The true strength of Jane's Montessori Academy lies in our incredible faculty.
Each member has her bachelor's degree, and each has come from different
educational and professional backgrounds. We believe your child will be the
beneficiary of this diverse base of knowledge and experience. We are extremely
proud to call them our own:
Each member has her bachelor's degree, and each has come from different
educational and professional backgrounds. We believe your child will be the
beneficiary of this diverse base of knowledge and experience. We are extremely
proud to call them our own:
Ms. Tammy -- Principal
Tammy Chabria, owner and principal, is a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University with a degree in
zoology. Ms. Tammy was an assistant teacher at Ohio Wesleyan’s Early Childhood Center, a traditional
preschool, for four years, as well as a lead pre-Kindergarten teacher at a local Columbus pre-school for
five years. She has also taught in the field of informal education at COSI and at the Columbus Zoo and
Aquarium for a combined seven years. Before opening Jane’s Montessori Academy, Ms. Tammy
broadened her education experience by writing and editing life science and biology textbooks at
Glencoe/McGraw-Hill. There she gained valuable knowledge of various teaching methods.
Born in Lancaster, Ohio, Ms. Tammy moved to Columbus upon graduating from Ohio Wesleyan. She
blogs about the Montessori method at The Montessori Advisor. Ms. Tammy is a member of the National
Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the Association Montessori
Internationale (AMI). She is an active volunteer for the Ohio Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. She
also practices yoga, plays tennis, and enjoys Irish step dancing in her spare time. Tammy and Jai Chabria
enjoy traveling, scuba diving, and rooting for the Columbus Blue Jackets. They make their home in
Powell, Ohio with their daughter, Arya (scheduled to graduate from Jane's Montessori Academy in 2013).
Miss Julie -- Children's House Directress
Miss Julie was born and raised in Lancaster, Ohio. She is a graduate of Ohio University with a
bachelor's degree in Psychology. While attending Ohio University, she tutored socially and
academically at-risk elementary children for two years in an after-school program. Upon her graduation,
she worked at Community Action as a summer youth counselor. At the end of that program she was
employed by New Horizons Youth and Family Center, a counseling center for severely mentally disabled
individuals in Fairfield County. There she worked as a case manager for four years.
Miss Julie still resides in Lancaster and is the mother of twin daughters, Cameron and Brooklyn. In her
spare time she enjoys outdoor activities, such as hiking and camping, golfing, and spending time with
family and friends.
Miss Christina -- Kindergarten Teacher
Miss Christina graduated from Bowling Green State University with a bachelor's degree in Early
Childhood Education. After graduation she moved to Columbus and substitute taught in several
districts throughout Columbus. Miss Christina is excited to be at Jane’s Montessori Academy and is
looking forward to working with the students throughout the school year. She plans on furthering her
education by getting her Masters in Special Education.
In her spare time she enjoys being outside, playing soccer, fishing, watching the Bengals, reading and
watching movies.
Ms. Megan -- Children's House Directress
Ms. Megan recently graduated with honors from The Ohio State University with a bachelor's degree in
English. Although certain she would ultimately become a teacher, she was unsure with which age group
she would ultimately work. In her junior year, Ms. Megan spent six months providing care for her
newborn niece, Kayci. This experience propelled her in the direction of early childhood— and Jane’s
Montessori Academy. During the 2007-08 school year, Ms. Megan worked at the academy as a
substitute teacher while she completed her bachelor’s degree. Now, she is immensely excited to have the
opportunity to teach full-time in the coming years.
Though predominantly someone who believes in resource conservation, Ms. Megan will brave high
gas prices if it means a good road trip. Together with her husband, she has driven to New York City and
Southern California several times, San Francisco, Ocracoke Island, Savannah, Chicago and many places
in between. The Road is not only the title of one of her favorite books, but is also the perfect place to
exercise her passions—spending time with people she loves, reading, taking pictures, and listening to
great music.
Mr. Mat -- Assistant Teacher
Mr. Mat has always been surrounded by children. He grew up with 3 younger brothers and 37 younger
cousins. He studied theater at The Ohio State University where he was a member of two professional
children's theater troupes: Griffin's Tale and The Giggle Factory. He was a lead counselor for four years
at Camp Waziyatah in southern Maine. For the past 10 years, he has volunteered his time as the
Expressive Arts director for Camp Sunrise, a therapeutic summer camp for children impacted by
HIV/AIDS. He served two of those years on the camp's board of directors. For the nearly 11 years, prior
to joining the Jane's Montessori Academy faculty, Mr. Mat was a faculty leader at COSI Columbus, one
of the nation's largest science centers.
