JAN HAAS, “MRS. HAAS”, IS THE OWNER/ADMINISTRATOR OF TRENT MONTESSORI.
Jan has a BA in Sociology/Early Childhood from Hanover College and her AMI (Association Montessori International) Certification. Jan started Trent in 1981 with 4 students. Jan enjoys traveling, reading. camping, and antique mall shopping. Jan, along with her husband, Eric, and their three adult children: Lan, (Katie), Ryan, (Kate), and Erin, (Kraig) all Trent graduates and eight grandchildren. She enjoys spending time together at their lake house….”No Worries”.
My favorite part of leading such a wonderful group of teachers is when I see them truly loving their job and putting their time and attention into meeting each and every child’s needs. Whether it is holding a child until a parent arrives, making Valentine’s cards because the parent forgot, going the extra mile to see that the child has just the right lesson to help them “get it”, calling the parent and letting them know that their child is ok, and looking out for each other. This is what makes our school so very special with extremely special and loving teachers.
ERIN HAAS ECKSTEIN, “MRS. ERIN”, IS THE LEAD DIRECTRESS IN THE MORNING MONTESSORI CLASS AND IS THE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT.
Erin has a BA in Elementary Education from Hanover College and 0-3 & 3-6 Montessori Certification from the GCCME (Greater Cincinnati Center for Montessori Education). Erin has been a Montessori student from birth through 6th grade. This is Erin’s 15th year at Trent. Erin enjoys creating Montessori spaces within their home, new lessons for her kids and sharing her passion through her Instagram account (Montessori.on.a.Mission). She also guides parents in how they can incorporate Montessori into their own home/goes into the home to reorganize “Montessori-FYI” it for the family. She enjoys photography, soccer, shopping, crafting, and traveling. Erin, along with her husband, Kraig, and sons, Oliver, Declan, & Jenson, and dog, Copper, enjoy living in the park and hiking the trails.
The part I enjoy most about teaching is seeing the children experience a love of learning each day. The beauty of the Montessori philosophy is a child will learn through self-directed discovery, a lesson from a teacher, observation or peer lessons. I love to witness the confidence, independence and self-esteem growth that comes through an older child giving a younger child a lesson. My goal as a Montessori Directress is to assist, direct, encourage, support, and aid in each and every child’s love of learning.
JENNY ADAMS, “MRS. ADAMS”, IS OUR LEAD TODDLER GUIDE AND A PRIMARY DIRECTRESS IN THE AFTERNOON MONTESSORI CLASS.
This is Jenny’s 17th year at Trent working as a Primary Directress and her 2nd year as a Toddler Guide. Jenny has the 0-3 & 3-6 Montessori Certification from GCCME (Greater Cincinnati Center for Montessori Education). Jenny enjoys shopping, watching sports and walking. Jenny, along with her husband, Kevin, and their three daughters, Maggie, Madeline, and Charlotte enjoy spending time together at the neighborhood parks.
The part I most enjoy about teaching is seeing the children grow over a 3 year period and teaching them to love and respect one another. Watching the children gain self-confidence in themselves and the work they do. My goal as a Montessori Directress is to meet the child’s needs each day and to make sure they feel loved.
CHERI HELTON, “MRS. HELTON”, IS OUR MONTESSORI CLASSROOM ASSISTANT AND IS OUR EXTENDED CARE COORDINATOR.
This is Cheri’s 36th year at Trent. Cheri enjoys scrap booking, gardening, photography, camping, hiking, and spending time with my kids and grandchildren. Cheri, along with her husband, Doug, have three children: Kristin, Joshua, and Caleb who are all Trent graduates and eight grandchildren.
My favorite part of teaching is coming to school and seeing each child’s smiling face. Trent has truly become my second home and has filled a place in my heart because of my own children being grown. I am truly blessed to have had so many children in my life.
