Administration   |   Teacher Biographies

ADMINISTRATION

Joyce Sibbett, Ph.D.

President

Dr. Joyce Sibbett has taught in the public schools and higher education, preparing students for teacher positions in early childhood, elementary, and secondary programs. In her capacity as Associate Professor and teacher educator, Joyce has researched, presented and published professional papers, and she has observed and analyzed classroom practices. She has also chaired and participated in the hiring process of faculty and staff positions.  She is continuously putting best practices into action in her Montessori school. Her academic experience is complemented with her certificate in Montessori education by the North American Montessori Center.

Today, more than at any time in history, people across America are talking about the importance of early childhood education. Joyce applies her experience and knowledge to offer truly outstanding programs. She has selected Montessori practices because they fit perfectly with constructivist philosophies that are child-centered, progressive, and conducive to creativity as well as critical thinking. The Montessori curriculum is active, which means that students learn how to exercise self motivation as well as self direction.

Joyce plans, organizes, and oversees curriculum. She gives final approval for hiring teachers, conducts training sessions, maintains positive relationship with parents, and facilitates a collaborative culture within DMMS and in the surrounding community. She monitors quality control in day-to-day curriculum operations.

Jennifer Duffield

Director

Jennifer has experience in preschool education that assists her in overseeing day-to-day classroom operations for DMMS. She has been a teacher at an upscale traditional preschool and has acted as an interim director at Springstone Montessori School in Las Vegas, Nevada. Her academic background in chemistry (Bachelor of Science) and business (Master of Business Administration) supports her role as director of faculty, staff, and operations. Jennifer has studied and prepared papers on preschool education, collaborating with numerous individuals to develop best practices for DMMS.

Jennifer assists in hiring personnel and evaluating teacher performance to ensure quality and to identify areas for further training. She organizes and administers in-service training and prepares periodic reports on performance goals and objectives. Maintaining positive relations with parents and community members is an important aspect of Jennifer's responsibilities. She also assures that DMMS operations are consistently on target with Utah’s Childcare Licensing regulations as well as the Health Department regulations.

Jessica Engel

New Title Pending

Jessica Engel graduated with her Montessori Early Childhood Certificate from the National Center for Montessori Education (NCME).  NCME has since merged with the American Montessori Society (AMS).  She has completed the coursework for her Early Childhood Education Degree and has sixteen years of experience with Montessori education.  She started at Dancing Moose in January of 2007 as a teacher and was quickly asked to teach teachers her Montessori techniques.  She was promoted to be the Montessori Educator at Dancing Moose in the fall of 2007 where she split her time teaching and educating teachers.  Jessica attended a Love and Logic trainer conference to become licensed to teach Love and Logic for teachers and for parents.  She has taught many wonderful techniques for working with children successfully.  She considers herself a behaviorist with inclusive methodology.  Jessica is a mother of four and a grandmother to one who is a student at Dancing Moose.  She became the Director of Operation for Dancing Moose in the fall of 2011.

Crystal Boteju

Assistant Director

Crystal grew up in Southern California and had a brief adventure for 6 years in Oregon where she worked in a Montessori based Preschool and a teacher and administrator.  Crystal is the proud mother of two boys who attend Dancing Moose.  She is passionate about her children and enjoys watching them grow especially after learning something new.  Crystal loves spending time with her boys, listening to music, reading, gardening and sewing.  She has been the Assistant Director at Dancing Moose since July 2009 and has fallen in love with what Dancing Moose has to offer, both as a parent and as an employee. She believes fostering independence is so important for young children and she is glad to be a part of the Dancing Moose community and hopes to continue to watch it grow.

Emily Galbreath

Billing Administrator

Emily has her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Journalism from the University of Kansas.  She grew up in Kansas and moved to Utah after graduating from college and getting married.  She has worked in higher education fundraising at the University of Kansas and the University of Utah.  She has two children who are enrolled at Dancing Moose and loves being part of such a great team dedicated to serving young minds in Utah.  Emily began as the billing administrator for Dancing Moose in January 2012.

TEACHER BIOGRAPHIES

Administration   |   Teacher Biographies

Updated biographies coming soon....