Our Staff
Bansari Modi, Administrator
Bansari Modi was born in India into a family of educators who instilled in her a love of learning and nurturing. She started helping out children by tutoring in the school where her grandmother was head of the school. She came to USA in early 90's as a Physical Therapist and cherished educating and helping the community working with children & adults. She continued to foster her love of education by volunteering with North South Foundation helping raise money to help under privileged children in India, attend college by organizing Spelling, Math, Science and Geography Bee workshops and competitions in USA.
Bansari joined Flossmoor Montessori School in January 2014 to promote Montessori way of learning in children. She takes special interest to witness the children’s great accomplishments as they develop in Montessori environment with dynamic blend of freedom and responsibility. She believes that most precious gift for children is the opportunity to reach their fullest potential by fostering an environment prepared to meet their learning needs.
She is married and has a son. She enjoys cooking, reading, sailing, travelling, learning about different countries and culture, spending time with family and nature.
Email: flossmoormontessorischool@yahoo.com
Mrs. Nanette Renzi, Program Director
Living abroad with her family and professor/diplomat father, Mrs. Renzi was exposed to many forms of education. She knew early on that schools would be a home for her adult career. While attaining a BA in Psychology (dance minor) from Western Michigan University, Nan worked as an Instructional Coordinator for special needs students. She developed systems for teaching reading that surpassed the current curricula available.
Upon researching Montessori education, she became so intrigued with how much it resonated with her expanding educational insights that she gained certification from the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI). She has been an ardent advocate ever since.
With 45+ years of experience in education and 37+ years of Montessori, she has worn many hats in the field including Primary Level (3-6) Guide, Head of School and Education Director. She was a finalist in the Kohl/McCormick Early Childhood Teaching Awards in 1996. She currently holds a National Director Certificate from the McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership at National Louis University.
Mrs. Renzi and her husband have 2 daughters and a granddaughter. She considers herself a lifelong learner enjoying workshops, reading, cooking, hiking, bicycling, gardening and children!
Email: flossmoormontessorischool@yahoo.com
Leticia Banda, Pre-Primary Guide and Assistant Program Director
Ms. Leticia has worked in the early childhood field for 13 years. She began her journey as a teacher assistant at a Chicago child development center working with all ages from zero to six. During this time, she also had an opportunity to work with Early Intervention providing translation services for Spanish speaking families and assisting in developmental and speech therapy sessions for children under three.
A few years later, she stumbled upon an opportunity to work at a Montessori school closer to home. With little knowledge of the Montessori philosophy, she was blown away by the abilities of the children, the beauty and structure of the environment, as well as the respect the adults had for the children. Immediately, she knew this was the type of learning environment she wanted to be in. For the first two years she assisted in a primary classroom, taking in all the knowledge she could from the veteran teacher and putting it into practice. As someone who is always wanting to know more and learn, she decided it was time to go back to school. In 2013, she enrolled at Seton Montessori Institute and completed the Infant-Toddler Montessori Teacher Training Course. Prior to this she had also attended the University of Illinois at Chicago, majoring in finance. Later in life, also took professional development courses at Morton College for continued Early Childhood Development Learning. Since then, she has been a Pre-primary Lead Teacher for almost 9 years. She has also had the opportunity to work as an Infant/Toddler Program Coordinator and Assistant Director. Through the years she has learned so much from students, families, and fellow teachers. Her passion is being in the classroom, preparing a space for the children and watching them grow independently and confidently in their capacities.
Email: ms.leticiafms@gmail.com
Lisa Green, Young Toddler Guide
Ms. Lisa has worked ten years with the Chicago Public School, high school division as a Teacher Assistant. She received her Paraprofessional License in Education. She has worked with the Middle School division focusing on children with special needs.
Ms. Lisa's love for working with children has allowed her to assist the children to overcome their educational struggles. Currently she is working on completing Montessori certification in the Young Toddlers program at Seton Montessori.
Email: ms.lisafms@gmail.com
Deepali Shah, Primary Guide
Ms. Deepali is originally from Mumbai, India. She completed her Master’s degree in Commerce and joined an International school in Mumbai as an art and craft teacher. During her teaching tenure her interest grew stronger to equip herself in educating the young children through a different method of education that would cater to each individual child’s interest and strength. This is when she chose the Montessori method of training and obtained Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Certificate to guide children in the age group of 3-6 years old.Her three and a half years of work experience at Montessori School in India has given her the utmost opportunities to grow as an individual and polish herself as a Montessori guide. Working with children gives her the most satisfying fulfilment that she wishes to experience every single day.
Email: ms.deepalifms@gmail.com
Angelina Tamez, Primary Assistant Teacher
Ms. Angelina’s teaching experience spans over a couple of decades working in multiple environments around the country. She has taught infants to 8th grade with an emphasis on preschool and children with special needs.
She is also a professional artist and licenses her work commercially for online sale. She is an avid book reader, sci-fi nerd, animal, and music lover.
One of her favorite things about being a teacher is seeing the world through the eyes of children. Everything is worth exploring, she enjoys the process of evaluating the world and exploring the answers to questions. She feels privileged to promote the scientific process of discovery. It’s a beautiful thing to be a part of and witness.
Ms. Angelina is excited to be a part of FMS and looking forward to bringing many years of her teaching experience into the classroom.
Brittney Mitchell, Primary Guide
Ms. Brittney has been working with children since 2010 as a babysitter/nanny, paraprofessional, teacher assistant, substitute teacher, and Montessori assistant. In 2018, she completed her 3-6 Early Childhood Certification through North American Montessori Center and became a first-time Montessori Directress in 2019 but her year was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In March of 2021, after taking some time off with her new baby and family, she missed being in the classroom and stared searching for an employment opportunity at a Montessori school. In her search, she was drawn to FMS for its diversity and passion to help and inspire children to reach their highest potential. Ms. Brittney is continuing her Montessori education at Seton Montessori Institute to earn her 3-6 Early Childhood Certification from an American Montessori Society affiliated teacher training center.
When Ms. Brittney is not in the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her four children, cooking, traveling, watching television series with her husband, shopping with her mom, and decorating her new home.
Email: ms.brittneyfms@gmail.com
Emily Pinto, Primary Assistant Teacher
Ms. Emily Pinto is a graduate of Governors State University with a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education. She has over 5 years working with children from birth to age 11-years. Although new to Montessori, she brings an extensive knowledge of child development and background of implementing developmentally appropriate practices in the classroom.
Outside of work, Ms. Emily is a Homewood-Flossmoor local who spends time with her husband and two children. In the summer she enjoys frequenting the Homewood Farmer’s Market and other local events as well as the Lake Michigan beaches in Indiana. She has a great passion for working with children and inspiring them to do their best both in school and outside of school, and hopes she can make a lasting, positive impact on the lives of students and their families in the Homewood-Flossmoor community.
Email: epinto.fms@gmail.com
Ms.Christina - Pre-Primary Classroom Assistant
Ms. Ann- Kitchen & Classroom Assistant
Ms. Lydia - Young Toddler Classroom Assistant
Mrs. Diane Adamore-Johnson - Classroom Assistant
