Meet our faculty.
Montessori guides “must be keen-eyed in observing, in serving, in approaching and in withdrawing, in speaking and in keeping silent, in accordance with the occasions and needs. They must acquire a moral alertness which has not been demanded by any other method, a mingling of calm, patience, love and humanity. Virtues and not words form their main qualification.”
—Dr. Maria Montessori, The Discovery of the Child
Administration
Jana Hedlund
CO-FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR
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Jana has dedicated herself wholly to early childhood education for the past 12 years. In her career, she has worked in a variety of roles, and has served within multiple cultures. Jana’s professional Montessori career began at Duhovka, a Czech/English bilingual Montessori school in Prague, Czech Republic. Since then, she has taught and served in leadership and mentorship roles in schools in England, North Dakota, and Minnesota. In each culture, she has observed children’s universal ability to adapt, absorb, and learn.
Jana’s own education began in a Montessori casa in Houston, Texas. She graduated from the International Baccalaureate program at Prague British School, Czech Republic. In 2018, Jana earned the Association Montessori Internationale diploma at the Montessori Center of Minnesota in Saint Paul. Jana was awarded a Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Studies at Metropolitan State University, where she graduated cum laude, and she holds a credential in Education Studies from Bath Spa University in Bath, England.
Staci Hedlund
CO-FOUNDER AND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
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Staci is the Assistant Director at Clover. She has previously served Clover as the Interim Lead Guide of the Toddler Community. She earned her Association Montessori Internationale diploma (Ages 2.5 to 6) at the Montessori Training Center of Minnesota. She attended Smith College and Rice University, where she earned a BA in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.
Staci enjoys making Montessori materials, crocheting, camping, reading, and traveling. She has lived in Czech Republic, Slovakia, Scotland, and six states within the US.
The Toddler Community
Laura Fritz
INTERIM LEAD GUIDE
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Laura Fritz holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the AMI Assistants to Infancy (0-3) diploma from the Montessori Center of Minnesota, and a master’s degree in Montessori Education from Loyola University Maryland. She truly enjoys changing the world and working for peace through children and the Montessori community. She has served as a mentor, an album reader, and a school board member, and was a Toddler Community Guide for 12 years. Laura is an AMI/USA consultant and coach at the 0-3 level and lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She is serving Clover’s Toddler Community as Interim Lead Guide until August, 2024, when the permanent Lead Guide will join the faculty.
Aimjell (AJ) Calistri
ASSISTANT GUIDE
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AJ is a devoted professional whose passion for education, especially working with children, drives her enthusiasm for the Montessori method. AJ's own education began in a Montessori school in her birth country, the Philippines. AJ holds a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality, demonstrating her exceptional interpersonal skills and her commitment to service.
Outside of her professional pursuits, AJ delights in deepening her global perspective with good books and exciting travel adventures.
Cecilia Mazumdar Stanger
ASSISTANT GUIDE
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Cecilia received a BA in English from the University of Minnesota, where her interests in children's literature and food culminated in writing a children's cookbook for her honors thesis. She comes to Clover with over a decade of childcare experience and a passion for fostering environments in which children may develop independence with comfort and freedom. She is excited to put the gentle guidance she received from her Montessori elementary teachers into practice at a school in the neighborhood where she lives.
Cecilia believes a world where all people live with dignity and respect starts with respect for children. She enjoys witnessing toddlers' creativity as they explore new tasks. Their curiosity inspires her own love of cooking, music, art, and the outdoors.
The Children’s House
Alexander Link
LEAD GUIDE
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Alex is the Children’s House Lead Guide at Clover Montessori School. He was born in the Twin Cities and has dual citizenship with the United Kingdom.
Alex completed his AMI training at the Montessori Center of Minnesota after graduating from Gustavus Adolphus College with a BA in Psychology. He has been working in Montessori environments for the past 12 years. Before becoming a Montessorian, Alex worked as a personal care assistant and direct support professional for adults and children. Alex has also worked in YMCA development programs.
Alex grew up in Montessori settings and feels immensely privileged to work with children during their most formative years. One of his greatest honors in life is to put children in touch with these beautifully crafted and scientifically engineered Montessori materials that have been so influential for children for over one hundred years.
Guest Teacher
Ariel Bodnar Klein
GUEST TEACHER
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Ariel is passionate about early childhood education and has worked in a variety of childcare and educational leadership roles for the past eight years. She recently graduated from St. Olaf College with BAs in Education, Psychology, and Theater. Over the course of her studies and work, she has found an appreciation for the Montessori pedagogy and the autonomy it gives to children as they learn. Ariel’s long-term goal is to continue pursuing a career in education and teaching.
Join our team.
Clover Montessori School is currently searching for an experienced Assistant Guide for the Children’s House. To learn more about the position and submit your resumé.
“Kind, fair, and with the children’s best interests at heart, the teachers and staff create a nurturing environment where learning feels like a magical adventure.”
— Nikhil J.