Jeannine Hanson: The Woman Behind Montessori Education in Bellevue

Introduction

Jeannine Hanson is an American Montessori educator and the Founding Director of Chestnut Montessori School in Bellevue, Washington. She also founded the teacher-training organisation previously known as the Montessori Center for Teacher Education – Washington State.

Her career goes back decades. She has worked as a classroom teacher, school director, and trainer for future Montessori educators.

But her work didn’t stop there.

She also helped build a school where children could learn through hands-on activities, outdoor experiences, and carefully prepared classrooms. Her professional background includes leadership at Bellevue Montessori School and participation in educational organisations.

Today, her name remains connected with Montessori education in Bellevue, WA.

Quick Facts

Detail	Information
Full Name	Jeannine Hanson
Profession	Montessori Educator and School Director
Nationality	American
Professional Location	Bellevue, Washington, USA
Known For	Montessori Education and Teacher Training
Current Role	Founding Director, Chestnut Montessori School
Other Position	Founding Director, Chestnut Montessori School Teacher Education
Former Workplace	Bellevue Montessori School
University	University of Washington
Degree	Bachelor of Science in Dietetics
Teaching Qualification	Montessori Early Childhood Credential
Montessori Training	Seattle University
Certification Year	1984
School Founded	Chestnut Montessori School
School Founding Year	2008
Husband	Paul Hanson
Mother	Margaret “Margo” Rossano
Professional Experience	More than 40 years in Montessori education

Early Life and Family Background

Education was part of her family.

Jeannine grew up in a family closely connected with teaching. Her mother, Margaret “Margo” Rossano, was an important figure in early Montessori education in Bellevue.

Margo founded Bellevue Montessori School in 1966. It began as a small preschool and later grew into a larger educational institution.

That family connection mattered.

Jeannine eventually followed a similar professional path. She became involved in Montessori teaching and later took on school leadership responsibilities.

Her mother’s school was already serving local families before Jeannine started her own long career in Montessori education.

This background helps explain her professional connection with Bellevue’s Montessori community.

Education and Academic Qualifications

Her academic background is interesting.

Jeannine studied at the University of Washington, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics.

That wasn’t a Montessori degree.

Her specialist teacher preparation came later through Seattle University.

She completed her American Montessori Society Early Childhood certification in 1984.

This qualification prepared her to work within the Montessori approach to early childhood education.

Montessori classrooms work differently from many traditional classrooms. Children use learning materials, practise everyday activities, and often work independently under a teacher’s guidance.

Her training gave her the professional foundation to teach in this setting.

Over time, she moved into larger educational roles.

Career at Bellevue Montessori School

Her early career included a long period at Bellevue Montessori School.

Jeannine served as the school’s director and helped oversee its expansion. Professional employment records list her directorship from 1981 to 2007.

That’s more than two decades.

During her professional career, she gained experience in classroom teaching, school administration, parent education, and Montessori teacher preparation.

Running a Montessori school involves many responsibilities.

A director must work with teachers, support families, handle school operations, and keep the educational programme consistent with Montessori principles.

Jeannine’s work at Bellevue Montessori School gave her experience in these areas.

Her leadership there came before the opening of Chestnut Montessori School.

Founding a New School in 2008

A new chapter began in 2008.

Jeannine Hanson and her husband, Paul Hanson, founded Chestnut Montessori School in Bellevue, Washington.

The school was established to provide children with a classical Montessori learning environment.

Its location was part of the plan.

According to the school’s published history, Paul had worked as a general contractor. He helped convert a historic Northup family home into the new school.

The property offered space for classrooms and outdoor learning.

That setting suited the school’s educational approach.

Children could use Montessori classroom materials while also spending time outdoors.

Jeannine became the Founding Director and helped establish the school’s educational direction.

Chestnut Montessori School continues to operate in Bellevue.

What Makes the School Different?

The school follows classical Montessori teaching methods.

Its curriculum also includes STEAM activities covering science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics.

Children work with practical materials.

They learn through observation, movement, and hands-on activities.

Teachers guide their progress rather than relying only on direct instruction.

The school offers programmes for young children, including toddler and early childhood education.

These programmes are intended to support independence, confidence, and learning through everyday experiences.

Founding the Montessori Center for Teacher Education

Her work also reaches adult educators.

Jeannine founded the Montessori Center for Teacher Education – Washington State, an organisation created to prepare people for Montessori teaching careers.

The programme is now known as Chestnut Montessori School Teacher Education, or CMSTE.

One detail needs clarification.

The school’s published history gives 1990 as the founding year of the original training centre. Other institutional training records give 1997.

Since these sources differ, the exact original founding year cannot be stated with certainty.

What is confirmed is her founding leadership.

Her work with the centre includes teacher preparation, educational guidance, and academic advising.

This means her influence extends beyond the children attending her school.

She also works within a programme that prepares adults to teach Montessori education.

How Does the Training Work?

The teacher-education programme combines academic study and classroom experience.

Students learn about Montessori philosophy, child development, and teaching methods.

They also study subject areas such as language, mathematics, science, and practical life activities.

