Our Staff

In alphabetical order

Lynette Benge

Children's House Assistant

Lynette has enjoyed working with children and families since 1981. After graduating from Minnesota State University-Moorhead with a BS in Art Education (with emphasis in watercolor and paper making), Lynette worked as a preschool teacher, an ECFE home visitor with the Anoka/Hennepin School District, and as a Family Service provider with Rueben Lindh Learning Center in Minneapolis. She and her husband have three children and call River Falls home. Heartland Montessori has been Lynette's second home for the past 20 years.

Christine Stevens

Children's House Guide

Born and raised in The Hague, Netherlands, Christine taught for 14 years at two public elementary inner city schools before moving to the U.S. to study the macrobiotic lifestyle and cooking with whole foods. She met her husband, John, soon after. They have two daughters, Emma and Felicia. Because their girls went to Montessori schools in St. Paul, Christine was inspired to take the AMI Primary training. She also earned a Master of Education and worked for five years in two schools in Minneapolis. Working with children is her passion, and she is excited to share the satisfaction and joy it brings with the Heartland community. Christine's hobbies include walking and backpacking, singing sacred harp music, and enjoying any form of art.

Becca Scott

Toddler Assistant

Becca joined Heartland staff in 2017 and received training to become a Toddler Community Assistant at the Montessori Institute of North Texas. Long before joining the staff at Heartland, Becca was a student here! She lives in River Falls with her son. Fred, who is a student in the Children's House.

Mary Troemner

After Care Specialist

Hi, I'm mary Troemner. vet tech, small dairy goat herder, and mother of three from Spring Valley, WI. I enjoy working with small and large animals on the farm, and homeschooled my kids before working in a 4K Montessori. I am excited to have another opportunity to work with children in a Montessori environment, get to know all the parents and staff, and learn more about Montessori.

Amber Tubre'

Toddler Guide

Amber earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Luther College and a Master’s degree in Industrial/ Organizational Psychology from Texas A&M University. She was a Program Manager for Outreach and Continuing Education at UW-River Falls for 14 years, working with all aspects of offering programs for early childhood and elementary educators. As the parent of a Heartland alumnus, she has personal experience with and a deep understanding of Montessori education and Heartland. During her time as a Heartland parent, she served on the Heartland Board of Directors, including two years as Secretary, and chaired two separate Heartland committees. Amber completed training at The Montessori Institute of Denver in summer 2017 and now serves as Heartland's Toddler Community Guide, which opened in Fall 2017. She lives in River Falls with her husband, Travis, and their son, Gavin.