Faculty & Staff
Forest Bluff School’s experienced Montessori leadership and faculty serve our students from birth through adolescence.
All members of our dedicated teaching staff are
AMI Montessori certified, hold a Master's Degree in Education or are attending programs leading to a Master's Degree, and teach only the level for which they have received specific training.
Our teachers work closely with one another, benefiting from the wisdom and experience of staff members who have been at our school for many years. They regularly attend conferences on Montessori leadership, education, and child development, and stay educated as a staff through weekly discussions of current books and journal articles on topics related to education and world affairs. Additionally, our substitute teachers are AMI Montessori certified and are often former Forest Bluff teachers who have remained involved with the school.
Lynn Lillard Jessen
Co-Founder, Head of School & Director of Admissions
Lynn Lillard Jessen is a co-founder of Forest Bluff School and the school’s first teacher, leading the original Primary Level class in 1982. Three years later, she established the Young Children’s Community for children ages 18 months to 3 years. Throughout the history of the school, Lynn has served as a leader, supporter, and advisor in whatever capacity was most needed by the Forest Bluff team, whether teaching in classrooms, carrying out office duties, or helping with parent activities.
In her current roles as Head of School and Director of Admissions, Lynn offers prospective families a wealth of information to help them determine if Forest Bluff is the best educational fit for their child. She also supports current families as a co-director of the Montessori from the Start parent education program. In addition, she oversees all areas of marketing and public relations for Forest Bluff School.
Lynn is the co-author of Montessori from the Start with Paula Polk Lillard, and has presented at Montessori Conferences in the United States, Canada, India, Germany and Sweden. She maintains close working relationships with Montessori leaders across the globe and is committed to supporting the advancement of authentic Montessori education. Lynn serves on the Founding Board of Directors of Beacon Academy, a Montessori IB High School located in Evanston, IL.
Lynn lives in Lake Bluff, and is married to Ned Jessen. She is a graduate of Smith College and is AMI certified at both the Assistants to Infancy and Primary levels. Lynn and Ned have three children, all of whom are Forest Bluff School graduates, and three grandchildren who are current Forest Bluff students.
Paula Lillard Preschlack
Head Emerita & Alumni Liaison
Paula Lillard Preschlack, author of The Montessori Potential: How to Foster Independence, Respect, and Joy in Every Child, has served in many roles since joining Forest Bluff School in 1995: Primary and Lower Elementary Director, Assistant Head of School, Head of School, and now Head Emerita and Alumni Liaison. With three decades of teaching and leadership experience at Forest Bluff, Paula is an invaluable resource for our Directors, parents, and alumni. Paula's deep commitment to Forest Bluff School and the wider Montessori community continues to inspire her work as an author and lecturer.
Paula is AMI certified for all Montessori age levels: Assistants to Infancy, Primary, Elementary, and audited the NAMTA/AMI Orientation to Adolescent Studies in 2018. She has a wealth of knowledge about children from birth through adolescence, and shares this knowledge at teacher trainings, conferences, and Montessori schools nationwide and globally. She supports parents through her writing and discussions that build an understanding of Montessori philosophy and how to best apply Montessori principles at home.
Paula is a graduate of Hampshire College and has a Master's Degree in Education from Loyola University, Baltimore, MD. She is married to Jim Preschlack and lives in Lake Forest. Her children are both graduates of Forest Bluff School.
To read Paula's blog articles, parents and teachers are welcome to subscribe to the
Forest Bluff School blog. Paula's website is also an excellent resource for parents and educators:
paulalillardpreschlack.com. You can listen to Paula's lectures and discussions on
SoundCloud.
Paula Polk Lillard
Co-Founder
Paula Polk Lillard is an internationally respected authority on Montessori theory and practice. She is the author of four books and countless articles. Paula co-founded Forest Bluff School in 1982, serving as Primary teacher and Head of School. Her wisdom and experience continue to guide our parents and staff.
