Our Story
Hope Montessori School was conceived in 2026 following the closing of the previous Montessori school on this campus. Our name is in honor of the director and founder of said school, Michelle Hope. Both Ms. Gracie and Ms. Courtney were mentored under Michelle’s guidance and expertise and are committed to continuing the tradition of excellence in Montessori education. Like Maria Montessori, it is our belief that “children are both a HOPE and promise for mankind”.
Gracie Tennill
Head of School, Lead Teacher of Classroom Two
Ms. Gracie has a degree in Early Childhood Education and is a certified Montessori teacher, earning her Montessori certificate from the North American Montessori Center. She was first introduced to Montessori Education when her parents enrolled her in a Montessori school when she was four.
Following her graduation from the primary program, she began homeschooling, during which time she volunteered at The Montessori Experience, where she truly developed her passion and appreciation for Montessori education. She served as an assistant to the lead teacher while attending college and training for her Montessori teaching certification. She has over ten years of experience in the Montessori classroom.
When she is not at school, she enjoys gardening, journaling, thrifting, creating art, and most of all spoiling her cats, Pete and Puddles (who lives in classroom 2).
Courtney Hert
Ms. Courtney earned her Montessori teaching certificate from the North American Montessori Center and served as an assistant in the classroom at The Montessori Experience prior to that. She has over five years of experience in Montessori education.
Ms. Courtney initially developed her love for the Montessori philosophy as a parent. Her son, Aiden, is a graduate of TME and Keystone Montessori, and her daughter, Teagan, is a graduate of TME and currently attends Keystone Montessori. After watching her children grow into independent, curious individuals with a true love of learning, she was convinced that she too wanted to be part of the Montessori world and left her career in the medical field to pursue her current role.
She also enjoys gardening, cooking, hiking, reading, and spending time in nature.