Let me introduce you...
This year, we welcome 62 returning staff to Oak Farm, with five staff concluding their tenure this past spring. We say goodbye to Pat Cole from the Middle School, Angie Black from Toddlers, Jenna Abbs from Primary, Emma Kowatch the theatre teacher and our chef, Noah Starr. We wish all of these educators the very best in their next endeavors. They have each invested in Oak Farm’s students and made valuable contributions to our school, and we thank them for their years of supporting the Oak Farm mission. This year, we welcome several new faculty to our community including a new Farm Manager, a Lower Elementary teacher, two new Primary assistants, a chef, Theatre Teacher, Spanish Teacher, Office Administrative and Toddler Support. We also see two faculty moving into new roles within Oak Farm; Abby Minich has moved from Primary 2 to the new Lower 4 classroom and Abby Roughia moves from Lower 3 to open the new Lower Elementary 4 classroom (Abby and Abby)! Middle School Crystal Leu has been a teacher and administrator for 30 years and has a lifelong passion for agriculture and FFA as well as helping students become their own personal best. Rachael McGuire has traveled the world and has a love for the Spanish language and culture. She has over 14 years in teaching experience. Elementary Tiffany Fennig comes to us from Bunche Montessori where she has been a lead teacher for 14 years in Early Childhood and will join Megan Dohring in the LE3 classroom. Victorian House Yova Teusch, current Oak Farm parent and former primary assistant in P1, joins Ashley Buckles in the P2 classroom. Devon Crouse has traveled the world, speaks Spanish and has a passion for fostering a love of learning in children. April Adams has been a familiar face at OFMS for the last two years as a volunteer and guest teacher. She joins the Toddler team as Support Staff. Sarah Shanton-Cox is returning to OFMS as the Administrative Assistant. Not only is she an alumni parent, but she is also a veteran faculty member. Chef Joseph Allison runs several food related businesses and is excited to bring his love of food to the OFMS community. Theatre Mindy Cox will take the stage as our new Theatre Teacher for the Elementary and Secondary program. So, flip the pages to learn more about our new staff and join me in welcoming them to Oak Farm Montessori as we begin our 21st year of providing a worldclass Montessori education for families in Northeast Indiana.
Candice
e m o c l We
Crystal Leue Middle School Farm Manager
ABOUT ME
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
• I am passionate about learning.
Graduate of Purdue University: Masters in Educational Leadership & Administration
• I love working wtih kids and animals. • I believe in learning to do, doing to learn, earning to live and living to serve. • If I couldn’t be a teacher, I would be a veterinarian or a wildlife biologist.
THE JOURNEY AHEAD
“
I’m excited by the opportunity to facilitate hands on learning through my work with the learning community as Farm Manager. I can’t wait to collaborate with everyone to provide even more innovative opportunities for learning! ”
Graduate of Trine University Teacher & Administrator for 30 years Lakeland School Corporation.
WHY JOIN THE TEAM?
“
I am passionate about providing students with relevant learning experiences that engage them and honor their own interests and passions. Oak Farm is truly a unique place that creates an environment for learning that matches my personal philosophy of education. ”
HOBBIES
Hiking
Camping
Animal Care
Painting
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Tiffany Fennig Doe Lower Elementary 3 Teacher
ABOUT ME
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
• I have been married for 13 years to my husband Jeff and we have one daughter, Addyson who is in Lower Elementary.
Teacher for Bunche Montessori in Fort Wayne for 14 years.
• I have been a Montessori teacher for 14 years and love learning about Montessori, mindfulness and yoga.
Board Member of United Montessori Schools of Indiana (UMSI)
• If I could not be a teacher, I would be a Yoga Therapist. I would want to be able to help heal those who suffer and bring peace to their life.
“
THE JOURNEY AHEAD
“
I am excited about everything! I am thrilled to have the opportunity to use the
Field Consultant for Seton Montessori Institute.
WHY JOIN THE TEAM? As a Montressorian, I have learned that children are inspired by the prepared environment around them. As part of this community, I am excited to focus on following the child in experiencing these moments and helping them to develop to their fullest potential.”
