Carrie Winhoven, proud mother of two children, brings over 25 years of Montessori teaching experience and joy to Saint Philomena Montessori. She has taught students in grades pre-k-9th and was an integral part of starting an adolescent Montessori Farm School. She has a Master’s degree in Education from Xavier University and has served as an adjunct professor at Wright State. She has also taught Montessori teacher education courses for CMSTEP. She holds Ohio state teacher certification as well as four AMS Montessori credentials; primary, Elementary I, and Secondary I & II. As a Level I & II certified Good Shepherd Catechist, she enjoys sharing her Catholic faith with young children. Other activities she enjoys are cycling, kayaking, and spending time in prayer.

Sonja has been involved in the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish Sunday school program for nearly 17 years. Serving as a teacher and later the director. She has completed Level 1 Catechesis of the Good Shepherd training and holds Montessori Assistant Certification from Adrian Dominican Montessori Teacher Institute. She also brings 28 years of billing/finance experience in the healthcare field. Sonja and her husband Dave have two daughters and three granddaughters. Sonja enjoys relaxing at the beach and painting. She is excited to bring Montessori education to the children in our community.

Tori and her husband Andy, and their three daughters, live outside of Fort Loramie. They are members of Sacred Heart of Jesus in McCartyville. On the feast day of St. Cecelia, they dedicated their MTA Home Shrine, “Mother of Divine Healing”. 

Tori has completed Level 1 Catechesis of the Good Shepherd training. Tori holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and has experience in administration. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors tending to her flower and vegetable gardens, walking through the woods, and reading books. Her patron saint is Padre Pio, “Pray, Hope, and don’t worry!” She’s happy to be part of the St. Philomena Montessori school community.

Sarah earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s Degree

in Reading Instruction from Wright State University. She is licensed to teach Pre-K-3rd grade and kindergarten for 10 years prior to St. Philomena Montessori. Sarah graduated from Crescent Ridge Academy and is an AMS credentialed Montessori Primary Guide and Level 1 Good Shepherd Catechist. As a teacher, she favors the Montessori philosophy of hands-on, purposeful learning activities and research-based practices, while still providing children the independence they desire. Her ultimate goal is to help children discover a love of learning in a faith-filled environment. She is a life-long member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish. Sarah and her husband John have five children. Together, they enjoy family game nights, being outdoors, and reading books. She is a life-long learner whose recent endeavors include gardening, making sourdough bread, and fermenting kombucha. She is blessed to serve the families of St. Philomena Montessori, and grow in her faith along with the children.

Lauren has a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Bowling Green State University and is certified to teach PreK-3rd grade. She has had experience working with preschool and kindergarten students for seven years, five of which were in a Montessori school. Lauren became very fond of the Montessori philosophy after just a short time working in a Montessori environment. She is excited to use what she has learned already and continue to learn more in order to provide students with rich learning experiences and truly follow each child’s lead. Lauren enjoys being active outdoors and growing in faith alongside her husband, Cody. She feels blessed to have this opportunity to teach at St. Philomena Montessori School and is looking forward to working with her students and their families.

Laura Niekamp is a lifelong member of Sacred Heart Parish. She is also a member of the Sacred Heart Choir, as she enjoys singing and being involved with mass. She received a master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology from Ball State University and has worked in surrounding skilled nursing facilities for the past 7 years treating patients with language, communication, swallowing, and cognitive impairments. She received her Montessori Assistant Certification from Adrian Dominican Montessori Teacher Institute and Montessori Primary Certification at AMS accredited Crescent Ridge Academy. Laura looks forward to becoming a Good Shepherd Catechist. Laura and her husband Eric have three terrific children, Matthew, Elizabeth, and Xavier. In her spare time, Laura enjoys flower gardening, reading, Sudoku Puzzles, visiting National Parks and spending time with her family. She is excited for this opportunity to use her gifts and work with young children in a Catholic Montessori environment.

Katelyn grew up going to Emmanuel Catholic Church in downtown Dayton. She assisted in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd classrooms for Level 1 and 2 for 5 years. She started pursuing a career in nursing while working at Dayton Children’s, but felt pulled back towards Montessori education. After finishing her bachelor’s degree in Public Health Sciences and French Language at Wright State, she started the AMS primary lead credential program through Crescent Ridge Academy. She has been teaching in a Montessori classroom for 3-6 year olds for 3 years now and has loved all the growth that has come from this career change! She is inspired by her mom who was her first introduction into Montessori methods from when she was a child and is excited to pass on all she’s learned in parenting her own children. She has been married to Bobby Kenney for 4 years and currently lives in Vandalia. They have a daughter named Adeline in Heaven and 2 boys, Cade and Giorgio, here on earth! In her spare time she enjoys going on walks with their 2 big dogs, drinking coffee with a nice book, or practicing pottery.

