My name is Robin Bothe, and I am the new owner and administrator of the Montessori Children’s House of Sycamore and DeKalb. I became involved in this school while my youngest daughter attended it last year. I was thoroughly impressed with the Montessori Method and the growth and learning that the children in the program consistently displayed.

My husband, Joe, and I live in DeKalb, along with our four children and two dogs. I hold a B.A. in English from Northern Illinois University. While enrolled at NIU, I spent six months studying in Oxford, England. Upon graduation, I worked for several years in Chicago and St. Charles for a large, multinational company in various marketing and communications roles. While still working, I enrolled in graduate classes and received my Master’s of Arts in Teaching from Aurora University. I then taught kindergarten in Sycamore. After adding our fourth daughter to the family, however, I decided it was time to stay home.

This summer I have immersed myself in the Montessori world. I attended in-depth school administrator training sessions at Montessori Teachers Institute for Professional Studies in Northbrook, and completed both my and Paraprofessional and Administrator’s Certification from Seton Montessori Institute in Clarendon Hills. In addition, I am involved with both the American Montessori Society and the Association of Illinois Montessori Schools.

It’s very exciting to have this Montessori school available in the greater DeKalb and Sycamore area. Our staff is exceptional and very highly thought of throughout the Montessori community. We look forward to meeting you and your children and helping them foster a love of learning that will last a lifetime.

My name is Melissa Beaty and I am very excited to be a part of Montessori Children’s House of Sycamore and DeKalb.  I was born and raised in Oregon, IL and currently reside in DeKalb with my husband and our two children.  I grew up babysitting and helping my mom at her preschool.  After high school, I attended NIU to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Studies. 

Upon graduation, I took a job at a computer software company that offered a Montessori childcare setting for its employees.  I was first an assistant in the Primary classroom (3-6 year olds).   It was here I fell in love with the philosophy.  Three years later, I decided to take the Montessori training course.  I attended the Ohio Montessori Training Institute near Cleveland, OH.  The course took 3 summers to complete.  The first 2 years consisted of 7 straight weeks in the classroom receiving lectures, seeing demonstrations, and learning about the theory behind Montessori education.  The 3rd summer was reserved for exams, both written and oral.  It was the most intense learning schedule and environment that I have ever endured.   After I received my certification from the Association Montessori International (or AMI, the only certificate recognized by Maria Montessori’s family) I was the lead teacher in a new Montessori classroom at the software company.

After 7 years, I decided I wanted to find a school that followed a true school calendar (the software company was year round) so I accepted a position at an established school in St. Charles.  I taught a morning class and an afternoon class for 4 years and enjoyed all of the staff and families there.

I was thrilled when a local opportunity presented itself!  Finally, in my 13th year of teaching, my commute will only be to Sycamore! I look forward to educating Sycamore and DeKalb and the surrounding communities about Montessori and the benefits it presents young children.  As a mother of two Montessori children, I have seen it first hand and credit their success in school to the solid foundation they received in their early years!  I encourage you to call and set up a time to visit, I would love to give you a tour of the classroom!

My name is Susan Sunderlage and I am very happy to be a part of the Montessori Children’s House of Sycamore and DeKalb.  I was born and raised in Elgin, IL, but have called Sycamore my home for the past 22 years.

I am a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood Studies.  I currently hold an Illinois Teaching Certificate K-9.  Upon graduation, I took teaching positions with the YWCA Tiny Tot program in Elgin, a 4 and 5 year old classroom at a Child Development Center in South Elgin and then was hired by School District U-46 as an assistant/teacher in an At-Risk preschool program.  After eight years of teaching and the birth of my first son, I decided I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom which lasted until my youngest started school.

I have been very excited to have the opportunity to get back into the classroom at the Montessori Children’s House of Sycamore and DeKalb.  I first learned about the Montessori Method when I was in college.  It made perfect sense to me and I wondered why it wasn’t implemented more in the public school setting.  After receiving my Assistant Paraprofessional Certification in August 2008 through the Montessori Education Centers Associated, I was even more convinced this is the way children are meant to learn.

I would encourage anyone with young children to visit our classroom and see what a wonderful learning experience the Montessori Method can offer.