Faculty & Staff

Amy Henderson
Upper Elementary Teacher/Head of School

Amy is our current head of school, a position she has held since 2003. She served as the head of the elementary program since 1997. She has been a teacher at MCH since1984 and is the immediate successor to Joy Sheffield, the founding head of school. Amy holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Texas Wesleyan University, a Master’s Degree in Education from Texas Christian University, an American Montessori Society Teaching Credential for ages 6 to 12 and an AMS Administrator’s Credential from the Houston Montessori Center. Currently, she is a faculty member of the Houston Montessori Center and engages in field consulting, mentoring and presentations for teacher education centers both nationally and internationally. She served on the American Montessori Society (AMS) Board of Directors for eight years, first as the Vice-President for Professional Development and then as President of AMS. She continues to be an active member of AMS by serving on various committees and supporting professional development opportunities through presentations and writing. As an educator, Amy strongly believes in learning communities and is known for her own quest of knowledge, observation skills and leadership qualities.

Judy Duke
Toddler Teacher/Admissions Administrator

Judy has worked with the toddler community at MCH since 1982. Along with her extensive experiences as a teacher, she holds an American Montessori Society Teaching Credential for ages 0-3 from the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies (MECR) and currently serves as a field consultant and supervising teacher. Judy also manages many of the office responsibilities as the admissions director, advisor to other teachers and keen observer of students. She has a reputation for her inner calmness and

Sarah Adams
Toddler Teacher

Sarah Gail Adams is truly passionate about Montessori. She is a Fort Worth native who attended Como Montessori School in elementary school. After she graduated from Texas Tech with a Bachelor’s Degree in psychology in 2004, she returned to her Montessori roots. Child psychology and brain development were the areas of heightened interest to Sarah bringing her to a true appreciation of the toddler community. She also works with the elementary students offering yoga one a week. Sarah is known for her enthusiasm, willingness to try new ideas, her positive approach and her diversity of skills. She says, “MCH is an incredible community, it has been a wonderful journey of discovery.”

Cecilia Aufiero
Preschool Teacher

Cecilia received her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois in Chicago and spent two years as the Motor Development Specialist in the Allegheny Valley School in Pennsylvania. She taught in Buenos Aires, Argentina for eight years prior to moving to the United States. Cecilia has been a part of Montessori Children’s House since 1998, when her eldest son was enrolled first serving on the Montessori Advisory Group and then helping at lunch. She is completing her AMS certification at the Dallas Montessori Academy this year and has been a part of the preschool learning community since 2006. Cecilia also teaches Spanish to the elementary classes. Cecilia is known for her positive outlook, the energy she brings to the learning community and is open to new ideas and growth.

Catherine Fredian
Office Manager

Catherine received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Washington University in St. Louis. She is the proud mother to three sons who have all experienced a Montessori education. Catherine has been a part of MCH since 2002, managing the school office since 2006. She is an active participant in the Montessori Parents' Club and President. Her favorite and most important job these days is being Mom. Catherine is a detail oriented office manager, a welcoming voice on the phone and an enthusiastic supporter of the MCH activities.

Michelle Gordon
Preschool Teacher

Michelle became involved at MCH by serving on the Montessori Parent’s Club when her son enrolled here in 2002.She acted upon her love for the Montessori method and became a certified AMS teacher at the Dallas Montessori Academy. She teaches and guides children ages 3-6 in the preschool community. In this role she loves introducing new parents and their children to the life changing philosophy that is Montessori. Michelle is gentle, thoughtful and empathetic.

Matty Horton
Elementary Teacher

Matty is a native to Fort Worth who graduated from Texas Wesleyan University with a double major in Business Administration and Psychology. She has been a part of the MCH family working with the students since 2000 in aftercare and as a substitute. She received an American Montessori Society Teaching Credential for ages 6 to 9 from the Houston Montessori Center and is currently teaching our Lower Elementary students. Matty is known for her kindness to the children and adults alike, her love of animals (especially Labs) and cooperative personality.

