How is this Gan different than all the others?
Our Philosophy
Dr. Maria Montessori, the namesake of our educational philosophy, cultivated her work around the belief that children must have freedom — achieved through order and self-discipline — to develop their fullest potential. At the Gan, this is infused with a warm Jewish atmosphere, bringing joyful awareness to your child’s heritage and “neshama” – their soul.
Children are curious.
Children crave learning; we need only draw them in with inspiration and guidance.
Children need guidance.
Children thrive with safety, and learn best in a prepared, secure environment.
Children are unique.
Every child learns at their own pace. Honoring that increases joy in learning.
Children have an inner voice.
The Jewish moral concepts we teach help them find it – and listen close.
Children are leaders.
When we trust, inspire, and guide, they become leaders in their world.
The Team
Esther Leah Teldon, M.Ed.
HEAD OF SCHOOL
Esther Leah, a Wilmette native, first discovered her love of early childhood education as a preschool teacher in Brooklyn, NY and has never turned back. Esther Leah brings her vast experience and warm, welcoming spirit into all her programs, fostering a love of learning for every child. She serves as the director of the Wilmette Community Hebrew School, and in 2021, was awarded JUF's '36 Under 36' Young Jewish Leadership Award but most enjoys time spent at home with her husband and six children. She earned her teacher's certification from the Machon Shoshana in Jerusalem and a Masters in Early Childhood and Special Ed from the Erikson Institute.
Rivka Benjamin, LCSW
CURRICULUM DIRECTOR
Rivka has been immersed in Montessori educational philosophies ever since her youth, when her parents opened the first Jewish Montessori preschool in her native New Jersey hometown. Since then, she has taught, directed, and consulted for Montessori schools across the East Coast and, more recently, at Chiaravalle, Evanston. As an AMS-certified teacher and social worker, Rivka’s passion lies in meeting children where they are, following their journey, and implementing an individualistic approach to its fullest. Rivka, along with her husband and one-year-old twins, loves to travel, explore nature, and try new things.
Kathy Bonham
primary HEAD TEACHER
Kathy started as an assistant teacher in 2000, and quickly fell in love with Maria Montessori’s philosophy. She subsequently completed her intensive early childhood Montessori training at Midwest Montessori Teacher Training Center in Evanston. After stepping away from teaching for a time, she realized how much she missed the classroom and returned to Montessori teaching in 2017. In her downtime, she enjoys taking long walks with her adorable Australian Shepherd, watching movies, and doing hot yoga.
Miriam Schneiderman
Assistant Teacher
Miriam holds a degree in Early Child Education and has over 20 years of experience in the classroom. Her passion for teaching is evident in the way she interacts with each child and responds to their specific needs. She is a firm believer that no two children are alike and therefore helps each child grow in their own way. In her downtime, she enjoys spending time with her husband and four children and spoiling her dog, cat and bunny. She also likes to go on nature hikes and attend Pilates classes.
Clare Heath
Montessori Educational Consultant
Clare is a coach and Montessori educational consultant with over twenty years of experience working with children from toddler through eighth grade. As a teacher, she was sparked by Montessori’s concepts of spiritual preparation, observation and reflection, and building meaningful relationships with children and families. Clare worked as the Assistant Head of School at Chiaravalle Montessori School in Evanston, Illinois. She cares deeply about supporting teachers, administrators, and families so they can bring their best selves and skills to working with our children. Clare is the mother of a tween and a teen and enjoys drinking tea, playing guitar and singing, being in nature, serving as a doula, and hosting dance parties.
Joel Davis
SCHOOL ADVISOR
Joel received his undergraduate degree in Kinesiology from the University of Colorado-Boulder and then went on to attend the DePaul College of Law where he received his JD in 1989. In 1995 Joel joined Help At Home, a leading provider of in-home, community-based care in 13 states and 169 locations, where he currently serves as President and General Counsel. Joel serves on the Board of Trustees of Wolcott College Prep, an exemplary college-prep high school that fills a unique place in Chicago’s educational landscape for bright students with learning differences.
Jill GreerSCHOOL advisor
Jill has held leadership positions at Montessori schools and Jewish organizations for 25 years. Jill is a founding Board member of Beacon Academy, a Montessori high school in Evanston, IL and served as a Trustee at Chiaravalle Montessori School, an early childhood to 8th-grade Montessori school in Evanston, IL. In 2003, Jill founded the Jewish Federations of North America’s (JFNA) Tax-exempt Bond Program. Previously, Jill was a Vice President in Municipal Finance at Goldman, Sachs & Co. Jill received her MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management and a BS from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Doron Friedman
SCHOOL ADVISOR
Doron is a serial entrepreneur. He presently serves as the Chief Innovation Officer and co-founder of SpotOn, a pioneer in restaurant management systems and small business technology that just attained unicorn status. He is also the co-author of 12 patents. Doron is a small business owner at heart. After graduating from The Wharton School, Doron didn't take the obvious route and instead opened his first café. He credits his entrepreneurial spirit to his parents who were Holocaust survivors. Doron’s late mother was a preschool teacher and the importance of early childhood education is something he believes in strongly.
Lauren Weiss
NUTRITIONIST
Lauren is a Certified Clinical Nutritionist who served as director of Pulling Down the Moon’s nutrition department, focusing on fertility, pre, and post-natal nutrition. In addition, she focuses on digestive and hormonal health in her private practice. Lauren has extensive experience in meal planning for both her patients and organizations. In addition to consulting with dozens of Chicago businesses on employee nutritional wellness, she also developed Keshet’s MY Life Residential community’s meal program. Lauren currently resides in Glenview, where she is constantly trying new healthy and delicious meals for her family.
Farah RiclesToddler Head Teacher
Farah ventured to the United States in 1990 with a degree from the Montessori Institute of Karachi. After teaching at the Primary and Elementary levels for three years, her focus shifted to nurturing infants and toddlers. In 2005, she obtained the “Assistance to Infancy” diploma from the Montessori Institute of Denver, CO. With 25 years of experience guiding toddler classrooms, Farah passionately believes in the profound impact of Montessori education on young lives. She is a proud mother of 29-year-old twins and enjoys reading, listening to music, and learning how to make delicious foods from different cultures.
OUR STAFFExtraordinary people.
Exceptional standards.
Our loving, highly trained teachers show a level of commitment to each child that does not stop at the classroom door.
Each Gan Montessori Teacher:
Holds Early Childhood credentials from AMS Affiliated Teacher Education Programs
Participates in ongoing education workshops
Has CPR/First Aid training
Fresh, flavorful, kosher, yummy.
Montessori views lunchtime as an important part of learning. When we feed little bodies properly, we enable them to focus, learn, and play.
We will work with parents of children with allergies to ensure a safe learning environment where kids can focus without fear.
Lunch is included in Gan Montessori’s program
Healthful, balanced menu plans, crafted by a nutritionist
Our deep community roots help us flourish.
As an affiliate of Chabad of Wilmette, we have more than 30 years of experience providing innovative and fun educational programs throughout the county, from Hebrew school and Bat Mitzvah Clubs to Mommy and Me.
We welcome Jewish children of all affiliations and levels of observance.
A delightful meeting of mind and Jewish heart.
At Gan Montessori, your child will learn life and learning skills, gain confidence, and develop a meaningful Jewish identity.
