Elizabeth Z. Henrikson
Tempe,AZ
Summary
Dynamic and innovative educator dedicated to improving the future of education with a constructivist, learner-centered approach. Expertise in curating collaborative and engaging learning communities. Committed to continuous professional development and the integration of multible methodologies for optimal success with diverse learners and settings.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Lower Elementary Montessori Teacher
Meyer Montessori
Tempe, AZ
06.2024 - Current
- Developed individualized learning plans to meet diverse student needs.
- Facilitated hands-on learning experiences in a prepared Montessori environment.
- Mentored assistants and guides in the process of taking Montessori training as well as teachers from other programs.
- Was on the Instructional leadership team and led 2 afterschool clubs including a writing club where students in grades 1-3 wrote and published their own stories.
Associate Faculty
ASU
Tempe, AZ
08.2019 - Current
- Taught 3 semesters of SPE 411 from 2019-2020 in person and hybrid due to COVID. I wrote additional case studies and updated resources to improve the content. I also rewrote the midterm to increase higher-level thinking. SPE 411 covers special education law, communication skills, and problem solving. I also used my connections to add guest speakers in the field on topics of interest.
- Taught LSE 303 in person in 2023 and LSE 305 online from 2025-the present. LSE 303 covers human development across the lifespan and LSE 305 covers application of the 3 major learning theories, through the lens of Bronfenbrenner's ecological theory. Students chose a big problem to explore and utilized their knowledge of these learning theories to be able to solve their big problem.
- Taught EDU 404 online from 2023-present. EDU 404 is the capstone course in the Education Studies program at ASU. Students partner with an organization to advocate for the topic of their choice, developing a plan that involves extensive background research, education and data collection. I helped students design their projects and find solutions when encountering challenges. I also helped some students find partnerships or internships.
Montessori Upper Elementary Guide
Keystone Montessori Charter School
Phoenix, AZ
05.2023 - 05.2024
- Led students in planning a weeklong trip to Washington DC
- Facilitated greater confidence in writing and standardized test prep
- Supported the creation of classroom quilt with a US Botanical theme that the students designed and sewed. This quilt raised $5,000 at the yearly fundraiser
- Mentored students in other fundraising and art projects.
Educational Consultant/Tutor
Differentiated Montessori
Tempe, AZ
05.2010 - 05.2024
- Started a curriculum and consulting business that offers support to families using Montessori methods at home as well as materials and professional development
- Gave a Workshop on Portfolios and Writing Instruction at the Montessori MAT conference in Nashville.
- Provided a workshop on Writing Instruction at Meyer Montessori its first year in operation and continued to volunteer for multiple classrooms.
- Provided support to schools on specific topics and also taught grade k-3 Montessori lessons online during Covid for Willow Oak Montessori and pre-k-grade 1 lessons during the Summer to the Little Garden Schoolhouse.
- Provided free and low cost tutoring to students at all the elementary schools I was based at during this time period.
Montessori Guide and Interventionist
Creo School
Gilbert, AZ
09.2020 - 05.2023
- First year, taught grades 1-3 and 4-6 online, creating interactive Montessori digital lessons and materials and one-on-one support to students and families.
- Led a 7 week STEM-based summer learning experience for elementary students for two summers and after school programs in writing and science during the school year.
- Second year, taught online and in person special education services and interventions for grades 1-8.
- Third year, taught grades 7-9: pre-algebra, algebra, fashion design, quilting, financial literacy, socratic seminar, etc.
- Helped students design and sew a classroom quilt that raised $10,000 for scholarships for early childhood programs.
Curriculum Administrator
Golladay School
Mesa, AZ
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Began as a Montessori consultant and transitioned to a daily schedule of providing training and support in two start-up Montessori classrooms for exceptional children.
8th Grade Algebra and Science Teacher
Roosevelt School District 66
Phoenix, AZ
07.2018 - 07.2019
- Started the year as a self-contained teacher for the first few weeks of school, before taking over 8th grade math and science.
- Also helped coach boys’ basketball and soccer teams after school.
Subject Matter Expert
Grand Canyon University
07.2018 - 10.2018
- Contract position with other curriculum developers creating the syllabus for a master’s SPED program. Created objectives, aligned standards, provided discussion questions and resources.
Upper Elementary Teacher
Montessori Education Centre
Mesa, AZ
07.2013 - 06.2018
- Responsible for 27-30 students, grades 3-7 as well as mentoring new teachers and improving standards mastery, utilizing authentic Montessori practices.
- Developed more comprehensive report cards, procedures for professional learning committees, and improved services for special education.
Special Education Teacher
Roosevelt School District 66
Phoenix, AZ
07.2012 - 04.2013
- Responsibilities include training paraprofessionals, creating and implementing customized instruction and transition plans for developmentally delayed learners.
- Grades k-2 (self-contained)
Lead Lower Elementary Teacher
Mission Montessori
Scottsdale, AZ
06.2011 - 06.2012
- Responsibilities include developing procedures for the child-study committee, developing Montessori curriculum aligned to Common Core
- Trained two assistants in Instructional strategies for exceptional learners in grades 1-3
Substitute Teacher
Phoenix and Mesa school districts
Mesa, AZ
01.2010 - 05.2011
- This included six weeks in a Montessori classroom that I took over permanently for grades 2-4 the following year in Mesa School District.
