Meet the Team - Nido Campus

Jodi Hartfield is a dedicated early childhood educator with over a decade of experience in childcare. She currently serves as the infant room teacher at Kinder Haus, where she nurtures and supports the developmental needs of the youngest learners with compassion, structure, and intentional care.

Jodi holds a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and an Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education. She is also certified in Montessori education for ages 0–3, bringing a thoughtful, child-centered approach to her classroom that fosters independence, exploration, and growth from the very beginning.

Her professional philosophy is rooted in the belief that every child deserves a safe, engaging, and loving environment in which to thrive. With her deep understanding of infant development and a commitment to best practices, Jodi creates a space where both children and families feel valued and supported.

Beyond the classroom, Jodi is actively involved in her church and enjoys capturing meaningful moments through photography. She treasures quality time with her husband and their three children, finding joy in the simple, everyday experiences that shape a strong and connected family life.

Affectionately known as “Tiffy,” Tiffany Welch began her journey at Kinder Haus Montessori in February 2015 as an assistant in the Toddler Classroom. Her natural connection with the children and dedication to early childhood education quickly stood out, and she was soon offered the Lead Toddler Teacher position, a role she held through October 2023. After spending time supporting other areas of the school, she returned to the Toddler Classroom as Lead Teacher for the 2025 school year.

When asked what she loves most about working with toddlers, Tiffany shared:
“These babies are incredible! There is so much change and growth and learning happening in those first three years, and I am so thankful to be a part of it.”

Tiffany’s passion for teaching began early—she knew as a young child that she wanted to be a teacher and often played “school” with her dolls and stuffed animals. In 1998, during her senior year of high school, she enrolled in a program that allowed her to assist a 1st-grade teacher at a local elementary school. That hands-on experience marked the beginning of her teaching career.

Since then, Tiffany has pursued studies in education at Southeastern Louisiana University (SELU) and gained experience teaching various age groups before finding her true calling at Kinder Haus. She is Montessori-certified in Birth to Three through the North American Montessori Center (NAMC) and also received her MACTE-accredited Birth to Three certification through the Center for Guided Montessori Studies (CGMS).

Outside the classroom, Tiffany enjoys spending time at home gardening, practicing her crocheting skills, and caring for her many plants. She cherishes time with her husband, their blended family of six children, and her extended family.

Tammie Baughman has years of experience being around babies. She was a nanny for three families before working with the babies at the Nido School. Mrs Tammie worked at Kinder Haus for three years prior to joining the Nido School. She enjoyed the family friendly atmosphere and home-like environment of Kinder Haus. When she heard that the Nido School was opening she couldn't stay away! "I love seeing the babies reach new milestones!"

Mrs. Chantell brings over 34 years of experience working with children of all ages, from infants to preteens. Throughout her career, she has served in a variety of roles in Class A childcare centers, including teacher, cook, and director. Her dedication to early childhood education is reflected in the more than 200 hours of training she has completed, along with numerous professional certifications.

Early on, Chantell also served as a youth minister alongside her husband, teaching and mentoring young people ages 11 to 18 at their church—a role that helped shape her passion for guiding children through all stages of development.

Now, Chantell is embracing a new chapter as a devoted grandmother. She and her husband of 10 years, Ron, share a family 5 children, 12 grandchildren, 4 dogs, chickens, a bearded dragon, and aquatic frogs. Her love for children and animals shines through in every aspect of her life.

In her free time, Chantell enjoys photography, baking, reading, and spending quality time with her husband.

Although new to the Montessori method, Chantell is no stranger to nurturing young minds. She has always had a deep passion for helping children grow into independent thinkers and confident individuals. She is excited to be part of the Kinder Haus team and looks forward to growing within the program, contributing her experience, and learning alongside her new colleagues.

Ms. Rachel is Montessori certified for children from birth to age three, and it was at Kinder Haus Montessori where she first fell in love with the Montessori method in 2016. She began her journey as a Toddler Aftercare Teacher and went on to gain valuable experience working in both the Preschool and Primary classrooms at the Main Campus.

A proud Montessori parent, Ms. Rachel has loved watching all four of her children grow and thrive at Kinder Haus- from her oldest, Julian, to her triplets, Melina, Ariana, and Dominic, all of whom began as infants.

Over the years, Ms. Rachel has had the opportunity to serve as both a Nido and Primary guide at several Montessori schools on both the Northshore and Southshore. Her favorite part of being a Montessori guide is witnessing each child’s joy and independence blossom as they discover their favorite materials and begin to create and learn on their own.

Her passion for caring for children began long before Kinder Haus- she previously worked in childcare, served as a nanny, and taught in after-school art programs.

A proud Ragin’ Cajun, Ms. Rachel holds a BFA in Visual Arts from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. When she’s not in the classroom, she enjoys drawing, painting, exploring nature, and spending quality time with her husband and their four lively kiddos.