MDC Administration/ Early Childhood Course Instructor:
Shanon Flowers: Shanon Flowers is the Director of Montessori Development Center of DFW. She also
currently serves as the Head of School for Redeemer Montessori School, an AMS Accredited School,
offering programs for students 18 months to 12 years age. Shanon has a Bachelor of Science from the
University of Kansas.
She became a certified early childhood Montessori teacher and then went on to educate and certify
teachers in the Montessori philosophy at the Kansas City Center for Montessori Education, an affiliate
teacher education program of NCME and later of AMS. She has educated teachers in Montessori
philosophy, math, language, sensorial, practical life, and art for over 10 years.
She eventually became a Director of a Montessori school in Kansas and was devoted to the
Administration of that program for 6 -7 years before moving to Texas. In her spare time, she enjoys
spending it cycling, reading, running, and with her 3 teenage daughters, who challenge and inspire her
daily.
currently serves as the Head of School for Redeemer Montessori School, an AMS Accredited School,
offering programs for students 18 months to 12 years age. Shanon has a Bachelor of Science from the
University of Kansas.
She became a certified early childhood Montessori teacher and then went on to educate and certify
teachers in the Montessori philosophy at the Kansas City Center for Montessori Education, an affiliate
teacher education program of NCME and later of AMS. She has educated teachers in Montessori
philosophy, math, language, sensorial, practical life, and art for over 10 years.
She eventually became a Director of a Montessori school in Kansas and was devoted to the
Administration of that program for 6 -7 years before moving to Texas. In her spare time, she enjoys
spending it cycling, reading, running, and with her 3 teenage daughters, who challenge and inspire her
daily.
MDC Early Childhood Course Instructors:
Margo Fortune: Margo Fortune is a certified M.A.C.T.E . Montessori teacher for levels EC and
Elementary I-II and has many decades of teaching experience, both in Public and Private Montessori
Schools. While Margo serves as an educator with MDC she also trains for Southwestern Montessori
Training Center in the following curricular components: Math, Language, Practical Life, Sensorial,
Cultural, Philosophy, and Peace Education.
Margo serves as a consultant with Bruins Montessori International, a major manufacturer of Montessori
Classroom Materials with worldwide distribution. She advises the company on matters of material
design, perfection of lesson components, new materials, marketing, and customer service.
She is currently employed with Dallas ISD.
Sarah Pape Hester: Sarah Pape Hester has been a lifelong Montessorian. She obtained her American
Montessori Society Early Childhood certification in 1979 through the Montessori Teacher Education
Program at Okla. City University. Later she received her B.A. and AMS certification as an Elementary I
teacher, also through OCU. She was a lead teacher at the Primary and Elementary I levels in schools in
California, Washington, and Texas. When her own children (now 23 and 19) were attending a
Montessori school in McKinney, Texas, Sarah developed a Montessori gardening curriculum and selfpublished
the book, The Montessori Garden. The curriculum and book were well received by the
educational community and led to numerous speaking engagements including regional and national
AMS conferences. Sarah has conducted parent education nights and teacher training workshops in the
North Texas area since 2000.
Sarah resides in McKinney, Texas on her 11.5 acre farm with two horses, three cats, and a dog. She is an
active national dressage (equestrian) competitor, is a graduate of the Collin County Master Gardener
Association certification program, is zealous about health and nutrition, and practices yoga and pilates
on a regular basis.
Elementary I-II and has many decades of teaching experience, both in Public and Private Montessori
Schools. While Margo serves as an educator with MDC she also trains for Southwestern Montessori
Training Center in the following curricular components: Math, Language, Practical Life, Sensorial,
Cultural, Philosophy, and Peace Education.
Margo serves as a consultant with Bruins Montessori International, a major manufacturer of Montessori
Classroom Materials with worldwide distribution. She advises the company on matters of material
design, perfection of lesson components, new materials, marketing, and customer service.
She is currently employed with Dallas ISD.
Sarah Pape Hester: Sarah Pape Hester has been a lifelong Montessorian. She obtained her American
Montessori Society Early Childhood certification in 1979 through the Montessori Teacher Education
Program at Okla. City University. Later she received her B.A. and AMS certification as an Elementary I
teacher, also through OCU. She was a lead teacher at the Primary and Elementary I levels in schools in
California, Washington, and Texas. When her own children (now 23 and 19) were attending a
Montessori school in McKinney, Texas, Sarah developed a Montessori gardening curriculum and selfpublished
the book, The Montessori Garden. The curriculum and book were well received by the
educational community and led to numerous speaking engagements including regional and national
AMS conferences. Sarah has conducted parent education nights and teacher training workshops in the
North Texas area since 2000.
Sarah resides in McKinney, Texas on her 11.5 acre farm with two horses, three cats, and a dog. She is an
active national dressage (equestrian) competitor, is a graduate of the Collin County Master Gardener
Association certification program, is zealous about health and nutrition, and practices yoga and pilates
on a regular basis.