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Staff Menu |
Administration and Staff |
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Click on headers to see all personel in the department or on the name to see individual bios
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Kym Elder, Executive Director of Island Village Montessori Charter and Early Childhood Programs, was founder and first President of the IVMS Founding Board. Kym has Montessori educator certification from the American Montessori Society in both early childhood and elementary levels and has taught students from three years old to eighth grade in Montessori environments for close to 15 years. She is a graduate of both Pine View School and New College and has been a Sarasota County resident for most of her life, living also in New Orleans, upstate New York, and Michigan. Kym holds a Master's Degree in Charter School Educational Leadership from NOVA University and Florida professional certifications in educational leadership, K-6 elementary education, and integrated middle school curriculum grades 5-9. Kym holds a Florida Early Childhood Director's credential. Kym has returned to NOVA in the Doctorate in Education Program with a concentration in Internet Technology and Distance Education. In addition to school administration duties, she is project director of Montessori Live, an Internet-based Montessori lesson library and teacher training program developed at IVMS as well as Montalign, an Internet-based student tracking software also being developed at IVMS. Both projects are to forward the quality of Montessori programs in the United States and abroad. Kym has been a speaker at Montessori and Florida Charter School conferences. Kym has two children, Brooks and Jade, and is married to Don Elder, a local fine arts and antiques dealer. Brooks was a member of IVMS's first graduating class in June of 2003 as well as the first graduating class of Island Village Middle School in June 2006. Jade is currently a middle school student at IVMS.
Michelle has her Bachelors in accounting from the University of South Florida and has been a Sarasota County resident since 1990. Michelle and her husband Bob have one child, Nicole, who has been a student at IVMS since 2004.
Jan is the Administrative Assistant/Director of Marketing and After-School Programs. She was also the first President of the IVMS parent's group, PAC. Before semi-retirement, Jan and her husband, Bob, operated a custom home-design construction company. Currently, Jan continues the operation of her energy conservation company. "Having six grandchildren, three of school age and three in preschool is what brought me to Kym's side and to become actively involved with IVMS. I want for my grandchildren as well as for all children the opportunity to receive a quality education and enjoyment of the learning experience IVMS provides." Besides enjoying her time at IVMS, Jan also loves gardening, decorating, her cats and time with her family.
Gail Biroscak joins IVMS as our new registrar. Gail was the main registrar for charter schools at the district level last year. Gail and Nancy worked closely together, and Gail is familiar with all Sarasota County requirements for records and registration. We are expecting a seamless transition and are grateful to Nancy, who took an active role in finding her replacement. We are glad to have such an experienced person in this position and welcome Gail to our staff.
Jolie Holman joins IVMS assistant to our financial director and support person for our faculty. Jolie has experience as an early childhood teacher as well as experience working as a bookkeeper. Jolie and her two children have been involved with IVMS since our opening year in 2001.
Kristen Comeau joins IVMS an office assistant and support person for our faculty. Kristen and her two children have been involved with IVMS since our opening year in 2001.
Lisa was born and raised in Illinois on a farm. She moved to Florida in 1982 after graduating. Lisa is married to Steve and they have a daughter Danielle. They enjoy, as a family, boating and camping. Lisa joined the IVMS staff in 2002 and works in the administration department. Before that she worked at Verizon for 14 years and attended MCC.
Jeannine has served in the U.S. Air Force Nurse Corps. She brings to IVMS her broad experience in nursing and leadership as she manages the clinic. She has been a nurse consultant, has earned her Master of Science in Nursing, and has taught nursing in RN programs at the college level. She has two Middle School students at IVMS.
Randy Nixon joins IVMS as assistant registrar, network troubleshooter, and head of our maintenance department. Randy has worked for Sarasota County Schools in maintenance, and received certification in both computer networking and registration. He also brings continuity from his district experience. We look forward to Randy’s leadership and knowledge in all the above areas.
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René Arthur moved from Pennsylvania in 1982, graduated college in 1986 and worked at a veterinary hospital as a certified veterinary technician for 11 years. In August 2001 she changed careers and went back to school to earn a CDA and the Florida Directors Credential to become the IVM Early Education Director. In 2005 the program was awarded the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Her daughter is one of the original toddlers of the early educational program and now attends the IVM Charter Elementary School. She is rewarded everyday by smiles and hugs from the children on the early education campus and our graduates now at the charter school.
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Elaine relocated to Florida in 2002 from Nashville, Tennessee. Her first group of students was a K-2 learning environment. Many of those original students were with Ms. Elaine throughout her four year tenure as a classroom teacher at Island Village Montessori School and are now entering middle school. Elaine earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Tennessee and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. Ms Elaine is certified in both early childhood and elementary education by the American Montessori Society. In 2001, Elaine published articles in two international educational Magazines: Montessori Life and Tomorrow’s Child. She is also a national and regional workshop presenter. Recently, Elaine has joined the faculty of the Montessori Live Educator Training Program. Elaine’s longtime husband and partner Larry Billings is also an enthusiastic supporter of our school and Montessori education. Elaine and Larry have three grown children and four grandchildren.
