Faculty and Staff

The New School Montessori’s highly credentialed, professional staff combines many years of Montessori teacher experience.

The ISACS and AMS accreditation report commended the faculty for “creativity, expertise, devotion and collegial work.”

Our teachers and administrators are encouraged and supported financially to take advantage of professional development opportunities. They routinely attend and give presentations at local and national Montessori conferences and meetings as well as teach in in adult education programs. As a partner with Xavier University, The New School Montessori provides internship experiences for teachers seeking Montessori credentialing. Each year we open our classrooms to teacher-observers from all over the world.

Montessori teachers and administrators are also actively involved in supporting independent school organizations by serving on boards, supporting accrediting team initiatives and offering consultation services. Insurance is provided as a benefit for full-time employees. See the Transparency in Coverage link on affordable healthcare provisions.

Administration

Jeff Groh

Jeff Groh,
Director

Ceara Comstock, Admissions Director

Ceara Comstock,
Assistant Director

Liz Ellis

Liz Ellis,
Business Manager

Ann Baumgardener

Ann Baumgardner, Communications Director/Office Manager

Ryonen Ignatius

Lydia Neiheisel,
Office Assistant /
Community Engagement /
Auxiliary Clerk

Sarah Crane

Sarah Crane,
Nurse

ROB CLARK, FACILITIES MANAGER

Rob Clark,
Facilities Manager

Cuisine Team

Audrey Cobb,
co-Kitchen Manager/chef

JJ Brady

JJ Brady,
co-Kitchen Manager/chef

Montessori Teachers

PREPRIMARY (3-6 years)

Maureen Simon, TEACHER (North)

Maureen Simon,
Teacher (South)

Holly Lottman

Holly Lottman,
Assistant Teacher (South)

Marissa Johnson

Marissa Johnson
Teacher (North)

Lisa Tompkins

Lisa Tompkins
Teacher (North)

SARAH STRIETMAN

Sarah Strietman,
Teacher (West)

ROBBY LEWIS

Robby Lewis,
Assistant Teacher
(West)

Polly Wilson, Assistant Teacher

Polly Wilson,
(3-6) Assistant Teacher

Lydia Neiheisel

Lydia Neiheisel,
(3-6) Assistant Teacher

Ryonen Ignatius

Ryonen Ignatius,
(K) Art Teacher

Nadja Nether

Nadja Nether,
(3-6) Assistant Teacher

Emilie Spatz

Emilie Spatz,
(3-6) Assistant Teacher

LOWER ELEMENTARY (6-9 years)

Jean Eschenbach

Jean Eschenbach,
Teacher (Great Room)

Lauren Burke

Lauren Burke,
Teacher (Great Room)

Mandy Crouch

Mandy Crouch,
Support Specialist
(Great Room)

gina sabato, TEACHER

Gina Sabato,
Teacher
(Morning Room)

Catherine Pray Bollmann, Teacher

Catherine
Pray-Bollmann
Teacher
(Morning Room)

Kara Hill

Kara Hill
Support Specialist (Morning Room)

UPPER ELEMENTARY (9-12 years)

LAURA SLANKER, HEAD TEACHER

Laura Slanker,
Head Teacher

Emily Olexsey

Emily Olexsey,
Teacher

CASEY RODRIGUEZ

Casey Rodriguez,
Teacher

Phil Swenson

Phil Swenson,
Teacher

EXTENDED DAY

Polly Wilson

Polly Wilson,
(3-6) Ex-Day Teacher

SALLY SODERLUND

Sally Soderlund,
(3-6) Ex-Day Teacher

Cam Squire

Cam Squire,
(6-12) Ex-Day Teacher

Ximena Flores

Ximena Flores,
(6-12) Ex-Day Teacher

Nadja Nether

Nadja Nether,
(6-12) Ex-Day Teacher

THE ARTS, DANCE, CIVICS AND SPANISH

Taryn Harris

Taryn Harris,
PE Teacher

HILLARY HAHN

Hillary Hahn,
Dance Teacher

JOHNNYÉ WHITE

Johnnye White,
Civil Rights/Civics

XIMENA FLORES

Ximena Flores,
Spanish Teacher

Rob Clark

Rob Clark
Music Teacher

Emily Olexsey

Emily Olexsey,
(6-9) Art Teacher

Ryonen Ignatius

Ryonen Ignatius
(6-9), K Art Teacher