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Our Team

Welcome to Abintra Montessori, an intentional and inclusive community centered in developing confident, self-motivated learners who creatively meet the challenges of life. It is this intentionality of focusing on the development of self that speaks to so many of our current and prospective families. Maria Montessori was one of the first great thinkers (a medical doctor and social scientist) that recognized that all children everywhere carry the internal abilities they need for optimal development. They are not empty vessels, but never-ending wonders of internal growth, sense-making, and knowledge acquisition.  

 

At Abintra, we are committed to offering a prepared environment coupled with dedicated adult guidance that sparks joy, fosters independence, and engenders a deep love of learning centered in interest and exploring the natural world and human connectedness.  We value and welcome all families, of all types and make-ups, as we believe that Education is the pathway to peace for all communities. Our remarkable children, welcoming parent community, and deeply trained and talented Team make Abintra Montessori an authentic Montessori educational home in greater Nashville.

We hope to meet you soon!

Meet the Administration Team

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Amber Oxley

Head of School

With Abintra since 2023​​

  • B.F.A. / M.S.
    Change Management and Organizational Design

  • AMI Adolescent Diploma,
    International Montessori Training Institute

  • Empowering People in the Workplace Facilitator,
    Positive Discipline Association

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April Crook

Office Manager

With Abintra since 2023​​

  • B.S Human Ecology / M.S. Child and Family Studies

  • AMI Primary Diploma (3-6)

  • AMI Assistants to Infancy Diploma (0-3)

  • Permaculture Design Certificate

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Lindsay Moorman

Business Director

With Abintra since 2022

  • B.A. Business Administration, Marketing / M.B.A. Strategic Management

  • Certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator, Early Childhood Educator & Empowering People in the Workplace Facilitator, Positive Discipline Association

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Molly Henry

Administrative Director & Parent Support

With Abintra since 2000

  • B.S. Psychology, Vanderbilt University, TN

  • Planned Parenthood Trained Sexuality Educator

  • Certified Positive Discipline Lead Trainer, Positive Discipline Association

  • Highlands Certified Consultant

  • Strong Certified Practitioner

Meet the Primary Team

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Patricia Salazar

Primary Program Director

With Abintra since 2004​​

  • B.A. Business Administration

  • Montessori Certified for Early Childhood 3-6, Age of Montessori

  • Positive Discipline Classroom Educator & Positive Discipline Parent Educator, Positive Discipline Association

  • Total Physical Response (TPR)

Sonia Schilling

Sonia Schilling

Primary 1 Guide

With Abintra since 2024​​

  • B.A. in Studio Art with a Minor in Art History, Southern Illinois University, IL

  • AMI Primary Certified, Montessori Northwest Portland, OR

  • Positive Discipline Classroom Educator

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Jill Mora

Primary 1 Assistant

With Abintra since 2024

  • ​​B.A. in French, Lipscomb University, TN
     

Emily Gallagher

Emily Gallagher

Primary 2 Guide

With Abintra since 2024

  • B.A. in Photography, Hallmark Institute of Photography, MA

  • AMS Primary Certified, West Side Montessori School, New York, NY

  • Certified Positive Discipline Early Childhood Educator, Positive Discipline Association

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Hadleigh Davila

Primary 2 Assistant

With Abintra since 2024

  • ​B.S. Psychology and Education, University of Colorado, CO

Vanessa Swiggart

Vanessa Swiggart

Primary 3 Guide

With Abintra since 2020 (2014-2017)

  • B.A. Music Performance

  • Montessori Certified for Early Childhood 3-6, Age of Montessori

  • Certified Positive Discipline Early Childhood Educator, Positive Discipline Association

  • Level 1 Certification, Orff Method

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Andrea Shamwell

Primary 3 Guide

Profile Coming Soon!

Athena Childs Fleisher

Athena Childs Fleisher

Cultural Programming & Experiential Support

With Abintra since 2022

  • B.A. International Affairs / Master of Business Administration and Master in Public Health

  • Montessori Certified for Early Childhood 3-6

  • Certified Positive Discipline Early Childhood Educator, Positive Discipline Association

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Amanda Steinmann

Extracurricular Coordinator

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Neethu Pillai

Primary Support Guide

Meet the Elementary Team

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Justine Brooks

Elementary Program Director

Profile Coming Soon!​

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Claudia C'deBaca

Director of Inclusion & Supports

With Abintra since 1999

  • B.A. Special Education / M.A. Special Education, Vanderbilt University, TN

  • Positive Discipline Classroom Educator, Positive Discipline Association

Carriga Camp

Lower Elementary 1 Guide

Carriga Camp
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Justice Brooks

Lower Elementary 1 Assistant

With Abintra since 2008​​

  • B.A. English

  • Montessori Certified Early Childhood 2.5-6 & Elementary 6-9, Age of Montessori 

  • Total Physical Response (TPR) – Total Physical Response through Reading and Storytelling (TPRS)

