About Us

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Sara Nelson is the owner and director of Elk Grove Montessori School in Elk Grove, CA. Elk grove Montessori school was founded in 1989 and has been a significant part of the Elk Grove community ever sense ! 

Sara first planted her roots in Montessori at EGMS in 1995 and immediately fell in love with all things Montessori. 

Her passion for Montessori and love of working with children has continued to grow and she now possess over 27 years of experience in education; Montessori and Traditional, young and adult learners. 

Sara began her tenure in Montessori at Elk Grove Montessori School as an afternoon teacher, while she was earning her Early Childhood units at Sacramento City College. 

After spending 1 year working with children, she signed up and attended Montessori Teacher College. She then spent the next 8 years splitting her time as an Early Childhood educator and as a Kindergarten educator. 

It was during those years where she taught at the Montessori teacher College; Practical Life, Language Arts and Cultural Subjects. 

In 2000 she began her Elementary training ( 6 -12 ) and joined the California Montessori Project in 2001. She worked with the children and families as a Kindergarten, Upper Elementary and then as a Middle School teacher. 

In 2006, she joined the Elk Grove Unified School District working as an early Childhood educator with Head Start. 

In 2008, she moved into an Elementary classroom within Elk Grove Unified and worked in Kindergarten and as a 6th grade teacher with the district until 2012.

In July 2014, Sara and her husband purchased Elk Grove Montessori School and CAME HOME ! It had been 13 years since she had been on campus and it was a wonderful homecoming for her. Since then, she has grown the campus, guided/trained the staff, and supported/nurtured the families and children of the Elk Grove/Sacramento region.  

The Montessori Teacher College Sacramento was created to support the Montessori schools and students of this region, as well as the world! 

Sara looks forward to working, learning and serving adult learners for the future workforce of Montessori education!

Experience 

Elk Grove Montessori School 

Owner/Director 07/2014 - Current· 

 Elk Grove Unified School District 

 Elementary School Educator

08/2008 - 05/2012·

 Elk Grove Unified School District 

Head Start Educator 

08/2006 - 05/2008· 

California Montessori Project, Sacramento, CA

Elementary School Educator

08/2001 - 05/2006· 

 Montessori Teacher College, Sacramento, CA 

Early Childhood Educator

08/1996 - 08/1998· 

Montessori Learning Commons | Sacramento, CA Early Childhood Educator/1993 - 08/2001· 

Education and Training

 National University | Sacramento Master of Arts in Education 07/2006 

National University | Sacramento, CA Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies 10/2004 

Montessori Teacher College Sacramento | Sacramento 

Montessori Elementary Certificate (6-12) in Elementary Education 06/2003 

Montessori Teacher College Sacramento | Sacramento

 Montessori Administrative Certificate in Montessori Administration 06/1998 

Montessori Teacher College Sacramento | Sacramento 

Montessori Early Childhood Certificate (2 1/2 - 6) in Early Childhood Education 06/1998 

