Our Team
Jen Burks
Jen joined Breckenridge Montessori as Director in July 2026. Originally from Maine, Jen has called Colorado home for nearly 25 years. She has a deep appreciation for the outdoors and enjoys skiing, golfing, biking, exploring the mountains, traveling, and attending live music events with her husband.
Jen’s early childhood education journey began in Crested Butte, where she lived for 22 years. She studied Communication and Theater in college before discovering her passion for early childhood education. She earned her Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and her Large Center Director Certificate in 2016, which she has maintained ever since. Jen spent nine years as a preschool teacher before transitioning into leadership and has served as the director of three preschools over the past ten years.
Jen is committed to deepening her understanding of the Montessori philosophy and curriculum. She has participated in Montessori trainings and workshops this year and looks forward to continuing her education to better support her teaching team and families.
She is passionate about partnering with children, families, and educators to create positive learning environments where everyone feels supported, respected, and valued. Jen believes that children are unique, capable, and joyful individuals, and she feels honored to be part of their growth and learning journey.
Executive Director
Sloane Rodriguez
Lead Teacher/Guide
Sloane has been part of the Breckenridge Montessori community since June 2021. She graduated from Michigan State University in 2021 with a major in Elementary Education and a minor in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). During college, she spent two years working in a variety of classrooms at a local childcare center, including infants, toddlers, preschool, and school-age.
Sloane completed a 7-week, in-person Montessori training program in Denver in the summer of 2025 and is accredited through the American Montessori Society (AMS), an internationally recognized leader in Montessori education. She has a strong understanding of the Montessori philosophy and curriculum and enjoys supporting and mentoring her co-teachers as they continue to grow in their Montessori practice.
Soon after graduating from Michigan State, Sloane moved to Breckenridge after landing a teaching position at Breckenridge Montessori, where she has been ever since. She loves creating a classroom environment where children feel supported, capable, and excited to learn.
Outside of teaching, Sloane loves to mountain bike, hike, and camp with her dog, Mazzy. She also sings in a local band that plays shows around Summit County and loves when the children and their families come out to see them play, so feel free to ask her about upcoming shows!
Lily Arf
Assistant Teacher
Lily has been part of the Breckenridge Montessori community since August 2025. She grew up in Spooner, Wisconsin, and attended UW-La Crosse, where she studied Elementary Education. She is currently finishing her degree at Colorado Mountain College. Lily moved to Breckenridge in the summer of 2023 and has been living in Summit County ever since.
Before joining Breckenridge Montessori, Lily worked as a nanny while in college and spent the past three years working in preschool classrooms with children ages 3–5. She enjoys creating a warm and welcoming classroom where children feel comfortable exploring, learning, and becoming more independent.
Lily is continuing to grow her knowledge of the Montessori philosophy and curriculum and will be attending the 7-week, in-person Montessori training program in Denver in the summer of 2027. She looks forward to bringing that training back to the classroom and continuing to grow as a Montessori educator.
Outside of teaching, Lily enjoys baking, reading, skiing, golfing, and spending time with her family and friends.
Bella Liuzzo
Assistant Teacher
Bella joined the Breckenridge Montessori community in May 2026. Originally from Florida, she moved to Summit County in 2022 for the mountains and outdoor lifestyle and quickly fell in love with the community. Bella earned her degree in Healthcare Administration from Santa Fe College and recently worked at Summit Orthopedics, but she was excited for the opportunity to return to working with children.
Bella’s experience with children includes many years of nannying, tutoring, substitute teaching, and working as a camp counselor. She also attended a Montessori school as a child, so returning to the Montessori classroom is especially meaningful to her. She is excited to learn from our teachers and continue building her understanding of the Montessori philosophy and curriculum. Bella is participating in Montessori trainings and workshops throughout this year as she grows in her role and develops her Montessori practice.
Bella currently lives in Frisco with her fiancé and their Border Collie. Outside of work, she enjoys skiing, reading, crafting, hiking, snowmobiling, dirt biking, camping, live music, and spending as much time in nature as possible.