Stephanie Clark
School Director
Stephanie (photo: middle) begins her 10th year as Director of HPMS and her 24th year with close ties to the school. She earned her Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Primary Diploma from the Montessori Center of Minnesota and her M.Ed. from Loyola University in Maryland in 2005-06. Stephanie earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree from
Macalester College in 1988.
Like Daralyn and Sarah, Stephanie began her Montessori journey as a parent. The amazing experience her oldest son had at the school was enough to change the course of her own life. While her second son attended HPMS, Stephanie worked as an Assistant at the school and then took the primary training. Before returning “home” to HPMS, Stephanie worked as a Guide in three Montessori schools (with long commutes!) across the Twin Cities.
It is with deep appreciation for Wendy Warren, who taught and lead HPMS for over 35 years (and is our beloved sub-Guide), that Stephanie takes on her role at HPMS.
Sonja Frogner
Office and Children's House Assistant
Sonja is in her 7th year at HPMS. Sonja grew up in Rochester, Minnesota. She studied cello and piano through high school. In 2009, she graduated from Wellesley College (near Boston) with a B.A. in Studio Art. After graduation, Sonja moved to Saint Paul.
While volunteering in Early Childhood Family Education classes, Sonja discovered what a delight it is to work with children. She then received her AMI Montessori Assistant Certificate in 2014. Before joining the HPMS community in 2017, Sonja gained four years of experience assisting in Montessori schools.
In her free time, Sonja enjoys running, reading, going to art museums, traveling, trying new restaurants and movies, and playing her cello and ukulele. She is enjoying getting to know all of the children in her classroom.
Jenny Olson
Children's House Guide and Montessori-K Guide
Jenny is in her 22nd year at HPMS. She earned her Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Primary Diploma from the Montessori Center of Minnesota, and her M.Ed. from Loyola University in Maryland in 2003. Jenny earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Theater Arts from Mankato State University in 2001.
Jenny began her career at HPMS as an Assistant teacher, after which she took over as the Aftercare Program Guide. Jenny started as a Children’s House Guide in 2009, and continues in this role today.
Montessori teaching runs in Jenny’s family: she herself attended a Montessori school as a young child. Jenny’s mother was a Guide for over twenty years in St. Cloud, and her sister is a Primary Guide in California. Jenny has a wonderful rapport with the children and understands their needs.
Tina Ross
Children's House Assistant
Tina is in her eighth year assisting in Jenny’s Children’s House. But, Tina spread her wings at HPMS much earlier as a student in Wendy’s classroom! After graduating, she continued with Montessori programs through third grade. Her two children, Will and Izzy, also attended HPMS. Tina enjoyed volunteering as a parent before joining the staff in 2015.
Tina received her Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology and Genetics from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, and she obtained her AMI Montessori Assistant Certificate in the summer of 2016.
Tina loves helping everyone at HPMS, and she especially enjoys watching children learn and grow. Tina loves reading, hiking, geocaching, and playing board games with her family.
Daralyn Sachs
Children's House Guide & Montessori-K Guide
Daralyn is in her 16th year at HPMS. Daralyn has had close ties to HPMS since her son Cooper enrolled in 2003, and her son Miles started in 2009. In Miles's first year, Daralyn was The Art Lady, and in 2009 she began working as a trained Assistant.
Daralyn earned her AMI Primary Diploma from the Montessori Center of Minnesota in 2016, and her AMI Assistants Certification in 2014. Daralyn graduated in 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration and Two Dimensional Studio Art from the University of St. Thomas.
In the fall of 2016, Daralyn had the opportunity to work with Gaby's children and found the experience incredibly rewarding. Upon Gaby's retirement (after 25 years at HPMS), Daralyn confidently stepped into her new role as Children's House Guide.
Melissa Franzen
Children's House Assistant
Melissa joined the HPMS community as an assistant in January. Melissa holds an AMI Primary Diploma for children ages 3-6. She has many years of experience subbing and assisting in Montessori schools throughout the Twin Cities. She is enjoying her time at HPMS!
Sarah Terrell
Toddler Community Guide
Sarah is in her 18th year at HPMS. Sarah discovered HPMS while working as a nanny for two girls who were attending the school. The more Sarah became acquainted with the staff, the method, and the children, the more she wanted HPMS to be a part of her own child’s life. When Sarah was three months pregnant with her daughter, Sarah put her on the waiting list to enroll at HPMS. In 2004, Sarah’s daughter began HPMS, and Sarah joined the school community as a volunteer.
Before joining HPMS, Sarah was a nanny for ten years. In 2006, after volunteering for several years, she joined the HPMS staff as an Assistant. She soon became the Afternoon Care Guide. In 2014, Sarah took on her current role of Toddler Community Guide.
Sarah earned her AMI Assistants to Infancy diploma in 2014, and her AMI Primary diploma in 2009.
Olivia Watson
Toddler Community Assistant
Olivia began her journey at HPMS as a student in Wendy's room. She continued her Montessori education at Marin Montessori School in California. After moving back to Minnesota she joined the school as as an assistant. During her time at HPMS, Olivia completed the Montessori Center of Minnesota 0-6 Orientation Course. Now in her 6th year as an assistant at the school, she works year-round with toddlers.
Abby Terrell
Toddler Community Assistant
Abby started teaching at HPMS in June of 2023. Abby grew up surrounded by Montessori. Her mother is the Toddler Community Guide, and Abby started her education at HPMS in 2004. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology with a minor in Cognitive Science from Lawrence University in Wisconsin.
Nanette Nagel
Afternoon Program Guide
Nanette is in her tenth year as the Afternoon Program Guide. Nanette has been learning about, and working with, young children most of her life. She has worked in Montessori environments, at a children's farm school, and as a toddler teacher before joining our staff in 2014.
As the Afternoon Program Guide, Nanette has created a warm and beautiful environment in which children can explore arts and crafts, a library, building blocks, puzzles, games and cards, trains, and practical life activities. The children learn songs to sing and songs to sign. She provides a loving and nurturing environment for the children in her care.
Nanette earned her AMI Assistants Training Certificate in 2005. Nanette holds a bachelors degree in Sociology and Criminal Justice and, before, was a Saint Paul Police Officer for eight years.
Nanette loves cooking, gardening, and flea marketing.
Baokou Khang
Afternoon Program Assistant
Baokou is in her second year at HPMS. She has worked with children in the summer program and now works with Nan and Ivory in the Afternoon Program. She also provides support in the Toddler Room at the end of the day.
Baokou has a degree in Early Childhood Education from Minneapolis Community Technical College.
Ivory Doublette
Afternoon Program Assistant
Ivory has been working with children at HPMS since summer of 2023. Ivory earned her AMI Diploma for Primary (3-6 year olds) at the Montessori Center of Minnesota this past May and continues her M.Ed at St. Catherine University.