Staff Biographies

Our enthusiastic and nurturing classroom staff are committed to providing a safe, stimulating, and carefully prepared environment to foster your child's development and growth.

Jessica Gerhardt Sackett

Jessica received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University in 1984. Ms. Sackett attended the Early Childhood Program at Columbus Montessori Education Center with the completion of her Early Childhood Credential in September, 2005. From May 1999 to November 2000, Jessica was an employee in the Children's Department of the Lakewood Public Library. In addition to working with the public, she was responsible for creating and conducting weekend and after school story programs.

In November, 2000, Ms. Sackett was employed by Montessori Children's School, formerly known as Bay Village Montessori School, as a classroom assistant and substitute. In 2003, while studying at Columbus Montessori Education Center, Ms. Sackett became the Directress of a Preprimary - morning and afternoon classroom. In July, 2007, Ms. Sackett began teaching at Avon Montessori School, Avon, Ohio. Jessica is our Director of Education and our lead preprimary teacher. She has played an integral role in the founding of Avon Montessori School.

Jessica has been married to Peter Sackett for twenty one years and is raising two, young men – Lee and Wilson.

Valerie Baker

Valerie graduated from the University of Mobile in 2000 with a degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education and received her Montessori Early Childhood Certification in 2002. She has been serving and teaching in public and private schools for seven years. Valerie's favorite experience was her years as a Montessori teacher at Creative Learning Academy in Pensacola, FL. She also served as site lead for the nation's first successful "Blended School" pilot project, which integrated home schooling with innovative non-traditional public school.

Valerie has had the primary responsibility of developing our kindergarten curriculum and will be our Extended Day Kindergarten teacher as well as a Pre-primary teacher.

Valerie and husband Eric are proud parents of a 5 year old daughter – Maddie who will be a kindergartener at AMS in the 2009 – 2010 school year.

Karen Stewart

Karen graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1987 with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration, and over the years was employed as an Accountant and Human Resource Administrator. In 2004, Karen became the Administration Director of Governance Automation Services Inc. a firm specializing in governmental compliance documentation and risk management related services.

Simultaneously, Karen became involved in Montessori Education through the enrollment of her two children. Based on her administrative credentials and motivated by personal experiences, her enthusiasm for Montessori and the Avon Community, Karen and husband Arthur Stewart founded Avon Montessori School in June 2007. Karen is our Business Administrator and After Care Program Coordinator.

Karen and Arthur are proud parents of two children – Brenna (1st grader) and Daniel who will be continuing his second preprimary year at AMS in the 2009 – 2010 school year.

Jennifer Lukacs

Jennifer graduated from Ohio State University with a Masters in Elementary Education in 1997. She taught for two years in the Columbus City School District and for four years in the Cleveland Municipal School System. Her favorite teaching experiences were in kindergarten and in Reading Recovery. She received Reading Recovery training during the 1998-1999 school year and also received beginning reading instruction training through The American Federation of Teachers Educational Research and Dissemination Program in 2000-2002.

Jennifer is very interested in pursuing her Montessori Primary (Elementary) Education Certification. Jennifer has played an integral part in developing our kindergarten curriculum, and will be continuing to evaluate our students' early reading levels and skills. She will also be Outdoor Classroom Coordinator for the 2009 – 2010 School Year.

Jennifer and her husband Edward are the proud parents of their daughter Zoe, who will be a kindergartener at AMS in the 2009-2010 school year.

Jessica Manas

Jessica graduated from Lorain County Community College in the 2008 with an Associates in Arts and Humanity. Jessica has a love for children, and animals, and will be pursuing her Preprimary Montessori Education Certification. Jessica will be assisting in the classroom and office as needed, and will be the Lunch Buddies teacher, and After Care Program assistant.

Board of Directors

The Avon Montessori School board of directors provides an effective balance of experience, effective business administration, local, state and federal governmental compliance, and current Educational expertise.

The Avon Montessori School Board of Directors sole purpose is to provide strategic planning and the long-term stewardship of the School. The board as a whole and each of its members individually, provide the credentials and experience required to operate the school effectively with a strong belief in and commitment to Montessori education and the families it serves.

  • William Gallagher
  • Arthur W. Stewart Jr.
  • Karen Stewart
  • Bridgett Elias
  • Yonna Fields