MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of The Montessori Schools of Central Texas is to provide children with the academic and social skills, as well as the moral judgment, to successfully achieve their personal goals and potential so that they may positively impact society.
EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION
Here at the Montessori Schools of Central Texas, we believe in educating the total child. In pursuit of that goal, our students are taught lessons and given activities which stimulate the mind, body, and spirit. The Montessori School is a non-profit, non-graded, and appropriate placement educational institution licensed by the state of Texas, and is a full member of the American Montessori Society.
Curriculum activities include practical life skills and sensorial experiences, along with language, mathematics, geography, history, science, art, music, physical education, computer skills, Bible studies, and Spanish.
The Montessori School is staffed by certified professional Montessori teachers who have been trained to build trusting relationships with children and to create environments which present a rich array of interactive experiences.
In operation since 1982, The Montessori School is currently offering programs for elementary students ages 6 to 9 years, preschool children ages 3 to 6, and infants and toddlers, ages 6 weeks to 3 years.
The Montessori School accepts children without regard to national origin, race, color, creed, or religion.
HISTORY
The Montessori Schools of Central Texas was founded in 1982, by Drs. Jerry and Sherry O’Donnell, as a private nondenominational Christian school for young children. The school began in a two-car converted garage at the rear of the O’Donnell’s home in McGregor, Texas, with twelve students, Mrs. O’Donnell as teacher, and an aide. The following year, the school expanded and transferred to a new location with more space. The student body continued to grow until, in 1986, the school moved to Temple, Texas. For three years, the school was located on the grounds of Trinity Church, occupying a separate building for the last two years. In 1990, the school was moved again, to what is now the current location at 1302 S. 27th Street in Temple, in a beautiful Victorian-era house. This change allowed the school to open enrollment for three classes with three different age groups, in order to offer educational opportunities to children ages 3 to 12. In 1995, the school purchased an adjacent property and house and converted it to use as another classroom. In 2017, The Montessori School had a beautiful building constructed on the North side of our property to house our Montessori Infant & Toddler School.
MSCT will celebrate 40 years of excellence starting in the 2022-2023 school year.
STAFF
- Jerry O’Donnell, PhD, Headmaster: Dr. O’Donnell’s experience in life and
the work force is varied, from serving in the U.S. Army as an enlisted soldier and officer, to owning numerous businesses, acting as a professional student, and doing the work of an evangelist, pastor, and teacher. He presently serves as the President of the Board of Directors for the Montessori Schools of Central Texas and the Headmaster of the MSCT Temple Campus. Dr. O’Donnell obtained his GED while serving in the United States Army. After recognizing his need for further education, he earned seven degrees in two tracts: the world and the church. He presently holds two bachelor’s, two master’s, and three doctoral degrees. In past years, Dr. O’Donnell has been a successful psychologist in private practice, specializing in creative motivation for underachieving children. Currently, he maintains his love for education through his passionate reading of books, magazines, and research articles. Dr. O’Donnell met his wife, Sherry, in high school, and they have been married for 57 years. Together they have three children, Jheri Lynn, Jeffery, and Jennifer, and five grandchildren. - Sherry O’Donnell, D.CE.: Mrs. O’Donnell is the
principal founder of The Montessori Schools of Central Texas. She has worked hard to grow the school from one classroom in a two-car garage in 1982 to the present day, with an organization comprising of seven classrooms, three buildings, and over 100 students ranging from 6 weeks old to age eleven. Mrs. O’Donnell was awarded a Doctorate in Christian Education for her tireless efforts to develop and provide a quality early-childhood education, based on Dr. Maria Montessori’s teaching philosophy and curriculum, to children of all backgrounds. She is certified at the Primary Level (ages 3-6) by the Association Montessori International, and at the Lower Elementary Level (ages 6-9) by the American Montessori Society. Her 38 years of service in the field have allowed her to continually refine her techniques and curriculum within the Montessori philosophy, in order to connect with and teach every one of her students on an individual level. When not involved with the school, Sherry enjoys spending her leisure time with her family. 
