Kelsey M. Wade
Chicago,IL
Summary
Montessori elementary educator with seven years of experience guiding 6-12 classrooms and cultivating prepared environments that support student independence, concentration, and collaborative learning. Skilled in observing classroom practice, mentoring colleagues, and facilitating reflective conversations that strengthen Montessori implementation. Committed to supporting teacher growth, maintaining strong work cycles, and advancing Cosmic Education through interdisciplinary learning experiences.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Lead Montessori Guide
Intercultural Montessori Language School
Chicago
01.2022 - Current
- Design and deliver interdisciplinary Montessori lessons grounded in Cosmic Education, using the Great Lessons to frame inquiry into interdependence and guide students in making cross-curricular connections while pursuing individualized work and discovering their cosmic task.
- Mentor students through independent and small-group projects that synthesize learning across disciplines, culminating in presentations, written work, and creative demonstrations of understanding.
- Mentor newer teachers in Montessori materials, lesson design, and classroom systems to increase student independence and engagement.
- Observe classroom practice and engage colleagues in reflective dialogue to strengthen Montessori implementation and instructional effectiveness.
- Design and maintain a prepared Montessori environment that supports independence, sustained concentration, and purposeful student work.
- Maintain a structured three-hour work cycle that fosters concentration, independence, and intrinsic motivation, producing a normalized classroom environment.
- Collaborate with faculty to refine classroom practices and strengthen Montessori implementation across elementary teams.
- Communicate regularly with families about Montessori philosophy and student progress, building strong school-home partnerships.
- Promote social-emotional learning and grace-and-courtesy lessons to create a positive classroom culture.
- Serve on the school DEIB Committee, contributing to equity and inclusion initiatives and diverse curriculum efforts.
- Engaged in week-long outdoor learning at Nature's Classroom to enhance environmental education.
- Facilitated practical life lessons (e.g., sewing, embroidery) to deepen students' appreciation of the natural world.
Lead Montessori Guide
Oscar Mayer Magnet School
Chicago
01.2019 - 01.2022
- Designed differentiated Montessori lessons across core subject areas to meet diverse learner needs, including English language learners.
- Guided multi-age classrooms to foster independence, responsibility, and academic growth in diverse learners.
- Collaborated with colleagues to analyze student data, refining individualized instructional strategies to enhance learner outcomes.
- Maintained strong family communication aligned with Montessori philosophy, strengthening school-home partnerships for improved student support.
- Chicago Public Schools
Education
Elementary II Montessori Teaching Certificate - Ages 9-12
Authentic Institute of Montessori (AIM)
05-2023
Elementary I Montessori Teaching Certificate - Ages 6-9
The Montessori School of Englewood / The Montessori Network
09-2021
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
DePaul University
Chicago, Illinois06-2019
Skills
- Montessori methodologies
- Student-centered learning
- Differentiated instruction
- Social-emotional learning
- Instructional collaboration
- Training and mentoring
- Professional mentoring
- Montessori approach
- Cultural sensitivity
- Team collaboration
- Interpersonal communication
- Process analysis
Certification
- Professional Educator License (PEL), Elementary Education (Grades 1-6), ESL Endorsement
- Elementary I-II Montessori Teaching Certificates, Ages 6-12, MACTE Accredited
Leadership And Community Engagement
- Volunteered on weekends to support Montessori Journeys parent education events, presenting Montessori materials and explaining the developmental progression of concepts across Toddler through Middle School programs.
- Founder and coach of after-school Cross Country Team, Volleyball Club, and Basketball Club, creating extracurricular opportunities for teamwork, leadership, and community building.
- DEIB Committee member: audited and expanded diverse classroom libraries and developed programming to increase cultural and economic diversity awareness.
- Supported schoolwide initiatives such as Intercultural Day, Day of Service, and other community engagement events.
Instructional Leadership
- Montessori faculty mentorship and collaborative professional practice
- Observation-based instructional feedback and reflective dialogue
- Curriculum design and interdisciplinary learning experiences
- Strengthening classroom culture and Montessori work cycle implementation
- Family communication and partnership in student development
- Supporting student independence and executive functioning growth
Timeline
Lead Montessori Guide
Intercultural Montessori Language School
01.2022 - Current
Lead Montessori Guide
Oscar Mayer Magnet School
01.2019 - 01.2022
Elementary II Montessori Teaching Certificate - Ages 9-12
Authentic Institute of Montessori (AIM)
Elementary I Montessori Teaching Certificate - Ages 6-9
The Montessori School of Englewood / The Montessori Network
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
DePaul University