Meet Our Staff
Prior to opening the Woodland Nature Montessori School, I had 10 years experience as a Montessori Lead Teacher in the Primary environment, and a total of 18 years of teaching experience. I started a Montessori toddler program, and have been a lead teacher in Montessori toddler and primary environments, as well as substituting in a lower elementary program. I was a volunteer for three years at Orangewood Elementary in Fort Myers specializing in the “No Student Left Behind” reading program. I have been a resident of Fort Myers for 31 years and have raised two children and a stepson.
Credentials
Early Childhood Credential (3-6 years old) – The Center for Guided Montessori Studies. CGMS is accredited by Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE) and affiliated with the International Montessori Council (IMC).
Associate of Arts Degree – Florida Southwestern State College and Indiana University
Director’s Credential
Staff Credential
DCF 45 hours
State of Florida - VPK Lead Teacher Certification
24+ years of Montessori teaching experience and training courses in a variety of early childhood education topics
Infant & Child CPR, AED, First Aid, and Blood Borne Pathogen training
Certified Instructor of 15 Hour Redirecting Children’s Behavior Course
Karen Cichy
Owner/Director and Lead Teacher
Sheelagh Arend
Assistant Teacher
Sydney Shaw
Assistant Teacher
Sarah Dibeler
Assistant Teacher
Yetzabel Arias is an internationally acclaimed soprano known for her excellence in baroque and classical repertoires.
After graduating from Choral Conducting at Havana Conservatory and Singing at the University of the Arts she continued her vocal training in Milan, Italy.
Miss Arias has performed all over Europe where she spent 17 years teaching and singing with the most prestigious symphonic orchestras, baroque orchestras and vocal ensembles.
Miss Arias has developed her own music program at WNMS with the goal of cultivating musical sensitivity and taste from the very first years of life. By exposing young students to both classical and world musics, she aims to stimulate children's imagination and emotions to promote better concentration, attention, and work memory. Another benefit of her class is that the enjoyment of musical rhythms and melodies is a proven promoter of motor coordination. All of these benefits gradually happen while children are experiencing pure joy and relaxation.
Yetzabel Arias Fernandez
Music Teacher