Hermosa Montessori Schoool, Tucson, AZ

Jo Shea

Jo studied at the University of Missouri as a National Merit Scholar, and received her AMI primary Montessori certification in Washington DC. Jo has been teaching Montessori students since 1970, her first students being those in St. Louis, Missouri. Jo relocated to Sante Fe, New Mexico where she founded and directed Zia Montessori School from 1973-1981. Jo is the mother of three grown children, and the proud grandmother of one. Jo is an avid reader and is especially interested is sharing her love of reading with her students. She designed and produced Montessori Reading (montessori-reading.com), a reading and writing program for 4-6 year old children, and received the Patriot Ledger's Golden Apple Award for outstanding teacher. In her free time Jo enjoys spending time with her family, and reading enthusiastically.

Sally Withers

Sally studied at Washington University as a Spanish major and also in Cuernavaca, Mexico. At the U of A Sally participated in the summer program in Gudalajara, studied Latin American Literature, and La Novela de la Revolucion Mexicana. Sally has been a life long dancer and has been teaching dance for adults and children since 1977 including ballet, dance aerobics, and jazz as well as Tiny Tot Development for children in various local Tucson dance studios. In her free time Sally practices Tai Chi, is a student of African and Afro Cuban dance, and Djembe and Conga drumming. Sally is also a member of the band Water on the Rocks and performs in various local venues. Sally enjoys traveling and has visited China, Cuba, India, Mexico, South Africa, Puerto Rico, Singapore, England, and Holland. She enjoys bringing cultural activities to the children she teaches. Sally is the mother of two sons, former Hermosa students, and began her Hermosa involvement first as a parent. She is also the proud grandmother of two children.

Chris Burley-Withers

Chris has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Northern Arizona University, with a minor in geology. Prior to joining Hermosa in 1994, Chris taught pottery in Colorado with the Parks and Recreation Department and then came to Tucson and taught at Reid Park. Chris has experience teaching all age groups, so she is quite adept at a broad range of teaching skills. Chris also works in her own pottery studio and loves exploring the possibilities this rich medium provides. Chris's sons, Clayton and Grant attend Hermosa, and her son Daniel is a Hermosa graduate. Chris loves spending time with her family and they are frequently found enjoying outdoor sports, such as playing and working with animals, riding horses, swimming, hiking, and fishing. Chris is also an avid reader, but particularly enjoys mystery novels and historical biographies. While Chris is not partial to overly potent candles, she does love beautiful candlelight.

Mary Hume

Mary is a very family oriented member of our Hermosa community. She has two children, Jacob and Katrina, who have attended Hermosa since preschool, which is when Mary began substituting in our classrooms. While Mary has been working in Jos classroom for the past five years, she has come to appreciate the impact that she and other classroom teachers have on children and their memories of the earliest years in school. Teachers have the ability to create good and positive memories for students, which is part of why Mary loves what she does! Mary is very involved with the extracurricular activities of Jacob and Katrina. Jacob is active in baseball; Katrina is in 4-H. The entire family enjoys the outdoors and travels to the White Mountains, Mexico, or other destinations to boat, fish, and enjoy nature. Prior to coming to Hermosa, Mary worked in Marketing Support for IBM for 13 years. She is also a certified medical transcriptionist. Mary is originally from Ohio, but has been with us in the desert since 1979.

Mary Eiland

Mary Eiland received her BA in Psychology and Theatre, and an MA in education from Evergreen State College in the state of Washington where she was born and raised. She obtained her America Montessori Society primary certification in Colorado. When Mary was introduced to Montessori education several years ago, she immediately resonated with its goals and philosophy for the education of the whole child. Prior to joining the Hermosa staff, Mary taught pre-school and kindergarten students in other public Tucson schools. Having trained as a vocalist since she was a teenager, Mary joyfully shares music with her students. In addition, she also has a passion for theater, dance and the visual arts. Mary enjoys spending her free time with close friends, walking in the desert, cooking, and collaborating musically with others.