JENNY FREY, “MRS. FREY”, IS OUR LEAD DIRECTRESS IN THE AFTERNOON MONTESSORI CLASSROOM, FULL DAY KINDERGARTEN TEACHER AND WORKS IN THE EXTENDED CARE.
Jenny worked at Trent many years ago and has been back, teaching at Trent, for the past 6 years. Jenny graduated from GCCME with a 3-6 Certification and taught in a Montessori classroom for 14 years. Jenny along with her husband, Michael, and son, Chris enjoys baking, playing board games, and taking walks.
My favorite part of teaching is getting to know and form a relationship with each child and seeing a child’s face light up with pride when a new concept “clicks.”
Samantha McLaughlin, “Mrs. Samantha”, is a Montessori class room assistant and works in our extended care.
Samantha has a BA in Early Childhood Education from Northern Kentucky University. Samantha is a Trent graduate. This will be her 7th year overall & 2nd year back at Trent after taking a couple years off to graduate college, explore another teaching opportunity, get married to her husband, Jacob & have their daughter, Olivia (2 year old). They live in Ludlow with their dog, Pocket. She is excited to be back now & bringing Olivia along with her. Samantha & her family enjoy traveling, exploring different cities and their Major League Baseball parks, their favorite pastime. Samantha has many years of nannying experience with previous Trent children.
My favorite part of teaching is making a positive impact & seeing the children’s faces light up every morning, ready to learn. I love interacting with them & building those trusting student-teacher relationships!
JANESSA LEATHERMAN, “MISS JANESSA”, IS ONE OF OUR TODDLER ASSISTANTS AND WORKS IN OUR EXTENDED CARE.
This is Janessa’s 2nd year at Trent Montessori. She spent the past two years at home raising her daughter Isla, who is now a student at Trent. Janessa has years of experience babysitting, as well as assistant teaching preschool ballet. Janessa and her husband Justin live in Cincinnati with their daughter Isla, cat Willow, and dog Archie. In her free time Janessa enjoys trying new coffee shops, crocheting, hiking, reading, and baking.
The part I enjoy most about teaching is watching the children learn and grow, and guide each other along the way. I find myself learning from them as much as they learn from me. 🙂
KIERSTYN RATTERMAN, “MS. KIERSTYN,” IS WORKS IN OUR EXTENDED CARE AND IS ONE OF OUR TODDLER ASSISTANTS
This is Kierstyn’s 3rd year at Trent. Ms. Kierstyn has been babysitting children for many years. She has also been a basketball coach for elementary school aged children and has worked with a special needs child. Kierstyn lives with her mom, dad, brother, and Buddy (her dog). Kiersten enjoys sports, watching Netflix, taking naps with her dog, and being involved in Young Life College.
The part I like most about teaching is seeing the excitement a child gets when they do something on their own. Every child’s smile is contagious.
KENZIE POYNTER, “MS. KENZIE”, WORKS IN OUR TODDLER ENVIRONMENT
CAMPBELL SMITH, “MISS CAMPBELL”, WORKS IS OUR EXTENDED CARE.
Campbell is currently a senior at Highlands High School. This is her second year working at Trent in the Extended Care Program. She went to Trent for her preschool education and is loving being back in the Montessori environment. She enjoys singing, dancing, reading, and spending time with her friends and family.
My favorite part of teaching is being able to make connections with the children and watching their excitement as they learn new things. I love watching the children enjoy all of the things that I loved when I was in preschool at Trent.
RACHEL SUNDERMAN, “MRS. SUNDERMAN”, WORKS IN OUR TODDLER ENVIRONMENT.
Rachel is so excited to be joining the team at Trent Montessori! Rachel has a BA in Communications with a minor in Sociology from Indiana University. Rachel has a background in Marketing and Commercial Real Estate and has spent the past year staying home with her daughter, Scarlett. Rachel also has an experienced background in childcare having nannied for 3 families over the span of 10+ years while in high school, throughout college, and for a couple of years into young adulthood. Rachel enjoys reading, traveling, and along with her husband, Robert, daughter Scarlett, and furbaby Charlotte, enjoy spending time in the sunshine with family and friends, exploring local restaurants, and weekend getaways to visit the grandparents (Florida and Southern Indiana).
