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

Birthday: December 9th
My family: Engaged to Miss Jaclyn
Schooling: Bachelor’s from Minnesota State University Mankato, Cincinnati Montessori Secondary Teacher Education Program
At MRA since: 2014 (MRS)
My favorite thing about working at a Montessori school is watching children grow over multiple years.
– Pick-me-ups –
Drink: Plain, boring black coffee
Treats: M&M’s
Snacks: Pringles
Food: Chipotle
Favorite color: Sky Blue

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: February 6th
Schooling: College courses in teaching and human development. Robotics teacher
At MRA since: 2023
My favorite thing about working at a Montessori school is playing basketball with the students (and beating them at it!).
– Pick-me-ups –
Drink: Chocolate Milk, Hot Chocolate
Treats: Chocolate
Snacks: Mangoes, Blackberries
Food: Culver’s

Favorite color: Purple

Birthday: May 4th
My family: married to Bobbie – he’s the best! We have 3 animated daughters, including a set of twins
Schooling: Bachelor’s from University of Minnesota Duluth
At MRA since: 2023
My favorite thing about working at a Montessori school is seeing when things click the the student. Witnessing the “Ah-ha!” moment is rewarding!
– Pick-me-ups –
Drink: Vanilla latte with oatmilk
Treats: Twix, Reese’s, gummy candy, chocolate. cookies
Snacks: Crackers, granola bars, fruit
Food: Anything!
Items: Candles, gift cards, books, coffee
Favorite color: Blue

Birthday: October 17th
My family: married, 2 sons
At MRA since: 2022
My favorite thing about working at a Montessori school is watching the kids grow in their independence.
– Pick-me-ups –
Drink: Blue Powerade, orange Fanta
Treats: M&M’s, Ferrero Rocher, KitKat
Snacks: Fritos, Lays
Food: Chipotle, Chick-fil-A
Favorite color: Purple, green

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: October 1st
My family: married, 1 son, 2 cats
Schooling: 
At MRA since: 2024
My favorite thing about working at a Montessori school is getting to connect with students & families to make their day fun & easy.
– Pick-me-ups –
Drink: Lavender coffee, Snapple, Root Beer
Treats: Oreos
Snacks: Pop-Tarts, Goldfish, Hot Cheetos
Food: Pancakes
Favorite color: Teal, Copper/Orange, Black

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 13th
My family: mom, dad, 3 brothers, 1 cat 
Schooling: Currently in college
At MRA since: 2024
My favorite thing about working at a Montessori school is seeing how the kids learn to become their own person!
– Pick-me-ups –
Drink: Lemonade
Treats: Gummy candy
Snacks: Cheez-its (original or whole wheat)
Favorite color: Blue

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
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

Birthday: November 14th
Schooling: Bachelor’s degrees in Global, Cultural, & Language Studies and Peace & Justice Studies from St. Scholastica
At MRA since: 2024
My favorite thing about working at a Montessori school is watching kids figure out problems independently, and having the opportunity to learn about familiar concepts through a new les.
– Pick-me-ups –
Drink: Coffee, Coke Zero
Treats: Ice Cream, Boba Tea, Donuts, Starburst, Tropical Mambas, Sour Skittles
Snacks: Nacho Doritos, Lay’s Original, Cheez-Its, Apple Straws, Applesauce
Food: Caribou
Items: Cute things, plush toys, stickers, key chains, art/craft supplies
Favorite color: Pink!