The Montessori Academy
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  • Explore TMA
    • Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity
    • The Case for Montessori
    • Faculty and Staff
    • Parents and Community
    • Academic, Athletic and Events Calendar
    • TMA at The Center for the Homeless
    • Board of Trustees
    • Employment
    • Blog
    • Contact Us
  • Admissions
    • Inquire/Schedule A Visit
    • Programs Offered
    • Enrollment Information
    • Tuition Assistance
    • Health Forms
  • Academics
    • Toddler
    • Early Childhood
    • Lower Elementary
    • Upper Elementary
    • Junior High
    • Co-Curriculars
  • The Whole Child
    • Mindfulness
    • Athletics
    • Athletics Locations
    • Beyond The Classroom
    • Before & After Care
    • Summer Camps
  • Giving
    • Ways To Give
    • Fund the Need
  • Home
  • Explore TMA
    • Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity
    • The Case for Montessori
    • Faculty and Staff
    • Parents and Community
    • Academic, Athletic and Events Calendar
    • TMA at The Center for the Homeless
    • Board of Trustees
    • Employment
    • Blog
    • Contact Us
  • Admissions
    • Inquire/Schedule A Visit
    • Programs Offered
    • Enrollment Information
    • Tuition Assistance
    • Health Forms
  • Academics
    • Toddler
    • Early Childhood
    • Lower Elementary
    • Upper Elementary
    • Junior High
    • Co-Curriculars
  • The Whole Child
    • Mindfulness
    • Athletics
    • Athletics Locations
    • Beyond The Classroom
    • Before & After Care
    • Summer Camps
  • Giving
    • Ways To Give
    • Fund the Need

FACULTY and STAFF

The Montessori Academy faculty and staff work together to address the academic, social-emotional, and physical development of the whole child. All lead teachers have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree and are Montessori-certified. They pledge to work in partnership with each family and to be dedicated to every student’s development. Additionally, they pledge to:
  • Honor the principles of the Montessori philosophy and method.
  • Cultivate the child’s intellect with a challenging and engaging curriculum that engenders creativity, critical thinking, problem solving and academic skills.
  • Offer a safe, secure learning environment with an inquiring, cooperative, and nurturing atmosphere.
  • Create an environment where students learn to work as a team and to value each member’s contribution.
  • Emphasize self-motivation and independent thinking so that each child becomes confident and self-assured. 
  • Instill responsibility by providing a learning atmosphere that fosters positive work habits and commitment to others.
  • Build a relationship of trust and support between home and school.​​

ADMINISTRATION

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Randy Kelly
Head of School
​rkelly@tma-el.org
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Colleen Spano
Director of Student Services
cspano@tma-el.org
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Kim Bosworth
​
Director of Admissions

kbosworth@tma-el.org
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Deb Kletka
Front Desk Receptionist
frontdesk@tma-el.org
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Matt Jun
Director of Finance
mjun@tma-el.org

FACULTY

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Melissa Baldwin
Toddler Teacher
mbaldwin@tma-el.org
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​​Amy Cousins
Lower Elementary Assistant
acousins@tma-el.org
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Chris Brach
Upper Elementary Assistant & IT Specialist
cbrach@tmael.org
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​​​Jennifer Culp
Early Childhood Assistant
jculp@tma-el.org
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Dan Chapman
Art Teacher
​dchapman@tma-el.org
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​​Pam DeCocker
Early Childhood Assistant
pdecocker@tma-el.org
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​​Lydia Dreyer
Lower Elementary Teacher
ldreyer@tmael.org
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Janine Faini
Early Childhood Assistant
jfaini@tma-el.org
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​​Angie Flenar
Lower Elementary Assistant
aflenar@tma-el.org
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Terri Foley
Upper Elementary Assistant
tfoley@tma-el.org
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Aliya Franco
Early Childhood Assistant
afranco@tma-el.org
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Julie Gabrielse
Early Childhood Teacher
jgabrielse@tma-el.org
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William Hammer
Upper Elementary & Junior High Science Teacher
​whammer@tma-el.org
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Kathy Kolata
Upper Elementary Teacher & Division Chair
​kkolata@tma-el.org
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Barb Harvey
Early Childhood Teacher 
bharvey@tma-el.org
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Kathy Lambert
Early Childhood Teacher
klambert@tmael.org
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​Ashley Kenney
Early Childhood Teacher
akenney@tma-el.org
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Kate Ludick
Junior High Teacher
​kludick@tma-el.org
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Becky Ludwick
Toddler Teacher
​bludwick@tma-el.org
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Helen Muffoletto
Upper Elementary Teacher
hmuffoletto@tma-el.org
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Carolyn Owens
Lower Elementary Teacher
cowens@tma-el.org
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Michael Poole
Upper Elementary & Junior High Math Teacher
mpoole@tma-el.org
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Donna Rockafellow
Toddler Assistant
drockafellow@tma-el.org
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Patrick Sweeney
Spanish & Music Teacher
psweeney@tma-el.org
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Jodi Price
Early Childhood Teacher
jprice@tma-el.org
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Jayme Russell
Librarian
jrussell@tma-el.org
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Bailey Ritsema
Early Childhood Assistant
britsema@tma-el.org
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Susanna Schroeder
Early Childhood Assistant
sschroeder@tmael.org
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INQUIRE

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INQUIRE

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VISIT

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VISIT

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APPLY

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APPLY

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Weather Related/Emergency School Closing Information
summer camp registration

MISSION STATEMENT

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The Montessori Academy (TMA) is true to the teachings of Dr. Maria Montessori. We create an environment that cultivates the child's intellect, instills responsibility, fosters respect, and inspires care for the community.
530 East Day Road
Mishawaka, IN 46545
​574-256-5313 phone
574-256-5493 fax

​QUICK LINKS

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Admissions Process
School Calendar
Request Information
Visit Campus
PTO
Athletics
Donate
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