Carol Faber is the curriculum and testing coordinator for the IVMS. In her role as Curriculum Director, Carol provides coaching and training in Montessori methodology and orders materials for the classrooms. Carol is certified by the American Montessori Society in Early Childhood and Elementary (ages 3 - 12). Carol taught at the Upper Elementary level for over 20 years at her own school in Ithaca, New York and for four years at New Gate School here in Sarasota. She has been with Island Village Montessori School since it opened in 2001. Carol is an avid tennis player and is certified as a personal trainer.
Sherry Evans, who moved to Venice in 2003 from Virginia, has worked for 31 years with children and families. She has a B.S. in Social Work from the State University of New York at Buffalo and an M.Ed. in Counselor Education from the University of Virginia. Sherry developed the elementary counseling program at Grafton Elementary in 1989. She worked there until 2003, serving grades K-5. She has also worked as a middle school counselor, visiting teacher, Head Start social service director, and as a member of child study teams. She emphasizes teaching children skills, such as peacemaking, friendship, confidence building, citizenship, and cooperation.
Katie L. Smith graduated with from Edison Community College (Ft. Myers, FL) with an Associate of Arts degree in Education, and holds a Bachelor's degree in Special Education from Bowling Green State University (Bowling Green, Oh) She has taught grades K-4 , as well as 7th and 8th, in both inclusion and self-contained settings. Katie has worked with students who have had a variety of health impairments, as well as cognitive, educational, emotional and behavioral disabilities. We are excited about having a person with Katie's qualifications become part of out Montessori community. |
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Upper Elementary & Middle School Administration and Office Staff |
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Executive Director of Island Village Montessori Charter and Early Childhood Programs, was founder and first President of the IVMS Founding Board. Kym has Montessori teacher certification from the American Montessori Society in both early childhood and elementary levels and has taught students from three years old to sixth grade in Montessori environments for over 10 years. She is a graduate of both Pine View School and New College and has been a Sarasota County resident for most of her life, living also in New Orleans, upstate New York, and Michigan. Kym holds a Master's Degree in Charter School Educational Leadership from NOVA University and Florida professional certifications in educational leadership, K-6 elementary education, and integrated middle school curriculum grades 5-9. Kym has returned to NOVA in the Doctorate in Education Program with a concentration in Internet Technology and Distance Education. In addition to school administration duties, she is project director of Montessori Live, an Internet-based Montessori lesson library and teacher training program developed at IVMS as well as Montalign, an Internet-based student tracking software also being developed at IVMS. Both projects are to forward the quality of Montessori programs in the United States and abroad. Kym has two children, Brooks and Jade, and is married to Don Elder, a local fine arts and antiques dealer. Brooks was a member of IVMS's first graduating class in June of 2003 as well as the first graduating class of Island Village Middle School in June 2006. Jade is currently an upper elementary student at IVMS.
Dr. Czaja has been involved in the Montessori movement for over 45 years. He received his masters degree in philosophy and his doctorate in education from Fordham University. Dr. Czaja was on the founding faculty and, eventually, headmaster at the famous Whitby School the American Montessori Center, in Greenwich, Connecticut, from 1960 until 1978. He has been involved in Montessori teacher training for many years, and has worked with Montessori public schools as well as private schools.
Katie L. Smith graduated with from Edison Community College (Ft. Myers, FL) with an Associate of Arts degree in Education, and holds a Bachelor's degree in Special Education from Bowling Green State University (Bowling Green, Oh) She has taught grades K-4 , as well as 7th and 8th, in both inclusion and self-contained settings. Katie has worked with students who have had a variety of health impairments, as well as cognitive, educational, emotional and behavioral disabilities. We are excited about having a person with Katie's qualifications become part of out Montessori community. |
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Katie L. Smith graduated with from Edison Community College (Ft. Myers, FL) with an Associate of Arts degree in Education, and holds a Bachelor's degree in Special Education from Bowling Green State University (Bowling Green, Oh) She has taught grades K-4 , as well as 7th and 8th, in both inclusion and self-contained settings. Katie has worked with students who have had a variety of health impairments, as well as cognitive, educational, emotional and behavioral disabilities. We are excited about having a person with Katie's qualifications become part of out Montessori community. |
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Kym
Elder
Michelle Vitiello 
Jan
Pearman
Gail
Biroscak
Jolie
Holman
Kristen
Comeau
Lisa
Gifford 
Jeannine
Ball, RN, MSN
Randy
Nixon
René
Arthur
Elaine Mitchell Palmore
Carol
Faber
Sherry
Evans
Katie
Smith
Dr.
Paul Czaja
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