Staff and Board
At Central Montessori Academy, we understand that experienced, dedicated teachers are what make any school program strong. Everyone on our teaching staff holds degrees and Montessori training. The teachers at CMA are passionate about their work and really are the heart and soul of our school. We are proud that many of our Montessori teachers first started their Montessori journey with their children joining CMA, and now they are teachers at CMA.
Administrative Staff
The Administrative Staff, under the direction of the Head of School, manages CMA’s day-to-day operations. Our Administrative Staff is an approachable group who are committed not only to helping walk you through the admission process, but to making sure you feel welcome and included as a part of the Central Montessori Academy’s community.
Denise Ott is our Office and Admissions Associate who schedules all tours and interviews. Please contact her at (513) 742-5800 if you are interested in learning more about CMA.
- Kristin Patterson – Head of School
- Denise Ott – Admissions Director
- Rob Reed – Business Manager
Auxiliary Teachers and Specialist Staff
The highly skilled and experienced faculty and staff at Central Montessori Academy often provide professional development and training to other Montessori teachers.
Our expert faculty has presented at regional, national and international conferences, on topics such as:
- Reflective practice
- Creating mission statements with students
- Music education
- Technology integration
- Inclusion of students with diverse learning styles
- Confidentiality issues in education
- Montessori leadership
Additionally, members of our faculty have been special speakers on university panels and discussion groups.
- Andrea Rosenthal Warnken – Music Program, Elementary
- LaDonna Brusch – Art Education Teacher
- Larita Hayden – Health & Physical Education Teacher
- Rachel Weber – Social Justice Teacher
- Patty DeVer – Intervention Specialist
- Shari Rouse – Reading Specialist
- McKenzie Wills – Speech and Language Pathologist
- Rachel Bonar – Cincinnati Occupational Therapy Institute [COTI] - Occupational Therapist
Upper Elementary Teachers & Staff
- René Steinkamp – Northern Lights Room Faculty
- Mark Traxler – Northern Lights Room Faculty
Lower Elementary Teachers & Staff
- Chavonne Taylor – Comet Room Faculty
- Larita Hayden – Health and Physical Education Teacher, Comet Room Faculty
- Terri Cerimele-Rieger – Asteroid Room Faculty
- LaDonna Brusch – Art Education Teacher, Asteroid Faculty
Pre-Primary Teachers & Staff
- Lizzie Roth – Star Room Faculty
- Rachel Weber – Star Room Faculty
- Mollie Peters – Earth Room Faculty
- Danielle Smith – Earth Room Faculty
- Hannah Ward – Earth Room Faculty
Toddler Teachers & Staff
- Angela Klein – Moon Room Teacher
- Jena Steinkamp – Moon Room Assistant
- Sheila Bohnert – Moon Room Assistant
Board of Trustees
Per CMA’s Bylaws, the stewardship of the school is entrusted to the Board of Trustees. The Board is voted on by CMA’s parents and legal guardians. They are responsible for the school’s governing policies, its fiscal health and its mission. In all matters, the Board must consider the best interests of the school over their own interests, or over those of any constituent group in the CMA Community. Committees support the work of the Board and the school.
The Board consists of five (5) voting Trustees including the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and At-Large Trustee. The Trustees hold Board meetings typically on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the school. To assist the Trustees in carrying out the duties of the Board and to be a liaison between the Board and CMA’s parents and legal guardians (known as Associates), the Trustees appoint a minimum of five (5) non-voting Advisors known as the Advisory Council who are also expected to participate in Board meetings. CMA Associates and community members are more than welcome to attend Board meetings as honored guests. View CMA’s 2017- 2022 Comprehensive Strategic Plan.
2020-2021 Board of Trustees
- Amanda Sopko – President
- Brandy Lockard – Vice President
- Brenda Wolfersberger – Treasurer
- Cassie Wolf – Secretary
- Na'Tima Harrison – Trustee-at-Large
2020-2021 Advisory Council
- Kristin Patterson – Head of School
- Rob Reed – Business Manager
- Shari Coffey – Associate
- Tom Connor – Associate
- Caity King – Associate