All of our Teachers/Guides are diploma holders of the Association Montessori International (AMI). AMI was founded by Dr. Maria Montessori in 1929 and is the recognized global standard for Montessori quality. VFKH teachers hold a Master of Education in the Montessori Method. The teachers at VFKH have been teaching the Montessori Method between 5 to 30 years and our classroom assistants have been with the school 3 to 20 years.
Susan Kelly
Phoenixville/Limerick Campus
Head of School
Mrs. Susan Kelly was first introduced to Montessori through a survey of education course while receiving her bachelor’s degree. Mrs. Kelly spent a summer applying the concepts in a free summer program she created and was amazed at how brilliantly the children responded! Thus, Mrs. Kelly headed to Washington D.C. for her post-graduate AMI studies in Montessori and became a Primary Guide. After meeting and marrying Mr. Edward Kelly, the two opened Valley Forge Kinder House and the rest is history! Now they have 5 children and 8 grandchildren. Mrs. Kelly loves tennis, biking, walking, reading, and family time.
Edward Kelly
Limerick Campus Office
Chief Administrator
Mr. Kelly founded Valley Forge Kinder House in 1977 with his wife, Susan Kelly. Originally from the area, Edward Kelly has lived in Bryn Mawr, Ardmore, Wayne, and Royersford. He came to learn about Montessori through his wife and together they opened the school and have been dedicated to educating their 5 children and many more children through the years. Mr. Kelly enjoys making “Dad jokes”, biking, travel, and road trips. Just ask about his cross country road trips!
Bernadette Kelly
Phoenixville/ Limerick Campus
Assistant Administrator
Ms. Bernadette attended Valley Forge Kinder House from the age of one and continued through 4th grade in Montessori. Ms. Bernadette studied child development and business administration. She worked in China and Taiwan as an educator. Later, Ms. Bernadette was the child care professional development manager for southeastern Pennsylvania. After having her own children, Ms. Bernadette enrolled in the Montessori Assistants to Infancy training for the prenatal through age 3 time of development. Ms. Bernadette loves spending time with her three children, live music, traveling, and cooking (and eating!).
Maria Greenland
Phoenixville Campus
Elementary Moderator
Mrs. Greenland grew up traveling in South America with her parents. During her education she experienced many types of training methods, but not Montessori. Once Mrs. Greenland had her own children, she did not want them to have the same experience. Looking for alternatives, she found Montessori. All three of her children grew up at VFKH. Mrs. Greenland has a degree in biomedical engineering and headed her own company for many years. Now that Mrs. Greenland’s children are grown, she has also provided Spanish class for the elementary students as well as many other supportive roles at VFKH. Mrs. Greenland enjoys painting, order and sewing.
Megawati (Megan) Tjokro
Phoenixville
Primary Lead Teacher
Ms. Tjokro believes that each of us is created uniquely. Ms. Tjokro searched for an educational system that has a child centered approach. She discovered the Montessori educational method during her bachelors studies in Early Childhood Education. She then obtained her AMI Primary training in Atlanta followed by a Masters in Education from Loyola University in Maryland. Ms. Tjokro is originally from Jakarta, Indonesia. She has a teenage daughter. When Ms. Tjokro was young she helped in her grandmother’s restaurant. Now she still loves to cook yummy Asian food and washing dishes. Her famous dishes are shrimp fried rice and fried wonton/dumplings. Yes, cooking is her hobby.
Susan Forshaw
Phoenixville
Primary Assistant
Mrs. Forshaw developed an interest in Montessori education because of the “hands-on” learning, child-centered approach, as a contrast to traditional education. As a trained Occupational Therapist, Mrs. Forshaw brings this knowledge into the environment. She is originally from Australia and has lived in the U.K. and France. Mrs. Forshaw now lives in Phoenixville with her British husband and two teenage children. Her favorite activities are hiking, admiring beautiful gardens, drinking good coffee, and cooking.
Diane Phelen
Limerick Campus
Primary Guide
Ms. Phelen started as a volunteer at VFKH in 10th grade and became very interested in Montessori. She continued on to college to earn a degree in Early Childhood Education. She then attended Washington Montessori Institute and completed her AMI Montessori Primary training. Ms. Phelen started teaching at VFKH in 1988 and has been here ever since! Over 30 some years. Ms. Phelen loves nature walks, singing, sewing, gardening, and children are her love.
Brian Jagusak
Limerick
Primary Assistant
Mr. Jagusak was first introduced to Montessori by a professor in his “Women in Psychology” course. He was inspired to pursue Montessori after observing how children learn while in Ghana. Mr. Jagusak then went on to Washington Montessori Institute and obtained his AMI Montessori Primary diploma through Loyola University. Mr. Jagusak has lived in Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania and has taught in the area. Mr. Jagusak is married with identical twin 6 year old boys. He has a passion for soccer, specifically Liverpool Football club, and watching live music.
Lindsay Olivier
Limerick Campus
Toddler
Mrs. Olivier was first introduced to Montessori through a position in a Montessori school in New Mexico. She fell in love with Montessori. She then taught in South Korea and met her husband. After taking a year to travel, Mrs. O had the opportunity to work at a Montessori school in South Africa. Now Mrs. O has returned to the area after living abroad for 10 years. Mrs. O’s 3 year old daughter is in Ms. Phelen’s class and she is happy to be back living in Phoenixville!