I am so excited to have the honor of caring for and guiding the most precious gifts on earth – our children. I love the energy and excitement that children exuberate and the proud little smile they give when they’ve learned something new. I am most looking forward to being a part of building a foundation of learning for the little ones.”
avery hagedorn, “MISS avery”, WORKS IS OUR EXTENDED CARE.
This is Avery’s first year at Trent working in the Extended Care Program. She is currently a senior at Highlands High School. She attended Trent for preschool and kindergarten and is so glad to be back. She enjoys reading, spending time with her friends, and sister.
My favorite part of teaching is to see the children’s joy for learning and getting to make a connection with them.
MORGAN THOMPSON, “MISS MORGAN”, WORKS IN OUR EXTENDED CARE
This is Morgan’s first year at Trent Montessori. She is currently a student at Northern Kentucky University pursuing a degree in Social Studies Education and History. Morgan grew up in a large family so she had a lot of experience helping with children as well as helping with her church’s nursery and VBS. Morgan loves to cook and bake, hike, play sports, and listen to classic rock! Her favorite band is Ambrosia! She spends most of her time with her dog, Harley David, and loves to take her for walks and drives around Fort Thomas!
My favorite part of teaching is building relationships with the students and gaining a deeper understanding of how each students mind works. It is so beautiful when I see their face light up when something finally makes sense to them, or when students break out of their shell and start initiating conversations or play with other kids when they never would have done that before. I feel truly honored to be able to be there as support and guidance for the students as they learn and grow.
JILLIAN BROWN, “MISS JILLIAN”, WORKS IN OUR EXTENDED CARE
This is Jillian’s first year working at Trent. She is currently a senior at Northern Kentucky University working towards earning her degrees in Social Studies Education and History. Jillian is the oldest of 4 children and has worked in various childcare roles since she was a freshman in high school. She enjoys watching sports, especially when it comes to cheering on the Norse at basketball games as well as the Bengals during football season. She loves to hammock, drink coffee, go to concerts, and spend time with her cat, Dolly Parton.
My favorite part of teaching is when students challenge me to think of things in new ways. Oftentimes people look at education as simply the teacher sharing the lesson, however the students bring in a new wave of thoughts and questions that encourage their peers and educators. Children have the ability to take these fresh, simple perspectives and cause everyone around them to lean into that childlike sense of wonder.
HEIDI MALONE, “MRS. HEIDI”, IS ONE OF OUR SUBSTITUTES.
This is Heidi’s 2nd year at Trent. Heidi has a BS in Physical Ed/Health from NKU. She has worked as an assistant at Rainbow Preschool, as a supervisor at the Carmel Swim Club, supervisor for the PE Department, and served as a nanny for an infant. Heidi and her husband, Ron have three grown children and live in Cold Spring.
My favorite part of teaching is seeing their faces light up when they figure out how to do something all by themselves:).
CINDY LUCAS, “MS. CINDY,” IS ONE OF OUR SUBSTITUTES.
Ms Cindy is excited to join the team at Trent Montessori! Ms Cindy has lived in NKY her whole life, and loves being a part of this community. She has two adult children, and has spent the last 10 years nannying for families and helping to care for her 5 grandchildren. She loves spending her free time being a Gigi to her grandchildren and is thrilled to be joining the team here at Trent!
The part I like most about teaching is seeing their little faces light up when they understand a new concept.
ANDI TABOR IS OUR ADMIN ASSISTANT.
Andi is a Trent alum and helps manage our website, admissions, and other odds and ends. She and her husband, Braedon, live in Fort Thomas with their two girls, Sarah and Eleanor, and their dog, Scout.
She enjoys being outside in her garden, playing with her kids, reading, and walking.