Paula taught for eight years in traditional public and private schools before discovering Montessori (as chronicled in her 1972 book, Montessori: A Modern Approach). Fifty years of experience has since deepened her conviction that the Montessori approach solves the basic dilemma of guaranteeing a superior, well-rounded, intellectual education to children and young adults while, at the same time, granting students the freedom to follow their individual interests and passions.
Key to the success of any Montessori school is the involvement of the parents in understanding an educational approach that they did not experience themselves. Although no longer in the classroom, Paula devotes the major portion of her time to guiding and supporting parents in this journey. She does this locally, nationally, and internationally through her writing, lectures, and parent education meetings. Paula, a graduate of Smith College with a Masters Degree in Montessori Education from Xavier University, Cincinnati, is an AMI certified Montessori Primary director and has served on both the Board of Directors of the American Montessori Society (AMS) and the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) USA.
Paula Polk Lillard is the author of four books: Montessori: A Modern Approach, Montessori Today, and Montessori in the Classroom: a Teacher's Account of How Children Really Learn. She co-authored Montessori from the Start with her daughter, Lynn Lillard Jessen. Paula Polk Lillard's books are translated into multiple languages and represent to parents and teachers globally the classic introduction to Montessori education covering all age levels.
School Founder Paula Lillard Reflects on the Guiding Principles of Montessori Education
Faculty
Haley Tate
Young Children's Community (18 months to 3 years)
Assistant Head of School
"When I first walked into Forest Bluff School as a young Primary teacher more than thirty years ago, it spoke to me internally, spiritually. In each ensuing year—first as a Primary teacher, later as a parent, and today in my dual role as a Young Children’s Community teacher and Assistant Head of School—I have confirmed my initial faith in the Montessori approach to the inner spirit of each child. I never tire of witnessing the intense concentration, developing independence, and self-mastery of these little ones that inevitably follow my introduction of the Montessori materials to them. As I work with the materials today, I realize that they are equally as interesting to me as an adult, as they would have been to me as a child."
Maggie Kelly
Young Children's Community (18 months to 3 years)
"Before taking my Montessori training I worked for several years with many different infants and children under three, including working as a pediatric nurse for children who had been victims of abuse and neglect. It was through my observations during these experiences that I began to understand that there is a whole world inside of the child 18 months to three years old. It is my belief that each child is created with unique and deeply personal gifts. What I love about the Montessori approach is that it teaches open acceptance and love of the child as he/she unfolds and reveals themselves and their unique gifts. I am grateful for the Montessori materials, which provide a means for the child to develop and integrate. It is an honor to be entrusted with the task of assisting the children in the Young Children's Community as they change and grow. I feel privileged to work at a school like Forest Bluff, which provides a tremendous amount of support and guidance for the teachers, children, and families."
Melanie McEneely
Primary Level (3 years to 6 years)
"Montessori is unique as an educational approach to children because it allows each child to learn in the way that comes naturally to him or her. As a result, children develop concentration, independence, and a control of their own behavior. Visitors are astounded that 3-to-6-year-olds can develop these qualities. Yet, when children are given this deep respect as unique individuals, such results become commonplace. I feel so fortunate in being able to treat children with the dignity that they deserve, and seeing them develop the ability to work productively within a community of others and a solid love of learning that forms the basis for the whole of their academic lives."
Kaiti Riegelman
Primary Level (3 years to 6 years)
"Montessori education continually astounds me with its utmost respect for each unique human life, across all time and all cultures. It is truly a delightful and humbling experience to work with children of all ages. Their capacity at each stage of development for enthusiasm, curiosity, forgiveness, charity and even humor makes my role as their teacher not just a profession but a passion. Primary Level children have an inherent capacity to persevere, to repeat, to concentrate and to follow their own pace and rhythm of life, naturally driven by an inner guide. In our Montessori classrooms we have the privilege of helping each individual personality come to its fullest potential, watching it unfold day by day."
