About Us

History: The Beginning of Something Beautiful

Fr. Jim Flannagan, founder of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity, also founded Sancta Maria Montessori School, Eudora KS, and Our Lady’s Montessori, KC Kansas. In the hearts of those who began Sancta Maria, he placed his own dream of one day establishing a Catholic Montessori Training Center.

What began as a seed in the heart of the Sancta Maria community so many years ago, became a book study group in the fall of 2018. We discussed The Child in the Church, asking Our Lord if He desired to begin a Catholic Montessori training center. It’s been amazing to watch Him open door after door, as though the way were already paved, ready for just this moment.

What was the first rule of our dear Savior’s life? You know it was to do His Father’s will.
Well, then, the first end I propose in our daily work is to do the will of God;
secondly to do it in the manner He wills; and thirdly, to do it because it is His will.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Our Team

Marilee Quinn

Director of Training and Board President mquinn@mcmtc.org

  • Founding member of Sancta Maria Montessori School and Primary Guide for 35+ years

  • Nationally recognized formation leader for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Levels 1, 2, 3

  • Instrumental in bringing CGS to the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas

  • Served on the National CGS Board and current member of the National CGS Discernment Committee

  • AMI Primary diploma from Avila College

  • BA in Early Childhood Education from the University of Kansas

  • Mother and grandmother

Shannon Rasmussen

Primary Trainer

  • Elementary Guide at Sancta Maria Montessori School

  • AMI Primary certified

  • Catechesis of the Good Shepherd certified, Levels 1 & 2

  • MA in Montessori Education, Loyola University, Baltimore

  • BA in Elementary and Special Education, Benedictine College

  • Wife and mother

Elise Klaske

Primary Trainer

  • Catechesis of the Good Shepherd certified

  • AMS certified Primary Guide

Sarah Hemman

Primary Trainer

  • Lead Directress of Our Lady’s Montessori School, Kansas City

  • MCMTC Primary Montessori Certificate,

  • CGS Level 1 Trained

  • AMI Adolescent Orientation Certificate

Jeanne Wichman

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Formation Leader

  • Nationally recognized CGS formation leader for Levels 1 & 2

  • AMI Elementary (6-12) Assistants Course certified

  • AMI Primary Assistants Course

  • 15-year coordinator of CGS at Holy Trinity Parish, Lenexa

  • BA in Psychology from the University of Missouri at Columbia

  • CGS Heritage Certificate, Aquinas Institute of Theology

  • Wife, mother, and grandmother

Christy Binn

Primary Trainer

  • Owner and Directress of Mustard Seed Montessori, Kansas City

  • Founder of Mother of Mercy Montessori in Belize

  • Catechesis of the Good Shepherd certified, Level 1

  • AMI certified Primary Guide

  • BS in Mental Health and Human Services from Franciscan University of Steubenville

  • Early Childhood Education and Teaching certificate from Owens Community College

  • Wife and mother

Our Board

Becky Coltrain

Board Member

  • Founder and Program Director of the St. Pius X Catholic Montessori Homeschool Hybrid in Mission, KS

  • Bachelors in Applied Behavioral Sciences with emphasis in Early Childhood Education and Intervention from the University of Kansas

  • MACTE Certified in Montessori Primary Education

  • Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) trained Toddler, Level 1 and 1/2 of Level 2

  • Wife and homeschooling mom of 5

Susan Draftz

Treasurer

  • Catechesis of the Good Shepherd certified, Level 1

  • BA in Economics and Political Science from Northwestern University, Chicago

  • JD from University of Loyola Law School, Chicago

  • Retired attorney, sole practitioner in general practice

  • Former owner & CEO of Young Rembrandts, Kansas City metro

  • Professional Registered Parliamentarian through NAP

  • Wife, mother, and grandmother

Maureen Murray

Board Member

  • BS in Psychology from King’s College

  • MSW from University of Pennsylvania

  • Wife and mother

Polly Christensen

Board Member

  • Founding member and Headmistress of Saint Francis Montessori in Irving, TX.

  • Catechesis of the Good Shepherd certified, Levels 1, 2, 3.

  • AMI Primary diploma from MINT

  • BA in English Literature from Our Lady of Corpus Christi

  • ME in English Literature from the University of Dallas

  • Mother of 7

Joe Christensen

Secretary

  • Founding member and Board President of Saint Francis Montessori in Irving, TX.

  • Founder of Aqueducts Consulting in Irving, TX.

  • BS in Business Administration at Florida Southern College

  • ME in English Literature from the University of Dallas

  • Father of 7

Veronica Donegan

Board Member

  • Director of CGS at St. Paul Parish in Olathe, Kansas

  • Co-Founder of CGS at St. Paul

  • Lead catechist and builder since 2014

  • Catechesis of the Good Shepherd certified Levels 1, 2 & 3

  • BBA from National Autonomous University of Honduras

  • Wife and mother

I write to you, children, because you know the Father. 1 John 2 : 14