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. 
Missy Linaberry
Operations Assistant Missy has been teaching children, primarily in an aquatic environment, since 1988. She attended both the University of Wisconsin - Madison and the University of Wisconsin - River Falls, graduating with a BS in Economics and a certificate in music performance. After graduation she worked in various companies and corporations as a supporting member of their legal teams. She started and maintains her own bookkeeping business and completed training in 2015 to become a Certified ISR survival swimming instructor. Missy and her husband have been residents of River Falls for more than two decades and together they have two sons, one of whom is currently attending Heartland Montessori and LOVES it! Missy enjoys camping, swimming, spending time with family and singing in her church choir. |
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 18 years. 
Amber Tubre'
Toddler Community 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. |
Kristine Krinke-Acevez
School & Spanish Assistant Kristine is a graduate of University of Wisconsin-River Falls with two B.S. degrees in Liberal Arts; Modern Language, field of Spanish; and Communicative Disorders. She has been a part of the Heartland community for several years and assists with school operations, Before School Care, and Spanish. She speaks Spanish at home in West Lakeland, Minnesota with her husband and 2 children. 
Becca Scott
Toddler Community 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. 
Bridget Andrastek
After Care Specialist Bridget Andrastek has been part of the After Care team and has been a part of this community since December 2016. She is originally from St. Paul, MN, but currently lives in River Falls. Bridget studies Elementary Edication and Early Childhood Education at UW-River Falls. She enjoy working with all children, but has a passion for working with toddlers and younger preschoolers. She plans to graduate by Spring of 2020 and then continue to teach young children. Bridget loves playing soccer, baking, and hanging out with her fiancé and her cat. 
Kassidy Randelzhofer
After Care Specialist Kassidy joined the Heartland staff in 2017. She is a Junior majoring in Elementary Education and minoring in Early Childhood. She is originally from Racine, WI. She loves working with children because of their curiosity and unique way of viewing the world. Her hobbies include playing on the Women's Club Soccer team at UWRF, hiking, biking, playing board games, and watching the TV show "Friends." She plans to graduate from UWRF in the Spring of 2020 and hopes to teach Kindergarten some day. |
Lyndsay Anderson
Head of School Lyndsay earned her Bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Minnesota and a J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law. For 10 years she worked in both public relations and legal compliance and ethics. Lyndsay and her husband have two children, both of whom are alumni of Heartland Montessori and she has a great love of this school and its parent and staff community. She previously served as Heartland's Board Chair and chair of the Fundraising Committee. Lyndsay lives in Hudson and enjoys reading, photography, and spending time with family. 
Cassia McClelland
Children's House Aide Cassia joined the Heartland staff in 2017 as an After Care Specialist in 2017 and is now working as an aide in the Children's House. Cassia is a Heartland alum and has known Ms. Lynette since preschool! 
Bridgid Chagolla
After Care Specialist Bridgid joined the Heartland staff in 2018 and works primarily in our Toddler Community. She was born and raised in Minneapolis, but moved to River Falls about five years ago and loves it. She is working toward her BS in healthcare administration with a concentration on long-term care. Bridgid loves being around kids, decorating cakes, and putting smiles on peoples faces. 
Meggan Burak
Head of School |
"After four years of having my son at Heartland, I have to say it was the best decision I ever made."
—Heartland Parent