Keri Godon
Primary Level (3 years to 6 years)
"During my first experience at Forest Bluff, I was amazed by the concentration and joy emanating from the children! The Montessori approach offers an invitation to enter into authentic relationship with self, others, and the world around us, providing freedom of choice and expression in a carefully curated and thoughtfully prepared environment. I am inspired by this child-centered approach to education, where self-construction is a delightful dance of gift and response, rooted in the genius of Montessori. I love guiding children as they discover their innate power and reveal hidden potential, and am honored to spend each day with the children at Forest Bluff."
Sarah Robbins
Lower Elementary Level (6 years to 9 years)
"I have taught at Forest Bluff School for over 20 years: first as an Elementary teacher of 9-to-12-year-olds, then for 6-to-9-year-olds and finally for 12-to-15-year-olds in the Secondary Level. My ten years of teaching at the Secondary Level was an inspiring experience for me intellectually and also experientially because of the three off-campus trips each year that were largely planned and carried out by the students themselves. We were often out camping and working in nature for up to two weeks at a time: an adventurous, challenging and tremendously rewarding experience. Today, I am thrilled to be working once again in the Elementary classroom with 6-to-9-year-olds for whom everything is so new and exciting. I love sharing in their joy and enthusiasm for their work and watching them develop strong moral character and the ability to collaborate in their work together."
Rachel Coad
Lower Elementary Level (6 years to 9 years)
"I am continually thankful to have found Montessori education. My first role at Forest Bluff School was as an assistant in the Young Children’s Community and Upper Elementary classroom. I immediately fell in love with the Montessori approach and started my AMI Elementary training the following summer. Over the next three years I worked at Forest Bluff School in various classrooms with students of all ages. I especially love working with lower elementary students where I have the opportunity to aid children in their self-discovery, and create a safe environment where they have the freedom to learn, follow their interests, and become who they want to be in this world. The curiosity of the elementary age child is a joy that inspires me daily to be more curious about the world around me and my role in it."
Regina Sokolowski
Upper Elementary Level (9 years to 12 years)
"I began working at Forest Bluff School in 2010 as an Upper Elementary teacher of children ages 9 to 12. What I love most about our school is that the top priority is always what is best for the child; it is never compromised by an adult agenda. This vision is frequently revisited and discussed by the teachers. Thus, we are a place where teachers and parents are constantly in a process of growth and self-betterment, along with our students. I feel especially privileged to work with our 9-to-12-year-olds, who inspire me with their enthusiasm, work ethic, and compassion for one another. The children have such a genuine love of life and learning, and are incredibly capable, confident, and resilient. At this age, they are forming themselves as social beings, and it is a joy to witness their contributions to their classroom and school communities in that journey."
Abbey Dickson
Secondary Level (12 years to 14 years)
"The word I always use to describe my entry into the Montessori community is
serendipitous. Before this, I was a scientist studying plant biology and conservation. Yet, very early on in my career at Forest Bluff, I was told that once you start on this path, “you’ll be a Montessorian for life.” Years later, and as someone who is continuously amazed by the capabilities of children within this framework, I can speak to the truth of those words. What I find to be most striking about a Montessori classroom is that you often do not notice the teacher right away as you look around the room; the children, and by extension their work, are the focal point. As Directors, we lead from behind. I feel especially lucky to be working with adolescents because this period of their life, between the ages of 12 and 14, is beautiful, yet ephemeral. To me, the Secondary Level feels like a sanctuary, where adolescents are celebrated as thoughtful, contributing members of society. They are in the process of forming themselves and it is an honor to share in those experiences with them."
John Dickson
Secondary Level (12 years - 14 years)
"I first discovered my passion for education while studying the Greek concept of Paideia: the deliberate act of preparing the next generation of children to carry on and protect the developments of humanity for the betterment of society. By preparing children to be independent critical thinkers and equipping them with the practical skills needed to be effective contributors, they will be able to steward humanity into the future no matter the obstacle. This is what led me to fall in love with the Montessori Method. In sharing my passion for discovery and knowledge with children through mathematics, entrepreneurship, writing, song, and art, I hope to provide for children the inspiration and practical skills needed to do the work that defines their contributions to society. I am thrilled to be a part of the Forest Bluff team to continue the work of actualizing Maria Montessori's vision of a peaceful world."
