Teens

I have been lucky to grow with Community Montessori since 2005. It's with joy that I get to play with the Island learners. I graduated from IU with a degree in Elementary Education and completed my Secondary Montessori Certification in January 2020 . I knew I wanted to share my love of land, travel, and culture with learners in the way that CM encourages. When I'm not here, you'll find me taking groups camping,  running, experimenting in the kitchen, or hanging with my family.

During the 2024-2025 school year, I had the joy of being a student teacher here at Community Montessori. I’m beyond excited to return—this time as a co-teacher in Monsoon! With a deep love for learning, I bring enthusiasm and a fresh perspective to the Montessori classroom. I’m thrilled to continue immersing myself in Maria Montessori’s philosophy and look forward to learning and growing alongside your children. I can’t wait to begin this exciting new chapter!

I have been a staff member at CM since 2006. I am licensed in elementary ed and middle school math, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Experiential Education from Prescott College in Arizona. I try to combine my passions for education and the outdoors whenever possible, and jump at every opportunity to broaden my horizons through travel. In the summers, I lead a teen adventure program, sharing my passion with young people all over the US. My favorite camping partners are my 3 children and my wife, who also teaches at CM.

I joined the Community Montessori Team in 2021. I graduated from Drake University with a degree in Musical Theatre, with my side passions being ASL and Social Justice. I love learning how to incorporate empathy and storytelling into my teachings, utilizing art and performance in my lessons, and reflecting on lesson material and the impact of context on historical and cultural works. I am a music lover, a self-certified philosopher, a ditzy dreamer, and a storyteller. I'm very happy to be back at my alma mater supporting the Montessori dream, surrounded by my mentors and friends.

I’ve been a parent at CM since our daughter joined Early Ed in 2014. Our involvement has guided our family for the better. I have been a lifelong culinarian with a background in food service, and farming. Both have given me a strong sense of community. I’m looking forward to supporting the Occupations. I believe that agriculture and food are the foundation of community and tradition, as well as a great way to see practical applications of chemistry, biology, and their connection to how we live.

I was raised in Corydon, Indiana. I have been a teacher at Community Montessori since the fall of 2015, and I am extremely happy to be here. I began here at CM after I earned my bachelor's degree in Political Science from Indiana University Southeast. I chose to work at Community Montessori because I value safeguarding the well-being and dignity of learners in their pursuit of academic enrichment. My personal interests are politics, social sciences and fitness.

Community Montessori has been a part of my life since I was 6 years old, I was lucky enough to receive all of my education here and graduated from the Woods program in 2020. I have come back to Montessori after graduating from Ball State University because of my love for the philosophy and the community. I have my bachelor's degree in Theatre Education. In my free time I like to read, sew, take care of my plants, play video games, and do as much theatre as I can.

My relationship with CM began in 2013, when my eldest became a learner in Trapezoid Studio. I was excited by my observations of CM’s approach to education and, after completing my Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, had the opportunity to became an advisor in the Teens Program. Being at Community Montessori speaks to my enthusiasm for learning and for being a meaningful part of young people’s education. That the school encourages learners to develop their own challenges and to seek and evaluate their own solutions means it encourages the scientist in everyone. It’s exciting to be a part of that!

I joined Community Montessori in September of 2015 and spent my first two years learning and experiencing Montessori philosophy in Amethyst Studio in our 9-12 program. In 2017, I found my way up to Monsoon Studio in CM's 12-14 program and fell in love with the energy, excitement, and explorative experience offered there! In 2021, I moved into Oak Studio in CM's 14-18 program. I graduated from Indiana University in 2015 with a Bachelor's degree in History. I was inspired to teach by my 6th-grade teacher who showed me that learning didn't have to be a chore and - strangely enough - could be fun! My wife and I have two children, Roman and Madeleine, and we can often be found exploring the world and sharing their sense of wonder!

I began teaching - and learning - at Community Montessori in 2005.  I hold a Bachelor of Arts in English along with minors in History and Philosophy from IUS.  I received my Language Arts middle/high school teaching licensure through Indiana Wesleyan in 2008 and completed the North American Montessori Teachers’ Association Orientation to Adolescent Studies training in 2010.  I earned my International Montessori Council credential for Secondary I and II through the Center for Guided Montessori Studies in 2019. Outside of my professional life, I enjoy writing and recording music, and having great conversations with my amazing wife and powerhouse Montessorian, Jana, who teaches me something new every single day.

