Myrna Bonhomme received her AMI 3-6 primary directress diploma from the Institut Supérieur Maria Montessori in Paris, France. Myrna came to Island Village after two years teaching at a Montessori school in Florida. She brings with her an enriched background in both art and the French language and holds a professional Florida certificate for Prek-3rd grade elementary, French, and art. Myrna has her AMS Elementary I certification from the New Gate Center for Montessori Studies.

During her decade-long Paris residency, Myrna earned BA degrees in both art history as well as plastics arts from the University of Paris I Pantheon-Sorbonne. She also has a BA in fine arts from the Lebanese-American University of Beirut. In 2008, she earned her masters degree in elementary education with a concentration in Montessori. Myrna is fluent in English, French, and Lebanese.

Shannon Lyons is certified in K-6 elementary education and is in her fourth year as an educator. She is eager to work with Myrna and become certified in Montessor education.

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Jennifer Ocana has been at IVMS since 2003. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Emerson College in Fine Arts, and certification by the American Montessori Society at the elementary I level.

Jennifer previously taught for almost 10 years at Oak Meadow Montessori School in Littleton, Mass and for a year at New Gate School in Sarasota in the 9 - 12 year old class before joining IVMS. Jennifer enjoys environmental and nature studies with her students. Jennifer received her Florida K-6 elementary teaching certificate and is completing requirements for exceptional student education.

Jennifer will also take on some administrative duties this year as the upper elementary coordinator.

Tammy Baker moved to Venice from Pennsylvania in 1983. She is married to her husband, Brock, and has two children at Island Village Montessori School, Taylor and Kyle. Taylor began as a kindergartner in 2001, (the year the school opened,) so the family has seen the school grow throughout the years as Tammy has spent time on the parent committee and has participated as a classroom representative (CASA rep).

Tammy has worked as a registered nurse in the area since 1993.

In 2005, she decided she would like to spend more of her valuable time with her children, so she took a position at IVMS as a classroom assistant and a health educator. She has a bachelor's degree in science and she completed the K-6 Florida certification exam this past summer. Tammy is participating in the Montessori Live online courses provided by the school and she is very excited to be working full time at the school again this year.

Jo Shipley joins Island Village Middle School in the language arts department. Jo has AMI Montessori Elementary II certification (6 years old to 12) from Loyola College, where she also received her master’s degree in education. Her undergraduate studies concentrated on English literature.

Jo has worked in both private and public Montessori schools for seven years. She enjoys working with older students and will be co-teaching with Kathy Nixon in classroom 18. Jo is highly qualified under the HOUSSE program under No Child Left Behind.

Marilyn Cloutier has worked at the elementary level for many years as a professional educator in New Hampshire. She is certified K-6 elementary in New Hampshire and is applying for her professional certification in Florida.

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