Faculty

OakHaven Faculty and Staff

We are very proud to present our extraordinary faculty!  The entire OakHaven team is dedicated to providing the best possible education for children and parents alike.  Each staff member is committed to living our mission and values each and every day.  The combination of enthusiasm, warmth, education and experience creates an unparalleled educational team that helps make OakHaven the most wonderful place in the world.

Judy Henrichs

Head of School

Judy has a rich background in the business and education worlds. In her first career of 25 years with AT&T, she served as manager and leader for over 2,000 employees in customer service, sales, marketing, finance, real estate, and architecture. Her final position there as Director of Education offered her the background to establish OakHaven. Her second career took Judy throughout the United States for 14 years as a professional leadership speaker and executive coach for the FranklinCovey Company. Helping organizations and people realize their potential fueled her passion for education and for leaving a legacy.

So, having retired twice, Judy has entered her final career as our Head of School. With her husband Fred and beloved daughter April, she is excited to be living out their family dream to create a peaceful and beautiful educational world for the children.

Articles by Judy:

Ask Better Questions 101; The Perfect Sandcastle; Red Cup, Yellow Cup, Green Cup; The Woes of Being a Montessori Parent; The Real Value of Values; Parent: A job description

 

April Powell

Director of Education

April has been involved in Montessori education since she was 2 ½ years old. She began as a Montessori child and loved it so much she became a Montessori teacher! April holds a B.S. in Social Sciences with a minor in Early Childhood Education from Webster University. She completed her Montessori teacher certification at the A.M.I. Montessori Training Center of St. Louis in 2004. Go to amiusa.org for more information on the Association Montessori Internationale. After teaching at a Montessori school for several years, April’s passion for Montessori and her supportive family led her to open OakHaven in 2008.

Children and parents alike respond to April’s nurturing charisma as she leads OakHaven’s students to excellence.

Articles by April:

Summer at Last, The Little Things, Trash or Treasure , How Do We Do It?, Keys to the World

Heather Steinman

Primary Directress

Heather has been involved with Montessori education for the last 9 years. She first fell in love with it as a parent searching for the right place for her own children, and then quickly began her Montessori career. After her undergraduate work at Webster University, Heather received her A.M.I. teaching certification from the Montessori Training Center of Saint Louis. Before joining the OakHaven family, Heather served as a classroom assistant and Directress for 6 years at an A.M.I. recognized Montessori school. All children immediately respond to the genuine love and respect she brings into the classroom.
Heather has two beautiful children of her own, Danny and Andra, who have both thrived in the Montessori environment.

Articles by Heather:

Extend the Classroom to the World, Primary Classroom Observations, Engaging the Human Personality, On the Importance of Storytelling

Sarah Ortmann

Primary Directress

Sarah joined OakHaven in 2009 after graduating from the University of Colorado with a B.A. in anthropology and art history. After working with children in other settings for over six years, Sarah fell in love with Montessori education as soon as she joined the OMS family. This passion for Montessori compelled Sarah to take the A.M.I. training and Masters program from the Montessori Training Center of St. Louis and Loyola University. Everyone she meets greatly appreciates Sarah’s eternal optimism, warmth and cheer. The children all adore her sweet and bubbly nature.

Articles by Sarah:

The Role of Animals in the Prepared Environment, My Compass, Another Beautiful Day, The Mystery Seeds, Parent Teacher Conferences

Anna Schwind

Elementary Directress

Anna holds a B.A. in English and a M.L.S. (Masters of Library Science) from Louisiana State University. She has extensive experience working in libraries as well as the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. It was Anna’s love of learning that brought her to Montessori education 6 years ago. After working as a Spanish teacher at a Montessori school for several years, she decided to pursue her career as a Montessori Elementary Directress (traveling all the way to Kansas City for her 3 summer long training!). Anna’s passion and dedication to the children and Montessori education is unparalleled and inspirational to all she touches.
Anna has one amazing daughter of her own, Sophia, who is overwhelmingly successful as an elementary student at our sister Montessori school in Kirkwood.

Articles by Anna:

Choosing Montessori Elementary: Three Factors to Consider, The Peace Vibe, Erdkinder at the Hershey Farm School

Tammy Samuels

Primary Assistant and Spanish Teacher

Tammy brings the perfect combination of love for the children, experience, professionalism and passion for Montessori to the entire OakHaven community. Her degree in Philosophy from the University of Arizona is enhanced by two years of studies in Montessori Early Childhood education from South Mountain College in Phoenix.  Before joining the OMS team, Tammy has served as a Montessori assistant in programs ranging from primary through middle school.  Most importantly, Tammy brings her passion and creative abilities “to help foster children’s inner greatness and innate desire to learn.”

All of the children love Tammy’s calm and peaceful demeanor and appreciate the respect she gives to all.

Articles by Tammy:

Lean in Closer, and I’ll Let You in on a Secret…, A Truly Magnificent Gift

Peggy Komadina

Primary Assistant

Peggy brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in Montessori education to OakHaven.  After attending Missouri State University and working in the service industry for several years, Peggy fell in love with Montessori for her own children when her two boys were very young.  Since 2007, she’s worked at another Montessori school in administration and as a classroom assistant.  Peggy’s passion for children coupled with her loving patience brings out the best in each child.

Peggy lives in Lake St. Louis with her husband Paul and three beautiful children, Aiden, Ben and OakHaven’s beloved elementary student Andrew.

Cass Aitken

Lunch & After-hours Coordinator, Elementary Assistant

Cass brings much joy and fun to OakHaven while she creates an amazing lunch and after school program. Prior to joining OMS, Cass spent many years caring for children in their homes, teaching at other schools and working as a behavioral specialist for children with developmental or psychological problems. She received her B.S. in Psychology and Child and Family Development from Truman State University. All of the children absolutely adore Cass’s pleasant nature, nutritious lunches and fantastic after school activities.

Cass has three beautiful daughters of her own, Morgan, Kendra and Reese.

Articles by Cass:

Goings Out – Not Just for Children Anymore, Sportsmanship, Team Sports and Montessori Education

Dr. Fred Henrichs

Administrator

Dr. Fred has served as a counseling psychologist in private practice in the St. Louis and St. Charles areas for the past 30 years. His studies of the effective development of human minds led him to his passion for Montessori. Fred’s firsthand experience in business is substantial, having started his own clinic and expanded it to four locations. His undergraduate degree in Business also serves him well as Administrator of OakHaven. But to the children who love him dearly, he is just their dear “Mr. Fred”.

Articles by Fred:

Nature vs. Nurture, Mr. Fred’s Annual Tip on Child Care Tax Credit

Niki Anconetani

Administrator

Niki’s warmth and beautiful smile fills the air at OakHaven!  Whether she is answering the phone, greeting children in the morning or helping with tuition questions, Niki is a true delight to be around and an invaluable part of the OakHaven team.

After spending several years as a passionate Montessori parent, Niki decided to shift her own career into Montessori as well.  She is now completing the AMI Montessori Assistants to Infancy training and Masters program.  Since this training is focused on children from birth through three years old, Niki is able to provide expert guidance and resources to parents of children in this age group.  Her two beautiful children, Luca and Layla, also benefit from her extensive knowledge about child development.

Articles by Niki:

What is it about Princesses and Superheros?