Pre-K One Program

About Ms. Deanna

Hi, my name is Deanna McManus!

I am very excited and honored to be part of the Northlake Montessori team of educators for young children and their families. I started my journey here on February 8th, 2016 in the Pre-Kindergarten #1 classroom with Ms. Michelle. Together we are a strong and supportive team and are here to Make a Difference! My goal is to always have effective, and engaging interactions throughout our environment here at NL Montessori because this is the foundation for all early learning childhood classrooms. Each day in our classroom will be filled with the excitement of new discoveries, choices, problem solving, music and movement, science, and the love of learning through play.

Although I am very new to Northlake Montessori, I am not new to the early childhood field. For the last 26 years I had worked at another Early Childhood Academy. I began my official early childhood career in 1989 and had many titles along the way: Lead Teaching in a Pre-K Classroom, Program Supervisor, and Regional Program Director of 5 Early Learning Academies. During that time I also earned my (ATA) Associate of Technical Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education from Edmonds Community College. Now I’m so happy to be back with my first love: the classroom!

I have been married to my husband Jeff for 23 years. I have two step-daughters I am proud to call my daughters, and four grandsons ages 7, 9, 10, and 11. I spend my spare time riding my 2013 Harley Davidson 883 Sportster Superlow alongside my husband Jeff as he rides his 2009 Softail Deluxe. I also consider myself very active and love to run and do yoga. I do as many fun runs, mud runs, and half marathons as I possibly can.

Please feel free to talk to me at any time, share any concerns, or even something positive you see our class doing. Together we can make the difference in your child's future and the world they are trying to make.

About Ms. Michelle

My name is Michelle Hatten. I am very excited to be your child's Pre-K teacher. I have been teaching at Northlake Montessori since 2005. I received my Montessori training in 2006.. I love working with this age group because they learn so much in a short amount of time. This is where true learning really begins. I love teaching at Northlake because I have the opportunity of watching the children grow up from our infant to Kindergarten programs. Many of my previous preschool and Kindergarten students come back to visit me from public school and I can see the progress that they have made. It makes me feel wonderful to know that I helped create their foundation for learning.

My family consists of me and my daughter Livy, who is 10 years old. When I am not teaching, I enjoy spending time with friends, exercising, watching movies and playing with my daughter.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be your child's teacher and I look forward to working with you and your child throughout the school year. Please feel welcome to contact me with any questions or concerns that you may have.

We are very excited to be working together with you and your child. Our goal is to have an educational, independent and exciting classroom for your child. The classroom will consist of Language, Math, Practical Life, Sensorial, Science, and Geography activities.