Central Montessori Academy – Toddler, Preschool and Elementary in Northwest Cincinnati
We are an independent Montessori school nurturing and developing young scholars from toddler through sixth grade.
Pre-Primary Teachers & Staff
Star Room
Star Room Faculty
I have been in the Star Room at CMA since 2015 and I am excited to start another school year! I have my undergraduate degree in Montessori Education from Xavier University. I enjoy animals and nature and I am currently pursuing my master’s degree in teaching biological sciences through the Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) at Miami University. When I am not doing school related activities (for my teacher or my student roles!) I like to spend time with my family, friends, and various animals. I enjoy cooking, baking, and listening to music.
Star Room Faculty
My name is McKenzee Wilkins, I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from The University of Cincinnati. I have been part of the Pre-Primary support team since 2013 and through my time at CMA I have developed a love for watching students learn and grow in an environment that caters to them. In the future I plan on pursuing my master’s degrees in psychology. I took a year break for some self exploration which brought me back home for a new journey as an assistant in the Star Room. I look forward to supporting the students in the Star Room on their educational journey.
Earth Room
Earth Room Faculty
Hi! My name is Sara and I have been a part of the CMA family as a parent and teacher since 2015. My love of Montessori began when I attended Montessori school as a little girl. I love the methodology, never tire of how children absorb information at this age, and find great importance in the fact that we meet the individual child where they are while challenging them appropriately.
I received my BS in Psychology from Mt. St. Joseph University. With this degree, I worked on an inpatient children’s mental health unit and was a counselor to at-risk youth before becoming a Program Director at a motor skill development facility. A few years later I decided to further my education and headed to Xavier where I received my M.Ed. in Montessori Education with a 6-9 credential. I have teaching experience in both 3-6 and 6-9 Montessori classrooms, and have taught virtually to children all over the world!
Outside of school I enjoy spending time with the people I love and our dogs. I also like baking, camping, geocaching and, on rare occasions, binge watching Netflix. We also foster dogs for a local rescue, which has proven to be very challenging, but incredibly rewarding!
Earth Room Faculty
My name is Mollie Peters and I teach in the Earth Room. I have a Master’s degree in Montessori Education from Xavier University and hold my credential in early childhood from American Montessori Society for 3-6 year olds.
I worked in a private, Montessori school in Northern Kentucky for five years before joining Central Montessori Academy in 2015. I started in the Star Room with Lizzie and quickly embraced the family feeling that CMA provides. I knew this was a wonderful place like no other school I had experienced. The sense of community at CMA is amazing!
I love the Montessori philosophy and our ability to “follow the child” as their interests/needs develop and mature. Children’s social and emotional development is as important as their academic success. Montessori classrooms promote development for the whole child and allow children to practice positive social skills. As a teacher, it is so rewarding to guide and observe children during their three-year cycle. In 2017, I received training in Orton-Gillingham which has increased my passion teaching early language skills. In my spare time I enjoy reading, spending time outdoors with my family and love all types of animals!
Sun Room
Sun Room Faculty
Hello! My name is Danielle Wren. I graduated from Xavier University in 2020 with a degree in Montessori Education. I have always enjoyed working with children and I can’t wait for my third year at CMA as the head teacher in the Sun room! I have worked at CMA for four years and I love the sense of community and friendship this school provides! I chose to become a Montessori teacher because I loved the idea that as educators, we need to follow the child and complete lessons based on the child’s needs and interests. All children are unique, so they deserve a unique learning plan!
In my free time I enjoy reading, relaxing with my dog Luna, spending time with my family and friends, and being outdoors! I am so excited to start the 2023-2024 school year!
Pre-Primary Assistant
Cindi Yonts was born in Columbus, OH, and raised in Bellbrook, OH. She is a graduate of Morehead St. Univ. She left OH after High School, and is just now returning after 30+ years. Her husband, Jim, spent 27 years on active duty in the US Army, and is now a DOD civilian, and will retire soon. They have lived in several states in the USA, 2 years in Saudi Arabia, and 4 years in Germany.
She’s been at student at Shippensburg Univ (PA) and Old Dominion Univ at Quantico Marine Corps Base (VA). She received her Montessori teaching certificate from NAMC, Vancouver, Canada. Cindi has been in the Montessori world for over 10 years. She was a Montessori teacher in Enterprise, AL, And a teacher’s aide/substitute teacher in Maryland. Prior to her Montessori experiences, she was in the public school setting in FL, AL, LA, VA and with DODD’s schools in Germany.
She has 2 children, Amy and Nicholas….Amy lives in MD; Nick lives in OR She has a favorite puppy, Ollie, who is very spoiled.
She loves being in the Montessori classroom!!