Elementary Teacher
Tempe Montessori
Tempe, AZ
07.2009 - 12.2009
- Responsible for helping many new students integrate into a Montessori environment as well as providing parent education in formal and informal settings.
- Grades 1-4
Grade 4-6 Montessori Teacher
Pheonix Elementary School District
Phoenix, AZ
07.2008 - 06.2009
- Opened a new expansion classroom made up of learners from diverse backgrounds.
- Ordered all the materials, furniture, supplies and adjusted Montessori lessons to meet the state and national standards.
- Also taught students in need of remedial instruction during school breaks.
Teacher
Montessori Seldwyla, Zurich
Switzerland
07.2007 - 04.2008
- Responsible for teaching content areas to ESL learners in a K-1 class and group lessons for an infant/toddler and Preschool Montessori environment.
- Developed curriculum, learning goals, report cards for this brand new school.
Upper El Montessori Teacher
d’Insle Montessori Schule, Zurich
Switzerland
07.2006 - 06.2007
- Responsible for teaching content areas in English for grades 3-6 as well as art and music to mostly German-speaking children, many with special needs.
Part-time Teacher
Garden Homes Montessori School
08.2005 - 05.2006
- Taught lessons in math, language, music, and art. Also taught lessons for 6 weeks at two other Montessori schools as part of the Elementary Montessori training.
Teacher/Business Owner
Early Childhood
Castle Rock, CO
06.1996 - 06.2005
- From 1996 on, provided preschool and respite care in my home for several families.
- Also worked at Country Acres Day School from 1998-2001
- In 2004, Opened and operated Sunny Lane Learning Center, a licensed in-home facility, responsible for 20 children attending part time on different days. Developed a preschool and kindergarten enrichment program that included lessons in Spanish.
Education
Association Montessori International 12-18 Diploma - Montessori Secondary Education
Train Montessori
Cleveland Heights, OH01.2023
MEd - Montessori Education 6-12
Loyola University
Maryland01.2006
BA - Interdisciplinary Studies, Emphasis in Literacy Instruction
Adams State University
Alamosa05-2004
AAS - Clothing and Textiles
Brigham Young University-Idaho
Rexburg, ID05-1994
Skills
Experienced constructivist Montessori educator at multiple levels
Experience teaching and mentoring emerging educators
Experience teaching workshops and coursework online and in person
Passion for innovative, inclusive, developmentally appropriate practices
Certification
AZ k-8 Teaching Certificate with Middle Grades Math endorsement
Previously held an Intern Certificate in Cross Categorical Special needs
Montessori age 3-6 Training from Montessori Institute of North Texas
Additional Skills and Talents and Interests
Fluent in Spanish and German
Interests
- Experimenting with different creative mediums, like oils], pastels, pouring, and polymer clay, to expand skills and techniques
- Teaching sketching drawing, and publishing with digital mediums like Google slides and Canva
- Sewing, fashion design, and teaching these skills to young learners
- Singing and songwriting
- Revamping Montessori lessons to be more creative and developmentally appropriate for today's learners
- Mentoring young writers in projects that include playwriting, short stories, and bookbinding final copies
- Supporting my elementary learners in self- publishing a yearbook each year
Academic Awards and Honors
2005 MES2000 Scholarship recipient, partial tuition, 2003 Woodard Memorial Scholarship, full tuition, Adams State, 1994 Short story, “My Cottonwood” Published in a BYUI publication, 1993 Departmental and Honors Scholarships, totaling full tuition at BYUI, 1993 National Dean’s List, 1993 Finalist, Woman of the Year, BYU-Idaho
Timeline
Lower Elementary Montessori Teacher
Meyer Montessori
06.2024 - Current
Montessori Upper Elementary Guide
Keystone Montessori Charter School
05.2023 - 05.2024
Montessori Guide and Interventionist
Creo School
09.2020 - 05.2023
Associate Faculty
ASU
08.2019 - Current
Curriculum Administrator
Golladay School
01.2019 - 01.2020
8th Grade Algebra and Science Teacher
Roosevelt School District 66
07.2018 - 07.2019
Subject Matter Expert
Grand Canyon University
07.2018 - 10.2018
Upper Elementary Teacher
Montessori Education Centre
07.2013 - 06.2018
Special Education Teacher
Roosevelt School District 66
07.2012 - 04.2013
Lead Lower Elementary Teacher
Mission Montessori
06.2011 - 06.2012
Educational Consultant/Tutor
Differentiated Montessori
05.2010 - 05.2024
Substitute Teacher
Phoenix and Mesa school districts
01.2010 - 05.2011
Elementary Teacher
Tempe Montessori
07.2009 - 12.2009
Grade 4-6 Montessori Teacher
Pheonix Elementary School District
07.2008 - 06.2009
Teacher
Montessori Seldwyla, Zurich
07.2007 - 04.2008
Upper El Montessori Teacher
d’Insle Montessori Schule, Zurich
07.2006 - 06.2007
Part-time Teacher
Garden Homes Montessori School
08.2005 - 05.2006
Teacher/Business Owner
Early Childhood
06.1996 - 06.2005
Association Montessori International 12-18 Diploma - Montessori Secondary Education
Train Montessori
MEd - Montessori Education 6-12
Loyola University
BA - Interdisciplinary Studies, Emphasis in Literacy Instruction
Adams State University
AAS - Clothing and Textiles
Brigham Young University-Idaho