Since her student teaching experience in the fall of 1998, Emily has been immersed in Montessori education. She is a credentialed Early Childhood Montessori teacher, has worked both in public and private Montessori schools, and has worn many hats in administrative positions including Lower Division Director and Assistant Head of School while concurrently serving as Director of Admission. These dual roles required organization, efficiency, patience, and, of course, passion for Montessori education.
On Montessori education and returning home to MSSA, Emily said, “I am fortunate to have spent the last 23 years as an educator and administrator in a Montessori learning environment. Working in schools in which the focus is on teaching to the child rather than a subject or test has shaped my philosophy of education. I have observed children engaged in work independently as young as three years old where a broad, individualized curriculum provides in-depth learning with unlimited potential. I have also seen the joy students experience when they focus on the process and work to mastery. Student-centered, relevant, hands-on learning is what I believe education should be. The family-like community found in Montessori schools fosters a special relationship with staff, parents, and students and that difference has helped me become the leader I am today. I will forever lead with my passion for Montessori education and my firsthand knowledge of MSSA’s potential as a leading Montessori program will drive my vision for the school’s future.”
Emily has not only experienced MSSA and Montessori education as a teacher and administrator but also as a parent. Her two children, Caroline and James, now in third and seventh grade, have been in Montessori schools since they were toddlers, giving her the chance to witness two very different children thrive in the Montessori environment.
Outside of school, Emily enjoys reading, cooking, spending time outdoors, and traveling with her husband, David, and their children. They are all looking forward to returning home to San Antonio, reuniting with friends and family, and enjoying some authentic Tex-Mex!