Our Team

Sara Hruska founded Spark Montessori because she was passionate about her children, her community, and the power of the Montessori Method for child development.

Sara has 12 years of experience in the corporate world learning how to build and maintain client relationships, develop brands, and lead teams. And while this experience has taught her much, she always had the entrepreneurial itch to start an organization with a more meaningful mission. Having children provided Sara with the ‘Spark’ of inspiration that she needed to launch Spark Montessori, a modern, authentic Montessori school that promotes and supports the values that are both personally meaningful and culturally relevant.

Sara attended Southwest Montessori Preschool in Palos Park and has a Bachelors in Speech Communications with an Italian minor from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign.

Margaret Combs is Spark Montessori’s Head of School. Margaret started her work with Spark when it was merely a beautiful idea and a very raw space.  She is deeply committed to bringing the full vision of the school to life each and every day. She is responsible for overseeing all parts of Spark’s educational program. strategic planning, creating continual alignment with Spark’s mission and values, building a healthy culture for staff, engaging staff in professional development, and building community across all of the school’s stakeholders.  

Margaret brings 20 years of experience as a lead Primary guide and Lower School Coordinator at Alcuin Montessori, one of the most established Montessori schools in the Chicagoland area.

Margaret has presented in numerous conferences on topics such as Creativity in the Montessori Classroom, The Mathematical Mind, and Building Generation Kindness. In addition, she educates the next generation of Montessori teachers as a consultant and guide at Midwest Montessori Teacher Training Center and The Center for Guided Montessori Studies.  She also consults for other Montessori schools in the area.

Margaret holds her Early Childhood credentials from Midwest Montessori Teacher Training Center and is certified through the American Montessori Society (AMS).  She also holds two Masters Degrees in Fine Arts.

Minjung Kim is Spark Montessori’s Toddler Program Director as well as the Lead Montessori Guide for the T1 classroom.  Her position as Director helps to provide support and consistency across Spark’s Toddler classrooms. Minjung fell in love with the Montessori philosophy after she had her first daughter and connected with Spark’s founder just as the school was about to open. She has a deep passion for the toddler program and loves seeing the children develop as they reach their milestones. Her strengths are building up the community around her and mentoring her team. She also enjoys helping new parents to feel welcome and supported.

Minjung has been at the school since before it opened and is committed to its vision and mission. She values collaboration, positivity, and proactive problem-solving.

Minjung has a Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance from Gangneung-Wonju National University of South Korea and studied in the Master’s program at the St. Petersburg State Conservatory in Russia. She brings her love of music, harmony, and different cultures into the classroom.

When not serving the children of Spark, Minjung spends time exploring Chicagoland and traveling with her two daughters (who attend Spark’s primary program) and her husband. She also enjoys connecting with Spark families in the neighborhood.