Meet the Faculty at Montessori of Woodridge

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A Passion for Teaching, A Commitment to Children

At Montessori of Woodridge, our faculty is the heart of everything we do. Every teacher, assistant, and staff member is deeply committed to nurturing your child’s development, growth, and love of learning.


Our team is not only experienced — they’re also Montessori certified, DCFS-compliant, and CPR and First Aid trained. Many of our teachers continue their education by attending professional development seminars, working toward advanced certifications, and studying the latest research in child development and Montessori methodology.


We believe in leading by example. Every teacher at our school works daily to foster a peaceful, purposeful, and respectful classroom where each child is free to learn, explore, and grow at their own pace.

Dedicated Educators at Every Level of Development

Our teaching team reflects the wide developmental range of children enrolled at our school — from infants to age six. Each educator brings a unique background and passion to their role, but all share the same core values: patience, structure, independence, and respect.

First Floor – Infant & Toddler Classroom

Stephanie Scates


Stephanie holds a degree in engineering from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. With previous experience in metallurgy and CAD design for industries ranging from military to automotive, Stephanie transitioned into early childhood education after completing sociology and psychology coursework at the College of DuPage.


She has taken paraprofessional Montessori courses in infant/toddler development at MECA Seton and is actively expanding her training to become a lead Montessori teacher and school director. Stephanie believes strongly in children’s capacity for independence and views them as “adults in training.” She nurtures emotional self-sufficiency and physical development with compassion and care.

First Floor – Two-Year-Old Classroom

Jasmine YeeMan Pao


Jasmine earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Applied Music from Taylor University. Her Montessori journey began in Japan, where she was deeply inspired by the freedom and independence that Montessori classrooms fostered.


She is currently working toward becoming a lead teacher and is passionate about blending early academics with music, movement, and self-expression. Her gentle, calm presence supports children as they build confidence, routines, and early learning foundations.

Second Floor – Primary & Extended Program

Pat Whyte


Pat is a veteran Montessori educator with over four decades of experience. She holds a bachelor's degree in General Studies from Northern Illinois University and completed her Montessori certification for ages 3–6 at MECA-Seaton in Clarendon Hills in 1979.


Pat’s classroom is known for its peaceful atmosphere, structured routine, and joyful engagement. Children in her care learn through purposeful play, storytelling, reading, and hands-on exploration. Pat teaches in the classroom from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM each day and also serves as the school’s administrator and education coordinator.

First and Second Floor – Support Team

Razia Balach


Razia has completed her Montessori training for ages 3–6 and has recently added infant/toddler Montessori coursework. She has studied child development at the College of DuPage and brings quiet strength to both classrooms she supports. Known for her calm and respectful approach, she assists in the infant room alongside Stephanie and floats between floors as needed.

Jim Whyte


Jim is a qualified classroom assistant and provides support during nap times and after-school care. As the son of Pat Whyte, Jim has been involved in the daily operations of Montessori of Woodridge since 2011 and plays a vital role in both classroom and building support.

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Pat Whyte also leads the administrative team, overseeing all aspects of program coordination, staffing, and curriculum implementation. Her decades of Montessori training span age groups from 3–12, and her influence is present in every beautifully prepared classroom at our school.


Jim Whyte assists with daily operations, building maintenance, purchasing, meal prep, and office support. His presence ensures smooth logistics and a safe, well-maintained school environment.

Administrative Leadership

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Pat Whyte also leads the administrative team, overseeing all aspects of program coordination, staffing, and curriculum implementation. Her decades of Montessori training span age groups from 3–12, and her influence is present in every beautifully prepared classroom at our school.



Jim Whyte assists with daily operations, building maintenance, purchasing, meal prep, and office support. His presence ensures smooth logistics and a safe, well-maintained school environment.

Administrative Leadership

Our Commitment to Quality and Safety

At Montessori of Woodridge, our commitment to children’s well-being includes partnerships with several professional inspectors and service providers:

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Monthly inspections by a licensed infant/toddler pediatric nurse

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Health department reviews for our kitchen

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Routine water testing by the City of Woodridge

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Fire and sprinkler system checks by local and state agencies

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General repairs and maintenance from vetted service providers

Every adult on our team understands that early childhood is a foundational period. We create not just classrooms, but environments where children feel safe, heard, and respected.

Join Our Montessori Family

Whether you’re enrolling your child or visiting our campus, we invite you to meet our exceptional educators in person. We’re proud of the commitment, qualifications, and warmth our faculty brings to each day.


Schedule a tour to see our team in action and learn more about the Montessori difference.

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6953 Woodridge Drive, Woodridge, IL 60517

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We are proud to serve families in Woodridge, Naperville, Bolingbrook, Downers Grove, Darien, and all surrounding DuPage County communities.

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