Meet the Teachers

The staff is dedicated to helping the children grow and develop academically, socially, psychologically and spiritually.

Montessori Farm School teachers are trained through American Montessori Society (AMS) affiliated and Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE) certified training programs, and are current AMS members. The school takes pride in hiring well-qualified teachers who have a passion for teaching and guiding children. Montessori Farm School values the widely varied experiences and unique talents that each member of the staff bring to the school, as much as it values the unique personalities, talents and strengths of each child at the school.

Lisa Tate, Head of School Lead Teacher - Primary Classroom

Lisa received her initial training in education when she acquired her BA in Early Childhood Education from Vancouver University. Her fascination with the Montessori method led her to pursue her certification from the North Carolina Center for Montessori Teacher Education. She has since taught Montessori for twenty one years. For the last ten years Lisa has served on the faculty as an instructor at the Montessori Teacher Education Center, training interns to become Montessori teachers. Lisa began her first farm school in the area eight years ago, where the traditional academic curriculum was combined with activities to connect children to the earth through animals and gardens. Lisa has seen first hand how the marriage of Montessori academics and the farm environment can enrich the overall educational experience for each child. She brings knowledge, experience and vision to her role as both Head of School and Lead Teacher.

When Lisa is not at school with the children, she can most often be found caring for her numerous animals. She is as joyful, respectful, and at ease in the pasture with her horses as she is in the classroom with the students. Her love of animals is contagious, and all the Montessori Farm School children grow as they share in the responsibility and privilege of becoming stewards of the earth, and caring for animals.

Virginia Lozuke, Lead Teacher - Primary Classroom

Virginia holds a BA in Political Science from Villanova University. She became involved in Montessori education when her desire to find the best educational environment for her own children led her to the Montessori method. Observing firsthand the benefits reaped by her own children at the Montessori Farm School, Virginia soon realized that this was to become her own passion. She has been working with Lisa since 2004, having started as an assistant and working in that position for two years before beginning her internship. She received her Early Childhood Credentials from the North Carolina Center for Montessori Teacher Education, and was appointed as a lead teacher at Montessori Farm School.

Virginia and her husband Glenn, a professional chef, are both members of Slow Food. They feel strongly about educating children about where their food comes from, and the value of eating locally grown and organic produce. Virginia enjoys incorporating many food-related activities into the curriculum through cooking, tasting, and cultural studies. She believes that food brings people together - "we nourish, we celebrate, we comfort, and commune with food."

Wendy Panko, Co-teacher - Primary Classroom

Wendy holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer and Information Science from the State University College in Potsdam, NY. During her computer career she wrote business software, created visual databases for a helicopter flight simulator, and developed educational content for a web-based chemistry course. Drawn to education and in particular the Montessori method, Wendy went on to receive her Early Childhood Credential from the North Carolina Center for Montessori Teacher Education. She has worked in both public and private Montessori schools prior to joining the team at Montessori Farm School. She is a patient, caring individual with a desire to encourage children's growth with her positive attitude and respect for others. Wendy currently co-teaches in a primary classroom.

Wendy took up pottery after moving to North Carolina from upstate New York with her husband, Scott, and is a member of Clayworks Potter's Guild. She uses her unique combination of talents in both technology and art for the school in many ways, creating beautiful handmade work for the classroom. Additionally, Wendy has been integral to the development and management of the MFS website. For recreation, Wendy enjoys drawing, hiking, racquetball and Tai Chi.