About Our School

Grove Montessori is an emerging, high-quality neighborhood school founded by a team of educators, advocates, school leaders, and community activists to bring accessible Montessori elementary education to Grand Rapids. Chartered through Grand Valley State University, Grove provides a tuition-free public education for elementary students.

Mission | to unite socially, culturally, and economically diverse families in a dynamic Montessori environment, where every child is academically prepared as a self-directed learner, ready to thrive in today’s world and empowered to reimagine and build a better one.

Vision | we envision a future where the power of creativity and community leads the way in overcoming humanity’s greatest challenges.

Two children drawing and working together

Our Future Home

We're thrilled to be co-locating at 1575 Jefferson SE with Everbloom Montessori in the Cottage Grove Neighborhood of Grand Rapids.

Our Teacher Leaders

“The radical, beautiful vision that Maria Montessori had for children must be complemented by a similarly radical, beautiful vision for adults.” –Sep Kamvar, co-founder of Wildflower Schools

Kate Caliri-Spiegel

Founding Teacher Leader and Elementary Guide

For over 20 years I’ve taught in public, charter, independent, and parochial schools across all grade levels – though my sweet spot is the second plane child – and have most recently worked as the Dean of Admission at a small boarding high school in Northern Michigan where I wore many administrative hats in addition to overseeing enrollment. My professional teaching certification includes certification as a reading specialist and my master’s work focused on environmental education and teaching sustainability in developmentally appropriate ways. I believe children are fundamentally peaceful and have a natural desire to learn, and therefore resonate deeply with Montessori methods that foster joyful learning experiences. I am completing my AMI elementary training for ages 6-12 through The Montessori Institute in Denver, Colorado. My goal is to help make Montessori accessible and to foster curiosity, generosity, and capability in my students.

kate@grovemontessori.org

Anisa Everett

Founding Teacher Leader and Elementary Guide

In my work as a Teacher-Leader at Grove, I look forward to merging my passion for applying pedagogical research and love of teaching to create an inclusive, encouraging environment where learners will thrive. I graduated from the Frederik Meijer Honors College at Grand Valley State University with a dual degree in Education and English and a minor in Applied Linguistics-Teaching ESL, receiving three distinct awards for teaching excellence. After graduating, I had the joy of serving in an administrative capacity for the Midwest Regional Training Institute, overseeing the quality and growth of their after-school educational programs throughout Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. A desire to serve the education system in my local community brought me to assisting in the Children’s House at Everbloom Montessori. It has been a joy to discover how the Montessori approach aligns with the philosophies and practices supported by current educational research, which I look forward to practicing at Grove Montessori!

anisa@grovemontessori.org

Our Board

Board Member

Board Role

Board Member

Board Role

Board Member

Board Role

Leon Hendrix

President

leon@grovemontessori.org

Leon is an experienced executive communications leader with a deep-rooted passion for education, equity, and community service. A product of Montessori education, he’s committed to supporting Grove's mission. Currently serving as the Global Executive Communications Manager at Steelcase, Leon brings over a decade of experience from his time at WOOD TV8 in Grand Rapids, where he served as a news anchor and reporter — establishing trust within the community and creating meaningful change through storytelling and community connections. As the former Executive Director of Communications & External Affairs for Grand Rapids Public Schools, he championed equitable education and fostered community engagement. Leon and his wife are raising three young sons and are dedicated to helping create a brighter future for all children through education.

Megan Cottrell

Vice President and Secretary

megan@grovemontessori.org

Megan is an independent educator and curriculum designer with a focus on bilingual education, Montessori methods, and the arts. Currently, she teaches music and movement at a Spanish immersion homeschool program, integrating language and culture into their curriculum. With over a decade of experience as a homeschool educator, she has led Montessori co-ops and taught core subjects like language arts, math, and science. Megan also brings expertise in spiritual education, having led Montessori-based Christian education programs for over 10 years. Her passion for experiential, child-centered learning is guiding Grove to be an innovative Montessori charter school.

Javier Ronquillo Rivera

Treasurer

javier@grovemontessori.org

Javier holds a PhD in Mathematics from Ohio University and brings a strong mix of academic and non-profit experience to the charter school board. Currently serving as the Math and Pedagogy Lead at BEAM (Bridge to Enter Advanced Mathematics), he oversees faculty hiring, professional development, and program design aimed at expanding access to advanced math for underserved students. With teaching experience at institutions like Grand Valley State University and Ohio University, Javier has a passion for student-centered learning and equitable education, which will help guide Grove's educational policies and curriculum.