Mel Hurst
Preschool Teacher

Mel was introduced to Montessori teaching over three decades ago when her son was young. She remembers watching through the viewing window at the Montessori school where he was attending amazed that so many children were productive and happy. All three of her children are Montessori students and they all remember fondly their classrooms and the events that took place there. Mel received her AMS Teaching Credential from the Houston Montessori Center in 1989 and has been a part of MCH since 2005 after moving to Fort Worth. She says, “MCH is a wonderful school, and I am proud to be a part of it.” Mel is known for her spontaneity, creativity and love of storytelling.

Emily Imboden
Elementary Teacher

Emily has been a part of the MCH family since 2002. She is an integral part of the elementary learning community. Emily majored in Japanese studies at the University of Texas and received her American Montessori Society Teaching Credential for ages 6 to 9 from the Houston Montessori Center. She enjoys the children at school and has been responsible for the production of the MCH yearbook, a keepsake for the students. Emily is known for her strong work ethic, her advocacy for children and generosity. She is consistently willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. She loves to travel and accompanies the upper elementary students on extended class trips.

Cristy Lanford
Preschool Teacher

Christy began her relationship with MCH through the enrollment of her children. Both of her sons attended MCH through their elementary years. She served as a long time supporter of the school through various roles on the board of the Montessori Parents’ Club. Her association with the school began in 1994 and continues today. She is currently one of our preschool teachers and also leads our preschool Spanish enrichment program. Cristy is known for her love of nature, especially animals, and enjoys sharing her love of the outdoors with the children.

Rachel Nordgren
Elementary Teacher

Rachel is part of the elementary teaching team. She has been teaching for 12 years in a variety of settings: public school, public school Montessori, European bilingual school (in Italy) and private Montessori. She received her teaching degree from the University of Oklahoma and holds an AMS Montessori Credential from Houston Montessori Center. Rachel is positive, has a delightful sense of humor and a variety of interests.

Emily Pickell
Preschool Teacher

Emily has taught in our preschool environment since 2003. She graduated from Trinity University with a B.A. in Elementary Education and received her M. Ed from the University of Texas in Austin. For fourteen years she taught elementary and middle school students with learning and behavior differences in San Antonio, Highland Park, and Mississippi. She took some time off from teaching to stay home with her two boys when they were young and first became involved with MCH in 2000. She is known for her quiet, responsible manner.

Kathy Solter
Musikgarten and Music Specialist, Art Teacher

Kathy has a Bachelor’s in Music Education, with a specialization in organ. She is certified and licensed by Musikgarten. She is a member of the Early Childhood Music and Movement Association, and has taught music, choir, piano and art for many years both privately and in the school setting. Kathy has taught at MCH since 1994. She loves children and teaching them is her passion.

Julie Sphar
Preschool Teacher

Julie’s journey to becoming a Montessori teacher started when her son entered the MCH toddler program in 1999. She immediately fell in love with the school and started volunteering. Over the years she has held many positions in the Montessori Parents’ Club, including president. Later she worked in the school office, and then became a lunch-bunch teacher and substitute teacher for the preschool. She enrolled in the local Montessori teacher education course in 2004 and received an AMS Credential for ages 3-6 from the Dallas Montessori Academy. Julie says, “I feel very lucky to be able to work in such a wonderful place.” MCH is very fortunate to have such a caring teacher that loves children and wants their experience to be filled with positive experiences.

Pat Williams
Preschool Teacher

Pat joined MCH for the second time in 2007 having previously taught at the school from 2001-2003. She began her Montessori career in Kentucky in 1980 at which time she completed the training for St. Nicholas Certification for teaching ages 3-6. In 1989, she completed AMS training from the Dallas Montessori Academy for the same age group. Pat holds a B.A. in English from UTA. She has a strong interest in professional development and consulting work for Montessori schools. Pat is known for her patience, observation skills and vast knowledge/adherence to the Montessori approach to education.