Diane Smith
Director/Lead Teacher Kindergarten Class
Diane Smith is the founder and director of Countryside Montessori School and has 32 years experience teaching preschool age children. She started her teaching career as a Suzuki piano and preschool music teacher in 1987 after receiving her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Western Ontario and completing course work for a Master degree in piano performance. In 2005 Diane received her Montessori Certification from the United Montessori Association. Diane and her husband own and operate a crop farm in Addison Michigan, where they raised their 7 children. Out of the classroom Diane enjoys hiking, cross country skiing, knitting, and spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Maria Cowan
Program Director
Maria received her Bachelor of Early Childhood Education from Lake Superior State in 2012. She has worked in Early Childhood Education for seven years, the last four here at Countryside. She enjoys reading, traveling, and spending quality time with her husband and sons.
Annette Helmuth
Toddler Lead Teacher
Annette studied at the University of Southern Mississippi and earned her Montessori Certification at the Adrian Dominican Montessori Teacher Institute. She has 40 years of experience in Early Childhood Education and owned and ran the Back to Basics Montessori School in Saline, MI for 20 years. Annette likes gardening and cooking, and she and her husband enjoy spending time with their four adult children and seven grandchildren.
Regina Olson
Primary Lead Teacher
Regina earned her Bachelor of Elementary Education from Austria before moving to the United States. She has homeschooled her children for the past 20 years on their family farm just outside of Hillsdale. She enjoys reading, gardening and spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Tressa Stille
Primary Lead Teacher Afternoon
Tressa earned her Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education at Maranatha Baptist University in Watertown Wisconsin. After working at the University Daycare and private tutoring, Tressa joined the staff at Countryside in the summer of 2018. Tressa enjoys caring for her pet rabbit, crocheting, and wood working.
Susan Smeenge
Daycare Lead Afternoon/Toddler Teacher’s Assistant
After receiving her Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education from Ferris State University, Sue spent 20 years as the head teacher at The Camp in Holland, MI. She likes to spend time with her husband at their cottage, enjoys all kinds of water sports, and spending time with her adult son and daughter.
Nancy Livingston
Primary Teacher’s Assistant
After completing her Associate degree in Early Childhood Education, Nancy taught and became the program director of a daycare center. Nancy brings many skills to the classroom that she acquired while homeschooling her own four children. Nancy enjoys reading, gardening, and spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Jessica West
Primary Teacher’s Assistant
Jessica studied Early Childhood Education at the Branch Area Career Center and previously worked at her family business. She is very interested in Arts and Music, gains strength through mediation, and enjoys spending time with her family.
Heather Bryant
Primary Teacher’s Assistant
Heather is currently attending Siena Heights University to earn her Child Development Associate Credentials. She also holds a nursing degree from the James Maddison School of Sciences and is a licensed nurse in the State of Michigan. Heather has worked in Childcare for the past five years and in her free time she likes to bake and spend time with her family and three children.