Teachers & Staff

Birthday: April 26th
My family: married, 4 sons, 1 daughter, 1 daughter-in-law, 2 dogs, 3 cats, 1 bearded dragon, 1 ball python, 1 leopard gecko
Schooling: North American Montessori Center 3yr-6yr Certificate

At MRA since: 2022
My favorite thing about working at a Montessori school is having the ages together – you get to watch them grow in their learning, and it also gives the older students a chance to be leaders for the younger ones. Also, they can keep advancing in their learning.
– Pick-me-ups –
Drink: Diet Coke!
Treats: Anything milk chocolate
Snacks: Chips, nuts, fruit, dill pickle chips, kettle corn
Food: Raising Cane’s, Steak 🙂
Favorite color: Blue, rose, black

Birthday: August 20th
My family: 3 kids, 1 dog, 1 snake, many fish, 1 husband 😉
Schooling: Bachelor’s in Fine Arts from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, North American Montessori Center Certification.

At MRA since: 2020
My favorite thing about working at a Montessori school is the kids!

– Pick-me-ups – *Dairy, Soy, Wheat Intolerances*
Drink: Iced mocha w/coconut milk, V8 Energy
Treats: Gluten free Oreos, caramels, dark chocolate
Snacks: Jerky, Classic Lay’s chips, Hippeas
Food: Yes! Chick-fil-A, Noodles & Co, Chipotle, Krown Bakery (Gluten-Free/Dairy-Free)
Items: Fun earrings, yarn
Favorite color: All colors!

Birthday: February 1st
My family: engaged, 1 cat Hermia
Schooling: Bachelor’s in Elementary Education w/science focus, Master’s in Montessori Education, E1 & E2 Certification, Montessori STEM Certification, Cincinnati Montessori Secondary Teacher Education Program in progress.
At MRA since: 2014 (MRS)
My favorite thing about working at a Montessori school is the Montessori Method. I really fell in love with it because I realized it fit with my own learning style, having multiple grades working together. The students can learn so much from each other and make discoveries.
– Pick-me-ups –
Drink: Bubble tea, raspberry white mocha, any blended coffee drinks
Treats: Any!
Snacks: Pretzels, chips & guacamole
Food: Homemade pasta, Mexican food, Chipotle
Favorite color: Pink, turquoise

Schooling: Bachelor of Science in Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, with a minor in Computer Science.
At MRA since: 2023
My favorite thing about working at a Montessori school is: Integration between the subjects that helps facilitate better understanding of the information in other contexts.
– Pick-me-ups –
Drink: A&W Root Beer, apple juice
Treats: Minty things, KitKats, Reese’s, peanut M&M’s
Snacks: Apples, Chex Mix, popcorn, peanut butter pretzels
Food: pasta, gyros, Chipotle, Cane’s
Favorite color: Green

Birthday: March 23rd
My family: Married with 2 daughters and 2 dogs
Schooling: Bachelor’s degree from Winona State University
At MRA since: 2025
My favorite thing about working at a Montessori school is that I get to spend my time helping children learn and grow
– Pick-me-ups –
Drink: Diet Dr. Pepper
Treats: Chocolate
Snacks: Sun Chips
Items: Scrunchies
Favorite color: Green

Birthday: January 31st
My family: Engaged with 1 cat and 1 guinea pig
At MRA since: 2025
My favorite thing about working at a Montessori school is connecting with all the kids
– Pick-me-ups –
Drink: Coca-Cola
Treats: Rice Krispie Treats
Snacks: Granola Bars
Items: Stickers, Anything cute
Favorite color: Pink

Birthday: November 30th
My family: 2 cats
Schooling: Bachelor’s from Gustavus Adolphus College
At MRA since: 2025
My favorite thing about working at a Montessori school is learning something new every day
– Pick-me-ups –
Drink: Mountain Dew, energy drinks
Treats: Twix, Milky Way, chocolate candies
Snacks: Cheddar Ripple chips, BBQ chips
Items: Water bottles, bracelets
Favorite color: Pink

Birthday: October 15th
My family: A dog named Finn.

At MRA since: 2025

My favorite thing about working at a Montessori school is that it teaches kids independence. 
– Pick-me-ups –
Drink: Coffee, Diet Dr. Pepper
Treats: Brownies
Snacks: SkinnyPop popcorn, Trail Mix
Items: Candles, Books, Plants (succulents)
Favorite color: Navy blue

Birthday: June 2nd
My family: Fiance, 1 cat, 1 guinea pig

At MRA since: 2025

My favorite thing about working at a Montessori school is the loving and welcoming atmosphere for everyone in the building.
– Pick-me-ups –
Drink: Strawberry Lemonade
Treats: Skittles
Snacks: Pretzels, Fruit Snacks
Items: Stationary, craft supplies
Favorite color: Orange

At MRA since: 2023
My favorite thing about working at a Montessori school is the Montessori method of teaching kids, and I love putting a smile on their faces every day. 
– Pick-me-ups –
Drink: Lemonade
Treats: Chocolate
Snacks: Potato chips, cheese balls
Favorite color: Blue

Birthday: December 21
My family: Married, 3 kids, 1 cat
Schooling: Bachelor’s in Literature & Writing, Master’s in Education
At MRA since: 2025
My favorite thing about working at a Montessori school is how the kids and the creativity make it amazing to work here!
– Pick-me-ups –
Drink: Sweet Tea
Treats: All sugar! Chocolate, gummy worms, etc.
Snacks: Popcorn
Items: Flair pens, mugs, key chains
Favorite color: Teal

Birthday: March 16
My family: 1 cat
At MRA since: 2022
My favorite thing about working at a Montessori school is watching the students learn and grow, and it’s a fun work environment.
– Pick-me-ups –
Drink: Ramune,  Mountain Dew Code Red
Treats: KitKat, Skittles, Gushers
Snacks: Chili Cheese Fritos, Honey Twist Fritos
Food: Burgers, wraps, sandwiches, burritos, Raising Cane’s
Items: Sweatshirts
Favorite color: Blue, black, purple

Birthday: June 2nd
My family: 2 adult sons Preston & Parker, 1 cat Linus
Schooling: Bachelor of Science in Music Education from UofM Twin Cities, Certification in Children’s House from North American Montessori Center.
At MRA since: 2011 (MRS)
My favorite thing about working at a Montessori school is the joy in a child’s face when they figure things out for themselves.
– Pick-me-ups –
Drink: Cherry Coke, Dr. Pepper
Treats: Sour anything, or milk chocolate
Snacks: Salty – chips, pretzels
Food: Pizza, McDonald’s, Panera

Favorite color: Purple

Birthday: April 26th
At MRA since: 2022
My family: A dog named Pippa
Schooling: Bachelor’s in Music Education from University of Kentucky (2012). Former PreK teacher, Assistant Director, and Director of child care centers.
My favorite thing about working at a Montessori school is seeing a child’s face light up when they have figured out a work that was previously hard for them to finish on their own.
– Pick-me-ups –
Drink: Caribou BOUsted iced drinks, zero sugar pop
Treats: fruity/sour/gummy candy
Snacks: cheesy chips, dill pickles, butter popcorn
Food: pepperoni & olive pizza, Arby’s

Favorite color: purple & black