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 passionately dedicated the past 12 years to early childhood education, immersing herself in various roles across diverse cultures. Her professional journey in Montessori education began at Duhovka, a bilingual Czech/English Montessori school in Prague, where she experienced the transformative power of this educational approach. Since then, Jana has taught and taken on leadership and mentorship roles in schools in England, North Dakota, and Minnesota, gaining invaluable insights into the universal ways children adapt, absorb, and learn within different cultural contexts.
Jana's own educational path started in a Montessori casa in Houston, Texas, where her love for learning was nurtured. Jana earned her Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) diploma at the Montessori Center of Minnesota in Saint Paul, and her AMI Montessori Administrators certificate at Montessori Northwest in Portland, Oregon. She graduated cum laude from Metropolitan State University with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Studies. Additionally, she holds a credential in Education Studies from Bath Spa University in Bath, England.
Throughout her career, Jana has remained committed to fostering an enriching learning environment for young children, drawing on her rich experiences to inspire and guide both students and fellow educators. Her deep understanding of diverse educational frameworks enables her to advocate effectively for children's developmental needs, ensuring they thrive in their formative years.
Francesca Miel
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
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Francesca has worked in Montessori environments for ten years. She has spent most of her years in the 3-6 classroom as an assistant and as a lead guide. Most recently, she worked as Director of a Montessori school that served ages 6 weeks-6 years. Originally from California, she came to Clover by way of Dallas, Texas. During her time there, she earned her AMI Primary diploma from Montessori Institute of North Texas and graduated summa cum laude from Texas Woman’s University with a degree in Child Development.
Francesca has a strong foundation in Montessori principles, a relationship-centered approach, and an aptitude for organization and the creation of functional systems. Her Montessori knowledge creates a framework for her approach to all of life, particularly the understanding of children as an oppressed class. This motivates her to work for children’s liberation alongside the liberation and flourishing of all others.
In her spare time, Francesca enjoys knitting and many other textile pursuits, biking, playing board games, and photographing and enjoying all the natural beauty Minnesota has to offer.
Staci Hedlund
CO-FOUNDER
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Staci co-founded Clover Montessori School, alongside Jana Hedlund and Alex Link. In the school’s first year, Staci served as the Lead Guide in the Toddler Community, and in the second year, she served as Clover’s Assistant Director. Now, she supports Clover with building maintenance and lends her presence when administrators take personal leave.
Alongside her work at Clover, Staci is leading a small team of professionals in developing groundbreaking services for Montessori guides throughout North America.
Staci earned her Association Montessori Internationale diploma (Ages 2.5 to 6) at the Montessori Center of Minnesota, where she was trained by Molly O’Shaughnessy and Liza Davis. She attended Smith College and Rice University, where she earned a BA in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.
Staci enjoys making Montessori materials, camping, mushroom hunting, and crocheting. She has lived in Czech Republic, Slovakia, Scotland, and six states within the US.
Toddler Community
Nora Schlang
LEAD GUIDE, TODDLER COMMUNITY
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Montessori has always been a part of Nora’s life. Her mother is a trained 3-6 guide and she attended Montessori schools in her hometown of Washington D.C. through elementary school. Nora completed her AMI birth to 3 training in St. Louis in 2019. She was so inspired by my training that she decided to continue her Montessori education and moved to the Twin Cities to attend the 3-6 training, graduating in 2021. Nora will graduate with her Early Childhood degree from St. Kate’s in December.
Nora plays guitar and sings in two bands. She enjoys going to shows in her free time. This love of music influences her work with children as she brings this interest into the classroom. She also enjoys sewing and going on long walks with her dog, Lady.
Essance Negron
ASSISTANT, TODDLER COMMUNITY
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Essance is a Saint Paul College student who was born in Chicago and raised in Saint Paul. Her career goal is to earn a degree in Early Childhood Education and become a Montessori guide. Essance believes that children are the future and they deserve holistic education. She approaches children with compassion, patience, empathy, and enthusiasm.
In her spare time, Essance enjoys reading, spending time with her family, taking trips to Chicago, and discovering new cuisines.
ASSISTANT, TODDLER COMMUNITY
Children’s House
Alex Link
FOUNDING LEAD GUIDE, CHILDREN’S HOUSE
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Alex is the Founding Children’s House Lead Guide at Clover Montessori School. Alex, Jana, and Staci worked side-by-side to build 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.
Eleanor Boeser
ASSISTANT, CHILDREN’S HOUSE
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Eleanor attended a classical high school and recently earned a Certificate in Child Development Careers from Saint Paul Community College. She is currently enrolled in the Montessorian Catechesis of the Good Shepherd training program. Her goals are to learn, grow, and live within Montessori principles and practices, and ultimately become a Montessori guide.
Eleanor is drawn to the natural beauty of Montessori learning environments and the order inherent in Montessori work. She admires Dr. Montessori’s passion for her work and her deep commitment to supporting children’s growth in knowledge, independence, and confidence.
Eleanor has worked as a nanny and as a camp counselor. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family’s cats, crocheting, embroidering, sewing, and finding flowers to photograph.
Sydney Johnson
AIDE, CHILDREN’S HOUSE
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Sydney was born in Duluth and raised in Rochester, Minnesota before moving to Saint Paul in 2024. She has experience working with children ages 6 weeks-6 years. Sydney is passionate about growing in this field and loves the Montessori method.
Some of her hobbies include traveling, being outside, walking along the river, and reading.
Remy Harris
ASSISTANT, CHILDREN’S HOUSE
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Remy attended New York University’s Tisch School of The Arts for musical theatre and strongly believes in the transformative power of creativity. Remy brings an artistic lens to every aspect of childcare. Their approach integrates visual arts, storytelling, music, and imaginative play as tools for exploration, expression, and growth. Inspired by the Montessori philosophy, they view the classroom as a dynamic canvas where each child’s curiosity and individuality shape the daily rhythm.
At the heart of Remy’s practice is a commitment to forming authentic, respectful connections with every child. They take the time to truly understand each learner, their interests, challenges, joys, and rhythms in order to offer meaningful, personalized support. Believing that children thrive when they feel seen and valued, Remy works to ensure that each child experiences a deep sense of belonging and agency. Through patient observation and gentle guidance, they aim to cultivate skills, empathy, and a lifelong love of learning.
Join our team.
We are always accepting applications for subs who want to grow their Montessori experience.
If you are interested in joining our team, please submit your resumé here.
“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.