Jennifer Watson, Director: Jennifer was born in Japan where her father, Dr. Jerry O’Donnell, was stationed. As the third child of the O’Donnell’s she has grown up around Montessori education and watched as the school flourished under her parent’s leadership. Jennifer has been married to Jason since 2002 and has a remarkable son, Brady, who had the privilege of attending The Montessori School from the age of 20 months through elementary. Since grading-out of The Montessori School, Brady has taken Pre-AP classes throughout middle school and plans to continue challenging himself in High School with AP classes. Jennifer has been the Director of both the Temple and Killeen campuses from 2007-2015. She left briefly to pursue her love of veterinary medicine and returned as the Director in 2020. Her leisure time is spent caring for her many animals, traveling, reading books, and the joys of being a Mom.
Kristin Iannuccilli, Assistant Director: Kristin was born and raised in Minnesota where she met and married her high school sweetheart. For the past twenty-plus years her husband has served in the Army while Kristin has been blessed by the opportunity to dedicate most of her time to raising their two children as they’ve moved around to various duty stations. Kristin holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and has experience in education with prior service as a Teacher’s Aide in a Montessori School in Nevada and working as an elementary school substitute in Louisiana and Texas school districts. Kristin’s family has chosen to settle in Belton, Texas and they are excited about putting down roots in the community. Kristin is eager to pursue her long-term goals of furthering her involvement in Montessori Education and being a part of the administrative team at MSCT.
Dolline Abraham, Lead Teacher – Upper Elementary: Dolline was born and raised in the city of Muscat, in the Sultanate of Oman, and then moved to India during her high school years. She went on to complete undergraduate degrees in Nutrition and Dietetics, and earned a post-graduate degree in Business Administration. She then began working as a dietitian at the Christian Medical Hospital in India. After having her two children, she decided to end her employment at the hospital in order to spend more time with her family. Through her involvement with her own children, she began teaching kindergarten, and also handled Sunday classes for the three to five-year-old age group. Three years later, God made a path for her to take the Association Montessori Internationale course. Following certification, she was employed as a Montessori directress for two years, solidifying her career in the Montessori community. When a position opened up with MSCT, Dolline made the decision to move her family to the United States, and she has been a teacher with the school since 2015, certified at the Primary, Elementary I and II levels. Her hobbies include pencil art, sewing, embroidery, and crocheting. Due to living abroad, Dolline speaks four languages: English, Tamil, Hindi, and Malayalam.
Ashley Diaz, Assistant Teacher – Upper Elementary: Ashley Díaz López was born in Aibonito, Puerto Rico, and grew up in the town of Coamo. Mrs. Díaz comes from a loving family and was raised with strong Christian values. She is the youngest of six siblings and has ten nephews whom she loves very much. Mrs. Diaz is married to Jason Torres and they have created a beautiful family. They have a precious baby girl that goes by the name of Jaylee Isabel. She has always liked playing the role of teacher since a very young age. She has a bachelor’s degree in special education with a secondary major in Family and Consumer Sciences from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico. Ashley has spent her career in childcare, summer camps, tutoring programs, and preschool. She desires to be well-rounded and is thrilled to be a part of The Montessori Schools of Central Texas. It is her goal to go above and beyond to nurture your children while meeting their developmental needs. Mrs. Diaz will teach Spanish to the upper elementary students and assist with physical education.
Monica Walker, Lead Teacher – Lower Elementary: Monica Walker grew up in Fort Worth before attending college at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas, where she earned a bachelor’s degree. It was there that she became passionate about the Montessori philosophy and has now completed her American Montessori Society (AMS) certification in Elementary 1. Newly married, Monica enjoys spending time with her husband doing outdoor activities, watching movies, and working on projects in their new home together. She really likes crafting, spending time in the kitchen, and a hot cup of coffee early in the morning.
Tracie Steele, Assistant Teacher – Lower Elementary: Tracie was born in Kermit, Texas. Her family moved to Temple when her father was transferred to the Belton DPS office. She attended Temple High School where she met and later married her high school sweetheart. Together, they raised three wonderful children. Tracie earned her associate’s degree in arts from Temple College and a bachelor’s in education from American College of Education. She previously worked for Temple Independent School District as a paraprofessional, gaining experience in classroom management and helping students of diverse backgrounds achieve their educational goals. Tracie volunteers within the children’s department at her church where she teaches Sunday school and summer camp. In her free time, she enjoys all kinds of crafting and spending time with her family.
