Brandy Franks
Founder / President
Elementary Directress
Brandy (Warner) Franks is a graduate of Tallmadge High School. She attended Mount Union College where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, and Plymouth State University, where she earned her master’s degree in Elementary Education with a Montessori Concentration. She holds a Primary (Preschool/Kindergarten) Montessori Education diploma from North American Montessori Center (NAMC). Brandy completed her post-graduate, master’s level Montessori certification from Mid-America Montessori Teacher Training Institute in Omaha, Nebraska, and received an AMS Elementary I (Grades 1-3) and AMS Elementary II (Grades 4-6) Certification. Brandy has worked with children in many settings including a child care facility, coaching athletics (softball, swimming and basketball), Montessori schools and The Cleveland Clinic Foundation treatment programs. She is a member of the American Montessori Society (AMS) and the North American Montessori Teacher Association (NAMTA).
Throughout Brandy’s life, she has had a passion for teaching and guiding children. Some of Brandy’s fondest memories are of her own experiences attending Montessori school as a child. The impact this had on Brandy’s life is the reason she has chosen the Montessori Method of education for her own school. Brandy continues to pursue her dream of helping children learn and grow through Absorbent Minds Montessori School. Brandy resides in Stow with her husband and four children.
Kelly Andamasaris
Administrator
Kelly (Davis) Andamasaris is a graduate of Stow-Munroe Falls High School and earned her American Montessori Society (AMS) accredited teaching credential through Mid-America Montessori Teacher Training Institute in Nebraska. She is a member of the American Montessori Society (AMS) and the North American Montessori Teacher Association (NAMTA). Kelly did not originally begin her career path with her eyes set on Montessori Education, yet the twists and turns of life opened doors and she found her calling! Kelly’s first experience with Absorbent Minds Montessori School was during its inaugural year. During that year she began to see the impact the school had on her child as well as all of the other students and their families. This impact is what led Kelly to join the administrative team of Absorbent Minds and to complete her own Montessori certification. Kelly is passionate about the Montessori approach to education. She believes we have a great responsibility to lead and guide the next generation and can achieve this by creating an environment where a child develops a passion for learning and the confidence to succeed. Kelly continues to serve the “Smarter Families” at Absorbent Minds in managing operations and administration. Kelly resides in Stow with her husband and their three children and loves to spend time with family, friends, and serve at her church.
John Kotradi
Primary Director | Science Instructor
BUCKEYE CLASSROOM
John Kotradi holds a Bachelor of Arts in Human Ecology from The Ohio State University (O-H, I-O), and an American Montessori Society (AMS) Primary (Preschool/Kindergarten) Montessori certification from Midwest Montessori Teacher Training Center in Evanston, Illinois. John’s experience with the Montessori Method of education began when his own children started school. Through watching them thrive in the environment he was inspired to get involved and become a teacher. John’s passion for influencing his students shows in everything he does. John strongly believes the Montessori environment promotes independence, self-reliance, and good statesmanship. In addition to John’s passion for the Montessori teaching philosophy, he shares his enthusiasm for science with all of the children at Absorbent Minds Montessori School. One of John’s favorite things about teaching science is exploring through experiments and seeing the children develop their own hypotheses. John resides in Akron raising his three children. Go Buckeyes!
Kelley Laney
Primary Directress
ASPEN CLASSROOM
Kelley Laney is a graduate of Cuyahoga Falls school. She attended The University of Akron where she studied Child Development and Early Childhood Education. It was during her studies at The University of Akron that Kelley fell in love with the Montessori method. Therefore, Kelley pursued her love of all things Montessori and obtained her Montessori certification through the AMI training institute in Denver, Colorado. Kelley has had a total of thirteen years experience working in a Montessori classroom as well as sixteen years applying the Montessori method with her own children. It was through her students and her work with her own children that Kelley observed the amazing opportunities and benefits that Montessori provides for the growth and development of children. She has had five years of experience as an assistant and six years as a Lead teacher running her own classroom. Kelley did take a brief sabbatical from working in the classroom after the birth of her second child before returning to the Montessori world at Absorbent Minds Montessori School. It was during her time at home that she became a Montessori Mom and applied her training to raising her own children. Kelley feels shes has gained valuable experiences having worked in both the primary and elementary classroom environments.
When she is not in the classroom teaching Kelley enjoys many hobbies. Kelley loves to spend time outdoors with her family hiking, camping, and enjoying nature. She also enjoys reading, crocheting, spending time with her large family, and volunteering at her children’s school. She currently resides in the wonderful city of Cuyahoga Falls with her husband and three children and pets.
Dawn Frantz
Elementary Directress
BIRCH CLASSROOM
Dawn Frantz is a graduate of Stow-Munroe Falls High School and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education (Pre-K – 3rd grade) at Malone University. Dawn completed her Montessori Education and earned her Elementary certificate through the University of Nebraska. She has worked with children in many settings including a childcare facility, public school systems (teacher’s aide, teacher, and intervention specialist), Montessori schools, and coaching athletics (softball, cheerleading). Dawn has a passion for teaching students and helping them grow into life-long learners.
Tonya Shaw
Primary Directress
CHERRY BLOSSOM CLASSROOM
Tonya Shaw is a graduate of Kent State University with a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education. Here she fell in love with teaching preschoolers, as well as implementing the Montessori method of teaching. In 2013, Tonya went back to school and obtained her Montessori Certification for ages 3-6 through North American Montessori Center. Tonya was a lead teacher at a Montessori preschool for six years before spending four years in administration, both within the preschool environment and a Head Start program as well. While she enjoyed this new set of challenges, her heart remained in teaching and she began the journey back to the classroom. Tonya joined the Absorbent Minds family in the fall of 2019 and felt as if she had come home. Tonya loves the Montessori method of teaching because it is individualized to the child. She strongly believes that every child is unique and wonderfully talented and that the Montessori environment assists them in discovering their passion for learning. There is nothing better than watching a child succeed and seeing the pride that they feel! Tonya resides in Kent with her husband (who is also a teacher!) and her two amazing children. She and her family love to hike and camp together, and have a goal to visit every National Park!
