Our Teachers and Staff
Head of School
Marilyn Papke
Director & Head of School
My name is Marilyn Papke. I am the new Head of School for Montessori School of Lonetree. I have spent my entire career working with and for children. I have held every role in the preschool arena including Director, Training Director, Regional Director over multiple centers and schools. I have had the opportunity to work in every facet of the business on the Operational side and supported over 2000 locations. The past ten years I have managing operations for a charter school network in Arizona. Leading operations for 30 K-12 schools encompassing campus safety, enrollment, compliance, technology, school office management, school nurses, after-school programs and development and opening of the first preschool for the organization.
I am just shy of being a native of Colorado. I am a Colorado State University graduate with a degree in Early Childhood. I have traveled the United States working with children and there is no place I would rather call home than Colorado. I am looking forward to working with the families, staff, and children of Montessori School of Lonetree.
MSLT Support Team
Cheryl Hilsman
Business Office Manager
Cheryl's Bio
My name is Cheryl and I am delighted to have been given this opportunity to join the Montessori School of Lone Tree team in my new role as the Assistant Business Manager. My
background is in management, serving as Health Manager with Head Start and Colorado Preschool programs, as well as, director of the Chamber of Commerce in Fort Morgan, CO and director of The Early Childhood Council of Morgan County. Being a mom and grandma, I have
spent lots of time reading to my kids, playing with my kids and just hanging out enjoying each other’s company, building memories.
A Missouri native, I moved to Colorado in 1982, so I consider Colorado home. I recently moved to Castle Rock ready to start this new chapter in my life, looking forward to whatever doors
might be opened to me; the first being MSLT! My passion is reading and home decorating. I enjoy spending as much time as I can with family and friends.
Kaela Bryant
Chef
Kaela's Bio
Hi, I’m Ms. Kaela and let me tell you a little bit about myself.
I’ve been teaching and cooking for preschool children since May of 2016. I really enjoy watching the children grow and get all the nutrition from the meals I cook!
In my spare time I enjoy fishing, hunting, pretty much anything that is outside! I spend alot of time on my parents farm helping with all the animals there!
Marci Pilon
Director of Operations
Marci's Bio
My name is Marci Pilon, and I am the Operations Director for the Montessori School at Lone Tree. I spent the last 10 years working as the Executive Assistant in the Child Youth Family Division of Human Services in Larimer County. With a Master’s Degree in Music Therapy from Colorado State University, I have also worked with children with special needs, at-risk youth, developmentally challenged adults, and residents in long term care facilities. I am a professional violinist with the Fort Collins Symphony and enjoy spending time with my husband John, two daughters, traveling, skiing, cycling, and making jewelry. I am excited to be in this position, with my passion for children and dedication to carry on the legacy of my mother-in-law, Jean Pilon who founded MSLT.
Marguerite Pilon
Communications Director
Marguerite's Bio
My name is Marguerite Pilon, and I manage all of our communications for MSLT! My grandmother was the original founder of MSLT, and I am so excited to continue on her legacy at the school.
I was born and raised in Fort Collins, CO and now reside in Steamboat Springs. I graduated from Seattle University after studying Art, Design, and Environmental Studies in 2021. I moved back to Colorado to ski and be close to my family. I love painting, drawing, and doing anything creative in my art studio. I have 8 goats that I take care of and live with a mini ski hill in my backyard!
Faculty
Dawn
Directress
Dawn's Bio
Hi! My name is Dawn Finnegan and I have worked for MSLT since June 2013. My first experience with Montessori was when I came and observed Lori K. in her classroom. I was hooked! I fell in love with Montessori and I wanted to be part of it. Taking a leap of faith, I quit my full time job to work part time at MSLT in the summer program, with no guarantee of a job after the summer. At the end of summer I was put on the sub list and for 6 months I subbed in various capacities (classroom, office, full day, and the kitchen). In January, I was offered a full time assistant position. I have always felt and known that MSLT was where I was meant to be. It just took a leap of faith! I am now the Directress of the Southeast Classroom and have my Associate Early Childhood Credential.
When I am not at MSLT I am spending time with my hubby, Scott. We love going to Rockies games, supporting our nephew at his lacrosse games, spending time with our niece, reading, going to movies, traveling and spending time with friends and family. We are so lucky to have all of our family in Colorado!
I feel so blessed to be at MSLT and surrounded by all these wonderful co-workers and children. I’m excited to see what the future holds.
Cathy
Directress
Cathy's Bio
Hello! My name is Cathy Grodahl and I am originally from England. In my previous career, I worked in the world of advertising in London for 20 years. I met my American husband, Andy, in England. We have a daughter, who will be a sophomore this coming year. My first experience with the Montessori Method was when my daughter attended a wonderful Montessori school. I was so taken with this way of teaching, I knew that was where my future lay! I started as a volunteer at her school and decided to get certified.
