IMA Team

“Whoever touches the life of the child touches the most sensitive point of a whole which has roots in the most distant past and climbs toward the infinite future.”

DR. MARIA MONTESSORI

We are a team of dedicated Montessorians!  We are honored to spend our days with children who experience tremendous growth and leadership while in our care.  All children have a natural love for learning, a motivation to master skills and a remarkable gift of kindness to those around them.  Read below and discover what enthralls us about a Montessori Education.

Cora Dustman

Administrator

BA Psychology of Human Development and Sociology

Ball State University

AMS Primary Certification

Seton Institute

“There are so many, many things I love about Montessori!  One of the main things that I love is that Montessori education encompasses the whole child.  Children in the Montessori environment learn and develop so many skills and attributes that are beyond that of academic education (which is extraordinary in and of itself!).  Montessori education fosters the child’s independence, self-esteem, and confidence.  This is all done in addition to learning how to communicate, problem solve, and develop grace and courtesies.  Maria Montessori even acknowledged the need for children to develop spiritually as well.  One of the joys in working in the Montessori environment comes from watching children show kindness, maturity, and the ability to think for themselves.  I love that the Montessori environment allows children to develop their full potential as a whole being.”

Allyson Ryan

Directress, Lilac Classroom

Infant/Toddler Child Development Associate Certification

AMI Primary Certification

Montessori Institute of North Texas (MINT)

“I love the Montessori learning environment! The child-centered environment allows children to grow and learn at their own pace and to work independently or with a friend. The teachers act as a guide, helping them along their learning journey without interrupting the process. They are always there to help when needed. I love seeing the children fully engaged in their work and seeing them help one another. They are all so willing to help each other succeed!"

Jennifer Moore

Classroom Assistant, Lilac Classroom

“What I like about Montessori is every day is different. The kids can work on any subject in the room for as long as they wish, as well as decide if they would like to work alone or work with a friend. I also like that they can freely travel around the room or choose to observe a working friend.”

Lexy Odom

Directress, Toddler Community

AMI Assistance to Infancy Training
Washington Montessori Institute

"From my first steps into a Montessori classroom, I knew it was my calling. I started as an assistant in a primary classroom and quickly fell in love with the Montessori method and approach to education. The freedom and knowledge the children have to do the work is something to be admired. The level of concentration that even the youngest children possess is astounding. I am amazed every day by all the children can do when given the right tools and environment. I am blessed to work with children from 0 to 3 years of age, witness them form their sense of independence, and prepare them for their journey to a primary room!" 

Katie Figueroa

Classroom Assistant, Toddler Community

Currently studying Human Resources Management

Capella University

"I love Montessori because learning how to communicate and be courteous is just as important as learning math or language."

Sasha Brodsky

Classroom Assistant, Azalea Classroom

Currently Studying Animation and Design
IUPUI

“What I love the most about Montessori is the truly applicable nature of the lessons we teach the children. Coming from a public school background, so often I felt like I was being given busy work or assignments I would never need or use again. At Montessori, each of the lessons is so specifically created to help the children learn lessons that will aid them as they grow, like concentration, or precision, or balance. Nothing is simply to meet a quota or keep them busy. I think that is something singularly remarkable about our school, and I’m so glad to be a part of it!"

Christine Thomas

Classroom Assistant, Azalea Classroom

MS Campaign Management
George Washington University

BA Political Science
Florida Atlantic University

“There are so many things I like about Montessori education and how it has impacted my kids and our family. I think my favorite part was watching how each of my 3 children blossomed during their Kindergarten year. For my oldest child, she gained an enormous amount of confidence, came out of her shell of being really shy, and started to get very sure of herself and her abilities. We can try to give our children confidence all day, every day but it is through them “doing” that they really gain confidence.

For my middle child, who had plenty of confidence already, was able to test out her leadership skills her kindergarten year. She really enjoyed being asked to help the younger students in the class and assisted in a very caring and kind way. I also enjoyed watching her work hard to be able to do some of the lessons that she watched older kids in the class master in prior years…she was ready to master those lessons she had been eying and observing for some time and finally had the skills to try them. This is where she learned to be determined and steadfast on her own, by choice.

