Faculty & Staff

Kelly Olson

Head of School

Kelly most recently served as the Center Director at University KinderCare in Minneapolis, MN. Kelly attended Rasmussen College where she earned her Early Education Certificate. She joined KinderCare in 2023 and has worked in early childhood education for over 25 years. Outside of work, Kelly enjoys playing volleyball, cross-country skiing, having game nights, biking, and spending time with family.

Abby Ignatowski

Assistant Administrator

Abby graduated from Michigan State University in 2024 and is currently the assistant administrator at Children’s Workshop. Abby has always had a love for working with and around children and is excited to grow her administrative skills through working at Children’s Workshop. In her free time, Abby enjoys spending time with friends and family, and exploring different areas of Minneapolis!

Sheena Lor

Nido Guide

Sheena graduated with an AMI A to I diploma in 2015 and began her career at CW in 2015! She also holds a BS in Early Childhood Education. Supporting children in their development brings her so much joy. She loves that CW provides an opportunity for her to live out Montessori values and to make a positive impact in the lives of children and beyond. Sheena more recently became passionate about bringing diversity and social justice actions into her daily practice with children; an example of this is creating windows and mirrors in the environment so that children may see themselves and others respectfully represented and celebrated.

Montessori is a way of living that Sheena applies in her personal life, too. She creates beautiful infant and toddler materials for loved ones, is inspired by the beauty of nature, and takes a holistic approach to lifelong learning. Her favorite Montessori quote is: "Education is the best weapon for peace."

Alex Smith

Nido Assistant

Alex Smith has been with CW for over 10 years!

Jodi Burns

Nido Assistant

Isabelle Oien

Willow Room Guide

Isabelle has been with CW since 2019. Seeing the children’s curiosity and natural desire to learn in an environment that is created to foster their independence has been truly inspiring to her. She is currently in school getting her Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education and an Associate's in Interpreting. In her free time, she likes to read, be outside, practice her ASL and spend time with her family.

Avery Jenson

Willow Room Assistant

Avery Jenson is a Floating Teacher’s Aide who will be supporting our A to I team (infant and toddler age groups) with staff lunch breaks, recess duty, and Pm care duties. Before coming to CW, Avery was a Teacher’s Aide at the Goddard School and an Art Teacher for Kid Create Company in Eden Prairie.

Hlubtshaj Yang

Juniper Room Guide

Hlubtshaj has her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Minnesota and a Montessori A to I Diploma. She has a strong passion working with children and years of experience. In her free time, she enjoys singing, creating art, and spending time with her family.

Karissa Leahy

Birch Room Guide

Karissa has a degree in BS Finance and a Montessori Early Childhood Education Diploma. She’s been teaching in Montessori for more than a decade. She came to us from California and has been an amazing Toddler Guide for our children. Karissa has two young boys at home who love playing football and hockey. She says motherhood drives her passion for teaching.

Whitney Nobles

Birch Room Assistant

Whitney has many years of experience as a Nanny and teaching dance to a variety of age groups. She loves working with children of all ages.

Drew Edwards

Birch Room Assistant

Natalie Runde

River Room Guide

Natalie has her bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from Miami University (Ohio). She moved from Pittsburgh, PA to St. Paul, MN in 2016 to start her Montessori Training at the Montessori Training Center of Minnesota. She earned her AMI Diploma in 2017 and finished her masters in Education from St. Catherine University in 2018. Natalie has been at Children's Workshop since the summer of 2017. Natalie and her husband Kevin live in Minneapolis. In her free time, Natalie likes to spend time reading, going to restaurants, coffee shops, and exploring the North Loop, spending time with her friends and family, and watching hockey (Go Penguins!).

Brenna O’Gara

River Room Assistant

Brenna loves that children are given freedom to explore in Montessori school. She comes to us with an amazing attitude, has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Reading Instruction and previously worked at Wayzata schools with children from Pre-K to 5th grade. Her favorite Montessori quote is, "The greatest gifts we can give our children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence."

Jane Hwang

River Room Assistant

Ted Thompson

Maple Room Guide

Ted began as a substitute teacher at CW in the Spring of 2021 and quickly endeared himself to both his colleagues and to the children. Ted came to Montessori later in his life and quickly became a true believer in the method. After being introduced to Montessori, he enrolled at the Montessori Center of Minnesota where he later graduated as an AMI certified Lead Guide.

Ted is a father of three: one in college, one in grad school, and one who recently became a father! When not at school he spends his time in his painting studio (he attended Art school years ago). He frequently visits Lake Superior where he likes to explore new restaurants and he is pursuing his interests in classical music!

Michael Sala

Maple Room Assistant

Michael obtained his masters degree in social work from the University of Texas at Austin and for more than 20 years has been pursuing the helping and healing professions. As a licensed social worker, he has worked in mentoring, foster care, Special Education, and hospice. He is also a yoga teacher, Thai bodywork therapist, energy medicine practitioner, spiritual mentor, and death midwife. Having such a broad repertoire of interests and skills, Michael ultimately thrives working as part of a cohesive team in a small community that has great integrity—that is what draws him to Children’s Workshop. He lives in Eden Prairie with his husband, an educator in public schools. He enjoys movies, bicycling, poetry, playing tennis, cooking, knitting, sewing, and reading.

Kayla Humphries

Maple Room Assistant

Kayla recently moved to Minnesota from northwest Wisconsin. She grew to love Montessori education through her past experience as an assistant in lower elementary, known as E-1. Her favorite thing about Montessori is its holistic approach. Being a passionate naturalist, Kayla loves connecting children with their environment by sharing her knowledge of plants and animals. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, painting, cooking, crocheting, caring for her pet turtles and frogs, and gardening.