Hand in Hand Christian Montessori
Nido Staff
651-505-2990
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Angelina Frohlich
"Ms. Annie"
Primary Director
a.frohlich@hihcm.org
HiH staff since 2002; Lead Casa Teacher since 2008; Trained Musikgarten instructor and worked at a music school for 9 years teaching birth through 6 music classes. Degree from the University of Northwestern in Children's Ministries and a Minor in Music; Montessori Certificate for Primary age from the Christian Montessori Training Center; Masters in Montessori Education and Leadership from St. Katherine's University.
Julie Erickson
"Ms. Julie"
Licensing Director
j.erickson@hihcm.org
HIH staff and Faculty since 2015, Licensing Director, Music Director
20+ years of experience working in early childhood.
Bachelor of Science in Music from North Central University; Certificate of Montessori Theory from Bethany Global University; Musikgarten Teacher; Montessori 0-3 Theory (Administrator Certification) Child Alive; Licensed Family Child Care Provider 8 years; Anoka County Child Care Provider of the Year award 2014; Zumba Kids Instructor; Music Lead; Family Preschool Lead; Playcare Director; Compliance Director at Nonna's of Wayzata; Nido Director 2020-2024.
“I love that I get to work with every student from Infant-6th grade as a music specialist!
We have so much fun learning here!”
Amy Lee Harrington
HIH Volunteer since 2012, NIDO Infant Teacher since 2020;
B.S. Architecture, Iowa State University; HIH Outdoor Environment Coordinator; Trained outdoor environment educator; In-home child care provider;
Montessori 0-3 Certification through Child Alive.
“Through seeing my four children thrive at HIH, and volunteering and working in the classrooms, I have found a passion for Montessori methods and nurturing young minds. While I love working with kids of all ages, and strive to care for everyone around me, I especially love caring for the littlest ones.”
Karleen Witt
40+ years providing childcare in homes, centers, and churches
Education in Early Childhood and Child Psychology at Bethel and Northwestern Colleges; Childcare center Assistant and Assistant Teacher; In-home Childcare provider; Assistant Childcare Coordinator, Bethlehem Baptist Church; Currently pursuing Montessori 0-3 Certification through Child Alive, Nido staff since 2020.
“This is my first experience in a Montessori environment.
It is thrilling to not only care for each child's needs, but to partner with parents in the adventures of early childhood. To daily witness
once-in-a-lifetime milestones. It is truly an honor that I do not take lightly!”
Maggie McKnight
"Ms. Maggie"
NIDO/CH Assistant
Maggie has been a lead Catechesis of the Good Shephard (Montessori-based curriculum for Sunday School) teacher for 3-6 year olds since 2007, and received full training and certification in the program in 2006. She has worked since 2015 for Early Childhood Family Education in the Infant/Toddler room as a Teacher's Aide. Prior to her own children being born, Maggie worked as a nanny for over 5 years. Maggie's degree from Macalester College is in Asian Philosophy, with minors in Religious Studies and Creative Writing. Maggie joined our staff in 2021 and assists both in Children's House and Nido Infant. Currently pursuing Montessori 3-6 Certification through Child Alive.
"I believe that the time of growth, learning, and relationship-building is absolutely astonishing in an infant/child's beginning years. What they are learning in these early years is incredibly valuable to them throughout their entire lives, and I feel both privileged and delighted to be able to partner with these youngest learners."
Pazau Thao
“Miss Pazau”
Pronounces name PUH-zhow TOW
NIDO Aide
Pazau joined our Nido staff in 2021 and has taken some Montessori 0-3 training through Child Alive.
“I love working with children, and though this is my first experience in childcare and in a Montessori, I am more than excited to be able to learn and grow my skills. As a college student, I am interested in the social work field and hope to one day find myself working in foster care. I have surrounded myself with opportunities to assist organizations while getting hands on experience. In the past few years, I’ve become a Swim Teacher, a volunteer at the children’s hospital, and became a Sunday School 1st Grade Teacher at my church.”
Kalyna Xiong
"Miss Ka"
Nido Assistant
Kalyna joined our Nido staff in 2021 and has taken some Montessori 0-3 training through Child Alive.
"I've had two years of experience in working in childcare before, but this is my first time working in a Montessori. I love working with children and see them hit certain milestones as they grow. At my church, I've helped out with the children's ministry as a Sunday School teacher for various ages and helped led the puppet ministry as an extracurricular activity for the kids willing to participate. I currently serving in my church's youth ministry--which I also thoroughly enjoy. I am a graduate from Concordia University-Saint Paul with a Bachelor's Degree in English with a Creative Writing Emphasis. I hope to travel the world and write about those experiences or write a novel/story for people to read."
Brenan Dobbs
"Ms. Brenan"
NIDO Toddler Lead
b.dobbs@hihcm.org
Mrs. Brenan was formerly a Lead Toddler Guide at MacDonald Montessori School and has worked in Montessori toddler environments for over 4 years. She has two children who will be in the Infant and Toddler classrooms as well. Brenan has a bachelor's degree in theology and intercultural studies form Bethany Global University and is enthusiastic about becoming a trained Montessori Infancy (Birth-Three) Guide through Child Alive.
"I am passionate about child development through meeting the needs of the wholechild."
Diane Sawyer
HIH staff since 2003, NIDO Infant Toddler Float/Staff Nanny
25+ years of experience working in early childhood.
Associates Degree in General Business from The Sawyer School, AKA Minnesota School of Business, Legal Courses (Certificates) Carlson School of Management, Certificate from Montessori Training Center of Minnesota in “Working with Children with Special Needs”; Musikgarten Certification; Playcare Lead;
CDA Certification (Child Development Credential):
Completed Montessori 0-3 Certification through Child Alive.
“I started taking care of newborns, infants, and toddlers at the age of nine. After working in the Apartment Management and Legal Field for 25 years, I decided to go back and to do what I really love and enjoy doing, ‘working with the very young’. I truly love my job!”
Kiersten Forchette
"Miss Kiersten"
NIDO Assistant
She graduated from University of the Nations (YWAM) and has mentored middle school students for the past year with Americorps and is a Young Adult leader at her church. She joined us summer of 2024.