Mr. Mat is currently involved with Columbus Children's Theatre, where he enjoys making funny faces
and talking in strange voices. He spends much of his free time with his three nifty nieces (Ivy, Ayla, and
Skyler) and his two notorious nephews (Breyden and Trent). Mr. Mat believes that EVERY child is a
genius and deserves to have passionate and dedicated adults helping them realize their brilliance. He
hopes to inspire awe and wonder in his students.
Miss April -- Young Children's Directress
Bio Coming Soon!
Ms. Jocelyn -- Young Children's Directress
Ms. Joceyln was born in the Philippines, an archipelago of 7,107 islands. After attending the University
of the Visayas, a Liberal Arts institution, she spent most of her time working in the Asilo de la Milagrosa
-- a church and mission complex with a school, care for the elderly, and an orphanage. Ms. Jocelyn grew
her passion for caring for younger children while working in the orphanage.
Ms. Jocelyn got married and moved to the United States and has been raising her two young sons,
Christian and Jonathan, for the past 11 years. Ms. Jocelyn is very excited about working with Jane's
Montessori Academy. Every weekend Jocelyn and her family like to hike, camp, fish or boat around the
Ohio. The family is always looking for a clear night sky for star gazing.
Ms. Cathi -- Assistant Directress of the Nest
Ms. Cathi graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood
Education. After graduation she taught preschool at the Columbus Crippled Children Center, which has
since been renamed The Easter Seal Society. She enjoyed working with the special needs of these
children and their families.
After her first son was born her interest turned into being a full time mom as she enjoyed raising her
three children. During their childhood years she was very connected to the schools they were attending,
volunteering for everything possible to help with classroom, sports and social activities.
Her outside interests have always included some kind of art or craft, which she made for both donation
and as a part time business venture. She is a dedicated dog lover, and now has 4 Chihuahuas who greet
her when she comes home every day. She also enjoys watching and cheering on the Ohio State
Buckeyes (football and basketball).
Spending time with her children is of most importance. Her daughter and youngest son live in Los
Angeles and her eldest son and daughter-in-law live in Columbus. Now that her children are grown, Ms.
Cathi has found it a real delight to enter back into the world of teaching and spending time with the
students at Jane’s Montessori Academy.
Tammy Chabria, owner and principal, is a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University with a degree in
zoology. Ms. Tammy was an assistant teacher at Ohio Wesleyan’s Early Childhood Center, a traditional
preschool, for four years, as well as a lead pre-Kindergarten teacher at a local Columbus pre-school for
five years. She has also taught in the field of informal education at COSI and at the Columbus Zoo and
Aquarium for a combined seven years. Before opening Jane’s Montessori Academy, Ms. Tammy
broadened her education experience by writing and editing life science and biology textbooks at
Glencoe/McGraw-Hill. There she gained valuable knowledge of various teaching methods.
Born in Lancaster, Ohio, Ms. Tammy moved to Columbus upon graduating from Ohio Wesleyan. She
blogs about the Montessori method at The Montessori Advisor. Ms. Tammy is a member of the National
Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the Association Montessori
Internationale (AMI). She is an active volunteer for the Ohio Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. She
also practices yoga, plays tennis, and enjoys Irish step dancing in her spare time. Tammy and Jai Chabria
enjoy traveling, scuba diving, and rooting for the Columbus Blue Jackets. They make their home in
Powell, Ohio with their daughter, Arya (scheduled to graduate from Jane's Montessori Academy in 2013).
Miss Julie -- Children's House Directress
Miss Julie was born and raised in Lancaster, Ohio. She is a graduate of Ohio University with a
bachelor's degree in Psychology. While attending Ohio University, she tutored socially and
academically at-risk elementary children for two years in an after-school program. Upon her graduation,
she worked at Community Action as a summer youth counselor. At the end of that program she was
employed by New Horizons Youth and Family Center, a counseling center for severely mentally disabled
individuals in Fairfield County. There she worked as a case manager for four years.
Miss Julie still resides in Lancaster and is the mother of twin daughters, Cameron and Brooklyn. In her
spare time she enjoys outdoor activities, such as hiking and camping, golfing, and spending time with
family and friends.
Miss Christina -- Kindergarten Teacher
Miss Christina graduated from Bowling Green State University with a bachelor's degree in Early
Childhood Education. After graduation she moved to Columbus and substitute taught in several
districts throughout Columbus. Miss Christina is excited to be at Jane’s Montessori Academy and is
looking forward to working with the students throughout the school year. She plans on furthering her
education by getting her Masters in Special Education.
In her spare time she enjoys being outside, playing soccer, fishing, watching the Bengals, reading and
watching movies.
