Hand in Hand Christian Montessori
Nido Staff
651-505-2990
Julie Erickson
"Ms. Julie"
NIDO Director
j.erickson@hihcm.org
HIH staff and Faculty since 2015, NIDO Director, Music Specialist
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.
“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."
Melissa Kundson
“Ms. Melissa”
NIDO Toddler Teacher
m.knudson@hihcm.org
Ms. Melissa brings over 13+ years working with young children
Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with an emphasis in preprimary, 2004; Director of Children’s Ministry, 2013-2021; Lead Mobile Infant Teacher 2012-2013; Lead Toddler Teacher 2010-2012; E1 Assistant at HIH, 2009-2010; Nido Staff since 2021. Completed some Montessori 0-3 training through Child Alive summer 2023.
“My passion is in early childhood education as I believe these early years are the stepping stones for all other learning. I have been acquainted with HIH since the very beginning, and hoped for a position in a NIDO environment once available. I am thrilled to get a chance to be a part of the HIH “family” again, especially in the Toddler Environment!
Sheila Myers
HIH staff and Faculty since 2009, NIDO Toddler Teacher, former Lambda 2 lead teacher-Kappa 2 Assistant-Family Preschool Nursery staff 12+ years of experience working in early childhood education; 10 years Montessori E2 experience; 9 years elementary teacher Bachelor of Arts in Education from St. Catherine University; Master of Science from the University of Mankato; CMTC Montessori Training; Child Alive Certificate; Infant Teacher and Curriculum Editor and Contributor at Unlimited Potential in Education; Godly Play Certificate; Preschool VBS volunteer teacher; Children's Ministry teacher; many various certificates in education working with children: gifted and talented, special needs, autism, ESL, best practices, reading and language and more; Pursuing Montessori 0-3 Certification through Child Alive.
“I began teaching at Hand in Hand in the Family Preschool Nursery program and then moved to an upper elementary position. It has been a joy to observe my former students grow from toddlers to Junior High students. I am privileged to be part of their lives and families, and am excited to guide and learn with the NIDO children!”
Danielle Cruz
“Miss Danielle”
NIDO Assistant/Float
Danielle joined our staff summer 2023 and is currently on Maternity Leave.
"I started nannying in high school, for a few families. My employment history entails of a variety of skills and training. I was an infant teachers' assistant for almost 2 years, at a daycare. I also had cross training from toddlers up to school-agers. I've helped raise my close friend's 4 children, as I lived with them for 10 years. My recent employment experience was as a Medical Assistant in
Pediatrics."
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!”
Kaylea Nelson
"Miss Kaylea"
NIDO Assistant
Kaylea joined our staff in 2024. She Graduated from the University of Northwestern with a Bachelors Degree in Educational Studies in Elementary Education. She has experience working with children of all ages as a Camp Counselor/Director and as a Sunday School teacher at church.
