Our Teachers

Teachers are the most important factor in student achievement. All of our full time teachers are American Montessori Society certified or working towards Montessori certification. All our teachers have at least one bachelor’s degree with most having at least one master’s degree and many holding a PhD. CMS is an AMS affiliate school, and is working towards full AMS Accreditation. We are proud of the cultural and geographic diversity of our teaching staff, which brings us a truly global educational environment. Our average student-teacher ratio is 11 to 1.

Cheryl Paizis, M.Ed.

Cheryl grew up in New Jersey but moved to Oklahoma with her family and they are happy to be here with a great backyard. She received her Bachelor of Arts in International Relations with a minor in Geography from Boston University. She then earned her Masters of Education from Oklahoma City University, where she specialized in Montessori. She went on to the receive her Montessori Certification for Primary Elementary I and II from the Houston Montessori Center,  She has been working with children for over 20 years. Cheryl speaks French and enjoys “learning and encouraging children to be the best they can be.” In her free time she likes to cook, read, and play music.

Kailee James

Lead Lower Elementary Guide

Kailee grew up in Ponca City, Oklahoma.  She obtained her master’s degree in psychology from the University of Central Oklahoma and her Montessori certification through the Center for Guided Montessori Studies. She began as an assistant at CMS five years ago, and is now the lead guide of the lower elementary program. Her favorite thing about working at CMS is having the opportunity to foster her students’ sense of curiosity.  In her free time, she likes to read, quilt, create and spend time with her family and pets.

Keisha Beasley, Ph.D.

Upper Elementary Lead Guide

Keisha developed a love of the environment growing up in Maine and Massachusetts. Pursuing that interest, she studied Environmental Chemistry at the University of Vermont (B.S.), Duke University (M.E.M.), and the University of Oklahoma (Ph.D). She is published within her field and has professional experience as an Environmental Scientist with RETEC. As a GAANN fellow at OU, she was drawn to the field of education, and the processes of discovery. She has experience and training in teaching science at the college level, and she is a certified Pilates instructor with ten years of experience. Keisha received her Upper Elementary Credentials from the North American Montessori Center. In her free time she enjoys reading, going on adventures with her family, playing field hockey, and drinking hot chocolate.

Shayla Williams

Upper Elementary Assistant

Sheetal Jayswal

Lead Children’s House Guide

Sheetal has her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Oklahoma and a B.Sc. and post-graduate Diploma in Biochemistry. She recently completed the Montessori Early Childhood Teacher Certification course from the Houston Montessori Center. In her spare time, she enjoys sewing, reading, traveling, listening to music, and spending time outdoors with friends. She believes “Montessori ignites the child’s love of learning and nurtures the child’s interests and passions in an atmosphere of respect.”

Na Chang

Lead Children’s House Guide

Na has a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Oklahoma City University, where she specialized in Montessori. She holds a B.F.A. in Graphic Design from Renmin University, China, and she holds a Primary Credential and Certification from the American Montessori Society.

Cheyenne Myers

Children’s House Assistant