HOBBIES wonderful outdoor campus to teach my students. I am excited to be a part of a community that focuses on the “whole child” and supports the emotional needs of Meditation Yoga all students along with self-discovery. ”
Reading
Family
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Yova TeuschDoe Primary 2 Teacher e
ABOUT ME
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
• I have been married 10 years to my husband Mike; we met in Australia!
Masters in Commerce from the University of Sydney.
• We have two children: Grace and Alyssa who will both be in Lower.
Teacher Assistant at Bunche Montessori for 2 years and 1 year at Oak Farm
• I am a Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Program.
Project Coordinator for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
• I love to travel and have lived in 3 different continents.
WHY JOIN THE TEAM?
• If I couldn’t be a teacher I would be a children’s librarian.
THE JOURNEY AHEAD
“
I’m passionate to learn more about the Montessori philosophy and its application. I’m excited to learn and connect with my co-workers as well as eager to serve and build great relationships with OFMS students and their families. ”
“ Oak Farm is such a great and
welcoming community. I am so impressed by the teachers’ and administrators’ commitment to create an authentic Montessori environment in an inclusive community ”
HOBBIES
Reading
Music
Meditation
Family
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Devon Crouse Primary 1 Teacherohn Doe
ABOUT ME
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
• I love to spend time in the great outdoors hiking, canoeing and exploring new places
Graduate of Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne University
• My partner, Luis, is a chef and his passion for food rubs off on our little chef, Jacquelin! • I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in El Salvador where I learned Spanish and fell in love with teaching. • If I had a different career, it would be as an Anthropologist, studying people and cultures and religions.
THE JOURNEY AHEAD
“ I am excited about learning from the
veteran teachers and staff about the Montessori methods! I am also looking forward to building relationships with the community and being able to share that with my daughter as she progresses through her own journey at Oak Farm. ”
Home Educator with Parents as Teachers at Catholic Charities in San Diego Preschool Teacher in the Chicao neighborhood of Barrio Logan
WHY JOIN THE TEAM?
“
“Meaningful work” has really resonated with me the past several years. When children are free to work on and with materials that interest them they are able to fully engage in the process and truly learn! This is what has driven me to get back on the floor with children and back to my teaching roots. ”
HOBBIES
Hiking
Yoga
Gardening
Good Food
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April Adamsoe Toddler Support
ABOUT ME • I am mother to my daughter, Aria, who is 4 years old and the love of my life. • I enjoy reading, learning about new things and I have a love of exotic cars! • If I were not teaching I would be a legal assistant to an Attorney who practices Criminal/Family Law.
THE JOURNEY AHEAD
“
I am most excited to become a larger part of the Oak Farm community and to continue to learn more about the Montessori way of teaching. I love learning new things and wrapping my mind around new concepts, so I welcome the opportunity to grow along with the children I will be interacting with on a daily basis. ”
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Graduate of Purdue University with a focus on Legal Studies. Guest Teacher and Parent Volunteer in Toddlers and Primary for two years at Oak Farm.
WHY JOIN THE TEAM?
“
I am most excited to become a larger part of the Oak Farm community and to continue to learn more about the Montessori way of teaching. I love learning new things and wrapping my mind around new concepts, so I welcome the opportunity to grow along with the children I will be interacting with on a daily basis. ”
HOBBIES
Nature
Hiking
Reading
Formula One Racing
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Joseph Allison Doe School Chef
ABOUT ME
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
• My wife Courtni and I have a son, Noah, and a daughter, Harper.
Certified Executive Chef through the American Culinary Federation (ACF)
• I come from a family of nine and always enjoyed being part of a large family. • I’m from Pittsburg, PA and love the Steelers and all things Pittsburg! • If I couldn’t be a teacher, I would be a farmer. Being in nature, cultivating the land, taking care of animals, growing all sorts of plants.
