Our Team
Melissa Brubaker: Co-Owner and Primary Lead Teacher
Mrs. Brubaker has a BS degree in Elementary Education (K-8) with a concentration in mathematics. She achieved her Primary American Montessori Society certification through extensive training and has over 20 years of experience in various Montessori environments. Melissa is mom to 3 boys, all of whom attended Montessori schools.
Mrs. Brubaker has a BS degree in Elementary Education (K-8) with a concentration in mathematics. She achieved her Primary American Montessori Society certification through extensive training and has over 20 years of experience in various Montessori environments. Melissa is mom to 3 boys, all of whom attended Montessori schools.
Amy Sever: Co-Owner and Primary Lead Teacher
Mrs. Sever has a BS degree in Individual and Family Studies and Early Childhood Education with a focus in Child Development and Child Care Administration. She also achieved her MACTE Accredited Primary Montessori Certification through The Center for Guided Montessori Studies. She has over 20 years of experience both as a teacher and school administrator. Amy is the mother of three boys who are all former students of Around the Sun!
Mrs. Sever has a BS degree in Individual and Family Studies and Early Childhood Education with a focus in Child Development and Child Care Administration. She also achieved her MACTE Accredited Primary Montessori Certification through The Center for Guided Montessori Studies. She has over 20 years of experience both as a teacher and school administrator. Amy is the mother of three boys who are all former students of Around the Sun!
Patti Strzalka: Primary Assistant Teacher
Mrs. Strzalka has a BS in Nursing and a Masters of Art in Education. She has worked as a pediatric intensive care nurse, a labor and delivery nurse, and was a dialysis nurse educator. Prior to that, she taught kindergarten for 6 years, which is where her passion lies. Patti has been with Around the Sun for many years, as both a parent to her two children as well as a member of our teaching staff.
Mrs. Strzalka has a BS in Nursing and a Masters of Art in Education. She has worked as a pediatric intensive care nurse, a labor and delivery nurse, and was a dialysis nurse educator. Prior to that, she taught kindergarten for 6 years, which is where her passion lies. Patti has been with Around the Sun for many years, as both a parent to her two children as well as a member of our teaching staff.
Andrew Towne: Lower Elementary Lead Teacher
Mr. Towne has a degree in marketing with a concentration in copywriting from Columbia College Chicago. He is currently in training to get his MACTE Accredited Lower Elementary certification through The Center for Guided Montessori Studies. He is a father of two, both of whom attended Around the Sun. Andrew and his wife are former Montessori students, where they met in kindergarten!
Mr. Towne has a degree in marketing with a concentration in copywriting from Columbia College Chicago. He is currently in training to get his MACTE Accredited Lower Elementary certification through The Center for Guided Montessori Studies. He is a father of two, both of whom attended Around the Sun. Andrew and his wife are former Montessori students, where they met in kindergarten!
Becca Wohlwend: Upper Elementary Lead Teacher
Mrs. Wohlwend has a BS degree as an Intervention Specialist, Mild-Moderate (K-12) and taught children with learning disabilities in a public school setting for 7 years. She is now working towards her MACTE Accredited Upper Elementary Montessori certification through The Center for Guided Montessori Studies. Becca is also a yoga instructor and mom to three daughters, all of whom attend ATS!
Mrs. Wohlwend has a BS degree as an Intervention Specialist, Mild-Moderate (K-12) and taught children with learning disabilities in a public school setting for 7 years. She is now working towards her MACTE Accredited Upper Elementary Montessori certification through The Center for Guided Montessori Studies. Becca is also a yoga instructor and mom to three daughters, all of whom attend ATS!
Jamie Kemp: Office Manager
Mrs. Kemp received her MBA from Rutgers University in 2010 and her Bachelors degree from University of South Carolina in 2006. She has worked for non-profit organizations, including the United Nations in NYC, as well as the financial services in London, UK. Jamie received her 200-hour yoga teacher certification and teaches classes in Medina. Jamie joined the ATS family first as a parent to her two daughters, then as a yoga storyteller to our Primary Community. She also took on the role of Lunch Teacher (to monitor Extended Day students during lunch and recess) before joining the staff full time as Office Manager.
Mrs. Kemp received her MBA from Rutgers University in 2010 and her Bachelors degree from University of South Carolina in 2006. She has worked for non-profit organizations, including the United Nations in NYC, as well as the financial services in London, UK. Jamie received her 200-hour yoga teacher certification and teaches classes in Medina. Jamie joined the ATS family first as a parent to her two daughters, then as a yoga storyteller to our Primary Community. She also took on the role of Lunch Teacher (to monitor Extended Day students during lunch and recess) before joining the staff full time as Office Manager.
