Clark Lake Staff
Diane Smith
Director/Owner
Diane Smith is the founder and director of Countryside Montessori School and has 36 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 coursework for a Master degree in piano performance. In 2005 Diane received her Montessori Certification from the United Montessori Association and opened Countryside Montessori School. 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.
Traci Hubbard
Administrative Manager
After working 30 years in Corporate America, Traci has enjoyed the transition to spending her days with young children in a Montessori setting. She has learned quickly the joys of this age group and has picked up on a lot of Montessori skills in helping the children. Traci handles our administrative tasks and hiring process at CMS. When not at school, Traci enjoys welding!, golfing, volunteering at the Sauk Theatre, cooking and spending time with family and friends.
Ali Hess
Lead Teacher of Primary Yellow Classroom
After spending a summer at CMS, Ali discovered the joy of working with children in a Montessori classroom. She joined our team last January and quickly became interested in furthering her Montessori learning. This fall, Ali will begin the Montessori Primary Certification Program at the Adrian Montessori Teacher Education Institute. When Ali isn’t teaching and studying, she enjoys reading, spending time with friends and her family.