BA in Art from San Jose State, and adult education credentials.

Cyndi Young has been teaching since 1990 at Montessori schools in Santa Cruz, California. Cyndi received her Montessori Credential from the Bay Area Montessori Teacher Education Center. Cyndi joined Casa di Mir’s faculty in August, 2007.

Teachers, Upper Elementary (9-12 years old)

Tyler Bourcier holds a Montessori Credential from the Center for Montessori Education in New York and a Teaching Credential from Western Washington University. Tyler began his elementary teaching career in 2003 and has taught at Montessori schools in Arizona and Delaware.

Christine Forster joined Casa in 2001 as a teacher in the 6-9 classroom. Her experience includes head teacher for ages 8-10 at Children's International School in Palo Alto (1998-2000) and at Head's Up Elementary Program in Pleasanton (1997-98); primary and 6-9 teacher at Montessori Educare School, Newton Massachusetts (1995-97); assistant teacher, activities coordinator and substitute for ages 3-12 at Anglo-Italian Montessori School, Naples, Italy (1992-95). Christine holds a 1996 AMS 6-9 credential and a 2001 AMS 9-12 credential from the Center for Montessori Teacher Education in New York. A native of Germany, she also has a 1985 degree in Retail Business Administration from the Professional Business School in Wangen, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany.

Elizabeth (Liz) Muir joined Casa di Mir in Fall, 2000. She previously taught at the Montessori Society of Central Maryland. She holds a 6-9 Montessori credential from the Center for Montessori Teacher Education in New York, and a 9-12 credential through the Montessori Teacher Education Center of the San Francisco Bay Area. Liz also taught middle school science for several years, and adult ESL. Liz holds a Master of Arts in secondary teaching, from Johns Hopkins University, with an Advanced Professional Certificate in secondary biology. She holds a BS in Biology and BA in French from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. She spent a year abroad studying French at Universite de Grenoble.

Anne Nguyen taught at Casa di Mir for eight years. She spent three years teaching in the Palo Alto School District and returned to Casa in 2005 to rejoin our 9-12 teaching team. Anne holds a California State Teaching Credential as well as a Montessori Credential for ages 9-12. She has been teaching since 1994.

Kristi Troquato graduated from San Jose State University in 1994 with a BA in Child Development.  She has completed several classes towards her teaching credential.  She has 25 years experience in caring for young children.  She started substitute teaching at Casa di Mir in 2004 and became a Teacher's Assistant in 2005.  

Teachers, Primary (3-6 years old)

Erin Paige, Primary Program Director and Lead Teacher, holds a 3-6 Montessori credential from the Association Montessori Internationale and is also a member of the American Montessori Society. She has been teaching since 1985 and served as Director of Western Montessori Day School from 1995 to 2006. Erin earned a B.A. in Political Science from Kenyon College.

Hoon Kang, Teacher, Primary I, has a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, a Montessori Credential from the Montessori Teacher Education Center in San Leandro, California, a Master’s Degree in Music Education and a Bachelor’s Degree in Flute Performance from Yonsei University in Korea. Hoon has been teaching at Casa di Mir since 2002.

Wynne Lee completed her Montessori teacher training and her Master of Education in Early Childhood Education from New York University in New York. Winnie also holds a Bachelor’s of Psychology from Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania. She has been teaching since 1995.

Tonia Secor completed her Montessori training at the Montessori Training Center of Minnesota in St. Paul, Minnesota. Tonia also holds a BS in Education with a minor in Peace and Conflict Resolution. Tonia has been working with young children since 1999.

Cathy Williams joined the Casa staff in February 2004 with the opening of a new preschool classroom. Cathy received her Montessori training from the Montessori Teacher Education Center of the San Francisco Bay Area. She has a BA degree in English from UCLA.

Specialists

Michelle Lonero provides physical Education instruction and supervises the elementary extended day program from 3:00 pm—6:00 pm. Michelle’s varied work experience with elementary and high school students includes coaching volleyball, supervising extended day programs, and working as a teacher assistant in the classroom.

New School Aikido of Santa Clara, under the direction of Sensei Leslie Simmons, provides Aikido instruction to grades 2-6 as part of Casa di Mir's Physical Education curriculum. New School Aikido serves other schools in the area with physical education programs.

Ana Perez teaches Spanish twice per week. Dona Ana has been teaching Spanish for over ten years.

Office Management

Karen Schuler, Business Manager, joined the staff in 1998. She was previously a case manager and child care consultant for the 4C Council of Santa Clara County, as well as a preschool teacher. She holds a BA in Psychology with emphasis in Child Development.

Elanah Kutik, is the school’s Admissions Director, joining Casa as Administrative Assistant in 1996. She holds a BS in Special Education from Boston University and an MA in Linguistics from Harvard.

Sue Dapkus, Administrative Assistant, holds a BA degree in Speech Pathology. Sue joined the Casa staff in 2000.

Casa di Mir Board of Directors

Casa di Mir is a non-profit organization, governed by a Board of Directors made up of current and former parents of students.