Anne has taught in Catholic schools for 15 years, and she enjoys the beauty of learning and growing, especially in the Catholic faith. Her students have ranged in age from kindergarten through 6th grade. She attended Franciscan University of Steubenville and holds a teaching license with a reading endorsement. She is blessed to have most of her family living nearby and enjoys spending time with her nieces and nephews, even helping to teach several of them at their homes. Anne lives on a farm in Maria Stein with her husband Randy and their son. She is

a parishioner at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, where she sings in the choir. She

also enjoys reading and discussing books, baking, traveling, and solving puzzles of all sorts.

Maura and her husband Joe live in Minster with their two sons. Maura has been teaching for 13 years, in both public and private schools. She has a strong passion for Catholic education and is excited to be able to share her faith with the students everyday. Maura has primarily taught music and also has a M. Ed. in Curriculum and Teaching. She enjoys spending time with her family, cooking and reading. She is excited to join the St. Philomena team!

Emma Droesch holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Wright State University–Lake Campus. She has spent the past five years working with students of all ages and grade levels. Emma is a member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in New Bremen, where she serves as a junior high youth minister and enjoys sharing her faith with others. She lives in New Bremen with her husband and appreciates the close-knit, small-town community. In her free time, Emma enjoys working out, walking her dog, spending time with family, and keeping her home organized. She feels blessed to join the St. Philomena Montessori team and is excited to serve its students and families. Emma and her husband Matthew were just married in May at Holy Redeemer.

Jessica Davis is a dedicated violin educator with over 20 years of experience. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Bowling Green State University and a Master’s in Teaching and Learning from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.A certified Suzuki and String Sprouts teacher, she blends both approaches to create engaging, developmentally appropriate lessons for young learners. She spent 10 years at the Omaha Conservatory of Music, where she maintained a thriving private studio, and also ran a String Sprouts group violin program at Nelson Mandela Elementary School.

Jessica is the founder and director of Tiny Strings, a group violin program where young children learn to play together in a collaborative, play-based setting, and maintains a private studio serving families in Auglaize and Allen counties. 

Lyndsay Richey is a Board-Certified Music Therapist who graduated from The University of Dayton with her bachelor’s degree in Music. As a Music Therapist, she works with a variety of students in Darke county in addition to having a few private clients. She has been a member of Sacred Heart parish her whole life. Lyndsay has been the Youth Choir director at Sacred Heart for 9 years and the Adult Choir director for 7 years. Lyndsay and her husband Tyler have two rambunctious boys. She enjoys spending time with her family and crafting in her free time. She feels very blessed to have been called to teach music at her life-long parish’s school.

Tracy Hall is an enthusiastic and dedicated educator with over 20 years of experience teaching science at Lehman Catholic High School. She holds a license for K- 12 Life Science and has a M. Ed. in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment from Walden University. With a passion for fostering curiosity, creativity, and a love for science in young minds, she likes to create a classroom environment that emphasizes hands-on learning and real world applications. She believes in creating an engaging atmosphere where every student feels valued and inspired to learn. 

She joined the Catholic Church in 2016 and is a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. 

Tracy and her husband Craig have two children, Nathan and Allie. Nathan and his wife Michala have a daughter, Grace. Allie and her husband Logan have a son named Beckett. She enjoys camping, reading, gardening and spending time with family. She is looking forward to working with the staff and families of St. Philomena Montessori!

Nicolette began her teaching career in 2012 and has experience in classical, parochial, and Montessori education from preschool through 9th grade. She holds a bachelor's degree from Thomas Aquinas College, where she studied philosophy, theology, and the liberal arts. Trained in Level I, Part 1 of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, she is also receiving AMI training for both Lower and Upper Elementary. In addition to guiding the learning of children, Nicole enjoys writing, singing, spending time with family and friends, and being out in nature. She is new to the area and looks forward to joining the St. Philomena community. 

Megan has a degree in Health Science, but has taught children of all ages through her experience as a swim instructor at the YMCA and as a CCD teacher. In her free time, Megan enjoys running, reading, being outdoors and spending time with family & friends.

Megan and her husband, Clint, currently reside in New Bremen with their dog Leo.