I gained my International Diploma in Montessori Pedagogy at Montessori Casa in Denver in 2013. I have been teaching at MSLT running the NE Classroom since 2020. Apart from spending time with my family – including Coco the dog and Ron the cat, my interests are travelling, cooking, painting and gardening. I particularly like doing arts and crafts with children.
Peggy
Directress
Peggy's Bio
Before moving to Highlands Ranch, I spent thirteen years in Dallas, TX and Colorado Springs, CO as a PK teacher. I began my career at Montessori at Lone Tree in the summer of 1995 as the full day coordinator, working under our founder Jean Pilon. After twenty plus years in the full day, I moved to be a morning assistant in the NW classroom. After 30 years of experience at MSLT, I have moved to Directress of the Northwest classroom in Fall 2024. MSLT is such a beautiful, loving, nurturing school and I am blessed to be working with your children. I have an Early Learning Teacher Credential.
My husband Lew and myself have been married for over fifty years. We have three wonderful children & three grandchildren whom all attended MSLT.
My favorite things are being with my family, gospel music and shopping.
Kristen
Directress
Kristen's Bio
Greetings MSLT families!
My name is Kristen Huxley, and I am so humbled and excited to be invited into the Montessori School of Lone Tree community. I will be working in the Southwest classroom as the Lead Montessori Guide. I hope to support Ms. Natalie in the environment she has created. As we come together, we will continue to offer a space that encourages independence and self-discovery.
I thought I would share some information about myself. I grew up in upstate New York, in the Adirondacks. I was able to spend so much time hiking, biking, swimming and canoeing. I come from a large extended family, so there was always an older cousin around to drive the boat on Tupper Lake. I attended college in Maryland, receiving my BS in psychology from the University of Maryland. I moved from New York to Boulder, Colorado in 1996. I came to Colorado to take my Montessori teacher training at The Montessori Education Center of the Rockies. I fell in love with Colorado and have lived here ever since.
This year marks my 15th year of teaching in the primary classroom. I have worked at various Montessori schools in Boulder County and Colorado Springs.
I have one daughter, Roxanne. She was a Montessori child until she transitioned to public school during upper elementary. Many of the skills, concepts, and practices she learned during her time at Mountain Shadows Montessori shine through guiding her to be the amazing young woman she is today. When I am not planning and making new materials for the classroom, I am usually tucked in my big red reading chair reading some classic English novel about class and wealth, or my new obsession, true crime! I have two rescue dogs, Bernadette, a St. Bernard/Bernese mix, and Rory, a shepherd mix. I enjoy loading them up and finding a new hiking trail to explore. My daughter and I have set a goal for ourselves that we will visit all of the National Parks within the United States. Last summer we went to Smoky Mountain National Park which made #28 on our list. This June we hope to load up the travel trailer and head to the Pacific Northwest to visit 5 more parks on that adventure.
I believe in all aspects of Dr. Montessori’s philosophy and teachings, right down to my bones. The area of her teachings that I connect with most is peace education. Montessori wrote, “Peace begins with the child”. We as parents and guides need to work in mindful collaboration preparing our children to fearlessly participate and experience the world around them with kindness and grace. I trust a daily commitment to peace education can conceive a future of hope for our children.
Natalie
Teaching Assistant
Natalie's Bio
Hello! I have been a part of a Montessori community for almost a decade as both a lead teacher as an assistant in Southern California and Colorado. I received my certificate in Early Childhood Montessori in 1997 through the National Center for Montessori Education. I received my bachelor’s in English and Creative Writing from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1994. I love being a part of the lives of children and in educating both children and their parents.
I believe the Montessori environment is a special and rewarding place and encourages all of us to be part of a peaceful and tight-knit community. Thank you for the opportunity to guide your children as we bring out the best in them and all the rich Montessori environment has to offer.
Lisa
Teaching Assistant and Kindergarten Lead Teacher
Lisa's Bio
Hi Ya’ll! I’m Lisa Place and I relocated to Colorado from Georgia in 2013. I first became acquainted with Montessori in high school as a tutor for children with dyslexia. My two children attended a Montessori school in Macon, Georgia at which time I was an active parent and substitute teacher. I then completed the Montessori Foundations (Assistant) training through Montessori Educational Programs International (MEPI) and have taught at the primary level since 1997. In addition, I graduated from Florida State University with a BS degree in Criminology and have worked with several child abuse prevention and advocacy programs. My husband, Robert and I have been married since 1988. Our daughter is a general surgeon in Beaufort, South Carolina and our son is an engineer in St. Louis, Missouri. I truly believe their success is rooted in a love for learning which was fostered by their Montessori education.
