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Our Faculty and Staff
Patty Normile, Principal
- B.S., College of Professional Studies, Xavier University
- M.Ed., Montessori, Xavier University
- American Montessori Society Elementary I & II Certification, Xavier University
- 34th year at Mercy Montessori
Krista Taylor, Assistant Principal
- B.A. History, Kenyon College
- M.Ed Wheelock College
- American Montessori Society Credential Secondary I and II (CMStep)
- State of Ohio Teaching Licensure Education of the Handicapped K-12
- State of Ohio Teaching Licensure Elementary Education 1-8
- 6th year at Mercy Montessori
Christine Byrnes, Business Manager
- B.A., Sociology, Miami University
- 13th year at Mercy Montessori
Amanda Grimm, Admissions Director
- Associates in Secondary Education, University of Cincinnati
- 16th year at Mercy Montessori
Gretchen Hooker, Director of Communications
- B.A. Mass Communication, Miami University
- 11th year at Mercy Montessori
Dee Watson, Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
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B.S., Adolescent Young Adult Education, Wright State University
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M.A., Community and Cultural Wellness, American College of Education
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State of Ohio Teaching Licensure: English Language Arts, 4-9
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3rd year at Mercy Montessori
Kristin Weiss, Director of Advancement
- B.S. Business Administration, Washington University in St. Louis
- 7th year at Mercy Montessori
Victoria Barraclough, 3-6 Assistant
vbarraclough@mercymontessori.org
- BSc in Archaeological Sciences, University of Bradford, U.K.
- MSc in Forensic Investigation, University of Teesside, U.K.
- PGCert in Learning & Teaching in HE, London Metropolitan University, U.K.
- Montessori Early Childhood Assistant Teacher Credential, Center for Guided Montessori Studies
- 2nd year at Mercy Montessori
Jodie Denney, 3-6 Directress
- B.S., Xavier University
- M.Ed., Xavier University
- Cincinnati Montessori Board Member
- American Montessori Society Pre-Primary Certification, Xavier University
- Reading Endorsement K-5th, Mercy Montessori
- 15th year at Mercy Montessori
- Mercy Montessori Class of 1995 (6th Grade)
Diane Fee, 3-6 Directress
- B.A. in Education, Wittenberg University
- M.Ed., Montessori, Xavier University
- American Montessori Society Elementary Certification, Xavier University
- 18th year at Mercy Montessori
Carolyn McDonald, 3-6 Directress
- B.S., Montessori Education, Xavier University
- 4th year at Mercy Montessori
Greta Nelson, 3-6 Assistant
- B.A. in Psychology, Fine Arts Minor, Ohio Wesleyan University
- 3-6 Montessori Assistant Certificate, Montessori Teachers College
- 2nd year at Mercy Montessori
Christy Vonderschmidt, 3-6 Directress
cvonderschmidt@mercymontessori.org
- B.S., Montessori Education, Xavier University
- M. ED., in progress, Mt. Saint Joseph
- IWBMC-CE Certification
- 10th year at Mercy Montessori
Amanda Weise, 3-6 Assistant
- B.A., Communication, University of Dayton
- 3-6 Montessori Credential, Greater Cincinnati Center for Montessori Education
- 10th year at Mercy Montessori
Amanda Buncher, 6-9 Directress
- B.S., Early Childhood Education, University of Cincinnati
- M.Ed., Special Education K-12, with Middle Childhood Generalist and Teaching English as a Second Language endorsements, University of Cincinnati
- PhD, Educational Studies: Special Education, with Assessment and Evaluation certification, University of Cincinnati
- 2nd year at Mercy Montessori
Bryan Cobble, 6-9 Director
- B.S., Northern Kentucky University
- M.Ed., Montessori, Xavier University
- American Montessori Society Elementary I Certification, Xavier University
