Our Teachers

FOUNDING TEACHER LEADER

Over ten years ago Eileen moved away from her background in the fine arts and took a job as an assistant in a Montessori early childhood classroom. This transformative experience led to her researching and falling in love with the Montessori method. She completed her Early Childhood Montessori certification through the Center for Guided Montessori Studies (CGMS) in 2016 and earned a Masters in Montessori Education in 2025 from Loyola University Maryland. Eileen is thrilled to practice a child-centered approach at Clover, where each member of the classroom is respected for their individuality and encouraged to reach their full potential. Her role in the classroom is also informed by her work as a Montessori parent and as a certified Positive Discipline Parent coach.

FOUNDING TEACHER LEADER

Jake first fell in love with Montessori education in Chicago in 2012. Although he’d previously been working as an actor, after stumbling into a job assisting in a Montessori preschool classroom, he immediately changed course. A year later, he moved to Oakland, CA for a graduate program in Montessori Early Childhood Education, earning his American Montessori Society credential and writing his Master’s thesis on obstacles to Montessori in Head Start programs. After five years in the Bay Area, Jake and his partner, Jessie, moved to Philadelphia to be closer to family on the East Coast. After co-teaching with Eileen for a couple of years at Clementine Montessori, Jake was thrilled to partner with her as they embarked to establish Clover in Mt. Airy. 

Taylor joined Clover as a support teacher in the fall of 2022 and completed her teacher certification through Rising Tide Montessori the following year. Before this, she studied native bumble bee conservation and earned a concurrent certificate in equity- and liberation- centered teaching practices at UW-Madison. She loves connecting children with the natural world around them, and has enjoyed introducing garden activities and ecology lessons during outdoor play. Taylor focuses on early math instruction at Clover, and also coordinates the aftercare program with an emphasis on garden education. When able, she focuses her professional development on strategies to support nontraditional learners and children who benefit from alternative teaching methods in the classroom. Above all, she aims to foster a community where learners can ask little or big questions without judgment and feel valued for being exactly who they are.

Being a part of buddy programs through elementary school and frequent babysitting as she grew older helped Samya determine her two passions in life: being of assistance and mentoring children. Before and after graduating high school, she dove into the field of Early Childhood Education by working with younger toddlers and older learners in daycare settings as a Teacher Assistant. These educational experiences broadened her horizons and ultimately opened a door to explore the world of Montessori practices. Samya not only looks forward to being a part of Clover Montessori this upcoming 2026 school year, but also to witnessing the special moments each and every student will experience each day.

Description Ivana Renaé Thompson is so excited to join the Clover team! She has been in Philly for the past two years, post studying Theatre performance at Virginia Commonwealth University, working as a directing, acting, and stage combat artist. In between and during gigs, she would babysit and substitute teach for various schools including Clover which was always one of her favorite places to teach. This past spring, she decided to make the shift to pursue education full time and allow theatre to fill in the gaps. She dived right in during Clover’s summer camp and is currently attending Chestnut Hill College to obtain her M.Ed. in Early Education with a Montessori Early Childhood Credential. Ivana has loved building relationships with the kids at Clover and is excited to join teaching team full time.