Staff

Maria Montessori’s philosophy and methodologies, having permeated the globe during this last century, held an important and even intrinsic role in my life since before the time of my first registered memory. As a toddler, I attended the Montessori Learning Center (MLC) in Mt. Auburn and completed my childhood Montessori education at Sands Montessori and North Avondale Montessori, leaving upon my sixth grade graduation. I enjoyed school immensely as a child and my innate curiosity was fostered by teachers and peers alike. In a Montessori environment, I experienced a freedom and a respect from authority over my autonomy not typically experienced in other areas of childhood.

My anecdotal experience from Montessori educational environments imposed upon me specific observations that tended to generate unconscious suppositions. Such considerations and analyses indicated that I had never left my Montessori frame of reference. An example of values and principles derived from experience pertains to the sacred importance of generating friendships between the age groups, as a way to simulate a more organic structure of social organization where we see individual children developing at different rates, learning about their talents and strengths not only by tutelage from a teacher or mere epiphany but also by introduction via peer mentorship and active observation. I have seen such social interactions facilitate a more expansive understanding of empathy and in turn lay the foundation for establishing more empathetically connected, grounded, and mature friendships and relationships.

Older students often model behavior for those younger than them, and since the youngsters are so impressionable, it becomes incredibly powerful when they see how empathy, compassion, and consideration can be both righteous and fashionable. In this way, the cool thing becomes the type of act that benefits the community, the type of act that increases understanding and a feeling of connection amongst the children. At CMA, our sixth grade group tends to set a wonderful example for how the rest of the students in the entire school should treat each other. We look out for each other, and every student should feel seen and heard.

I began my college career studying Theatre and Dramaturgy at Reed College in Portland, Oregon, where I had initially planned on a future career as an academic. After several years, I returned to Cincinnati for closer proximity to family. After working as a barista, salesman, and later, stay-at-home-Dad, I enrolled at The University of Cincinnati where I studied Creative Writing and German Studies before finishing with a degree in Literary and Cultural Studies.

I began teaching at CMA in 2024 and am currently undergoing training for Montessori licensure. I am also the proud Head Coach (U13) of a CMA Soccer Team. Go Tree Frogs!