Carmen Alvarado, Lead Teacher – Primary I: Carmen was born and raised in Puerto Rico, and she also attended Universidad de Puerto Rico Recinto de Rio Piedras while there. In 1995, she married a soldier in the United States Army, and starting in 1998, they began traveling extensively within the U.S. as her husband was transferred to various bases. Carmen considers these different living experiences to have been very positive for her family, including for her two daughters. In 2006, Carmen started working with children on a professional level, and she became qualified as a Child Development Associate (CDA) in 2008. In 2011, she and her family moved to Texas, where she then joined the Montessori Schools of Central Texas as a teaching assistant. Carmen earned her credentials as an Early Childhood teacher through North American Montessori in 2013, and then achieved credentials through the American Montessori Society in the same category in 2016. She is currently a Lead Teacher of one of our Primary classes. Mrs. Alvarado is fluent in Spanish and English, speaking both languages to her students in the classroom.
Jordan Cheatham, Assistant Teacher – Primary I: Jordan grew up in Modesto, California before moving to Texas in the spring of 2020 to be closer to family. She first began working with children in 2018 by volunteering in the Sunday school program and Vacation Bible School at her church. She then went on to do a summer internship with the Minister to Children organization. After moving to Texas, Jordan spent one year teaching pre-kindergarten before deciding to step back and further her education and knowledge of how children learn. Jordan is set to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies in December of 2024, and plans to pursue a Master of Science degree in Instruction & Curriculum. In her free time, she enjoys baking, spending time with her family, and hiking out in nature.
Alejandra Santiago, Assistant Teacher – Primary I: Born in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Alejandra comes from a loving family and was raised with strong Christian values. She holds a bachelor’s degree in International Business, is a native Spanish speaker, fluent in English, and she also speaks a little bit of Italian! Alejandra is married to Daniel Santiago, an honorable veteran and retired Airborne soldier; together they have a son who holds a master’s degree in finance.The Santiagos lived in Vicenza, Italy, for four years before moving to Texas. During their time in Italy, Alejandra worked at a Child Development Center and is proud to have served the nation’s service members and their families in that capacity. Alejandra feels that working with children has changed her life and feels it is an honor to help them learn and watch them grow. She is very excited to continue working in education at MSCT. In her free time, you can find Alejandra behind the camera as a freelance photographer.
Gwen Copeland, Lead Teacher – Primary II: Gwen was born in Gatesville, Texas. Upon graduation, she moved to Austin and attended Austin Community College. She later accepted an opportunity to travel the USA as an assistant recruiter. She eventually returned to Texas and obtained her Texas Real Estate License, working for years in this industry. Later in life, she was blessed with a daughter, Vivianne. This life-changing experience altered her perspective, and she began considering other career paths. Gwen’s innate love for children and desire to be a positive influence in their lives led her here to MSCT where she began as an assistant teacher in 2021. Since then, Gwen completed her American Montessori Society (AMS) certification in Early Childhood when she attended the Houston Montessori Center last year. When she is not at work, you will find Gwen spending every moment with her daughter, usually in nature exploring the great outdoors, engaging in practical life activities, antiquing, traveling, or planning their next adventure together!
Katherine Diaz, Assistant Teacher – Primary II: Katherine was born in Coamo, Puerto Rico where she lived until 2016 when she moved to Killeen. She has a wonderful husband and four beautiful children. Katherine is a very happy and outgoing person who enjoys making people laugh and feel good about themselves. When she was little, she discovered her passion for baking and in 2019 she ventured into a successful business selling cakes and desserts while she was a homemaker. Katherine has since dedicated herself to teaching young children and is excited to begin her career at MSCT as an assistant teacher in the Primary class.
Jeff O’Donnell, PE Teacher, Groundskeeper, Transportation: Jeff has been a part of The Montessori Schools of Central Texas since 2013. He started his professional life serving three years as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division, where he also earned awards for physical fitness. He completed his bachelor’s degree in psychology at SHSU and studied counseling at the master’s level. During this time, he worked with children and adolescents at behavior treatment centers. In addition to being a youth counselor, he served at the facility as a lifeguard, coached athletic events, and assisted the campus’ academic teachers in various ways. Over the years, Jeff has become increasingly interested in fitness. He has competed in power lifting and body building contests, and subsequently decided to pursue a career as a personal trainer, opening his own studio. Eventually, with two daughters, and his previous work with children, he switched tracks to focus on teaching physical education to a younger audience and came to work at The Montessori Schools of Central Texas. His upcoming goal is to achieve certification in group fitness by the American College of Sports Medicine. His hobbies include singing with his worship team at his church, playing sports with his daughters, and studying nutrition and health-related subjects.