Support Staff Team
Sarah Padula
Administrative Assistant
Sarah Padula is a graduate of Woodridge High School. She attended Thiel College in Greenville PA, earning her bachelor’s degree in early education and special education. After graduating Sarah moved to Florida where she taught 1st and 2nd grade for three years. Sarah has moved back to Ohio to be closer to her family. Sarah loves working in the school setting and is looking forward to her new role serving the daily operations of the school and supporting the staff at AMMS.
Stephanie Appleton
Elementary Assistant Directress
BIRCH CLASSROOM
Stephanie Appleton has been an educator for over 20 years. Her roles have included classroom teacher, homeschool parent, teacher’s aide, and individual tutor. She earned her BA in Economics from the University of Toledo and her teaching credentials from Heidelberg College. She is committed to nurturing a love of learning in students and creating independent learners. Her hobbies reflect a love of the great outdoors: hiking, camping, and gardening are among her favorite things.
Angela Halmy
Primary Assistant Directress
BUCKEYE CLASSROOM
Angela has a Masters in Marketing Communication and Foreign Trade from Corvinus University in Budapest, Hungary. Later in her life, Angela found her passion for working with children in a Montessori classroom environment. She went on to obtain her Early Childhood Teacher Certificate through the Age of Montessori MACTE program. Prior to moving to Ohio summer of 2021, Angela lived in Texas for the past 10 years where she worked at a local Montessori School as a primary teacher-assistant for five of those years. Before teaching in a Montessori classroom, Angela was a stay-at-home mom, raising our four children, who all attended Montessori Schools growing up. Seeing firsthand how much it helped them thrive made her even more passionate about the Montessori method. Her favorite moment as a Montessori guide is witnessing the “point of consciousness” when children suddenly figure things out on their own. She believes children can teach us adults how to slow down and live in the moment. She loves seeing things through their eyes, their sense of wonder and discovery. In her free time, she loves to travel and has visited and lived in many countries around the world.
Erin Crum
Elementary Assistant Directress
BIRCH CLASSROOM
Erin Crum first came to Absorbent Minds Montessori as a parent, then as a substitute teacher. She brought with her a diverse background that includes extensive experience in the nonprofit world, working with the houseless population and various demographics. Although Erin did not start her career in education, she found her true calling after becoming a substitute teacher at Absorbent Minds Montessori School. Passionate about the Montessori method and education, Erin finds great joy in working with children and contributing to a dynamic classroom environment. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys spending quality time with her family and exploring the outdoors through hiking.
Angela Iovine
Primary Assistant Directress
ASPEN CLASSROOM
Kelly Brown
Primary Assistant Directress
CHERRY BLOSSOM CLASSROOM
Kelly Received her BS in Event Management from the Rosen College of Hospitality at the University of Central Florida. She fell in love with teaching when she took a position as an assistant preschool teacher after moving back to Ohio. A year later Kelly accepted the position as lead teacher and was given her own class. She spent five years teaching preschool before taking a break to go back to events and customer service. Kelly enjoys talking with people and finding out their interests, but she has a love and passion for teaching young children. She is excited to begin teaching the Montessori Method. She believes all children are unique and have different learning styles. She loves that the Montessori Method will allow a child to find their learning style. She hopes to instill a life-long love of learning in her class. When Kelly isn’t teaching, she enjoys reading, drawing, being outdoors, napping, swimming, and kayaking. She can be found practicing yoga and is certified in yoga teaching with a focus on kids’ yoga. She also volunteers in Sunday School at her local church. Kelly resides in Akron with her two cats, Cornelius (Neeley) and Poppy.
Enrichment Instructors
Lindsey Wenck
Art Instructor
William Knox
Elementary Latin Instructor
Mr. Knox is a graduate of Emory University with a Bachelor of Arts-History. He also has a Master of the Arts-Classics from the University of Georgia and J.D. Degree from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. Mr. Knox is currently a staff attorney for the Eleventh District Court of Appeals in Warren, Ohio. He is excited to bring his love of Latin and Greek to our Elementary classrooms. In his spare time, Mr. Knox enjoys reading, walking, and traveling.
Lisa Adams
Music Teacher | Elementary Piano Instructor
Lisa Adams is a teacher, singer and co-arranger of music used in the Exploring Music curriculum. Lisa has a Bachelor of Arts in music education and over 20 years of teaching experience. She has also sung professionally throughout the United States. For each of her weekly classes, Lisa selects songs and develops lessons to teach many areas of music in a way young children can both understand and enjoy. Lisa loves sharing her passion for music with children.
Master Barnick
Tae Kwon Do Instructor
Master Barnick holds a 4th degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and has been studying Martial Arts since 1998. He specializes in teaching children 2.5-5 years old and has been a Tae Kwon Do instructor for Asian Sun for over 20 years. During his career at Asian Sun, Ohio’s best Martial Arts School, ranked by number of Black Belts produced, Master Barnick has produced many black belts himself and coached National Champions. He is the General Manager and Head Instructor at Asian Sun Tallmadge. Master Barnick has a passion and gift for teaching children Tae Kwon Do. He has brought the Asian Sun program to Absorbent Minds for many years.