  • Orton-Gillingham for Language

  • Positive Discipline Classroom Educator, Positive Discipline Association

With Abintra since 2021

  • B.S. Business Management

  • Montessori Elementary Classroom Assistant & Elementary 6-9, Age of Montessori 

  • Positive Discipline Early Childhood Educator, Positive Discipline Association

Leah Graby

Leah Graby

Lower Elementary 2 Guide

With Abintra since 2007

  • B.S. K - Elementary Education

  • Montessori Certified Early Childhood 3-6 & Elementary 6-12, Age of Montessori

  • Orton-Gillingham for Language

  • Positive Discipline Classroom Educator, Positive Discipline Association

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Sophie Horsman

Lower Elementary 2 Assistant

With Abintra since 2024

  • B.A. in Photography, Manchester School of Art, Manchester, United Kingdom

  • Elementary Montessori Classroom Assistant, Age of Montessori

Jodi McDaniel

Jodi McDaniel

Lower Elementary Support

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Anja Honselmann

Upper Elementary Guide

With Abintra since 2004

  • B.G.A.

  • Montessori Certified Early Childhood 2.5-7 & Elementary 6-9, Age of Montessori

  • Field Representative for Teacher

  • Certification, Age of Montessori

  • Positive Discipline Classroom Educator, Positive Discipline Association 

With Abintra since 2022

  • Diploma program of Educational Science

  • German Teaching License in Primary Education

  • Primary/Elementary Certification 3-14

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Caroline Cercone

Foreign Language & Clay Specialist

With Abintra since 2021

  • M.A.  Japanese Studies, Philipps University, Marburg

  • Japanese Language/Art Studies, Keiko University, Tokyo

  • Pottery Studies, Pinland School of Crafts

John Toomey

John Toomey

Art Specialist

With Abintra since 2012

  • B.F.A. Drawing, Painting

  • Montessori Certified Early Childhood 3-6

  • Positive Discipline Classroom Educator, Positive Discipline Association

  • Mindfulness Institute

  • Nurturing the Roots, The Tracking Project 

  • Archery Certification, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish

  • Yoga for Children, The Asheville Yoga Center

Currently Not Filled

Upper Elementary Guide

Meet the Adolescent Team

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Kris Romberg

Adolescent Director & Lead Guide

With Abintra since 2023

  • B.A. Music; Human Development and Learning

  • AMI Adolescent Diploma (ages 12-18), International Montessori Training Institute

  • IMC Elementary Diploma (ages 6-12), Center for Guided Montessori Studies

  • Montessori Applied to Children at Risk, Level I and Level II

  • Certified Academic Language Practitioner

  • State Certified K-8 Classroom TeacherPK-12 Music TeacherK-12 Special Education Teacher

  • Level I Certification, Orff Method

  • 4MAT Teacher and Trainer Certification

John Toomey

John Toomey

Art & Physical Expression

With Abintra since 2012

  • B.F.A. Drawing, Painting

  • Montessori Certified Early Childhood 3-6

  • Positive Discipline Classroom Educator, Positive Discipline Association

  • Mindfulness Institute

  • Nurturing the Roots, The Tracking Project 

  • Archery Certification, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish

  • Yoga for Children, The Asheville Yoga Center

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Caroline Cercone

Foreign Language & Clay Specialist

With Abintra since 2021

  • M.A.  Japanese Studies, Philipps University, Marburg

  • Japanese Language/Art Studies, Keiko University, Tokyo

  • Pottery Studies, Pinland School of Crafts

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Emi Canahuati

Human Growth & Dev. & Positive Discipline Facilitator

With Abintra since 2017

  • B.A. Psychology / M.A. Counseling Psychology 

  • Sexuality Educator - AASECT

  • Positive Discipline Parent Educator & Positive Discipline Educator, Positive Discipline Association

Meet The Support Team

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Larry Keeling

Facilities & Grounds Manager

With Abintra since 1999

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Emi Canahuati

Human Growth & Dev. & Positive Discipline Facilitator

With Abintra since 2017

  • B.A. Psychology / M.A. Counseling Psychology 

  • Sexuality Educator - AASECT

  • Positive Discipline Parent Educator & Positive Discipline Educator, Positive Discipline Association

Benton Moore

Benton Moore

Photographer & Social Media Support

With Abintra since 2019

Kristen Slocum

Kristen Slocum

Substitute

With Abintra since 2017

  • B.S. Early Childhood

  • Montessori Certified Early Childhood 3-6, Age of Montessori

  • Positive Discipline Early Childhood Educator, Positive Discipline Association

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