Our Team
Melissa Brubaker: Head of School and Primary Lead Teacher
Melissa Brubaker is a dedicated Montessori educator and leader with over 35 years of experience in a variety of Montessori environments. Mrs. Brubaker holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Otterbein University and a Primary Montessori credential from the American Montessori Society. In 2024, she earned a Montessori School Leadership Certification from the Center for Guided Montessori Studies, an internationally recognized organization. Mrs. Brubaker has dedicated her career to supporting students, families, and fellow educators in embracing the Montessori philosophy. When not at ATS, she enjoys hiking—especially in the Rockies—reading, crafting, and spending time with her husband, three adult sons, two dogs, and two cats.
Melissa Brubaker is a dedicated Montessori educator and leader with over 35 years of experience in a variety of Montessori environments. Mrs. Brubaker holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Otterbein University and a Primary Montessori credential from the American Montessori Society. In 2024, she earned a Montessori School Leadership Certification from the Center for Guided Montessori Studies, an internationally recognized organization. Mrs. Brubaker has dedicated her career to supporting students, families, and fellow educators in embracing the Montessori philosophy. When not at ATS, she enjoys hiking—especially in the Rockies—reading, crafting, and spending time with her husband, three adult sons, two dogs, and two cats.
Kari Cusick: Elementary Lead Teacher
Kari Cusick holds both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from California State University, Chico. She was introduced to Montessori education when her youngest of three children, now a high school student, attended Around the Sun for preschool. She has advocated for the ATS program since that time. Miss Kari most recently worked with children aged 0 to 12 as a lead teacher at Kids Country Day School. She is enthusiastic about her Montessori certification training process through The Center for Guided Montessori Studies and about learning from the experienced Montessori teachers at Around the Sun and in the CGMS network. In her spare time, Kari enjoys hiking, yoga, and playing soccer in local adult leagues.
Kari Cusick holds both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from California State University, Chico. She was introduced to Montessori education when her youngest of three children, now a high school student, attended Around the Sun for preschool. She has advocated for the ATS program since that time. Miss Kari most recently worked with children aged 0 to 12 as a lead teacher at Kids Country Day School. She is enthusiastic about her Montessori certification training process through The Center for Guided Montessori Studies and about learning from the experienced Montessori teachers at Around the Sun and in the CGMS network. In her spare time, Kari enjoys hiking, yoga, and playing soccer in local adult leagues.
Shawn Hummel: Elementary Assistant Teacher
Shawn Hummel brings a nearly lifelong passion for Montessori education to the elementary program at Around the Sun. Miss Shawn was a student at Montessori Children's House in the suburbs of Chicago and earned a bachelor's degree in fine arts. In 1996, she moved to Italy to train at the Centro Internazionale Studi Montessoriani as a Montessori guide for children ages 6 through 12. She has since taught children ages 6 to 12, 12 to 15, and 3 to 6 using the Montessori method, as well as training future Montessori elementary teachers in art. Miss Shawn and her husband live in Ashland with their teenage daughter.
Shawn Hummel brings a nearly lifelong passion for Montessori education to the elementary program at Around the Sun. Miss Shawn was a student at Montessori Children's House in the suburbs of Chicago and earned a bachelor's degree in fine arts. In 1996, she moved to Italy to train at the Centro Internazionale Studi Montessoriani as a Montessori guide for children ages 6 through 12. She has since taught children ages 6 to 12, 12 to 15, and 3 to 6 using the Montessori method, as well as training future Montessori elementary teachers in art. Miss Shawn and her husband live in Ashland with their teenage daughter.
Lydia Appleton: Assistant Primary School Teacher
Ms. Lydia has a varied teaching background, including swim lessons, lifeguard and first aid/CPR classes, as well as experience as a cake decorator. She completed her assistant Montessori teacher training through Trillium Montessori and is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in early childhood education with a focus on nature-based learning at the University of Cincinnati. In her free time, she enjoys rock climbing, hiking, backpacking, gardening, traveling to South and Central America, and working to improve her Spanish.
Ms. Lydia has a varied teaching background, including swim lessons, lifeguard and first aid/CPR classes, as well as experience as a cake decorator. She completed her assistant Montessori teacher training through Trillium Montessori and is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in early childhood education with a focus on nature-based learning at the University of Cincinnati. In her free time, she enjoys rock climbing, hiking, backpacking, gardening, traveling to South and Central America, and working to improve her Spanish.
Anita Podojil: Primary School Teacher
Mrs. Podojil has a degree in Communications from Clarion University and has always loved working with kids—especially those with special needs. Before joining the Montessori world, she worked at the Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities, where she gained valuable experience supporting children in a variety of ways. She’s also a proud mom of three boys, two of whom have been part of the Around the Sun Montessori community (with one now heading into the elementary program). Her connection as both a parent and a teacher gives her a unique perspective and strong passion for creating a warm, supportive classroom environment. Outside of school, you’ll likely find her with a book in hand, camping with her family, hitting ATV trails, or cheering loudly from the sidelines at her boys’ sporting events.
Mrs. Podojil has a degree in Communications from Clarion University and has always loved working with kids—especially those with special needs. Before joining the Montessori world, she worked at the Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities, where she gained valuable experience supporting children in a variety of ways. She’s also a proud mom of three boys, two of whom have been part of the Around the Sun Montessori community (with one now heading into the elementary program). Her connection as both a parent and a teacher gives her a unique perspective and strong passion for creating a warm, supportive classroom environment. Outside of school, you’ll likely find her with a book in hand, camping with her family, hitting ATV trails, or cheering loudly from the sidelines at her boys’ sporting events.
Marissa Shamp: Primary School Teacher
Mrs. Shamp is a Northeast Ohio native who earned degrees in business from Kent (BBA) and Ashland (MBA). Marissa worked for The J.M. Smucker Company for twelve years as a brand manager before starting her family. When searching for education avenues for her oldest, she came across Around the Sun Montessori and learned all she could about the Montessori philosophy. She has done training and shadowing at Around the Sun and will complete the assistant Montessori teacher course through Trillium Montessori. Her youngest will be attending Around the Sun this fall. In her spare time, Marissa enjoys creating art, gardening, and exploring new places with her family.
Mrs. Shamp is a Northeast Ohio native who earned degrees in business from Kent (BBA) and Ashland (MBA). Marissa worked for The J.M. Smucker Company for twelve years as a brand manager before starting her family. When searching for education avenues for her oldest, she came across Around the Sun Montessori and learned all she could about the Montessori philosophy. She has done training and shadowing at Around the Sun and will complete the assistant Montessori teacher course through Trillium Montessori. Her youngest will be attending Around the Sun this fall. In her spare time, Marissa enjoys creating art, gardening, and exploring new places with her family.
Emily Varner: Office Manager
Mrs. Varner studied both music education and religion as an undergraduate, and she holds an MA in religion and ancient languages, history, and culture. She has worked in the academic publishing industry full-time or part-time since 2002. As a homeschooling parent to her now college-age daughter from 2015-2023, she rediscovered the Montessori philosophy when considering options for her son, now an elementary student entering his sixth year at Around the Sun.
Mrs. Varner studied both music education and religion as an undergraduate, and she holds an MA in religion and ancient languages, history, and culture. She has worked in the academic publishing industry full-time or part-time since 2002. As a homeschooling parent to her now college-age daughter from 2015-2023, she rediscovered the Montessori philosophy when considering options for her son, now an elementary student entering his sixth year at Around the Sun.
