Our focus is first on the individual. Once we understand who we are, our strengths and skills, and our relationship with each other, we can grow together and achieve our goals. The whole world is your workshop.
Hours of Operation:
Arrival 7:45am-8:15am
Dismissal: 3:00pm-3:45pm
What to Expect:
Individualized focus on developing your student's mindset, behaviors, and skills
A detailed look at your student's personality, place in the world, and careers and possibilities for their future.
An emphasis on social interaction, extra-curricular activities, and leadership.
I completed my Bachelor’s of Science in biology and genetics from George Mason University in 2011. In 2001 I earned several certificates in ASL Interpreting from UTK. I have been an ASL interpreter for over 22 years. During that time I have worked in K-12, post secondary education and I have interpreted in the community in various medical settings and businesses. Community and educational interpreting has given me real world knowledge in countless scenarios that I now share to build the middle schoolers’ knowledge during our lessons. I have been a part of The Montessori School of Cleveland since 2015.
I grew up on a large farm and I was self schooled 4th-12th grade. I believe in hands-on real world learning and this is the Montessori way. I love helping children learn how to do things themselves. I love giving children the tools to learn in a way that fits them best. I believe if we give children the tools to learn and teach themselves they will have the power to be successful at anything they choose. After spending two decades in public education and seeing over and over how the one-size-fits-all approach never truly fits any, I am grateful for the Montessori “follow the child” method. I am very thankful the MSoC is here for my children and that I have been given the opportunity to continue the MSoC’s mission through middle and high school.
I have a bachelors in Mechanical Engineering, and a masters in Environmental Engineering. I started teaching math at Montessori School of Cleveland in August of 2022.
I am drawn to the Montessori environment because it allows us as teachers the freedom to meet each individual student exactly where they are, and adapt both presentation and learning material to how each of them learn best. I also love how Montessori focuses on each student as a whole. We learn more than just academics here. We learn applicable life skills, and our goal is to help each child gain the skills they need to reach their full potential as well rounded individuals.
I have always loved history. I received a Bachelor’s in History from Lee University in 2006 and then went on to receive a Master of Arts in Teaching with an emphasis in Middle Grades (4-8) in 2008 and an Educational Specialist degree in 2011 from the same university. At the time, my goal was to teach social studies to sixth graders. However, graduating with my masters during the recession of 2008 led to me to a host of other experiences, and in 2011 my husband and I moved to the United Kingdom. I taught at a public special school for moderate learning disabilities with a high concentration of students on the Autism, ADHD, and Dyslexia spectrums. Coming from a general education background, working with these students gave me a new outlook on the purpose of education and led me to spend a great deal of my time reading and learning about special education. I still really enjoy teaching social studies and the Renwicks have given me the ability to teach their middle school students here at MSOC. It’s been a wonderful learning experience.
I love that students come to Montessori School of Cleveland and aren’t confined to a desk. They are free to walk if they need to walk or stretch out on the floor if their body is telling them to rest. They are given the opportunity to learn independence and their education is done in an environment that is caring and compassionate. There isn’t a Bell-Curve deciding who should succeed and who shouldn’t and it is freeing to allow students to explore areas that interest them without the unnecessary pressure of being on a strict time schedule. Many lessons are hands on, which is so incredibly good for our tactile learners.