THE JOURNEY AHEAD
“
I am excited to be a part of this journey that assists students with their goals and dreams. I remember vividly my educational experience growing up and how that shaped me into who I am. Also, I am excited to share what foods I love with everyone. ”
MBA from Argosy University Owner and operator of several businesses in town (2) food trucks, A bone broth company, partners in a water company and oversee the catering services at Kruse Plaza in Auburn.
WHY JOIN THE TEAM?
“ I value hands on learning and continued
education. I will learn just as much from the students, educators and administration as they will from me. My passion is to teach our youth what culinary arts is and how it can play such an important role in their lives. We come together as people over food, its that simple. ”
HOBBIES
Nature
Fishing
Dining Out
RV Camping
e m o c l We Mindy Cox Theatre Teacher
ABOUT ME • My husband Jeff and I have been married 20 years and have a son, Caleb, who is a Freshman at Carroll HS • We have the world’s best Goldendoodle, Annie • When we get a chance to get away, we love to visit the Disney Parks on both coasts! • If I couldn’t be a teacher, I think I would still be a teacher...just not in a classroom per se!
THE JOURNEY AHEAD
“
I have always had a passion for education. My own motto for myself is “Never Stop Learning. My cup is filled by being with people who spark creativity. I hope I can open up the world of theatre for these young people! ”
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Co-founder and music director of Summit City Music Theatre, a professional musical theatre company in Fort Wayne. Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Oklahoma City University. Full time private voice teacher for the past 16 years, teaching musical theatre and classical vocal technique and performance. Music Director for the Theatre department at IPFW
WHY JOIN THE TEAM?
“
I believe that the fine arts are what make us human, allow us to connect with the world around us, and teach us empathy and understanding for other people. I am excited to join Oak Farm and meet your students. ”
HOBBIES
Music
Theatre
Disney
Family
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Rachael McGuireoe Spanish Teacher
ABOUT ME
• I am married to Brad and we have five terrific young adult children ranging from 13 to 24 years old. From oldest to youngest they are: Hannah, Ben married to Taylor, Grace and Joseph. • I started studying Spanish in middle school and never looked back. • If I were not a teacher, I would be an occupational therapist. I love the idea of teaching people ways to make their life more functional in a medical setting.
THE JOURNEY AHEAD
“ I am thrilled to be a part of a place
that will support my skills and creativity as I help young people find meaningful work while they learn Spanish. I am also very excited to work on such a beautiful campus and I look forward to getting to know all of the people as well as the farm animals. ”
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Graduate of Ball State University with majors in Spanish and Secondary Education and a minor in French Spanish Teacher for 14 years at Southwest Allen County School Community Volunteer
WHY JOIN THE TEAM?
“ I value the mission and spirit of Oak
Farm as they guide and support students.I see myself as a perfect fit in joining in this work. I love working with young people, collaborating with colleagues and engaging with the community around me.”
HOBBIES
Walking
Family
Podcasts
Traveling
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Sarah Shanton-Coxe Office Administrator
ABOUT ME
• Married to my husband, Seth, for 13 years. I have a 22 year old son, Elijah, who attended OFMS from Primary - Middle School. • I love animals. I have 4 rescues; 3 dogs and 1 cat (who thinks she’s a dog and part of the pack.) Cody, Casey, Ella and Lola. • If I were not a teacher, I would have my own wellness studio/ health food shop where a holistic approach to living would be encouraged and supported. • Nutrition is my “newest” passion.
THE JOURNEY AHEAD
“ I am most excited to be a part of the Oak Farm Community AGAIN; to see the faculty, parents and students on a daily basis! Oh, and let’s not forget about the animals too! ”
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Certified Professional Coach Faculty Member at Oak Farm Montessori School from 2004 - 2016 for 12 years. Roles included Administrative Assistant, Admissions, Infant/Toddler Coordinator and Human Resources.
WHY JOIN THE TEAM?
“ Being a part of Oak Farm allows for me to
support a mission much bigger than myself. I have always made it a personal philosophy to be a life-long learner and being a member of the OFMS community allows me to be a part of an environment which inspires and fosters growth. It brings me true joy to witness the work that happens here everyday!.”
HOBBIES
Nature
Family
Meditation
Stargazing