“One day, when I was feeling sad, my teacher was kind to me and helped make my day special.”

— La Casa student, age 5

At La Casa Montessori, our teachers have tons of experience and truly care about the kids.

Our teachers will help your child:

connect positively with their peers
develop friendships
learn lifelong social skills
focus and engage according to their specific needs and abilities

Our core group of lead teachers has been with La Casa Montessori since its founding over a decade ago, providing consistency, stability, and a depth of Montessori teaching experience that is hard to find.

We nurture the professional development of each teacher through ongoing training. Teachers tend to stay at La Casa for many years because they feel happy and appreciated in this work environment—and thrilled to help their students grow.

They’re also primarily Latina women who are proud to bring their culture and language into the classroom to enrich the lives of our students!

Gicel Mercado, Founder and Executive Director

(she/her)

When you ask Gicel what she does for a living, she’ll say, “I’m a teacher.”

She may be the founder and executive director of La Casa Montessori School—but she’ll always be a teacher at heart.

As a young philosophy student in her home country of Mexico, Gicel knew she wanted to change the world. When she fell in love with the Montessori method, she knew for the first time how she’d do it.

Early in her training, she was thrilled to be invited to work in a Spanish immersion, Montessori school in Oak Park.

Gicel was amazed to observe young students developing language skills without an accent.

Over her years of teaching, Gicel emerged as a born leader who naturally developed a following. Parents and co-teachers encouraged her for years to open her own school—so she did it.

Gicel founded La Casa Montessori School to fulfill her dream of creating a full Spanish immersion program within the Montessori method and a community in which children are trusted and respected as they learn and grow.

These days, her passion is developing teachers to help them apply the principles of Spanish immersion education and the Montessori method—so that they can carry these forward into their own careers and benefit future generations.

Christina Harris, Assistant Director

(she/her, they/them)

Christina was one of the original founding members of La Casa Montessori.

When her child joined La Casa the year it was founded, she offered to help with administrative tasks, especially events and field trips. Gradually, she transitioned into the role of assistant director, taking on more responsibility as the school grew.

Christina manages communications and coordinates the details of events and activities for the community.

As a student of theater and an experienced stage manager, she’s accustomed to managing big productions with many moving parts—which aptly describes our busy school!

la casa montessori lead teacher, Elizabeth Rdriguez, smiling

Elizabeth Rodriguez, Program Coordinator and Lead Teacher, Verde Classroom

(she/her)

Elizabeth loves spending her days with "the best part of humanity."

She started out as an elementary teacher in her home country of Mexico before coming to the Chicago area---and has now been a Master Montessori teacher for 27 years.

Elizabeth is devoted to helping her students cultivate their natural interest in learning. She's masterful at helping her students discover their own wonderful and absorbent minds---capable of learning a second language, and any other goal they want to reach.