I joined Community Montessori in 2024 after nine years of public school teaching. I graduated from Western Kentucky University in 2014 with a degree in Family and Consumer Sciences Education. I am passionate about helping young people develop life skills, discover their talents, and gain confidence. As a CM parent, I enjoy spending my free time with my family, often exploring nature in our local parks, experiencing science, and discovering new opportunities for adventure!

I joined the CM family in 2008 with my two daughters, Harli and Lexi. After attending a Montessori school myself, I am devoted to providing that same educational experience to my own children and others. Initially receiving a BA in History, I then attended graduate school at UNCC to earn my teaching certifications in Historical Perspectives, Psychology, Sociology, Government and Citizenship, Economics, Geographical Perspectives and Language Arts. In my free time, I lead two Girl Scout troops and volunteer with my girls to help make the world a better place. I would describe myself as a peaceful, passionate, pay it forward vegetarian.

I joined Community Montessori in 2022. I am originally from China. Before moving to Kentuckiana I studied in Perugia, Italy where I earned my master’s degree in teaching Italian. I was drawn to CM because of the learner centric environment.  It’s important to me to cultivate the innate curiosity of children, while respecting the dignity, individuality, and autonomy of every individual.  I love cats, riding motorcycles, and spending time with my loving family.

I have been employed as a staff member at Community Montessori since 2008. I received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Louisville. I enjoy the challenges of supporting problem solving pursuits of teens as they transition to life as independent adults. I also enjoy collaborating and sharing ideas with the awesome staff at Community Montessori. My interests include reading, hiking, and spending time on the beach with my family.

I began my Montessori education journey in 2022, and that passion brought me to Community Montessori in 2024–2025, where I completed my internship in Pentagon’s Early Ed studio and earned my certification. This year, I’m overjoyed to be part of the Woods program! When I’m not at school, you can often find me oil painting, foraging, admiring an interesting rock, or tinkering with a project. One of my core beliefs is that we are all intrinsically creative. Whether through painting, poetry, dance, writing, or other forms of expression, creativity connects us to one another and to our shared humanity. I look forward to building meaningful relationships with the families here and deepening our sense of community.

My family has been a part of the CM community since 2007 when my oldest began in Ellipse studio. After studying Montessori philosophy and completing my degree in secondary science education, I joined the CM staff in the Islands, 2013-2016, and returned in 2022. My special super-power is connecting with adolescents and teens. My favorite pastimes include restoring my historic downtown New Albany home, reading Young Adult fiction, roller-skating, and hanging out with my family. I am a proud queer human with a passion for justice: racial, disability, food, and social, and I dream of starting a Library of Things and living in intentional community.

Coming soon...

I have been a staff member since 2008. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Music, an Elementary Teaching Certification and a K-12 Special Education Teaching Certification. I have three children: Noah, Emma and Ella. I truly enjoy watching the process that children go through to learn a concept. Being a part of that process is exhilarating. Every learner has the potential for success. I am truly passionate about helping children who learn differently. I want ALL children to feel important, intelligent and loved.

I walked off of the Quad at Hanover College in Spring of 2008, right into the doors of CM that fall with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Visual Arts and Secondary Education Certification. Later, I went back to school at Ball State University for my Master of Arts Degree in Curriculum and Educational Technologies which I completed in 2014.  After that I decided it was time for a little more training.  I completed my Secondary I & II Montessori Credential through the Center For Guided Montessori Studies at the end of 2019.  Over the years I have gained additional certifications in the areas of Language Arts, CTE Business and Computers Science as well as Health and Wellness.  During my summers I galavant through Europe with CM teens for a little adventure, and sometimes I even get to travel on my own! When I'm not at school you can find me crafting, reading, hanging out with my family, or spending time with my sweet fur babies Laney and Lou.

I have been a part of the Community Montessori family since 2009. I have training in Montessori Algebra for the Adolescent and am licensed in Mathematics, Biology, and some other areas. One of the things I enjoy most about working in our teens program is being able to support and get to know learners throughout their four years in the Woods. My two children, Bryan and Josephine are also a part of our community here, and we are very blessed by it.

I joined as the Teen Support STEM Teacher in 2024, eager to share my passion for learning with teens. Originally from Louisville, KY, I graduated from Vanderbilt University with an engineering degree in 2007. As a Navy spouse, I’ve lived in six states and two countries over the past twenty years. During this journey, I earned degrees in law and education. My passion lies in teaching the real-life applications of math and technology, making them approachable for all learners. I have three children at CM. My interests are reading, hiking, knitting, travel, and Anime.