My third and “baby” of the family gained an enormous amount of maturity his kindergarten year. As an older kid in the class he started to notice and mention to me younger students lacking maturity and realized his role in the classroom to lead in a mature manner. One day I happened to be in the classroom and witnessed a first year student ask him to be a leader in a work she wanted to do, and he patiently waited while she got all of her words out slowly and shyly in asking him and then he said “yes” even though it was probably not his first choice on what he wanted to do that day. He understood his role and he was happy to be apart of the classroom community as an older student.

The importance of kids feeling like they have a role in their family, classrooms, and community will forever give them place and social connection. No one feels alone when they feel apart of something and we all learned that as a family through Montessori education.”

Grace Moyer

Directress, Magnolia Classroom

BA Elementary and Special Education

Trine University

MA Early Childhood Montessori Education

Trine University

"There are many things I love about Montessori, especially how it truly educates the whole child. In its nature, Montessori is designed to meet every child exactly where they are and advance them holistically, not simply academically. It allows the child to grow as a person, including emotionally, physically, socially, and cognitively. Montessori values all of a young child’s potentials and capabilities, and gives the child the opportunity to act on them. However, my favorite part of Montessori is the feeling I get when I am observing the class. Being able to step back and watch the classroom function as its own community, where they all rely on one another and build each other up."

Isabelle Hanson

Classroom Assistant, Magnolia Classroom
 
 

BA Fine Arts
Indiana University, South Bend

"I love Montessori because it focuses on the whole child as they grow and provides them the opportunity to learn valuable skills that will benefit them the rest of their lives. Being a part of that is incredibly rewarding, and every day is a new opportunity for growth and development!"

Nancy Mancini

Classroom Assistant
 
 

Master of Business Administration
Indiana University

Bachelor of Science Supply Chain Management
Michigan State University

"I am new to Montessori and in my short time here I love witnessing a child's excitement when invited to be introduced to a new lesson. They instantly light up and become fully engaged and concentrated on the lesson. It is their time with the directress and they are captivated by the new material being presented.



I also appreciate the practical life skills taught at Montessori. Montessori teaches the children to care for themselves, their classroom, and their peers. The classroom basically equips the child for everyday life. It is truly amazing to watch."

Patti Spodeck

Classroom Assistant

AS Computer Science

“What I love about Montessori is hard to summarize in a few words. It’s the witnessing of what I love to describe as the three L’s. Montessori environments are filled with moments of love, laughter and learning. Everyday I am in awe of the children’s love of learning a new lesson; laughter resonating as the children work collectively together on a group activity and love affectionately displayed comforting or assisting their fellow classmates. Life lessons learned for a promising future generation.”

Annie Hughes

Lead Assistant, Aftercare

BA Art Education

IU Indy (IUPUI)

"I love that the Montessori approach values each child as a unique individual. Children are able to step into a community where their needs, interests, words, and actions are taken into account to indicate where they are developmentally, and the support is reflected through a thoughtfully prepared learning environment. The community that is created in the Montessori clasroom is a beautiful representation of human nature. Children are eager to help and support others and display genuine excitement when given the opportunity to learn something new. Within Montessori education, there is a balance between learning and sharing knowledge. By their Kindergarten year, children develop leadership and communication skills along with the confidence needed to step into an entirely new role within the classroom community, allowing children to exercise their full potential."

Jennifer Figueroa

Classroom Assistant, Aftercare

BA Arts

Indiana University

“I’m new to Montessori education, but I truly believe that this atmosphere prepares the child for the real world. In particular, this learning environment allows children to learn how to think independently, learn how to communicate, and establish a love for hands-on learning. It’s remarkable to be a part of and fascinating to see it in action everyday." 

Sarah Anderson

Classroom Assistant, Aftercare

BS Business Administration

University of Arizona

“I appreciate the observational approach of Montessori. Children and adults alike, learn so much from observing others and their environment.”

Kris Spence

Directress, Azalea Classroom and Head of School

BBA, Human Resources Management
Eastern Michigan University

AMI Primary Certification
Montessori Institute of Milwaukee

“My love of Montessori comes from the moments we witness on a daily basis with the children.  There is a sense of peace and calmness that the children exhibit when they have mastered something on their own.  We witness intense levels of concentration for a child of 3-6.  We watch them transform from 3 year olds just establishing their first steps toward independence and yearning for more who later transform into 6 year olds that are confident, mature, well-mannered, helpful, and ready to learn even more than what they have already mastered.  We are so fortunate to witness this tremendous growth.  It is a love of this environment and the children who come here, for me, that grows deeper each year that I am with them!”