Rachel Schmidt, Music Specialist

Rachel is a graduate of Luther College with a major in vocal music and a minor in education. She has experience teaching music at all grade levels as well as directing choirs for children and adults. Rachel is enthusiastic about our program particularly the emphasis on the Orff methodology.

Kim MacKenzie, Learning Specialist

Kim MacKenzie is our new learning support teacher. Kim is a Montessori trained teacher wit a B.A. in linguistics. She also has her Orton-Gillingham certification and has over 20 years experience working with learning disabilities and as a reading therapist. She will cover the program that Anne Wussler taught last year.

Gema Nelson, Spanish Teacher

Originally from Madrid Spain, Gema is the Spanish teacher at Oak Hill Montessori. She is married and has one daughter (Rebeca) who is in Lower Elementary. Gema came to the live in the U.S. in the summer of 1996. She holds a degree in early elementary education from Spain, and worked for 2 years in a Montessori Day Care Center teaching Spanish when she first arrived in the U.S. Gema truly enjoys being here at Oak Hill Montessori: giving lessons, teaching songs, playing games, and cooking different Spanish meals.

Rene Block, Arts Resource Director

Rene Block comes to Oak Hill with many years of teaching experience in public and private schools. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin Madison with a degree in K-12 Art Education. Rene found her way to Oak Hill by way of her former student Ms. Alison Stern, who attended Lake County Montessori where Rene worked for 11 years. Rene and her husband Jim live in Southwest Minneapolis and she has two grown children Alex and Greta. Besides having a passion for teaching Art and working with students Rene enjoys collecting antiques / junk and outdoor activities.

Joan Willis, Physical Education Specialist and Elementary After-School Coordinator