Meet our faculty.

Montessori guides “must be keen-eyed in observing, in serving, in approaching and in withdrawing, in speaking and in keeping silent, in accordance with the occasions and needs. They must acquire a moral alertness which has not been demanded by any other method, a mingling of calm, patience, love and humanity. Virtues and not words form their main qualification.”

—Dr. Maria Montessori, The Discovery of the Child

Jana Hedlund

CO-FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR

  • Jana has passionately dedicated the past 12 years to early childhood education, immersing herself in various roles across diverse cultures. Her professional journey in Montessori education began at Duhovka, a bilingual Czech/English Montessori school in Prague, where she experienced the transformative power of this educational approach. Since then, Jana has taught and taken on leadership and mentorship roles in schools in England, North Dakota, and Minnesota, gaining invaluable insights into the universal ways children adapt, absorb, and learn within different cultural contexts.

    Jana's own educational path started in a Montessori casa in Houston, Texas, where her love for learning was nurtured. Jana earned her Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) diploma at the Montessori Center of Minnesota in Saint Paul, and her AMI Montessori Administrators certificate at Montessori Northwest in Portland, Oregon. She graduated cum laude from Metropolitan State University with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Studies. Additionally, she holds a credential in Education Studies from Bath Spa University in Bath, England.

    Throughout her career, Jana has remained committed to fostering an enriching learning environment for young children, drawing on her rich experiences to inspire and guide both students and fellow educators. Her deep understanding of diverse educational frameworks enables her to advocate effectively for children's developmental needs, ensuring they thrive in their formative years.

Staci Hedlund

CO-FOUNDER AND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

  • Staci is the Assistant Director at Clover. She has previously served Clover as the Interim Lead Guide of the Toddler Community. She earned her Association Montessori Internationale diploma (Ages 2.5 to 6) at the Montessori Center of Minnesota. She attended Smith College and Rice University, where she earned a BA in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.

    Staci enjoys making Montessori materials, crocheting, camping, and traveling. She has lived in Czech Republic, Slovakia, Scotland, and six states within the US.

Alex Link

FOUNDING LEAD GUIDE, CHILDREN’S HOUSE

  • Alex is the Founding Children’s House Lead Guide at Clover Montessori School. Alex, Jana, and Staci worked side-by-side to build Clover Montessori School. He was born in the Twin Cities and has dual citizenship with the United Kingdom.

    Alex completed his AMI training at the Montessori Center of Minnesota after graduating from Gustavus Adolphus College with a BA in Psychology. He has been working in Montessori environments for the past 12 years. Before becoming a Montessorian, Alex worked as a personal care assistant and direct support professional for adults and children. Alex has also worked in YMCA development programs.

    Alex grew up in Montessori settings and feels immensely privileged to work with children during their most formative years. One of his greatest honors in life is to put children in touch with these beautifully crafted and scientifically engineered Montessori materials that have been so influential for children for over one hundred years.

Tiffany Heaver

LEAD GUIDE, TODDLER COMMUNITY

  • Tiffany Heaver has taught for eight years in Montessori environments. She holds a master's degree in Montessori Education from Loyola University Maryland, an AMI primary diploma from the Montessori Center of Minnesota, and a bachelor's degree in English from St. Olaf College.

    Most recently, Tiffany has supported the early childhood workforce through training coordination and professional development advising for Parent Aware and Empower to Educate. 

    Tiffany lives in Saint Paul with her husband and twins.

Eleanor Boeser

AIDE, CHILDREN’S HOUSE

  • Eleanor attended a classical high school and recently earned a Certificate in Child Development Careers from Saint Paul Community College. She is currently enrolled in the Montessorian Catechesis of the Good Shepherd training program. Her goals are to learn, grow, and live within Montessori principles and practices, and ultimately become a Montessori guide.

    Eleanor is drawn to the natural beauty of Montessori learning environments and the order inherent in Montessori work. She admires Dr. Montessori’s passion for her work and her deep commitment to supporting children’s growth in knowledge, independence, and confidence.

    Eleanor has worked as a nanny and as a camp counselor. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family’s cats, crocheting, embroidering, sewing, and finding flowers to photograph.

Katherine Leathem Rietz

ASSISTANT GUIDE, CHILDREN’S HOUSE

  • Katherine earned her Bachelor's of Arts in Social Work with a concentration in Education at St. Olaf in Northfield, MN. In previous experiences working with children, Katherine has enjoyed building meaningful relationships and learning from children's pure curiosity. 

    Katherine strives to meet children where they are, understand how they individually feel supported, and get to know what excites them in the Children's House. She feels driven by the small moments of growth and joy experienced each day— overcoming obstacles, collaborating among friends, and learning new things in the environment!

    In her free time, it's likely you'll find Katherine walking her dog, listening to podcasts, or baking! 

Essance Negron

MORNING ASSISTANT GUIDE, TODDLER COMMUNITY

  • Essance is a Saint Paul College student who was born in Chicago and raised in Saint Paul. Her career goal is to earn a degree in Early Childhood Education and become a Montessori guide. Essance believes that children are the future and they deserve holistic education. She approaches children with compassion, patience, empathy, and enthusiasm. 


    In her spare time, Essance enjoys reading, spending time with her family, taking trips to Chicago, and discovering new cuisines. 

Courtney Mainville

ASSISTANT GUIDE, TODDLER COMMUNITY

  • Courtney earned her BA in Psychology from the University of Minnesota Morris, where she took courses related to child psychology and development. In her previous experience, Courtney worked with children in a child protective services setting and found a deeper passion for children's education and independence.

    Courtney is excited to work in a Montessori setting, as the method closely relates to the topics she was interested in during her undergraduate psychology courses, as well as her own respect for children and their learning.

    Outside of work, Courtney likes to read, play with her cats, and travel. 

Piper Sigel-Bruse

AFTERNOON ASSISTANT GUIDE, TODDLER COMMUNITY

  • Piper is currently in her last year at St. Catherine University, where she is earning her bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. Piper is also completing her Minnesota teaching license for infants-3rd grade and her Montessori certification. 

    Over the years, Piper has worked in Montessori and Waldorf environments as an assistant, and as a nanny for multiple families. She worked as a counselor at an outdoor survival camp for preschool-4th grade in Washington.

    Piper's educational goals reflect a deep commitment to nurturing young minds through holistic development and cultural awareness. She aims to create an inclusive, supportive space that encourages curiosity and a passion for lifelong learning while empowering children to embrace their full potential. Additionally, Piper's goals include continually refining her own knowledge and skills, ensuring that her practices meet the needs of the children. 

    Working at a Montessori school is in alignment with Piper's values of child-centered learning, independence, and respect for the individual development of each child. The Montessori method's emphasis on hands-on, experiential learning resonates with her passion for creating engaging and meaningful learning experiences. Further, its focus on peace education and social justice aligns with her dedication to preparing children to be compassionate, engaged citizens who contribute positively to their communities. 

    Outside of work, Piper loves to crochet, play guitar, read, and see live music. She especially loves exploring new places in nature and going on walks with her dog by the river. 

Join our team.

Clover Montessori School has an opening for an AMI-trained assistant in the Children’s House. If you are interested in joining our team, please submit your resumé here.

“Kind, fair, and with the children’s best interests at heart, the teachers and staff create a nurturing environment where learning feels like a magical adventure.”

— Nikhil J.

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