Central Kitsap Montessori * 7500 Old Military Rd. * Ste 360 * Bremerton, WA 98311 * (360) 698-7620
All teachers at Central Kitsap Montessori are certified and trained to teach according to the Montessori method. We are
committed to excellence in education and to meeting the individual needs of the children. Our caring and enthusiastic aids
are specially trained to respond to the interests of each student. The entire staff is committed to creating a secure and
happy atmosphere where your child can blossom.
Staff
Diana Zegers: Administrator

Diana is the founder of Central Kitsap Montessori. She is a certified Montessori teacher through
the Montessori Education Institute of the Pacific Northwest, an American Montessori Society
affiliate. She opened Barker Creek Montessori in 1991. In 1995 she opened Steele Creek
Montessori and together the schools became Montessori Schools of Central Kitsap. In 2008 the
two schools combined in one location and are now together called Central Kitsap Montessori.
She is the author of Discover Music, a curriculum that is being taught in over 1,400 Montessori
classrooms. Diana is a frequent seminar presenter and a teacher trainer for the music and
movement portions of several Montessori training centers. Diana enjoys gardening and trips to
the Netherlands from where her family originates.
Rosemary Marsh: Teacher

Rosemary has been with CK Montessori since 1997. She has been teaching Montessori,
however, for more than 20 years and is a firm believer in the Montessori philosophy. Her
Montessori certification comes from Montessori Plus. Rosemary loves working with children and
started when her own children were in preschool. She also enjoys gardening, reading, hiking and
decorating.


Teresa Zweber: Teacher

Teresa has been with CK Montessori since 1996. She started when her son attended Barker
Creek and she spent a lot of time volunteering in the classroom. When Steele Creek opened she
was offered an aide position. After several years as an aide she decided to get her Montessori
training through United Montessori Association and become a certified Montessori teacher.
Teresa enjoys traveling, hiking, quilting, reading and even the occasional half marathon.
Susan Avery: Assistant Teacher

Susan has been working with CK Montessori since 2001. She started coming in when her oldest
son started school at Steele Creek Montessori as a 3 year old. All of her children (two sons and
two daughters) eventually also went to Steele Creek Montessori. Susan loves to garden, cook,
and decorate her house.

Charmaine Leicht: Assistant Teacher

Charmaine has been with CK Montessori since 2003. Her education is in Chemical Engineering,
however, she started coming in when her children came to school here and enjoyed it so much
she decided to stay and work. Her interests are mostly in the activities that her children are doing -
soccer, girl scouts, boy scouts, track and cross country, and band. When she finds spare time
after all that she loves to read and play indoor soccer.
Darlene Mullen: Assistant Teacher

Darlene first came to us in 2006 when her daughter was in preschool at Barker Creek. She
enjoyed it so much that she decided to stay and is now Montessori certified through United
Montessori Association. She and her husband have an adopted daughter from China and have
recently adopted two young sons who also attended CK Montessori. She loves working with
children, writing western novels, anything to do with Native American history, camping, and
cooking.
Jillian McClendon: Administrative Assistant

Jillian has been with CK Montessori since 2003. She loves working with small children and is a
certified Montessori teacher through United Montessori Association. She developed the sign
language curriculum being taught in the school. Jillian has two young children; both of whom are
now attending CK Montessori. She is the administrative assistant and the designer and creator of
CK Montessori's website. She enjoys crafts, games, baking, play dates and gardening.
Gretchen Nielson: Music Teacher

This year we welcome Ms. Gretchen to our staff as our music teacher! She comes to us with years
of experience and training, and finds the Montessori philosophy engaging and exciting! Gretchen
holds a BA in Drama and English, and a Masters in Teaching from the University of Washington,
and truly believes in the power of the arts in early childhood education. Through her work as a
professional teaching artist with theatre companies in California, Denver, and Washington,
Gretchen's passion for musical theatre arts, storytelling, acting, Creative Dramatics, and voice
have found a home in educational outreach. Gretchen also has extensive musical theatre stage
credits, and some favorite roles include Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, Cinderella in Cinderella,
Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, and many more. Gretchen has two young daughters, and enjoys the
beauty of the Kitsap peninsula through their eyes, frequenting area parks, Farmer's markets, ferry
boats to Seattle, and play dates with friends.