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 since 1984 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 (AMS) 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 presenting to teacher education centers both nationally and internationally.

Amy is an active member of the American Montessori Society (AMS). She served on the AMS Board of Directors for eight years, first as the Vice-President for Professional Development and then as President. Currently, Amy serves on various committees and supports 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. Amy enjoys family time with her husband and grown children, traveling, reading and outdoor activities.

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 for other teachers . Judy also manages many of the office responsibilities as the admissions director, advisor to other teachers and keen observer of students. Her other interests are gardening, reading, art and helping the environment. She has a reputation for her inner calmness, nurturing manner and extensive knowledge of child development. Judy enjoys gardening, reading and walking her dog.

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 serving on the Montessori Advisory Group. She received her AMS certification at the Dallas Montessori Academy and has been a part of the preschool learning community since 2006. Cecilia also teaches Spanish to the elementary classes. In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis with her family, reading and walking/hiking. Cecilia is known for her positive outlook, the energy she brings to the learning community and her openness 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 enjoys the daily interactions with the parents, faculty and students of MCH. She is an avid runner and enjoys attending her sons’ sporting events, cooking, gardening and reading. 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 in 2002. Many of her friends and relatives are actively involved in Montessori education. Michelle has her AMS teacher certification from the Dallas Montessori Academy. She teaches and guides children ages 3-6 in the preschool community. In this role, she enjoys watching the children learn and work together. Her hobbies include reading and watching her son play baseball. Michelle is gentle, thoughtful and empathetic.

Matty Horton-Umsheid
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 her AMS Teaching Credential for ages 6 to 9 from the Houston Montessori Center. She is especially impressed with Montessori’s ideas of following the child and fostering independence. Matty is known for her compassion; she is a thorough and dedicated teacher. She characterizes MCH as a second home because the environment is so welcoming. When not at school, Matty enjoys drag racing, dogs, good books, cooking and spending time with her family.

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 holds an AMS Teaching Credential for ages 6 to 12 from the Houston Montessori Center. She enjoys working with the children at school. Emily leads the yearbook club, helping the upper elementary students produce a yearly memory book. She loves movies, family time, travel, and board games. Emily is known for being competent, calm and organized.

Cristy Lanford
Preschool Teacher

Cristy began her relationship with MCH through the enrollment of her children in 1992 and became a teacher in 1994. She is impressed with the children’s enthusiasm for learning, freedom of choice and the independence of the students. Cristy enjoys gardening, fishing, camping, crocheting and reading. She is currently one of our preschool teachers and also leads our preschool Spanish enrichment program. Cristy is known for her love of nature. She is characterized by her co-teachers as fun-loving, caring, sensitive and creative.

Rachel Nordgren
Elementary Teacher

Rachel joined the elementary teaching team at MCH in 2007. Previously, she had 12 years of teaching experience in a variety of settings: public school, European bilingual school (in Italy) and private Montessori schools. She received her teaching degree from the University of Oklahoma and holds an AMS Teaching Credential for ages 6-9 from the Houston Montessori Center. Rachel likes the underlying respect that people have for one another in a Montessori school, to see a child go as far as they can and not be tied down by the group. She loves the family feel and MCH. It is the place where she wants her children to grow up. Rachel enjoys traveling, reading, skiing, cooking and spending time with family. Rachel is characterized as kind, creative and organized.

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 Masters Degree in Education 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 2001. Emily likes the collaboration amongst the teachers at MCH. She loves teaching the children in the three-year grouping and working with them as they grow and mature. She enjoys reading, walking/hiking and ringing hand bells. Emily is dedicated, loving, and creative.

Kathy Solter
Musikgarten and Music Specialist, Art Teacher

Kathy graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education, with a specialization in organ. She is a certified and licensed Musikgarten Specialist from the Early Childhood Music and Movement Association. Kathy has taught music, choir, piano and art for many years, both privately and in the school setting. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, playing cards, painting, needlepoint and sewing for her home. Kathy has taught at MCH since 1994. She loves the quiet, calm, respectful atmosphere of the school, and cooperative work habits of the children and teachers. She commented that the teachers are so respectful of the children and treat them so thoughtfully and sweetly. They are respectful of each other and professional towards everyone making MCH a wonderful place to teach. Kathy is knowledgeable, passionate, and enthusiastic.

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 Teaching Credential for ages 3-6 from the Dallas Montessori Academy. In her free time, Julie enjoys reading, geocaching and genealogy. 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 education 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 another 3-6 year old Teaching Credential. Pat holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Texas at Arlington. She has completed the Schools Attuned training from The Learning Center of North Texas. Pat enjoys the community which develops within a classroom of learners. Away from school, Pat enjoys reading, spending time with her grandchildren and having lunch with friends. She is dedicated, dependable, and an experienced teacher.

Mahlon Tate
Upper Elementary Teacher

Mahlon Tate joined MCH in 2008 after retiring from a long career in the Fort Worth Independent School District, where he taught English in grades 6-12 and trained teachers in the use of computers. With over 24 years experience in teaching, Mahlon holds an AMS Teaching Credential for ages 12-15 from the Houston Montessori Center, as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree. in English and history from the University of Texas at Arlington and a Master’s of Arts degree in English from Texas Christian University. He holds a lifetime Texas Teacher Certificate, and is a Texas Master Teacher Educator. Mahlon holds numerous awards for his teaching, the most notable of which is the Bank One Chair of English, awarded in 1992, for excellence in the teaching of English in FWISD.

Mahlon is described as caring, committed, and competent. He loves to encourage and observe the growth of the students in Upper Elementary. Mahlon’s faith in the Montessori approach began when his own children attended Montessori schools. He finds the growth in children in a Montessori program to be exponentially better, as well as encompassing the child’s physical, intellectual, spiritual, and social well being. Mahlon’s interests outside of school include gardening, playing with grandchildren, working with computers, and following Dallas Cowboys football. Also, he is active in his church, where he has spent 30 years working with toddlers in the preschool Sunday school.

Lisa Hendricksen
Preschool Teacher

Lisa graduated from Northern Michigan University with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education K-8 in 1992. She received her AMS Teaching Credential for ages 6-9 from the Houston Montessori Center in 1997. Lisa became involved in Montessori education through the Fort Worth Independent School District. She says what she most likes most about teaching at MCH is having the opportunity to work one-on-one with students and giving hands-on Montessori lessons to meet each child's individual needs. She adds, “Having my own children attend and be part of such a wholesome, peaceful school community is invaluable to me.” Her other activities include playing poolside with her family and spending time with friends. She is characterized as outgoing, helpful and caring.