Faculty & Staff

We believe that great teachers are our best asset.

Dedicated to authentic Montessori education, the administration and staff at Common Roots Montessori School are highly trained, talented, and love working with children. 

Maya (she/her)

Head of School

Maya Verjovsky was the founding guide of Children’s House 2 at Cathedral Hill Montessori School (2013-2016), and is honored to serve the community once again as the Head of School (since July 2018). She is a native of Saint Paul, a graduate of Saint Paul Public Schools, holds a BA in Religious Studies, an AMI Primary diploma, a Masters in Education, and is the mother of two fantastic Montessori children!

Maya’s own research in undergraduate studies and her child’s early experience in Montessori education led her to complete her AMI training in 2012, and she soon after took on the task of gradually building a second Children’s House at CRMS over a period of three and a half years. Watching children develop independence, mastery, and peacemaking skills is an inspiration to Maya, and she hopes to continue to create cohesive partnerships with families in support of their children.

Maya is an active member of the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), Minnesota Montessorians for Equity, and Montessori Administrators Association (MAA). She has served as an album reader and oral exam volunteer for teachers-in-training at the Montessori Center of Minnesota (MCM) and is an active participant in the AMI Minnesota Heads of School Group and the Minnesota Montessori Network (MN MN). Maya is passionate about continually doing the necessary inner work to examine biases and racist beliefs, and seeks to transform CRMS into an organization that is more welcoming, inclusive, accessible, equitable, and anti-racist.

Maddie (she/her)

Assistant Head of School

Maddie attended a Montessori school herself from preschool through eighth grade and is the daughter of a Montessori guide! She has a bachelors degree in psychology from the University of Minnesota Morris, and completed her AMI primary training at the Montessori Center of Minnesota in 2015. After working as a guide in Duluth for five years Maddie moved back down to the Twin Cities and is so excited to be a part of the CRMS community!

When she’s not at school Maddie enjoys reading, singing in a local women's choir, and spending time with Posy, her sweet little French Bulldog!

Clara (she/her)

Zinnia Children's House Lead Guide

Clara was an assistant in various capacities at CRMS from 2011-2022 before dipping her toe into the exciting world of special education with Saint Paul Public Schools. After two years as an itinerant early childhood special education teacher, bouncing between multiple schools and countless classrooms, she looks forward to being back in an authentic Montessori environment where she can put down roots and build deep connections and partnerships within our classroom and school community. 

Born and raised in Saint Paul, Clara graduated with a degree in Child Psychology from the University of Minnesota and will complete my AMI Primary Diploma through the Montessori Training Center of MN in the summer of 2025. She believes in the power of giving children freedom within limits and using a strengths-based lens when thinking about challenging behaviors. She delights in watching children realize how capable they are, and strives to create a supportive and trusting learning community where all members feel comfortable and celebrated to be their authentic selves.

When not at work, Clara enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters. When she's not busy watching our two cats being ridiculously cute, you might find her fossil hunting by the river, curled up with a good book on the couch, or planning her next road trip.

Catie (she/her)

Zinnia Children's House Assistant

Catie grew up in Mahtomedi, Minnesota and has been working with kids and in learning centers since 2017. Catie did a program that involved medical work and helping in schools in another country for 3 months. This is Catie’s first time working in a Montessori school and she is very excited to learn more. She is passionate about helping kids grow and learn more about themselves. Catie lives in Saint Paul with her best friend. She also lives with two cats named Mozzarella and Muenster. In Catie’s spare time she enjoys watching movies, playing games with her friends, and reading.

Kennedy (she/her)

Zinnia Children's House Assistant

Kennedy is a recent graduate of the Bachelors of Social Work program at St Catherine University. Just about every job she has had has been caring for or teaching children. She has experience in daycare programs, tutoring, nannying, and teaching for a BIPOC centered reading enrichment program. Her passions include social justice, diversity and equity, inspiring youth, psychology and development, social and emotional health. Due to these passions, combined with a Montessori education in her pre-K years, she felt that returning back to her roots in education was perfect direction for her post-graduation career. Kennedy finds so much joy in supporting children in developing their social and emotional skills, independence, and creativity. Outside of work, Kennedy enjoys being active and outside, creating through fashion and modeling, cooking, and spending time with her partner and cat.

Molly (she/her)

Dandelion Children's House Lead Guide

Born and raised in Saint Paul, Molly attended a Montessori school from ages three to six. Later she went to a performing arts high school where her emphasis was in Theatre. She is a certified postpartum doula. Molly discovered the joy of working with children at a young age, and has been doing so ever since. She started at CRMS in 2016. Recently, she completed the AMI Montessori Primary Course, earning her diploma as a Montessori-trained Guide.

In her free time she enjoys long bike rides and taking advantage of everything the Twin Cities has to offer. She also enjoys cooking unique recipes from all over the world. Molly loves being a part of the CRMS community!

