SINÉAD CAROLAN
Head of School
Sinéad brings over 25 years of experience as a Montessori-trained educator, coach, and school leader. She is a founding board member of Heartwood, with involvement dating back to its earliest vision in 2014. Deeply committed to Montessori education, Sinéad embraces the approach not only as a powerful method of learning, but as a path to cultivating peace and fostering strong, connected communities. Her leadership is grounded in a belief in the transformative potential of Montessori—for children, educators, and families alike.Originally from Ireland, Sinéad has been proud to call Northeast Minneapolis home since moving to the U.S. in 1996. She currently lives in the Windom Park neighborhood with her husband Patrick, a lower elementary Montessori guide, their three Montessori-educated teenagers, and two NOT Montessori cats.
ANGHARAD PICTON Assistant Head of School
Angharad brings over 15 years of experience in Montessori education and school leadership, including serving as Director and Co-founder of a public Montessori charter school. Her work has consistently centered on creating strong, child-centered learning environments that honor the whole child. As both an educator and the parent of a 17-year-old daughter who has attended Montessori since infancy, Angharad brings a deeply personal and grounded perspective to her work. In addition to her professional background, she is an Intuitive Astrologer and grief counselor, supporting others through cycles of growth, transition, and healing. Angharad is especially passionate about nurturing collaborative, values-aligned teams and cultivating school communities rooted in joy, care, and authenticity. She brings groundedness and vision to her leadership, along with a strong capacity for organization and team building. Her approach is guided by a commitment to creating systems and structures that support the whole—children, staff, and families alike—so that everyone in the community can thrive. She is honored to support the Heartwood community.
ANNA EDGINGTON
Lead Guide (Maple Room)
Anna (she, pronounced Ahna) joined the Heartwood community in January of 2022 as a long-term substitute in the Cedar Room and is grateful to continue in this capacity as the lead guide in the Maple Room. She received her AMI Primary Diploma from MTCM in 2013 and graduated in May of 2022 from St. Cate’s with a BA in Early Childhood Education with a Montessori focus and MN licensure. Outside of the Heartwood community, Anna loves gardening, flower arranging, hand sewing, spending time with her son Wendell, and working with her husband Jesse, in their market garden. She loves a delicious cup of coffee with cream in the morning, anything chocolate any time, and cabbage all the ways almost any time!
MICHELLE MCCABE
Assistant Teacher (Maple Room)
Michelle (she) joined Heartwood in the summer of 2024. She has been working with children since 1984 as an elementary teacher in a Catholic school (Externat St Paul) in her home country, the Ivory Coast (West Africa), then in the French School (La Pepiniere), a “Bordeaux” Academy elementary school. She went back to college in Maryland to get an Associate degree in Child Development to better guide children. Michelle is bilingual (French/English). She has always loved being around children; it is her passion to assist each child as he/she appropriately needed, by offering gentle guidance, supporting each child throughout their learning and discovery journey smoothly. She was thrilled to join the Heartwood team this past school year 2024/25.
KIMBERLEY FIPPS CHOBAK
Lead Guide (Pine Room)
Kimberley brings over fifteen years of experience in Montessori education and has guided both Primary and Elementary classrooms. Her background includes AMS Montessori Certification, Orton-Gillingham training, and degrees in journalism and fine arts—all of which inform her creative and thoughtful approach to supporting children’s development.
Kimberley is deeply committed to fostering independence, intrinsic motivation, and social responsibility in young learners. She brings warmth, dedication, and a deep respect for each child’s individual journey.
Outside of the classroom, Kimberley enjoys cooking, reading historical nonfiction, and attending live events—from theatre performances to sports games. She is also the proud parent of three grown children: Bryce, Coleton, and Violet.
JANET MOLINOS
Assistant Teacher (Pine Room)
Having recently completed her AMI Montessori diploma for ages 3–6 at the Montessori Training Center of Minnesota, Janet brings both her formal qualifications and her heartfelt connection to the Heartwood community.
Janet has been a steady and caring presence at Heartwood for several years. Fluent in Spanish and deeply attuned to the needs of young children, she brings warmth, attentiveness, and thoughtful intention to her work each day. With over eight years of experience working with children, Janet is dedicated to building trust, partnership, and community with the child at the center—guided by Montessori principles.
MAEGAN SCHOCK
Toddler Lead Guide (Oak Room)
Maegan (she) has been a part of the local Montessori community since 2005 and has spent all but one of those years working with toddlers aged 16 months to 3 years. Maegan is passionate about supporting and guiding young children in their discovery of the world and their place within it, and continues to be inspired by the beauty and joy found in sharing new experiences with young children. She is an active member of the Association Montessori Internationale, holds an Assistants to Infancy diploma from the Montessori Institute and a Master of Education diploma from Loyola University. Maegan is a longtime resident of Northeast and enjoys reading, sewing, cooking, and traveling.
LALYA MOEHRING
Toddler Assistant (Oak Room)
Layla she/her joined the Heartwood community in June of 2024, having spent the previous 6 years working with toddlers as a nanny and teacher. She has a BA in psychology from Scripps College, where she focused primarily on child development and clinical psychology. Her time at Heartwood has fostered a deep appreciation for the Montessori philosophy and lifelong learning. Outside of work Layla is an avid musician, hiker, and lover of all things outdoors.
AUDREY WEISE-NELSON
Toddler Assistant (Oak Room)
Audrey graduated from MCTC with an AA degree in Early Childhood Education this spring and will continue at Metropolitan State University this fall. She has worked with children of all ages, but the majority of her experience has been with children ages 3 to 6 years old. She is looking forward to expanding her knowledge on child development while working with the Toddler Oak Community. Outside of work she enjoys drawing, painting, spending time outside, dancing and cooking.
TE’ASIA DAVIS-NOLAN
Maple Support Staff & Birch Room (Extended Day)
Te’Asia (she/her) is a joyful and nurturing presence in the Heartwood community. A recent high school graduate, she is new to the Montessori world and brings a natural enthusiasm for working with young children. She loves helping them discover new things and finds joy in their curiosity and creativity. Outside of Heartwood, Te’Asia enjoys cooking and exploring new recipes, drawing, and taking leisurely walks with her beloved pets—Kody, a teacup dog, and Dino, a bearded dragon. She’s also known for her growing Crocs collection and can often be spotted sporting a colorful pair!
ZOE GRIGSBY
Teaching Support Staff & Birch Room (Extended Day)
Zoe (she/her) is a musician and creative artist with a deep passion for working with children. She earned her BA in Music from Macalester College in 2024 and brings experience teaching guitar and songwriting to children of all ages. Zoe is especially drawn to honoring each child’s unique, creative voice and is enthusiastic about exploring the Montessori approach as a way to empower children in their growth and self-discovery. Outside of the classroom, Zoe enjoys writing songs, performing around the Twin Cities, journaling, and collecting stickers.
Updated June 3rd 2025
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