Elizabeth Channel, WMA Board President

Term 2 (November 2021-October 2023)

Elizabeth Channel serves as the Head of School for Wausau Area Montessori Charter School which is an instrumentality of the Wausau School District.

Elizabeth began her career in education in North Carolina where she earned her National Board Certification.  She also had the opportunity to teach in Okinawa, Japan where her husband completed his 20-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps, before moving to Wisconsin to live near family.  Her passion for ensuring high quality educational experiences for all children aligns with her belief in Montessori education.

Elizabeth holds a Bachelor’s Degree from North Carolina A&T State University in Child Development: Early Education and Family Studies (Birth-Kindergarten), a Master’s Degree from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro in Curriculum and Instruction (K-6), and an additional Master’s Degree from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in Montessori Education (E1 & E2).  She is currently pursuing her Doctoral Degree in K-12 Educational Leadership at Edgewood College.

Deepa Shreekumar, Vice President

Deepa Shreekumar grew up having a diplomat father enabling her to experience varied countries and cultures. Just when she thought life was settling down, her husband, Rajesh’s job took them to many different countries, and they moved to Milwaukee about 2 decades ago. Deepa has a Master’s Degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from India and has worked in radio, made documentary films and taught film making before arriving at teaching. Her interest in Montessori began with her mother’s teaching experience as well as running a school for differently abled children in India. It resurfaced when her older son, Advik, now working on his Doctorate, attended a Montessori school. When her younger son, Arjun, now in college, started at a Children’s House, her fascination with the Montessori philosophy peaked. She completed her Early Childhood training from Seton Montessori Institute, in 2006 and began working at Nature’s Classroom Institute Montessori the same year. In order to better serve children who learn differently within a Montessori environment, she has since completed her primary certification in Montessori Applied to Children At Risk (MACAR) from The Shelton School in Dallas. Deepa has also completed her Certification in Montessori Leadership and School Administration from Seton Montessori Institute. Since 2018, Deepa has taken on the role of Head of School while still being a Directress in the Children’s House classroom. She has been a regular presenter at local, regional, national and international Montessori and Early Childhood conferences, focusing on Montessori practice, restorative justice, building community and fostering empathy in the classroom, and connecting the indoors to the outdoors.  She is honored to serve her second term on the WMA Board and hopes to advocate for the independent and private Montessori schools in the state. Deepa enjoys meeting people, cooking, reading and listening to music. She greatly appreciates a sense of humor and friendship especially when made in lands far away from her own.

Katie Loss, WMA Board  Treasurer

Term 3 (November 2022-October 2024)

Katie Loss is the principal at Lloyd Barbee Montessori School, a Milwaukee Public School. She holds a Bachelors, Master Degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.  Katie is also a state licensed Reading Specialist and Administrator.  She also attended Seton Montessori where she earned her Montessori Administrator License.

Katie also has been a lecturer at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee since 2000 where she instructed preservice teachers. She has worked for the Milwaukee Public Schools since 1991 and is a passionate advocate for the students of the Milwaukee Public Schools and Montessori Education. As a lifelong resident of Milwaukee, she advocates for the children of Milwaukee through her involvement on the Wisconsin Montessori Association Board, the Milwaukee Montessori Advisory Committee, and the American Montessori Association.

Anna Bierer, WMA Board Secretary

Term 2 (November 2021-October 2023)

Anna Bierer supports adult and family literacy programs in northeastern Wisconsin as a consultant with Wisconsin Literacy.  She has nonprofit administrative experience in early childhood education, afterschool and teen programs, adult education, and other  community initiatives.  Her experience includes serving on several boards in a variety of roles including treasurer, president, and governance chair.  She is the parent of two children who attend a public Montessori school.

Kateri Carver, WMA Board Member

Term 3 (November 2022-October 2024)

With over 25 years of experience teaching in Montessori settings, Kateri enjoys all levels from 2.5 to 12 years old.  She holds 3-6 and 6-12 Montessori credentials from MACTE accredited teacher education programs. Kateri has
held many administrative positions including school leadership and curriculum coordinator.  As of 2018, Kateri has been directing and teaching adults enrolled in the master’s and Montessori credentialing program at University of
Wisconsin, River Falls (UWRF). She currently also directs and teaches in the new EdD in Montessori Studies at UWRF.

Kristy Lowell, WMA Board Member

Term 1 (November 2022-October 2024)

Kristy Lowell is the Principal at Fernwood Montessori, which is part of Milwaukee Public Schools and has served in this role since 2022.  Prior to her principalship, she served as Assistant Principal at Fernwood for three years.  She has worked with Milwaukee Public Schools for twelve years, deeply committed to high quality and equitable education within the city and state.  

Kristy is a passionate advocate for public Montessori and believes that the work being done at her school and within Milwaukee Public Schools provides access and opportunity for all children that is truly the best educational model and pedagogy.  Fernwood Montessori is a proud member of the Wisconsin Montessori Association (WMA) and Kristy is a member of American Montessori Society (AMS).

Kristy holds two Masters Degrees in Administrative Leadership and Special Education, a Bachelors in Internal Studies, and her AMS Administrator Credential from Seton Montessori Institute.

Lauri Schauf, WMA Board Member

Term 1 (November 2021-October 2023)

My educational journey began with a desire to teach the littles. As I pursued my career early on, I felt a disconnect to a particular teaching style. I then pursued my Master’s degree in Speech and Language Pathology. I taught speech therapy for 21 one years. During this pathway, I gained insight into Montessori through one of our preschool classrooms. As these students progressed through Children’s House so did the option of an E-1 Program. The opportunity allowed me to investigate then navigate myself into the E-1 program. I definitely found my niche in Montessori and love making a difference in the minds of littles.  During my teaching career I also had the opportunity to instruct the Math weeks at Montessori training. Eventually, Covid descended upon us and definitely challenged the delivery mode; yet I find myself regaining the momentum of what I know best as a  true Montessori Classroom.  It is a pure joy to continue my educational journey in an E-1 Montessori Program. My passion is definitely in the Montessori Classroom.