MTA Faculty

	Julie Gabrielse, MTA Program Director After seven years of teaching in the Early Childhood Casa Program and with the birth of her daughter, Julie Gabrielse has transitioned to a new position within TMA. She is currently the Early Childhood Coordinator and the Program Director for The Montessori Teacher Academy. Julie is a 1997 graduate of Calvin College and received her Montessori Credentials through MTA in 2000. She has been an active member in the greater Montessori Community for the past eight years; attending national conferences; training and participating in MACTE on-site evaluations; supervising student teachers; field consulting for student teachers; and teaching Observation, Classroom Leadership & Language. (Bio updated Feb. 2008)
	Debra Gorman Cagle Debra Gorman Cagle has an M.Ed. in Elementary Education, a B.S. in English, Montessori Preprimary Certification, and is State of Michigan certified to teach K-9. Debra has been teaching in Montessori teacher training programs for 25 years, and has been teaching the Practical Life and Mathematics courses for MTA since 1994. Debra also teaches these curriculum areas for the Adrian Dominican Montessori Teacher Education Institute. She has been a Montessori 3-6 Head Teacher for over 25 years at SJA Montessori Children's House in Adrian, Michigan. She is also an adjunct professor in education at Siena Heights University, teaching both graduate and undergraduate courses. Debra is a education consultant for the American Montessori Society and MACTE. She lectures for Montessori and traditional school faculties and parent groups. She has been honored with selection in Who's Who Among America's Teachers in 2002, 2005 and 2006. Debra is co-owner of the Montessori4Life Materials Company. (Bio updated Aug. 2007)
	Deb Cyrier I was raised a Montessori child and always felt that this was the philosophy that I wanted to use in my own classroom. In 2000, after graduating from Indiana University with a BA in French I entered the 3-6 training program at the Montessori Teacher Academy. I taught in a primary classroom for three years before completing my Elementary I and II certification at the Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies in Silver Spring, Maryland. Since then I have taught both lower and upper elementary students and currently am working with a group of six to twelve year olds. I have created, enhanced, and rejuvenated three elementary classrooms at local Montessori schools. In 2005 I became a consultant for the American Montessori Society. I have worked with MTA since 2004 teaching cultural studies and science. I received my Masters of Montessori Education program at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio in 2007. (Bio updated Dec. 2007)
	Mary McIntosh, Montessori Philosophy Instructor Mary is a Virginian who came to Mishawaka via Oak Park, Illinois. As a young elementary teacher, Mary could not understand why kindergarten and first grade students were unsuccessful and did not like school. In her quest for answers she read The Absorbent Mind, by Maria Montessori, which greatly influenced her professional and personal life. In addition to her Early Childhood Montessori certification, Mary has a Masters in Special Education and post graduate work in Early Childhood and school administration. Her professional development spans courses and seminars in child development, Montessori education, and school leadership. Her Montessori experiences include teaching, school administration, and teacher education. She has served as Educational Director and Head of School in both Virginia and Illinois. Mary founded, directed and instructed in the Virginia Center for Montessori (AMS) Teacher Education program. She believes this experience grounded her comprehensive understanding of Montessori philosophy and practice which she brings to her work with professionals. Mary has served on the American Montessori Society's Board of Trustees and committees in the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education. She has been a member and team leader for teacher education program accreditation. She readily volunteers in her local community seeking opportunities to contribute to improving the conditions for children. (Bio updated Aug. 2007)
	Ann Miller, Music Specialist Ann Miller is the Music Specialist at The Montessori Academy. She also teaches Spanish and Movement in Early Childhood. Children are her passion and music is her "forte." Before studying music at the College Conservatory of Music at University of Cincinnati, Ann was a professional singer, dancer, and songwriter in Nashville, Tennessee. She studied music at both the College Conservatory and North Texas State University. During her college years, Ann continued to perform in musicals, acoustic groups, touring road shows, civic theater, and university programs. She met her home- grown Indiana boy, Terry, in a musical road show and moved to Indiana. Ann received a B.A. in Psychology from Indiana University and General Elementary Education, with Music Endorsement, certification from Bethel College. She plays woodwinds, piano, and guitar. She has also been a classroom teacher in both public and church schools. Ann has two college aged children, Nicholas and Sarah and a cute little black dog named Shadow. (Bio updated Aug. 2007)