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
11+ 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
I am the office manager here at Woodland Nature Montessori School. I attended Summit Questa Montessori School in Davie, Florida from preschool through middle school. I spend my summers there volunteering in the early childhood classrooms while in elementary school through high school. I attended Florida Gulf Coast University but would return to Summit on the weekends and over the summer to work as a lifeguard, camp counselor, and aftercare teacher. I graduated FGCU with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Double Minor in Creative Writing and Interdisciplinary studies. I then returned to Summit to attain my Montessori Teaching Certification. I worked at The Montessori School of Fort Myers with Karen for two (AMAZING) years and am so happy to be working with her again. I have also gone through Redirecting Children’s Behavior and Conscious Discipline. Montessori is a passion of mine and I am super excited to be able to share and help to educate the community on the philosophy. My Montessori background has sparked a passion for learning and made me a lifelong learner, I am constantly trying to learn new things. I love being in nature, being around animals, teaching kids, meditating, doing yoga, reading, and practicing reiki and bringing peace and love wherever I go.
Credentials
Bachelors Degree in Psychology
Creative Writing & Interdisciplinary Studies Minor
Montessori Primary Certification from Summit Teacher Training Institure
Redirecting Children's Behavior
Conscious Discipline
DCF 45 Hours
Ongoing Continuing CEUs
CPR/First Aid Training
Kayla Rose Iannuzzo
Office Manager
This is my third year teaching, but my first year teaching at a Montessori school. I am really excited to be a
part of the Woodland Nature Montessori School family and being your
child’s teacher. It’s going to be such a fun experience helping your child
learn and grow! To start off, I would like to tell you a little bit about myself
both professionally and personally. I was born and raised in Fort Myers,
Florida. I plan to obtain my Montessori certification and
also my conscious discipline certification. My favorite color is hot pink, I’m
an animal lover and I absolutely love strawberry banana smoothies! I enjoy
shopping, hanging out with friends and family, traveling and going on
vacations anywhere there is a beach. I also enjoy dancing, doing Zumba,
reading, and watching and playing basketball and also playing my ancient
Nintendo and Super Nintendo games during my free time. My favorite video
games are Super Mario Bros, Tetris, NBA Jams, Street Fighter, and
Donkey Kong. As far as basketball, my favorite basketball team is the
Golden State Warriors! My fiancé and I have one son, who is four years old
and a dog who is eight years old.
Credentials
Bachelors - Child and Youth Studies
Directors Credential
VPK Endorsement
DCF 45 Hours
Continuing CEU's
Jasmine Peacock
All Day Assistant
I am a student of Psychology at FGCU. I have been working with young children in Southwest Florida for five years and we find new adventures everyday! While I have worked in a variety of childcare settings, I absolutely love and feel the most comfortable and confident in a montessori setting. I love working with and learning from children as well as helping them to navigate their inner and outer worlds. I enjoy spending time outdoors and in nature. A little sunshine can go a long way! When I am not at work you can usually find me reading, writing, painting or studying.
Credentials
Associates of Arts Degree from Palm Beach State College
DCF 40 hours
CPR and First Aid Training
Sabrina Lashells
Afternoon/Aftercare Teacher
Ms. Tami is our music teacher at Woodland Nature Montessori School.
Tami Bowen
Music Teacher