Faculty & Staff

LaVonne K. Plambeck, PhD – Administrative Director
[email protected]

Professional Background

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Administration, Curriculum, Instruction
  • Master of Education – Elementary Education Emphasis
  • Montessori Credential: American Montessori Society
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts: Teacher Certification- Music Education Emphasis
  • MACTE/AMS Infant-Toddler/Early Childhood Credentialed Instructor
  • Founder Montessori Educational Centers, Inc. (Network of private schools in Nebraska)
  • Mid-America Montessori Teacher Training Institute, Inc. (AMS-affiliated/MACTE accredited)
  • 1986- 2006 Montessori Mid-America, Inc. (Schools in Colorado and Texas)
  • MACTE Evaluator and Consultant
  • Early Childhood Education Department – College of St. Mary Chairperson/Director/Trainer
  • American Montessori Society – Board of Directors
  • Recognized childhood authority as cited in Women’s Day, Women’s Edition, Working Mother, Midlands Business Journal, History of Nebraska
  • State of Nebraska Advisory Committee – Early Childhood Education
  • Appointed by governor to White House Conference on Families
  • Completed Online Course Development Class through University of Nebraska – Kearney

Barb Jens, MAE – Training/Practicum Coordinator
[email protected]

Professional Background

  • BAE-Elementary Education/Music
  • MAE-Curriculum and Instruction
  • MACTE-AMS Elementary I-II Credentialed
  • 1985-2011-Public and Private Montessori Elementary Classroom Teacher
  • 1994-Present-Mid-America Montessori Teacher Trainer
  • 2004-2012 MACTE Board Member
  • 2004-2014 Completed Online Course Development Class through University of Nebraska – Kearney, Drake University

Kathy Ziegler – Curriculum / Practicum Coordinator
[email protected]

Professional Background

  • Degrees: B.A., B.S.N, M. Div.
  • Montessori Credentialed: MACTE-AMS 0-3, 2.5-6, 6-12
  • 1992-1996: Claremont Montessori Teacher Training Center, Boca Raton, FL
  • 1992-Present: Mid-America Montessori Teacher Training Institute, Omaha, NE
  • 1984-Present: Classroom Teacher /Administrator

Sondra Charron – Accountant
[email protected]