MCGUFFEY MONTESSORI - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Lead Teacher
- Primary Classroom Staff Member
Andrea came to McGuffey full-time in 2015 after spending a year subbing in the Primary classroom and the rest of McGuffey's staff has grown to appreciate her superpowers in working with young children with patience, love, and firmness. Andrea's background includes cosmetology and restaurant management, and her organizational skills and initiative were a huge part in making Trivia Night 2015 such a success. Andrea is lead teacher and has her Primary Montessori Certificate from the North American Montessori Center.
Andrea's daughter has attended McGuffey since preschool. Her husband Bryan co-owns The Broadway Barrel House restaurant in Lebanon. Andrea loves spending time with her extended family, as well as gardening and reading. She is also an amateur genealogist and has discovered over 1,500 ancestors in her family tree.
Annie Caudill joined the McGuffey staff as Office Manager in the fall of 2020. Annie has an Accounting degree from Miami University and worked in the accounting field for many years before becoming a mother. As her children grew, she became a substitute teacher in her children's schools. Annie is thrilled to be in a position where she is able to combine her passion for education with her business background.
Annie and her husband live with their youngest son in Oxford. Her oldest son is grown and on his own and her daughter is attending college. Annie is also her church Treasurer and is actively involved in her children's activities. She can also be found cheering on her favorite sports teams or reading a favorite book, but is happiest when surrounded by family and dear friends.
Casey began working in the McGuffey Montessori School office in the Fall of 2017 when her daughter was enrolled in the elementary classroom. The Montessori method was a natural fit for Casey who enjoys constantly reading and learning new things. Her skills in the areas of problem-solving, creativity, customer service, and organization have been honed over many different positions with non-profits and businesses.
Casey's interests include reading, crafts, and graphic arts. She is currently developing her own Etsy site.
Job Titles:
- Lead Teacher Physical Education / Dean Williams - Classroom Assistant ELA
DeAndre "Dean" Williams moved to Oxford from Prince George's County, Maryland at the end of 2019 to join the staff of McGuffey Montessori as a classroom assistant, substitute teacher, and Ex-Day helper. In fall 2023 Dean became a Teacher in the Upper Elementary Classroom. While in school, Dean spent two years as Lead Tutor for Going To Another Level after-school tutoring and athletic program. Although Dean recently made Ohio his home, his relationship with the Cincinnati area dates back to 2017, where he served his first of three consecutive summers in the Breakthrough Collaborative program as a Teaching Fellow, expanding his role in his third year to Administrator of the Upper Grades. Outside of leading in the classroom, Dean can be found playing or coaching basketball, reading, writing music, and reciting poetry.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Head of School
- Lower Elementary Classroom Staff Member
- Music
Elizabeth divides her time between her duties as Assistant Head of School and Music Teacher to Grades 1-8. This combined role reflects her long-term interest in management and her recognition of the crucial role music plays in the education and support of children in all areas, including academics and social learning.
Elizabeth began teaching at McGuffey in 2011 in the Primary classroom as a licensed Kindermusik teacher and obtained her Primary Montessori Certification. Before becoming a teacher and starting a family, she was an opera and oratorio singer. Elizabeth's two children graduated from McGuffey. She enjoys reading, playing the ukulele, sewing, and riding bikes.
Job Titles:
- Lower Elementary Classroom Staff Member
- Classroom Assistant
Kadriye joined the McGuffey staff in 2017 and is the mathematics teacher for Grades 6-8. Kadriye has been teaching/creating Mathematics curricula for middle and high school levels and in addition to that she is teaching Math classes for education majors at Miami University's Regional Campuses.
Kadriye received a degree in business when she lived in Turkey. After moving to the Oxford from Germany with her husband, she learned English and completed her B.S. in Mathematics and her MAT in Integrated Mathematics from Miami University. Kadriye has also worked for various public schools as Interpreter for testing for Turkish ESL students.
Kadriye and Mark live in Oxford and have three daughters.
Job Titles:
- Member at Large ( Term Ends June 2024 )
Job Titles:
- Primary Classroom Staff Member
- Teacher
Maggie is a Primary teacher with a B.A. in early childhood education from Miami University and completed her Primary Montessori Certificate. She has experience as a summer camp counselor at Bellwether Farm, teaching Preschool-5th graders about regenerative agriculture and the arts. She enjoys reading and hiking with her partner Taylor.