Adriana (she/her)

Dandelion Children's House Assistant

Adriana grew up going to international schools in Malaysia and Singapore. She moved to the U.S. in 2016 to attend Simmons University in Boston, MA where she received her Bachelors in English and Masters in Elementary Education. She spent 2 years doing special education in the Public Schools of Brookline in Massachusetts before recently moving back to the Twin Cities. Adriana is passionate about cultivating a safe and enriching learning environment for children as they learn independence and confidence within themselves. She is so excited to be back in the CRMS community! In her spare time she enjoys reading in coffee shops and spending time with friends.

Moira (they/she/he)

Dandelion Children's House Assistant

Originally from Wisconsin, Moira spent five years studying in Ireland before moving to the Twin Cities in 2021. They received their BA in History and English from University College Dublin, and went on to receive an M.Phil in Medieval Studies from Trinity College. Moira joined CRMS to learn more about early childhood, and because of a strong belief in the Montessori approach. Amazed by the wonders that occur during the first six years of a child's life, Moira is committed to early childhood being a time for encouraging lifelong creativity, cooperation in community, and a love of learning. Outside of CRMS, Moira enjoys studying new languages, reading, and weightlifting. They live in Minneapolis with their three cats, Harald, Floki, and Ichigo.

Arlie (he/him)

Coneflower Extended Day Assistant

Arlie grew up in Northfield, Minnesota with a public school education. He attended the University of Minnesota, graduating in 2024 with Bachelors degrees in mathematics and statistics. There, he discovered his passion for education while working as a tutor and teaching assistant. Arlie is new to early childhood education and Montessori philosophy, and is very much looking forward to exploring these realms with an emphasis on social equity and accountability. He currently lives in Saint Paul and enjoys crafting, trying new coffee shops, and thrifting.

Hla (she/her)

Coneflower Extended Day Assistant

Hla is an assistant in our extended day program. She is currently studying early childhood development at Metro State University and will be graduating in 2025 with her Bachelor's degree. Hla has lived in Saint Paul since she and her family came to the US from Thailand about 10 years ago and has been working at Common Roots Montessori since 2021. She started here with the goal of learning more about young children and the way they develop, and she loves having the chance to interact with the children and learn more about them in the Montessori environment. In her spare time, Hla likes to work out, watch shows on Hulu, and play with her two cats, Booboo and Boba.

Breanna (she/her)

Lilac Toddler Community Guide

Breanna graduated from Augsburg University with a major in Psychology. After graduating she worked as a Youth Counselor at the Arlington House Shelter, providing direct care services to youth of the ages 11-17 who were in crisis. After having worked with children and young adults age 5-21 she realized that there was an age group that she had not gained experience with, 0-4. Breanna started at CRMS the summer of 2019 as the Toddler’s Community’s Afternoon Assistant and held that position for three years, and spent a year as the Morning Assistant before becoming the guide. Next summer she will be starting the AMI Montessori 0–3 Diploma course, sponsored by CRMS. Breanna is excited to help as many children find their voice and to advocate for themselves as possible. One of her favorite things about this job is encouraging toddlers to say “Help please!”. It may seem small, but it is a crucial skill that will be necessary throughout their lives and is something that many adults are still working on.

Laura (she/her)

Lilac Toddler Community Assistant

Laura was born and raised in Minnesota. She graduated from SCSU with a Bachelors of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Laura moved to Minneapolis in 2011 and began substitute teaching at a Montessori school, working in rooms from Nido (infant) to Children’s House. She found her people with toddlers and has stayed with them ever since. Laura previously worked at CRMS for 10 years before taking a brief hiatus to help open a Toddler Community in Northeast Minneapolis. She is making her triumphant return! Laura likes reading at home with her cat Pepper perched on the couch behind her head.

Aleesha (she/her)

Lilac Toddler Community Assistant

Aleesha is a multimedia artist, public speaker, and advocate dedicated to amplifying the voices of young people. As an Atlas of Blackness Black scholar, researcher, and filmmaker, Aleesha is committed to using her artistry to shed light on the stories often left in the shadows. Aleesha was recently appointed to work on the board of the foster youth ombudsperson. 

In addition to her impactful advocacy work, Aleesha is a dedicated communications studies student, exploring the nuances of human connection and expression. Through her art, research, and public speaking, and working with kids, she strives to break down barriers, challenge societal norms, and create spaces for marginalized voices to be heard.

Paige (she/her)

Educational Support Assistant

Paige grew up in Minneapolis. During high school, she began working at a Montessori school as an afternoon aid. She continued to work as an assistant with Toddlers and in the Children’s House while going to school for jewelry design.

Paige completed her AMI primary training at the Montessori Center of Minnesota in 2012. She previously worked at CRMS as the fully trained CH2 morning assistant from 2014-2016. Since then, Paige has held positions as a lead guide, co-guide, and fully trained assistant in other metro area Montessori schools. With over 20 years of experience in Montessori environments, she is happy to be back at CRMS as the ESA.

In her time away from school, Paige is an avid runner, enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and son, and is kept busy with their many pets and quail farm.