Our Team
Melissa Brubaker: Owner, Co-Founder 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 twenty-five years of experience in various Montessori environments. Melissa is mom to three 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 twenty-five years of experience in various Montessori environments. Melissa is mom to three boys, all of whom attended Montessori schools.
Andrew Towne: Lower Elementary Lead Teacher
Mr. Towne has a degree in marketing with a concentration in copywriting from Columbia College Chicago. He completed 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 completed 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. Additionally, she has a 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 have attended or still 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. Additionally, she has a 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 have attended or still attend ATS!
Cami Amory: Primary School Teacher
Mrs. Amory is a graduate of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. While studying computer information systems at Robert Morris College in Pittsburgh, Mrs. Amory moved to support her husband's career in South Carolina and raise their two boys. Their family lived in South Carolina and in the Pittsburgh area before relocating to Medina in 2019. Mrs. Amory is in her sixth year of working in a preschool and has completed the Montessori Fundamentals training through the Center for Guided Montessori Studies.
Mrs. Amory is a graduate of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. While studying computer information systems at Robert Morris College in Pittsburgh, Mrs. Amory moved to support her husband's career in South Carolina and raise their two boys. Their family lived in South Carolina and in the Pittsburgh area before relocating to Medina in 2019. Mrs. Amory is in her sixth year of working in a preschool and has completed the Montessori Fundamentals training through the Center for Guided Montessori Studies.
Lydia Appleton: Assistant Primary School Teacher
Ms. Lydia has taught in several different settings including swim lessons, lifeguard trainings, and first aid/CPR courses. She most recently worked as a cake decorator before coming to ATS and completing the assistant Montessori teacher course through Trillium Montessori. Ms. Lydia's mother is also a Montessori teacher!
Ms. Lydia has taught in several different settings including swim lessons, lifeguard trainings, and first aid/CPR courses. She most recently worked as a cake decorator before coming to ATS and completing the assistant Montessori teacher course through Trillium Montessori. Ms. Lydia's mother is also a Montessori teacher!
Emily Varner: Office Staff (Enrollment and Communications)
Mrs. Varner holds both a BA and MA in religion and ancient languages, history, and culture. She worked in the academic publishing industry full-time or part-time for the past 20 years. As a homeschooling parent to her high-school-age daughter since 2015, she discovered Montessori philosophy when considering options for her younger son, now in his fourth year at Around the Sun.
Mrs. Varner holds both a BA and MA in religion and ancient languages, history, and culture. She worked in the academic publishing industry full-time or part-time for the past 20 years. As a homeschooling parent to her high-school-age daughter since 2015, she discovered Montessori philosophy when considering options for her younger son, now in his fourth year at Around the Sun.