Los Rios Community College District | Sacramento Early Childhood Education1992 

Futuristic, Learner, Input, Achiever, Strategic

Dr. Norman Lorenz is a tenured Professor of education studies, teaches Human Development and Education Studies, and involved with the cohort team for the First Year Seminar for student success at Sacramento City College in Sacramento, CA. This program works in collaboration with the overall institutional plans of Student Equity and Success. I possess over 42 years of education and experience within school systems, including 26 years direct service in Montessori primary and elementary education, the direction of a post secondary Montessori teacher education institution, and combined part and full time faculty dedication of 21 years with the California community college system using Montessori philosophy in higher education. My interests include research where I share interests, contributions, accomplishments, and projected goals as a professional in education leadership.  Included across more than 42 years of educational experiences are founded in Montessori pedagogical principles, where I have developed career skills in educational standards, business supervision, and management leadership. These abilities include classroom teaching in Montessori environments for young children and directing teacher education training certification programs for these types of teacher educators. As an administrator, I have formed, owned, and operated “For” and “Non” profit organizations, which consisted of six Montessori infants through middle school programs, which were affiliated and accredited. In 2000, I became a cofounder of a Montessori charter public school, The California Montessori Project, Charter Public School and, and a past board member and President of River Montessori Charter School. In all, these sites for learning serve over 2,500 students, Transitional Kindergarten-8th grade in the public school arena. Most recently in 2017-18, I became involved with Sarasota University teaching with the masters program as well as partnering with a team to assemble a doctoral program which is in process. I have also consulted with the former Inspire Schools as the charter petitioners to found the first Montessori Inspired Technology Based High School in the Sacramento region, known as The Cottonwood School, in which is a home study and Montessori inspired high school, where I am a governing board President. They offer a multi-disciplinary approach using Montessori educational programs covering multiple subjects in early childhood, Kindergarten through 8th grade and secondary 9-12 grade programs. Additionally, I have consulted with programs and contracts ranging from early education state preschool/head start contracts to secondary schools along with experience in accreditation through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education. In my current role as a professor of education studies, I teach across the Educational framework with the lens focused through Psychology and Sociology related courses concentrating on industry based leadership using a flipped model of instruction that is rooted in my dissertation research exemplifying relationship based Montessori higher education research, teaching, learning, and industry service.  Finally, over the past eight years, I have been involved with Sacramento City as the college coordinator for Professional Development in collaboration with Student Equity & Success. This role has manifested many activities across the college where pedagogical and ragogical principles and values are key to increasing awareness around student equity, success across programs, and college completion based on focused efforts relating to race, culture, ethnicity, along with socio economically disadvantaged students. Inclusive with these duties, the Montessori methodology directly and fully informs these contributions to the field of higher education leading to graduation and post college workforce success.  

Education 

Doctorate in Education Leadership, CANDEL, University of California, School of Education, Davis and Sonoma State University, December 2014. 

Masters of Arts - Education - California State University, Sacramento, 1994 

Bachelors of Arts - Liberal Studies - California State University, Sacramento, 1984 

Montessori Education 

Certificate/Credentials- National Center for Montessori Education/American Montessori Society(NCME)/(AMS), www.amshq.org (AMS ID: 66730, Lifetime Active, 6/30/2099)• Infant/Toddler Training- NCME/Kansas City Center, 1995• Early Childhood Certification- NCME/Sacramento, 1982• Elementary Educational Certification/Credential 6-12-NCME/San Diego, 1993 and 2000  Resume/Curriculum Vitae, https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ydpn00HxyDXQvhK_mxLdod_xDYf2BXH1AOjwsm0_nMY/edit?usp=sharing

 “Plainly, the environment must be a living one, directed by a higher intelligence, arranged by an adult who is prepared for this mission." Dr. Maria Montessori 

Administrative Coordinator

With a deep-rooted commitment to fostering holistic learning environments, I've dedicated the past seven years of my career to education. My journey began as a public school elementary teacher, where I spent two enriching years growing my love for guiding young minds.

Driven by a desire to explore different educational approaches for my own child, I transitioned into Montessori education five years ago. This pivotal shift ignited my passion for the Montessori philosophy, prompting me to pursue my Montessori 3-6 certification. Through this experience, I gained invaluable insights into the Montessori Philosophy and the impact it has on individual development.

Currently serving as the Administrative Coordinator at Montessori Teacher College Sacramento, I play a pivotal role in supporting aspiring educators on their journey towards Montessori certification. From assisting with application processes to providing ongoing online support, I am deeply invested in empowering adult learners to embrace the principles of Montessori education and integrate them seamlessly into their practice.

My mission is to cultivate a community of lifelong learners dedicated to nurturing the unique potential of every child. Through my work, I strive to empower educators with the tools and knowledge needed to create enriching educational environments where curiosity thrives, independence flourishes, and authentic learning takes center stage.