Montessori American Indian Childcare Center

janice@maiccmn.org

Janice LaFloe is the founder of MAICC and the former Primary Guide in the Children’s House.  She is a member of the Turtle Mountain Chippewa Tribe – Belcourt, North Dakota.  Janice earned her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science at Macalester College in St Paul. She then went on to earn her Master’s degree in Public Policy from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.

Prior to her Montessori work, she served the American Indian community of St Paul for over a decade through her work at the American Indian Family Center and at St Paul Indian Education Program. Janice completed her Montessori training at the MN Montessori Training Center in St Paul in 2013 as a Bush Foundation Leadership Fellow.

ParentCoord@maiccmn.org

Terri Strom began her position at MAICC in September 2021. She is married and a Montessori Mom of 3 children (now all teenagers!). She has been working in social service and education for over 20 years with children birth through college age, in both community and school settings. For the last 5 years, Terri has supported MAICC and other Montessori early childhood programs with parent programing and children’s social emotional development through a partnership with the Montessori Center of Minnesota.

Terri has a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Psychology from the University of Minnesota, Duluth and received her Master’s of Social Work from the University of Michigan School of Social Work. Terri holds professional licensure in both Michigan and Minnesota and is a licensed school social worker.

ch2lead@maiccmn.org

Mariana Chavez is Mexica-Nahua, descending from Zacualpan de Amilpas Morelos, Mexico. She is a member of the Mexica-Aztec dance, drum, and philosophy group called Kalpulli Yaocenoxtli located on the East Side of Saint Paul. Her childcare experience ranges over 5 years of volunteering, nannying, Lead Toddler Teaching, and creating a Summer Program for children ages 2-8 called Semillitas. She is also a certified Ninde Doula, caring and nurturing both babies and mothers primarily experienced with families from her Kalpulli. Currently she is finishing her BA at Augsburg University in Latin American Studies and Spanish. Mariana was hired as a dual-trainee so she will get on-the-job training as well as complete her Primary (3-6) Montessori Training this school year. She enjoys spending her leisure time with her family and friends by enjoying nature and being connected to mother earth.

communications@maiccmn.org

family.coach@maiccmn.org

Rachel began working at MAICC January 2023. She is a lifelong resident of St Paul and an enrolled member of the Sicangu Lakota Sioux Tribe – Rosebud, South Dakota. She has a culinary arts background and has experience working in the American Indian community in administration at the American Indian Family and Children’s Services and as a kitchen manager at Women of Nation’s.

Rachel is a mother of four and enjoys baking, reading and spending time with her family. She loves working with families to support their goals and dreams.

Sonia Christiansen joined MAICC staff in November 2019. Sonia is a resident of St Paul and lived most her life in South St Paul. She has worked in the Food Service industry for 30 years. She is experienced in running her own daycare center from home and has run a cleaning business. Sonia is a mother and a grandmother. Sonia enjoys her job and always has a caring smile and laughter for everyone.

ch1assistguide@maiccmn.org

ch2assistant2@maiccmn.org

Alex is a first-generation guest, & his families are from Colombia. Born and raised in Miami Florida, now he’s reorganizing in St Paul and has lived in Minnesota for 3 years. He spent the previous years on the Fond du Lac reservation where he worked 2.5 years at the Head Start and recently graduated from Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College with an AAS degree in early childhood education. His passions are social justice, music, festivals, art, cultural and community events. He’s a poet, drum carrier, and is Re-Indigenizing. He speaks English, Spanish, a little Ojibwemowin and learning other Indigenous languages with grace.

LanguageLead@maiccmn.org

Megan Forcia is an enrolled member of the Bad River Band of Ojibwe and is a passionate advocate for all aspects of indigenous wellness. While pursuing a degree in American Indian Studies from the University of Minnesota, she served on the Board of Directors for the Native Youth Food Sovereignty Alliance (NYFSA). She is also a certified yoga instructor, massage therapist, and full spectrum indigenous doula. As a mom of two, Meg became connected to MAICC through our Family Nest program and is currently enrolled in the AMI Primary (3-6) Diploma course. As a beginning language learner, she is looking forward to sharing the Ojibwe language with our community as an aide in the Children’s House this year.

aide1@maiccmn.org

Alyssa “Blue” Stratig is an enrolled member of the Lake Manitoba First Nation. Blue is a graduate of Edison High School and completed AMI orientation for bus, classroom, and kitchen aid.

My name is Tamika Robinson. I am a mother of three adult children and a proud grandmother of one. I enjoy being an active member in the community. One of my core values is reciprocity, and I have had the pleasure of being a community organizer and advocate in many grassroots efforts, working to make the community stronger. I have strived and encouraged others to educate themselves on procedures, policies, and the importance of building community. One of the greatest lessons I have learned through my community work is the importance of staying true to your roots. Beliefs will be challenged, but stand firm and know that through change comes growth, and sometimes that can feel a little uncomfortable.

bus1@maiccmn.org