Meet our Teachers

"The teacher of children up to six years of age knows that she has helped mankind in an essential part of its formation.... She will be able to say: ‘I have served the spirits of those children, and they have fulfilled their development, and I kept them company in their experiences." ~ Maria Montessori

Beth Weekley

Owner and Director

Beth was educated in Montessori classrooms since she was a toddler, and as a preschooler she attended her mom's Montessori school. After graduating with a Masters in Medical Physics and a Masters in Mathematics, she has continued to assist Jean with all aspects of her school. Beth worked for nearly 10 years as a software engineer in the Medical industry and at NCAR in Boulder. Just before her oldest son was born, Beth completed the Montessori Infant/Toddler training and the Montessori preschool training. Beth opened a home Montessori Infant/Toddler program, Petunia Montessori, after learning her son has a lung disease that was treated with 24/7 supplemental Oxygen 2. In January 2013 she merged Petunia Montessori with Montessori Academy. Beth enjoys being part of the children's early learning years. All 3 of Beth's children attended Montessori Academy from toddlerhood through their last year of Preschool.

Amanda Sjulstad

Toddler Teacher

Amanda was born and raised in Colorado. She has always loved taking care of others. From a very young age she enjoyed being around children and caring for them. Over the past two decades she has worked with them in varying capacities. Amanda fell in love with the Montessori philosophy years ago. The way that it draws children in and allows them to work through their true potential is amazing! She completed her Infant/Toddler credential at the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies in Boulder, CO. After her training Amanda worked as an assistant teacher at Mountain View Montessori. She then worked as a Lead Montessori Teacher for 5 years before having her first son. Amanda is drawn to the Montessori classroom and loves being a part of children's lives at such an important time. Amanda and her husband have known each other since middle school and have been together for over 10 years. They have two beautiful boys, who both attended Montessori Academy. They love the outdoors; hiking, biking, camping, and paddle boarding together.

Nicole Rutledge

Toddler Teacher, Administrator

Nicole comes from a large family in a small town in Kansas. She always enjoyed taking care of children and was babysitting my cousins before she could even drive. Nicole spent four amazing summers in Maine teaching art classes to 13 to 16-year-olds as a camp counselor over the summers, while she worked on my Bachelor’s degree. After college Nicole moved to Colorado in 2010, to be closer to her nieces. This is when she was introduced to Montessori philosophy by a friend and began subbing in both Toddler and Primary classrooms. Nicole quickly realized toddlers were really her favorite age group, and went from subbing to working on her degree and teaching a lead position in about a year. While training, Nicole worked closely with Amanda who was her mentor teacher. In 2013 she completed her Early Childhood Education Degree from North American Montessori Center and has continued to work with toddlers ever since. Nicole loves seeing a toddler achieve something they have been working towards and finally reach that ‘I did it moment’. She also finds that even knowing how much they can achieve, she can still be surprised by their independence and determination.

Molly Reynolds

Preschool Teacher, Tech Coordinator

Molly grew up on a ranch outside of Colorado Springs, where she had the privilege of attending her mother's Montessori school for the first seven years of her life. Even as a preschooler, Molly knew she wanted to be a Montessori teacher. She remembers her own Montessori days fondly; recalling them as being the most important and impactful educational experience in her life, and she delights in providing her students with the same level of education and inspiration.

Molly graduated from Chaminade University of Honolulu in 2020, where she got her BS in Early Childhood Education along with her Montessori training. Recently, Molly presented at the American Montessori Society conference on teaching place-based history, science, geography, and culture to the preschool aged child.

Outside the classroom, Molly enjoys hiking, listening to Taylor Swift, reading, gaming, drawing, and painting, all while enjoying the company of her two beloved cats, Butter and Basil.

Patti Gee

Preschool Teacher

Patti discovered Montessori in 1987 with her 2 year old toddler. This began her Montessori journey and she has never looked back! Patti started out as an assistant teacher and went on to earn her Montessori Primary Credential, state teaching license and child care Director qualifications. She started my own school in 1999 but left in 2007 to take a kindergarten teaching job with Jefferson County schools. She's also served as the Head of school for a large private traditional child care and preschool for nearly 11 years. But needless to say, Montessori early care is her calling. Patti is so happy to be here at Montessori Academy and with this group of committed teachers and eager children.
She am a Colorado native, she loves anything outdoors, gardening, fishing, good music and the Denver Broncos. She is married to a great guy and has 2 adult children that live nearby in Denver. She also has 2 cats she adores, a Maine Coon named Begheera and an older ragdoll named Sam.