Jeannine Hanson founded Chestnut Montessori School to exemplify a model school for children, parents, teachers, and teachers-in-training on one dedicated campus. Her goal is to provide children with experiences to prepare them to become joyful lifelong learners. The beautiful environment and smaller class sizes she created at CMS supports the remarkable academic advancement by the students.
She has a deep-rooted dedication to the Montessori philosophy. Jeannine directed Bellevue Montessori for 20 years, overseeing the elementary expansion on two campuses. In 1997 she founded the Montessori College for Early Education (now Montessori Center for Teacher Education &mdash MCTE), which provides excellence in the education for Montessori Early Childhood teachers. MCTE is affiliated with the American Montessori Society (AMS) and accredited by the Montessori Accreditation Commission for Teacher Education (MACTE).
She has served on the Board of Directors for Washington Federation of Independent Schools, the Pacific Northwest Montessori Association, the National Center for Montessori Education and Bellevue Montessori School. Jeannine presents continuing teacher education workshops to fulfill Washington State required STARS (State Training and Registry System).
Jeannine received her Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from the University of Washington in 1972 and her Montessori teacher education at Seattle University in 1983 and 1984, after serving as an Assistant Dietitian at Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland. She resides in Kirkland with her husband Paul and is the proud parent of four grown children and the grandmother of three boys.
Rachelle Stefanski earned her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Elmhurst College in 1999. She received her American Montessori Society teaching credential through the Montessori Center for Teacher Education. Prior to joining the staff of Chestnut Montessori in the summer of 2008, she worked in Supervisor and Administrative positions, writing training manuals and overseeing Quality Improvement processes. She lives in Seattle and enjoys writing and hiking in her free time.
Paul Hanson is a General Contractor who has built and remodeled four different Montessori schools in the Seattle area. He provides facilities management at Chestnut Montessori School.
Rani Appiah grew up in India where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Commerce. She worked at an International School in India for two years as a Teacher's Assistant. Rani received her American Montessori Society teaching credential for ages 2 ½ through 6 at the Montessori College for Early Education in 2007. She lives in Redmond with her husband and has two children who are in college. She enjoys taking nature walks in her spare time.
Sailaja Solasa earned a Bachelor of Science with specialization in human development and a Masters of Science in Textiles and Clothing. She received her American Montessori Society teaching credential from the Montessori Center for Teacher Education. She resides in Bellevue with her husband and two children. Her special interests include Indian Carnatic music and embroidering.
Courtney Buccola earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Linfield College in 2007. She received her American Montessori Society teaching credential from the Montessori Center for Teacher Education and has several years of experience working with pre-school children. Courtney joined Chestnut Montessori School in the summer of 2011. She lives in Seattle and enjoys spending time with her niece and nephews and traveling in her free time.