Classroom experience is part of the preparation.

Trainees observe children, practise lessons, and learn how to organise Montessori learning spaces.

Jeannine’s role has included overseeing academic advising and supporting the programme’s educational work.

Accreditation and Professional Recognition

The teacher-training programme has received formal accreditation.

The Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education, commonly called MACTE, lists Chestnut Montessori School Teacher Education as a fully accredited Early Childhood teacher-education programme.

In June 2025, MACTE confirmed full accreditation through April 4, 2031.

Jeannine is listed as the programme director.

This recognition applies to the teacher-training programme itself.

It confirms that the programme has undergone the relevant accreditation review.

The American Montessori Society is also listed as the programme’s professional affiliate.

For prospective Montessori teachers, these details help establish the programme’s recognised professional status.

Work With Educational Organisations

Her career has included service beyond individual schools.

Chestnut Montessori School’s official biography records her involvement with several educational organisations.

These include:

• Washington Federation of Independent Schools
• Pacific Northwest Montessori Association
• National Center for Montessori Education

She has served on their boards and has also worked with teacher-training and educational committees.

Her professional background includes presenting workshops for educators.

These activities allowed her to share Montessori teaching experience with other professionals.

Her official biography also identifies her as a former Washington State-approved continuing education trainer.

Husband and Family Life

Jeannine’s husband is Paul Hanson.

They founded Chestnut Montessori School together in 2008.

Paul’s professional background includes construction, and he helped develop the school’s original building.

Chestnut Montessori School lists him as its Facilities Manager.

Their shared work has been connected with the school’s development and daily operations.

Her mother, Margo Rossano, was also an educator and the founder of Bellevue Montessori School.

The family’s involvement in Montessori education spans generations.

Career Achievements and Timeline

Jeannine’s professional record shows years of work in school management and teacher education.

Year	Career Milestone
1966	Her mother founded Bellevue Montessori School
1981	Reported beginning of her directorship at Bellevue Montessori School
1984	Completed Montessori certification at Seattle University
2007	Reported end of her Bellevue Montessori School directorship
2008	Founded Chestnut Montessori School with Paul Hanson
2025	Teacher-training programme received renewed MACTE accreditation
2026	Listed as Founding Director and teacher-education programme director

Her professional achievements include founding a Montessori school, establishing a teacher-training programme, serving in educational organisations, and supporting the preparation of future teachers.

These are documented parts of her career.

How Her Work Supports Montessori Education

There are two sides to her work.

The first involves children.

Through Chestnut Montessori School, she has helped provide a learning environment based on Montessori principles.

The second involves teachers.

Through the teacher-education programme, she has worked to prepare adults for Montessori classroom responsibilities.

These two activities are closely connected.

Teachers need proper preparation. Children need suitable learning environments.

Her professional work addresses both areas.

Her career also reflects the growth of Montessori education in Bellevue, where her family had an educational presence long before Chestnut Montessori School opened.

Current Work and Professional Status

As of October 2026, Jeannine is listed as the Founding Director of Chestnut Montessori School in Bellevue.

She is also named as Program Director in MACTE’s directory for Chestnut Montessori School Teacher Education.

Both roles connect her with classroom education and teacher preparation.

Chestnut Montessori School is located at 10723 Northeast 38th Place, Bellevue, Washington 98004.

The teacher-education programme uses the same Bellevue location.

Her published professional record shows that she remains associated with these institutions after more than four decades in Montessori education.

Final Thought

Jeannine Hanson has spent much of her professional life working in Montessori education.

She started with school leadership and later established her own educational institutions.

Her career includes teaching, school management, and training future educators.

The story is rooted in Bellevue.

Her mother’s school opened there in 1966. Years later, Jeannine and Paul opened Chestnut Montessori School.

Today, her work continues through the school and its teacher-education programme.

For anyone researching Montessori education in Bellevue, her career offers a clear example of long-term involvement in local schooling and teacher preparation.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is Jeannine Hanson?

Jeannine Hanson is an American Montessori educator and the Founding Director of Chestnut Montessori School in Bellevue, Washington. She also founded a Montessori teacher-training programme.

2. What is her role at Chestnut Montessori School?

She is the Founding Director of Chestnut Montessori School, which she established with her husband in 2008.

3. Where did she study?

She earned a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from the University of Washington and completed Montessori Early Childhood certification through Seattle University in 1984.

4. What is the Montessori Center for Teacher Education?

It is a Montessori teacher-preparation organisation founded by Jeannine. Its current name is Chestnut Montessori School Teacher Education.

5. When was Chestnut Montessori School founded?

The school was founded in 2008 by Jeannine and Paul Hanson in Bellevue, Washington.

6. Who is her husband?

Her husband is Paul Hanson. He helped establish Chestnut Montessori School and is listed as its Facilities Manager.

7. What did she do before founding her school?

She was the director of Bellevue Montessori School, where she worked for more than two decades and helped oversee its expansion.

8. Is her teacher-training programme accredited?

Yes. Chestnut Montessori School Teacher Education holds MACTE full accreditation for its Early Childhood programme through April 4, 2031.

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