Ms. Megan -- Children's House Directress
Ms. Megan recently graduated with honors from The Ohio State University with a bachelor's degree in
English. Although certain she would ultimately become a teacher, she was unsure with which age group
she would ultimately work. In her junior year, Ms. Megan spent six months providing care for her
newborn niece, Kayci. This experience propelled her in the direction of early childhood— and Jane’s
Montessori Academy. During the 2007-08 school year, Ms. Megan worked at the academy as a
substitute teacher while she completed her bachelor’s degree. Now, she is immensely excited to have the
opportunity to teach full-time in the coming years.
Though predominantly someone who believes in resource conservation, Ms. Megan will brave high
gas prices if it means a good road trip. Together with her husband, she has driven to New York City and
Southern California several times, San Francisco, Ocracoke Island, Savannah, Chicago and many places
in between. The Road is not only the title of one of her favorite books, but is also the perfect place to
exercise her passions—spending time with people she loves, reading, taking pictures, and listening to
great music.
Mr. Mat -- Assistant Teacher
Mr. Mat has always been surrounded by children. He grew up with 3 younger brothers and 37 younger
cousins. He studied theater at The Ohio State University where he was a member of two professional
children's theater troupes: Griffin's Tale and The Giggle Factory. He was a lead counselor for four years
at Camp Waziyatah in southern Maine. For the past 10 years, he has volunteered his time as the
Expressive Arts director for Camp Sunrise, a therapeutic summer camp for children impacted by
HIV/AIDS. He served two of those years on the camp's board of directors. For the nearly 11 years, prior
to joining the Jane's Montessori Academy faculty, Mr. Mat was a faculty leader at COSI Columbus, one
of the nation's largest science centers.
Mr. Mat is currently involved with Columbus Children's Theatre, where he enjoys making funny faces
and talking in strange voices. He spends much of his free time with his three nifty nieces (Ivy, Ayla, and
Skyler) and his two notorious nephews (Breyden and Trent). Mr. Mat believes that EVERY child is a
genius and deserves to have passionate and dedicated adults helping them realize their brilliance. He
hopes to inspire awe and wonder in his students.
Miss April -- Young Children's Directress
Bio Coming Soon!
Ms. Jocelyn -- Young Children's Directress
Ms. Joceyln was born in the Philippines, an archipelago of 7,107 islands. After attending the University
of the Visayas, a Liberal Arts institution, she spent most of her time working in the Asilo de la Milagrosa
-- a church and mission complex with a school, care for the elderly, and an orphanage. Ms. Jocelyn grew
her passion for caring for younger children while working in the orphanage.
Ms. Jocelyn got married and moved to the United States and has been raising her two young sons,
Christian and Jonathan, for the past 11 years. Ms. Jocelyn is very excited about working with Jane's
Montessori Academy. Every weekend Jocelyn and her family like to hike, camp, fish or boat around the
Ohio. The family is always looking for a clear night sky for star gazing.
Ms. Cathi -- Assistant Directress of the Nest
Ms. Cathi graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood
Education. After graduation she taught preschool at the Columbus Crippled Children Center, which has
since been renamed The Easter Seal Society. She enjoyed working with the special needs of these
children and their families.
After her first son was born her interest turned into being a full time mom as she enjoyed raising her
three children. During their childhood years she was very connected to the schools they were attending,
volunteering for everything possible to help with classroom, sports and social activities.
Her outside interests have always included some kind of art or craft, which she made for both donation
and as a part time business venture. She is a dedicated dog lover, and now has 4 Chihuahuas who greet
her when she comes home every day. She also enjoys watching and cheering on the Ohio State
Buckeyes (football and basketball).
Spending time with her children is of most importance. Her daughter and youngest son live in Los
Angeles and her eldest son and daughter-in-law live in Columbus. Now that her children are grown, Ms.
Cathi has found it a real delight to enter back into the world of teaching and spending time with the
students at Jane’s Montessori Academy.
| Jai and Tammy Chabria in the Galapagos Islands |
| Miss Christina with a BIG bass she caught! |
"Our aim is not only to make the child understand, and still less to
force him to memorize, but so to touch his imagination as to enthuse
him to his innermost core."
~ Dr. Maria Montessori
force him to memorize, but so to touch his imagination as to enthuse
him to his innermost core."
~ Dr. Maria Montessori
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| Jane's Montessori Academy 1375 Francisco Road Columbus, Ohio 43220 (614) 457-6404 Contact@janesacademy.com |
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| Jane's Montessori Academy Faculty |
| Ms. Cathi |
| Ms. Megan |
| Miss Julie |
| Ms. Jocelyn with her two sons |