Being outdoors is a passion and I can usually be found fly fishing, hiking, or snowshoeing on the weekends. I also enjoy reading, traveling, and exploring Colorado.
I have been with MSLT since 2017 and I am thrilled to be an Assistant in the SE Classroom and the Kindergarten Lead Teacher. Guiding, loving and supporting your children fills me with much joy.
Debbie
Teaching Assistant
Debbie's Bio
Kainoa
Teaching Assistant
Kainoa's Bio
Aloha kākou, hello everyone! My name is Kainoa Garcia. I was born and raised in the beautiful state of Hawai’i.
I joined Montessori School at Lone Tree in February 2024 as a teacher’s assistant and a member of the full day team. Since then, I have had the opportunity to work alongside our talented directresses and all our amazing students.
Prior to coming to Montessori School at Lone Tree, I spent over 10 years providing one on one assistance to families and their children, including aiding with early childhood
development. The opportunity to be engaged in children’s social, emotional, and academic growth from infancy to adolescence has truly been one of the most rewarding experiences.
I aspire to advance my development in the Montessori community and increase my contribution to the school and the education of all our wonderful children.
When not in school, my husband and I, along with our 6-year-old Chocolate Lab, love hiking, camping, paddle boarding, and all things outdoorsy. We are also Lone Tree residents and enjoy being involved and take pride in our community. I am looking forward to building meaningful connections and lasting memories with all of the students and families in our MSLT ohana.
Abby
Teaching Assistant
Abby's Bio
Hello and Aloha! My name is Miss Abby. I have lived an adventurous life as a career nanny and yoga instructor for children and adults. I have spent the last few years as a substitute for a few private schools on Oahu and Colorado. Although I have no issue being a complete goofball for the right people, I became fascinated with the technical and serious methodology of Montessori and am currently in training for my certification to teach pre-k and kindergarten. I was immediately impressed with the environment and culture here at Montessori at Lone Tree and am proud to call this community my home base to develop my career in early childhood education.
In addition to being certified to teach yoga, I also hold a bachelor’s in Public and Social health from the University of Oklahoma.I know enough chords on the ukulele to get a preschool show started and hope to bring a little tropical flare to our life here! Looking forward to getting to know you all!
Bhawna
Teaching Assistant
Bhawna's Bio
Abby
Teaching Assistant
Abby's Bio
Laura
Teaching Assistant
Laura's Bio
I’m Laura Cruz, a Montessori educator with 7 years of experience and a certificate from CGMS, an AMI-accredited program. I’m passionate about creating a nurturing environment where children can learn and grow. I believe in supporting each child’s natural curiosity and individual development. Outside of school, I enjoy arts and crafts and spending time with my family, including our two lively Chihuahuas. I’m dedicated to helping children reach their full potential and I feel fortunate to be part of their educational journey.
Rian
Full Day Assistant
Rian's Bio
Hi there! My name is Rian and I love working with the young ones! I strive every day to be a good male role model for the kids outside of their home-life :). I grew up the oldest of three brothers and was always helping my mom when she worked in childcare. Outside of work I enjoy building model kits and skating, along with spending time with friends as often as I can.
Kate
Teaching Assistant
Kate's Bio
Hi, my name is Kate. I’m a native of Colorado and I love traveling, being out in nature, and spending time with my friends and family-which includes my three cats. I really enjoy working with children and making a positive impact!
Ashton
Full Day Assistant
Ashton's Bio
Hi, my name is Ashton McCune and I’m one of the full-day helpers this year at MSLT! I’m a senior at Rock Canyon High School, but I attended MSLT when I was younger. I love playing and watching lacrosse, reading, and listening to music. I’m super excited to work with you and your kiddos this school year!
Ayden
Full Day Assistant
Ayden's Bio
Hi! I’m Ayden. I’m a Senior at Cherry Creek High School. I’ve been working at MSLT for 1.5 years. I love working with kids, especially at MSLT, and I hope to study child development and become a teacher. I started babysitting when I was 10 years old, and before that, I did something I called “Mom’s Helper,” where I would help parents with their kids while they worked. In my free time, I love to do photography, read, and spend time with my family and friends.
Dom
Full Day Assistant
Dom's Bio
Hi my name is Dom, I am 19 years old born and raised in Colorado. I’ve been coaching young kids ranging from 4-13 in football and basketball. I’ve really enjoyed the experiences and I’m excited to continue with those experiences and memories here at MSLT.