Meet our teachers
Montessori-certified, and many of them parents of Discovery School children themselves. Most have been with us for years.
Cathy Brennan
Cathy has led Discovery School since 2000 and taught here since 1992, with Montessori training from a teacher-training center in Vancouver. She and her husband raised four children in Topeka — one a Discovery School graduate.
Melissa Younker
A Discovery School parent first, Melissa served on the board — including a year as president — before joining the teaching staff. She brings years of experience in education and childcare.
Beverly Strausbaugh
Beverly has taught at Discovery School since 2014 and earned her Montessori certification in 2017. She grew up on a Kansas farm and brings warmth and steadiness to the classroom.
A small idea that lasted fifty years
Discovery School opened in 1975 inside First Congregational Church, founded by two Montessori teachers — Barbara Thiele, a member of the church, and Jan Scheisser — who wanted Topeka families to have a Montessori option. Fifty years on, we’re still a non-profit, and still doing things a little differently.
A board of parents helps guide the school, while our director runs the day to day. Families are always welcome and involved — but we’re not a co-op, so parents aren’t asked to staff the classroom. That part is our teachers’ job, and they love it.