- 9th year at Mercy Montessori
Susan Flaspohler, 6-9 Directress
sflaspohler@mercymontessori.org
- B.S., Montessori, Xavier University
- M.Ed., Reading, Xavier University
- American Montessori Society Elementary I Certification, Xavier University
- Reading Endorsement K-12, Xavier University
- Cincinnati Montessori Society Executive Board Member
- 24th year at Mercy Montessori
Heidi Larson, 6-9 Directress
- B.S., Child Development, University of Minnesota
- M.Ed., Montessori, Xavier University
- Ohio PK -3rd Grade Certification
- American Montessori Society Elementary I Certification, Xavier University
- 16th year at Mercy Montessori
Onnie Middendorf, 6-9 Directress
omiddendorf@mercymontessori.org
- B.S., Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Cincinnati
- M.A., Speech-Language Pathology, University of Cincinnati
- CCC-SLP, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
- Speech-Language Pathologist License, Ohio Speech and Hearing Professionals Board
- M.Ed., Montessori, XU
- American Montessori Society Elementary | Certification, XU
- Mercy Montessori Class of 2009
- 3rd year at Mercy Montessori
Ellie Normile, 6-9 Directress
- B.S. in Psychology, Capella University 2024
- American Montessori Society Elementary I Credential, WSMS-TEP 2024
- 9th year at Mercy Montessori
- Mercy Montessori Class of 2014
Ben Dean, 9-12 Director
- BS, The Evergreen State College
- M.Ed., Montessori, Xavier University
- American Montessori Society Elementary I & II Certification, Xavier University
- 3rd year at Mercy Montessori
Marybeth Flaspohler, 9-12 Directress
mbflaspohler@mercymontessori.org
- B.A., English, University of Wisconsin, Madison
- M.Ed., Montessori, Xavier University
- Ohio K-8 Certification/License
- American Montessori Society Elementary I & II Certification, Xavier University
- 31st year at Mercy Montessori
Steve Hartman, 9-12 Director
- B.S., Health & Science University of Cincinnati
- American Montessori Society Elementary II Certification, Xavier University
- Certified Catechesis, Archdiocese of Cincinnati
- 38th year at Mercy Montessori
Mary McManus, 9-12 Directress
- B.A., English, The Ohio State University
- M.A.T., English Education, Boston University
- 5th year at Mercy Montessori
Chelsea Milligan, 9-12 Directress
- B.A. in Psychology and Italian Studies, Miami University (Ohio)
- M.Ed., Montessori Education, Xavier University
- American Montessori Society Elementary I & II Certification, Xavier University
- Ohio P-3 Certification/Licensure
- 2nd year at Mercy Montessori
Mary Ann Zerhusen, 9-12 Directress
- B.S., Psychology, University of Cincinnati
- M.Ed., Secondary Education, Xavier University
- Certified Secondary Mathematics (7-12)
- 11th year at Mercy Montessori
Libby Cherrington, Junior High Directress
lcherrington@mercymontessori.org
- B.S., Elementary Education, Boston University
- M.Ed., Montessori, Xavier University
- American Montessori Society Elementary I & II Certification, Xavier University
- Secondary I & II American Montessori Society certification, CMSTEP
- Elementary Education K-8
- Joined Mercy in 2010
- Mercy Montessori Class of 1994
Anna Jowaisas, Erdkinder Co-Directress
- B.S. in Environmental Science, University of Cincinnati
- Joined Mercy in 2021
Keith Kaiser, Junior High Director
- B.S., Mathematics, Xavier University
- 7-12 Math, Physics Certification, Xavier University
- Joined Mercy in 1987
Lindsey Marck, Junior High Directress
- B.A., English, Hanover College
- MEd, Secondary Education, Xavier University
- Secondary I & II American Montessori Society certification, CMSTEP
- Joined Mercy in 2013
Elizabeth Pille, Junior High Directress
- B.S., Montessori Education, Xavier University
- Secondary I & II American Montessori Society certification, CMSTEP
- American Montessori Society Elementary I Certification.
