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.
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.
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.
Interested in joining the team at Countryside? Please fill out the application here.