A Montessori student is motivated by their inherent desire to investigate and explore.
Our role is to encourage and uncover their potential by providing a fun, engaging learning environment for our students.
Montessori teachers are trained to assist the children, both individually and through small groups, in the use of the equipment located throughout the classroom.
“‘Wait while observing.’ That is the motto of the educator.”
By following the child’s lead we observe where your child’s interests and needs are and guide and nurture them in their development. We are careful not to interrupt the children during work, or to force a lesson beyond the children’s interest. We also set the example for children to respect one another so that they can mutually learn from each other.
Our classroom is a lively area where children actively explore and investigate the world and its wonders. We serve as guides, not instructors.
GAY Canseco / Director, Lead TEacher
Ms. Gay has been a part of LHMS since June 2003. She completed her Montessori education in January 2004 and graduated from St. Catherine University in 2023, receiving a master’s in Montessori education with a research emphasis. Her favorite thing about teaching at LHMS is the amazing people: the students, parents, and other teachers. She is a native Minnesotan who actually enjoys winter. Her interests include botany and reading, specifically books related to women’s history. She also enjoys embroidery, beading, and painting.
Florence Bambu / Lead Teacher/ARABIC TEACHER
A part of LHMS since September 2006, Ms. Florence is an early childhood/elementary teacher from Sudan, Africa, who completed her Montessori training in 2018. Her favorite thing about LHMS is teaching the children and seeing their progression each day, as it is amazing to witness. When not at LHMS, she likes cooking and maintaining a beautiful home for her husband and four children: Emma, Loro, Yike, and Joan.
Athena Gorsuch-Reichenberg / Assistant director
Athena moved to Minneapolis in 2003, then started at LHMS in 2004. She completed her Montessori preschool training in 2005, and then in 2010, Athena left LHMS to pursue college. During this time, she met her husband-to-be. Athena completed Montessori training for infant/toddlers in 2016. She also worked in the special education department of an elementary school, where she developed a love and appreciation for working with a wide variety of students. Athena returned to LHMS in 2019. Athena is passionate about inclusion in Montessori. She enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, cooking, hula hooping, podcasts, traveling and going on adventures of any type, discovering new music, and meeting new people. Her favorite thing about LHMS is the school's uniqueness, the amazing families it attracts, and the community.
Rhett Romsaas/ teacher
Rhett's first stint at LHMS started in the fall of 2006. In 2010, he moved to Nashville and began life as a competing dance instructor, which he still enjoys today. He is a professional actor/voice actor, working on stage, film, tv, and radio.
He works closely with first responders and local business owners through his company, Crisis Actors of MN (CAMN), which is a de-escalation role-play training company that specializes in accurately portraying citizens in crisis. This summer he'll be celebrating his 16th year in the field.
On a more related note, he's so honored and thankful to again be apart of the LHMS community. This school radically changed his perspective on how we learn and is excited to start his Montessori training this summer!
He has a son, Nikola (2), a sweet gal, Coralee and two nuts-o boxers, Leeloo & Ruby.
Beth heinrich/teacher
Beth started at LHMS in the summer of 2008 before leaving for graduate school in the summer of 2009. LHMS was a transformative experience and where her love of teaching began.
Beth holds an early childhood education certificate from New Mexico(2013) and a Master’s Degree in History from the University of Iowa (2011). Beth has been living in California and New Mexico for the past 12 years where she has continued to work as a teacher in early childhood education and a college instructor of History at Central New Mexico Community College.
She is so excited to be apart of LHMS again. Beth is passionate about learning, fostering creativity and empathy for humans of all ages.
Additional Staff
Karyna finko/ aide
Karyna was born and raised in Ukraine. She moved to the United States and joined LHMS in 2023. When not at LHMS, she spends time with her son Adrian and dog Tori. Karyna loves the children and loves her coworkers.
Emma Lako / summer AIDE
Ms. Emma started working at LHMS in the summer of 2017 and continues to come back every summer since then. She graduated the University of Iowa with a degree in biology. Even though she plans to enter the science field, getting to help and connect with the children at LHMS is a very rewarding experience for her. She hopes to continue to teach, and even learn from all different children and families that she meets along the way.
