Each teacher at Monarch Montessori fosters a peaceful and supportive learning environment based on the best practices of Montessori Educational Philosophy.
Julia Butz, Head of School and Lead Teacher
Julia lives in Havre de Grace with her husband, Dave, and Theo, their dog. They have been a part of the Monarch family since 2000. All four children of their children attended Monarch Montessori School. Three are graduates of UMDCP, one is a current student at Towson University.
Julia has a degree in Elementary Education from Loyola University in Maryland and an AMS certification from The Maryland Center for Montessori Studies. Julia loves the beach, knitting and spending time with her family.
Kathleen Weber, Assistant Teacher
Kathleen joined the staff of Monarch Montessori School in January 2011 as an assistant teacher. Prior to joining our staff she taught kindergarten at a private school for 15 years. She has an AA in Early Childhood Education and holds a 45-hour Infant & Toddler certificate. Raised on Long Island, N.Y., Ms. Kathleen and her husband Frank have been Harford County residents for 30 years. Her family includes two sons, a daughter, a daughter and a son in law, and three grandsons. She also has a Chesapeake Bay and a Golden Retriever. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, quilting, crafting, reading, gardening, and playing word games.
Donna Hinder, Assistant Teacher
Donna rejoined the staff of Monarch Montessori as a teacher’s assistant in December of 2014 after teaching preschool for 12 years in a Harford County private preschool. She and her husband, Chris, are Harford County residents where they have raised their three grown children for 31 yrs. She enjoys swimming, yoga, kayaking, walking, golfing sewing, cooking and gardening. Donna attended Towson University where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. In summer 2014 she earned her certification in Teaching Children’s Yoga from the Radiant Child Yoga Program.
Robin Jorgenson, Assistant Teacher
Before coming to Monarch, Robin had her own home daycare for 23 years. She is married and has one son who lives in Montana. Robin has lived in Harford County her whole life.
She loves the outdoors, camping, hiking, and swimming. Additionally, she likes to scrapbook and read. Robin has an AA degree in Mental Health and Human Services.
Pat Hoffman, Tour Director and Sharing the Gift Program
Pat joined the staff of Monarch in 1995, but has taught the Montessori philosophy of education for 30 years to three to six year olds. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Psychology from Towson State University and a Montessori Certificate from Widener University’s Saint Nicholas Training Center. Having recently retired from teaching, she is now enjoying the next phase of her life. She stays busy participating in activities with six grandchildren and one great grandchild. Finally, she enjoys “Sharing the Gift” – a program offered by the HCPL where she volunteers to read, share puppets, sing songs and do finger plays with the students of Monarch Montessori on a monthly basis.