- Certified Catechist, Archdiocese of Cincinnati
- Joined Mercy in 2013
- Mercy Montessori Class of 2006
Jocelyn Welch, Erdkinder / Farmessori Directress
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B.S., Vertebrate Natural History & Conservation, University of Georgia
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B.F.A, Ceramic Art, University of Georgia
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M.A.T., Zoology/Art’s Role in Environmental Education, Miami University
- Secondary I & II American Montessori Society Certification, CMSTEP
- Joined Mercy in 2017
Jennifer Duncan, K-3 Religion
- B.S., Elementary Education, Miami University
- Advanced Certified Catechist, Archdiocese of Cincinnati
- Certified Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Level 1
- 20th year at Mercy Montessori
Elaine Lynch, Art Directress
- B.A., George Mason University
- M.F.A., New Mexico State University
- Joined Mercy in 2014
Sarah McCoy, 1st-8th Level Music Directress
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BA, Music, Centre College
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MEd, Secondary Education, Xavier University
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Orff-Schulwerk certification I, II, and III, University of Nevada in Las Vegas
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Music Together teacher training
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4nd year at Mercy Montessori
Ben Middendorf- Gym, Swim, and Athletic Director
bmiddendorf@mercymontessori.org
- B.S. History, Political Science, and Theology at Xavier University, Spring 2023
- CPR, First Aid, and Safe Swim certified
- Mercy Montessori Class of 2012
- 7th year at Mercy Montessori
Jessica Morris- Spanish Directress
- B.A. Spanish, University of Cincinnati
- M.A. Spanish Pedagogy, University of Cincinnati
- 9th year at Mercy Montessori
Lissa Ray, Preschool Music Directress
- BS, Western Michigan University
- M.Ed. Education, Indiana University
- Orff-Schulwerk Certification Levels I, II, III, Curriculum, and Master classes
- Certified Education Through Movement Teacher
- 8th year at Mercy
Lynn Smythe, Librarian and Upper El Technology
- B.A., Elementary Education 1-8, BGSU
- 12th year at Mercy Montessori
Ragini Dorai, 3-6 Childcare
- American Montessori Society Early Childhood Certification, Seton Montessori Teacher Training Institute
- Bachelor of Science (Electronics), India
- Diploma in Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE), India
Ke’Asia Hatcher, 3-6 Childcare
- BFA Photography, Art Academy of Cincinnati
- 2nd year at Mercy Montessori
Laura Hughes, Childcare Directress
- BS Social Work, University of Cincinnati
- Xavier Montessori Training
- First Aid, CPR Trained
- 7th Year at Mercy Montessori
Amy Elfers – Auxiliary Clerk
- B.S., Elementary Education, University of Cincinnati
- B.A., Communication, University of Cincinnati
- 7th year at Mercy Montessori
Julie Franke, Speech and Language
- B.A. Speech and Hearing Therapy K-12, Mt. St. Joseph
- M.S. Speech Pathology, University of Louisville
- Clinical Competence Certification from American Sp and Hearing Ass
- Ohio License in Speech Pathology
- Professional Teaching Certification, K-12, State of Ohio
- 12th Year at Mercy Montessori
Mary Gaffey, Intervention Specialist & Jon Peterson Scholarship Coordinator
- B.S. College of Middle Childhood Education, University of Dayton
- M. Ed., Intervention Specialist, Xavier University
- Junior High teacher for 5 years
- Jon Peterson Scholarship Coordinator for 2 years
- Stay at home mom for 12 years
- Lads and Lassies Preschool co-teacher for 2 years
- Joined Mercy in 2011
Tara Litmer, Intervention Specialist & Jon Peterson Scholarship Coordinator
- B.S., Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Cincinnati
- M.Ed., Special Education, University of Cincinnati
- State of Ohio Teaching Licensure – Education of the Handicapped (K-12)
- 3rd year at Mercy Montessori
Anne McDonald, School Psychologist
- B.A., College of Arts and Sciences, University of Kentucky
- Ed. S., Miami University
- 21st year in Cincinnati Public Schools (six years spent working in both public and nonpublic schools)
- Joined Mercy in 2024
Christine Schneider, School Nurse
cschneider@mercymontessori.org
- R.N, B.S.N, University of Cincinnati, School of Nursing
- 9th year at Mercy Montessori
Kathy Schriewer
- Bio coming soon!
Amy Scull, School Receptionist
- A.S., Sullivan University
- 12th year at Mercy Montessori
Allyse Sonnega – Intervention Specialist & Jon Peterson Scholarship Coordinator
- American Montessori Society Credential Secondary I & II, CMStep
- Intervention Specialist License (K-12 mild-moderate), University of Cincinnati
- M.S. Early Childhood Education, Old Dominion University
- Early Childhood (PK-3) Teaching License
- B.S. Parks & Recreation Management, Northern Arizona University
- 6th year at Mercy Montessori
Carrie Wendel – Title I Reading Specialist
- B.A. in Social Work University of Cincinnati
- Masters in Early Childhood education with Reading Endorsement Mt. Saint Joseph
- 7th year at Mercy Montessori
