Our Team

Jen Burks

Jen is thrilled to be joining Breckenridge Montessori as its next Director. 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 spent nine years as a preschool teacher before transitioning into leadership, serving as Executive Director of two preschools over the past ten years. 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

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 gold standard in Montessori education. Sloane graduated from Michigan State University in 2021 with a major in Elementary Education with a minor in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). During that time, she spent two years working in a variety of classrooms at a local childcare center, including the infant class, toddlers, preschool, as well as school-age. Soon after she graduated, she moved to Breckenridge because she landed a job at Breckenridge Montessori! She started in June of 2021 and has been here ever since. Outside of teaching, Sloane loves to mountain bike, hike, and camp with her dog, Mazzy. Sloane sings in a band that plays shows locally and she loves having the kids come see them play so feel free to ask about shows coming up.

Lily Arf

Assistant Teacher

Lily grew up in Spooner Wisconsin and went to college at UW- La Crosse for elementary education and is finishing her degree at CMC. She moved to Breckenridge during the summer of 2023 and has been living in the county ever since. She previously worked as a nanny in college, and in preschool classrooms for the past two years teaching kids 3-5 years old. Outside of teaching she enjoys baking, reading, skiing, golfing and spending time with her family and friends.

Bella Liuzzo

Assistant Teacher

Originally from Florida, Bella moved to Summit County in 2022 for the mountains and outdoor lifestyle, and quickly fell in love with the community. Bella's experience working with children includes many years of nannying, tutoring, substitute teaching, and working as a camp counselor. Recently, Bella has been working at Summit Orthopedics, using her degree in Healthcare Administration from Sante Fe College, but the Montessori classroom is calling her! Bella attended a Montessori school as a child and is eager to get back into the Montessori classroom as a guide and to learn from our teachers. Bella currently lives in Frisco with her fiancé, and their Border Collie. Outside of work, Bella enjoys skiing, reading, crafting, hiking, snowmobiling, dirt biking, camping, live music, and spending as much time in nature as possible.

An important update on our leadership

June 22, 2026

The Board of Directors of Breckenridge Montessori is pleased to announce the appointment of Jennifer "Jen" Burks as the school's next Executive Director.

Jen brings nearly two decades of experience in early childhood education, including leadership roles as Executive Director of two nonprofit childcares. Jen's background aligns closely with Breckenridge Montessori's mission of fostering each child's potential through Montessori education enriched by nature, play, and community.

This announcement also marks an important transition for the school as we celebrate the remarkable leadership of Executive Director Beth Craig. Beth has served Breckenridge Montessori for 16 years, guiding generations of children, families, and educators while helping establish the school's reputation for excellence in early childhood education. Her dedication, compassion, and unwavering commitment to the Montessori philosophy have left a lasting impact on our community.

"After a thoughtful and comprehensive search process, the Board is thrilled to welcome Jen as our next Executive Director," said Kathryn Califf, Board President. "Jen brings a wealth of leadership experience, a deep understanding of early childhood education, and a genuine passion for building strong school communities. We are confident she will honor the foundation Beth has built while helping lead Breckenridge Montessori into its next chapter."

Jen expressed enthusiasm about joining the school.

"I am honored to join the Breckenridge Montessori community," said Burks. "I admire the Montessori philosophy and its commitment to respecting each child as independent, capable, and naturally curious learners. I look forward to partnering with families, staff, and the Board to build upon the school's strong foundation and help shape an exciting future together."

Jen will begin her role on July 8th, working alongside Beth to ensure a smooth and thoughtful transition.

As Breckenridge Montessori prepares for important opportunities ahead, including long-term facility planning and continued program growth, the Board is confident Jen's leadership will help advance the school's mission while preserving the values and culture that make it such a special place for children and families.

Please join us in celebrating Beth's extraordinary legacy and welcoming Jen to the Breckenridge Montessori community!

Sincerely, 

Breckenridge Montessori Board of Directors