Job Titles:
- Lower Elementary Classroom Staff Member
- Lead Teacher Physical Education / Dean Williams - Classroom Assistant ELA
- Physical Education
Mark is Lead Teacher in Upper Elementary and teaches Physical Education to all students at McGuffey. He came to us in 2014 excited to follow in his mother's footsteps and start a new career in education. Mark has always found himself drawn to working with children since his first job as a camp counselor and has served as a youth football, soccer, and basketball coach during his time in Oxford.
Mark is married with one daughter who graduated from McGuffey and is currently attending Georgia Tech. Mark enjoys reading comic books and cosplay as well as riding and working on the family's seven Vespa scooters. Mark also serves on the board of Oxford Area PFLAG and is the Membership Director for the Vespa Club of America.
Job Titles:
- Lower Elementary Classroom Staff Member
- Classroom Assistant
Job Titles:
- Primary Classroom Staff Member
- Classroom Assistant
Having lead Ex Day and subbed at McGuffey in the past, Mary is thrilled to be an Assistant in the Primary classroom. Mary is a Miami alum, receiving her M.A.T. in Latin Education in 2021, and she embraced the city of Oxford after graduation. Outside of the classroom, Mary enjoys trying new recipes, listening to podcasts, and exploring nature trails.
Job Titles:
- Business Manager
- Business Manager for McGuffey
- Business Manager, Non - Voting Member
Mike has been the Business Manager for McGuffey since 2008, when he developed a love of the culture of learning at McGuffey. Mike has been providing accounting and business services for a variety of schools and non-profits in Southwestern Ohio since 1993. He works for McGuffey part-time while also managing the finances of other entities. He has a bachelors degree in Accounting, is a Certified Public Accountant, and is completing a Master's degree in Pastoral Ministry
Mike lives in Cincinnati with his wife and daughter, enjoys numismatics and playing the guitar, both of which he has generously shared with McGuffey students over the years. He is also an ultra marathoner having run several 50-mile and 24-hour races.
Job Titles:
- Head of School
- Head of School, Non - Voting Member
Nancy taught middle and high school mathematics in Cincinnati and in the District of Columbia Public Schools. While living in Washington, DC, Nancy worked at the National Research Council, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and the U.S. Department of Education. For ten years before coming on staff at McGuffey, Nancy was an education consultant providing professional development and instructional support to K-12 teachers.
Nancy is passionate about the role that independence, problem solving and skill development play in a child's empowerment. She loves seeing the Montessori values of honoring the child influence the development of authentic confidence and self-worth in our students and applying these same principles to school culture and operations.
Nancy's involvement in McGuffey began when her daughter enrolled in Kindergarten and included coordinating tours and serving on the board of trustees. She enjoys all things geeky and crafty.
Job Titles:
- Member at Large ( Term Ends June 2026 )
Susie began doing molecular biology research in college, and continued to work as a researcher for the next ten years. After a few years of teaching English composition and doing graduate work in English literature, she returned to molecular biology in 2003. Susie attended a Montessori preschool as a child. While researching Montessori methodology again as an adult with her own children in mind, Susie realized that Montessori teaching would allow her to combine her love for language, science, mathematics and teaching children. In 2006 Susie and Wendy Duvall founded McGuffey's Preschool Playground program, and launched the Primary program together in 2011. Susie joined the Upper Unit Team in 2014 with a focus on mathematics, science, ELA, physical education, and practical life. She is now the lead teacher in the Middle School (Grades 7-8), and teaches science, ELA, Practical Life, and Peace.
Susie's two children graduated from McGuffey. She loves reading, hiking, and wildlife-watching in the natural areas around Oxford.
Job Titles:
- Lead Teacher
- Lower Elementary Classroom Staff Member
Before becoming a teacher, Wendy worked in the field of graphic design. While raising her children, she realized that design and Montessori education dovetailed perfectly, combining intentional materials in a planned environment. This led her to seek her Montessori certification. In 2006 Wendy and Susie Lute founded McGuffey's Preschool Playground program and launched the Primary program together in 2011. Wendy began teaching in the Lower Elementary classroom in 2017. In addition to her Montessori training, Wendy is a certified Orton-Gillingham instructor.
Wendy has three children who attended McGuffey and a very understanding husband. She enjoys designing Montessori materials, hanging out with family and friends, and puttering around her farm.