School Board

Dr. Norman Lorenz

President

Dr. Norman Lorenz is a tenured Professor of education studies, teaches Human Development, and is the college coordinator for Professional Development with the Center for Learning and Teaching at Sacramento City College in Sacramento, CA. This office works in collaboration with the overall institutional plans of Student Equity and Success as the office programs professional development for higher education professors, classified employees, and administration. I possess over 42 years of education and experience within school systems, including 26 years direct service in Montessori primary and elementary education, the direction of a post secondary Montessori teacher education institution, and combined part and full time faculty dedication of 21 years with the California community college system using Montessori in higher education. My interests include research where I share interests, contributions, accomplishments, and projected goals as a professional in education leadership. Included across more than 42 years of educational experiences are founded in Montessori pedagogical principles, where I have developed career skills in educational standards, business supervision, and management leadership.

These abilities include classroom teaching in Montessori environments for young children and directing teacher education training certification programs for these types of teacher educators. As an administrator, I have formed, owned, and operated “For” and “Non” profit organizations, which comprised of six Montessori infants through middle school programs, which were affiliated and accredited. In 2000, I became a cofounder of a Montessori charter public school, The California Montessori Project, Charter Public School and, and a past board member and President of River Montessori Charter School. In all, these sites for learning serve over 2,500 students, Transitional Kindergarten-8th grade in the public school arena. Most recently in 2017-18, I consulted with the former Inspire Schools as the charter petitioners to found the first Montessori Inspired Technology Based High School in the Sacramento region, known as The Cottonwood School, in which I am a governing board member. They offer a multi-disciplinary approach using Montessori educational programs covering multiple subjects in early childhood, Kindergarten through 8th grade and secondary 9-12 grade programs.

I have consulted with programs and contracts ranging from early education state preschool/head start contracts to secondary schools along with experience in accreditation through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education. In my current role as a professor of education studies, I teach across the Educational framework with the lens focused through Psychology and Sociology related courses concentrating on industry based leadership using a flipped model of instruction that is rooted in my dissertation research exemplifying relationship based Montessori higher education research, teaching, learning, and industry service.

Additionally over the past eight years, I have been involved with Sacramento City as the college coordinator for Professional Development in collaboration with Student Equity & Success. This role has manifested many activities across the college where pedagogical and andragogical principles and values are key to increasing awareness around student equity, success across programs, and college completion based on focused efforts relating to race, culture, ethnicity, along with socio economically disadvantaged students. Inclusive with these duties, the Montessori methodology directly and fully informs these contributions to the field of higher education leading to graduation and post college workforce success.

Deborah Hibbard

Treasurer

Deb Hibbard has a Master’s in Business Administration from CSU Sacramento and a Bachelor’s in Accounting from San Francisco State. Deb has worked in accounting and finance for over 20 years and she brings her passion for student success, along with a leadership and management background to the board.

Deb has two sons, one a Cottonwood School high school student, the other a recent high school graduate who was just accepted into the Air Force. She enjoys living in Folsom close to the lake and the foothills, where she spends time with her family paddleboarding, kayaking, hiking, and cycling. She has traveled to over a dozen different countries, enjoys watching and coaching soccer, and loves dogs.

Deb understands the need for school choice, values diversity, honesty, and integrity, and is looking forward to making a positive impact on The Cottonwood School.

Teresa Lyday-Selby

Secretary

My name is Teresa Lyday-Selby. I am one of the board members for The Cottonwood School. I was in on the first conversations about The Cottonwood School and I was excited to serve on the board for this eventful first year of its existence. We have worked very hard to establish policies and resolutions that are founded on integrity, creating an infrastructure for TCS that gives our students and families a firm foundation.

To let you know a little bit about me, I am a teacher and parent educator at California Montessori Project, American River campus. Prior to teaching I was a Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant for many years, working in acute care, and orthopedic and neuro rehab. I have been an educator for 17 years and have taught in TK – 2nd grade. I graduated summa cum laude from CSUS, with a BA in Liberal Studies. I took my teacher training through CSUS, trained in Title I schools, and received a California Multi-subject Teaching Credential. I completed an MA in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at CSUS and received a Preliminary Administrative Credential. My MA project was on School and Family Engagement as a Foundation for Education for Peace. I pursued my graduate degree in order to be an advocate for families and build a culture that supports education for peace. I have a certificate from UC Davis in Teaching Children with Autism. I hold Montessori credentials in three levels: 3-6, 6-9, and 9-12 (ages, not grades). I have also held several leadership positions at CMP and regularly present professional development and parent education workshops. Additionally, I’ve had the opportunity to present at The Multicultural Education Conference at CSUS and at the American Montessori Society National Conference.

As we move through the 2020-2021 school year and continue to build a strong school community, my goal is for us as a community to craft a K-12 program that is rigorous and flexible, meeting each learner where they are and moving them forward to their highest potential. As we create this educational network of choices, we can also create a strong, vibrant, and gracious community to support all learners – child and adult.

Adina Caskey

Member

Christine Cordero

Member

Christine Cordero is native to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and has spent time as a special education teacher there, as well as in Virginia, Maryland, and Southern California. She has been in special education as a teacher and administrator for 28 years. Most recently, she is a Director of Special Education at a public charter school.