Montessori
American Indian Childcare Center
Feel free to contact us to learn more about our programs that serve children and American Indian families.
Discover Our Early Learning Programs
Guiding Children of American Indian Families
Are you searching for childcare programs focused on helping your child discover their cultural identity? Look no further than what we offer at Montessori American Indian Childcare Center in St. Paul, MN. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our curriculum for children of American Indian families. We will gladly explain our programs and answer any questions.
Our Staff
Director – Janice LaFloe
Prior to her Montessori work, she served the American Indian community of St Paul for over a decade through her work at the American Indian Family Center and at St Paul Indian Education Program. Janice completed her Montessori training at the MN Montessori Training Center in St Paul in 2013 as a Bush Foundation Leadership Fellow.
jlafloe@gmail.com
janice@americanindianmontessori.net
Associate Director/Head of School – Laura Trujillo
Laura has worked at, Juel Fairbanks Recovery Services - St Paul as Community Engagement Director, Kateri Residence – Minneapolis as Resident Advocate, and American Indian Community Housing Organization - Gimaaji Mino-Bimaadiziyaan - Duluth. She has earned a Montessori Assistant Certificate from the MN Montessori Training Center in St. Paul.
laura@americanindianmontessori.net
Leadership Guide – LaVon Lee
Prior to working at the American Indian Childcare Center, LaVon served as the Executive Director at the American Indian Family Center, a position she held for ten years. She also worked as the co-director of Supporting Diversity in Schools, an initiative of the Saint Paul Foundation. She worked as a Program Officer at the Grotto Foundation, overseeing the Native Language Revitalization Initiative and the American Indian Family Empowerment Program. While at Grotto she founded the Tiwahe Foundation and served as its administrator.
admin@americanindianmontessori.net
Primary Guide - Dusty L. Nelson
DWi Pxehin Ji Win - Dusty L. Nelson Born and raised in Pine Ridge SD, graduate of Oglala Lakota College and Montessori Center of Minnesota, as well as an Oglala mother of 3. Dusty has spent her professional career devoting her efforts towards educating all ages of youth in various types of language and cultural programs, schools and youth camps. In 2021 Dusty founded a Home-based Montessori immersion Program called Lakota Children’s House. In her free time she mentors young women and participates in community organizing focused on social justice and liberation.
Classroom Aide – A’Leah Wallette
A’Leah Wallette is an enrolled member of the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa. She has been studying early childhood development classes since 2022 at Fond Du Lac Tribal and Community College and will be graduating in May 2024 with an AAS in Early Childhood Development. A’Leah looks forward to getting to know the families and the children at MAICC.
Assistant Teacher – Lacey Leith
Lacey has experience working as a call center representative, a certified nurses assistant, a casino cashier, and a blackjack dealer. She completed her Montessori Assistant Certificate in 2021 at the MN Montessori Training Center in St Paul and her Montessori Early Childhood Assistant Teacher Credential in 2022.
Parent & Early Learning Coordinator – Terri Strom
Terri Strom began her position at MAICC in September 2021. She is married and a Montessori Mom of 3 children (now all teenagers!). She has been working in social service and education for over 20 years with children birth through college age, in both community and school settings. For the last 5 years, Terri has supported MAICC and other Montessori early childhood programs with parent programing and children's social emotional development through a partnership with the Montessori Center of Minnesota.
Terri is excited to now join the staff of MAICC and continue to deepen her relationships with MAICC families.
Terri has a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Psychology from the University of Minnesota, Duluth and received her Master's of Social Work from the University of Michigan School of Social Work. Terri holds professional licensure in both Michigan and Minnesota and is a licensed school social worker.
terri@americanindianmontessori.net
Family Coach – Rachel Smith
Rachel began working at MAICC January 2023. She is a lifelong resident of St Paul and an enrolled member of the Sicangu Lakota Sioux Tribe - Rosebud, South Dakota. She has a culinary arts background and has experience working in the American Indian community in administration at the American Indian Family and Children's Services and as a kitchen manager at Women of Nation's.
Rachel is a mother of four and enjoys baking, reading and spending time with her family. She loves working with families to support their goals and dreams.
Outreach & Connections Worker - Kateri DeShaw
Kateri grew up in the south suburbs of Chicago. She moved to Duluth, where she spent her teenage and young adult years. Kateri moved back to Chicago, where she received her bachelor's degree from Colombia College. After college she moved back to MN where she served as an Americorps member, part of the youth programming track.
Kateri has experience in youth programming, resources, community connections, and data management. She has worked with non-profits, such as the YWCA of Duluth and YWCA of St Paul, and most recently working at Communities In Schools of St Paul. She is the mom of one very busy toddler who is also part of the MAICC learning community.
In her free time Kateri loves to dance, take Pilates and Yoga classes and spend time in nature with her family. She is very excited to be joining the MAICC staff and community.
Food Service Technician – Sonia Christiansen
Sonia Christiansen joined MAICC staff in November 2019. Sonia is a resident of St Paul and lived most her life in South St Paul. She has worked in the Food Service industry for 30 years. She is experienced in running her own daycare center from home and has run a cleaning business. Sonia is a mother and a grandmother.
Sonia enjoys her job and always has a caring smile and laughter for everyone.
Transportation Specialist – Edgar Garzon
Edgar Garzon worked as our Transportation Specialist from 2020-2022. He is from Guerrero, Mexico and became a US citizen in June 2022. Edgar is currently enrolled in the HVAC Program at Century College – White Bear Lake, MN. His daughter and two nephews are alumni children of MAICC. He is married into the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin. Edgar has experience working in maintenance and as an automotive mechanic.
We are pleased to have Edgar back with us, assuring families that their children have a safe ride to and from the Children’s House.
Bus Aide – Tori Valtierra
Tori is the Bus Aide. She lives on the East Side of St Paul, has two nieces who attend the Children’s House, participates in family events, and in the Prenatal to Three program with her young child. Tori works another job as a Personal Care Attendant.
Tori loves nature and exploring new environments. She looks forward to expanding her experience by working with MAICC.
Montessori American Indian
Childcare Center
Address:
1909 Ivy Avenue E, St. Paul, MN 55119
