About Our School
Echinacea Montessori School began it's work in 2019 with the idea of serving the children and their families in a small, community-centered Montessori school in the heart of Denver.
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We opened our doors in early 2020 to serve children ages 2.5-6.
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In August, 2024 we will start our fifth school year! To better serve our community we are proud to be a bilingual Montessori school, teaching in Spanish and English.
Our Teacher Leaders
Amanda Clarke
Founding Teacher Leader
she/her
I was most inspired to become a teacher by three educators: my father, Mrs Ruth Denney, and Mrs Laurie Gonzales. It was their examples of deep respect for their students, their kind patience, humor and fierce love of teaching, that ignited my drive to be an educator. I grew up in Colorado and am both a Montessori teacher and parent. My teaching at a public Montessori school coincided with my daughter beginning in a primary classroom and we learned about Montessori together. I earned my teaching degree from Lesley University in 1997 and my formal AMI Montessori training in 2015 in Denver. My goal is to continue to inspire and guide children in exploring and expanding their world with confidence and curiosity while learning about themselves and others.
Analisa Morel
Lead Teacher
Hi!
My name is Analisa Morel and I am so excited to become part of the Wildflower community as a lead teacher at Echinacea.
I grew up as a Montessori kid in Mexico and absolutely love being in the Montessori world on the teacher side of things. It has not only become my profession but a lifestyle for me.
I have had the opportunity to teach in countries such as Mexico (my home) Uganda, Rwanda and Nicaragua in one way or another with children of all ages. I have found that a love to learn and grow is truly universal and I love being a part of that.
I received my Bachelor degree from Dakota Wesleyan University, my Childhood Development Associate credential here in Denver and most recently my AMI certification from Great Work Inc. under trainer Teng Chien.
I love to travel with my partner, explore beautiful Colorado, reading while drinking coffee or tea and meeting up with friends.
I am looking forward to getting to know you all.
Our Staff
Sheridan Manfredi
Administrative Assistant
Hello Echinacea families! My name is Sheridan Manfredi and I use she/her pronouns. I am currently a graduate student at the University of Colorado Denver obtaining a dual masters degree in criminal justice and public administration with a nonprofit management concentration. I am passionate about criminal justice reform, and one way I see this being realized is through education. I hope to use what I have learned in my program to assist Echinacea, and all of you, to the best of my ability. I was born and raised in Reno, Nevada and moved to Denver for grad school in 2021. I have since fallen in love with this city and all it has to offer. In my free time I like to hike, camp, eat good food, and hang out with my amazing friends. I look forward to getting to know all of you!
Kacey
Assistant Teacher
Kacey is a Colorado native and learned about Montessori as her daughter started at a nearby public Montessori school. She has broad experience working with children with sensory needs as well as working with teams of adults fundraising and advocating for Montessori education. Kacey loves being a mom, going to concerts, hiking and being spending time with friends.
