Our Staff
Karrin
Head of School
As Head of School at Southwest Montessori Academy, Karrin Marquell is passionate about using her God-given talents to help young children learn and grow. When SMA opened in 2013, Karrin was hired as Lead Teacher and was integral in developing SMA’s mission. She became Head of School in 2020.
A Muncie native, Karrin has a Bachelor of Science degree in business and marketing from Ball State University and previously worked in the events and hospitality industry. For the last 20 years she has dedicated her energy and passion toward Montessori Education, supporting children and families through teaching and school leadership.
In 2023, Karrin earned her American Montessori Society (AMS) credential in Montessori Leadership and Administration from Seton Montessori Institute. She also holds an AMS credential for Early Childhood, earned from the Missouri Montessori Teacher Education Program. She taught in the classroom for 16 years and has also worked in Montessori schools near St. Louis and Indianapolis. In addition, she holds a nationally recognized Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and is a Certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator and Classroom Educator.
Karrin loves spending time with her husband and daughter, kayaking, exploring nature through wooded trails, and playing with her cat and dog. She is also active in her church. She is excited and honored to carry on the mission and growth of Southwest Montessori Academy!
Julie
Administrative Assistant
Julie Turney started at SMA in 2018 and is the first friendly point-of-contact for SMA families. She plays an essential role in ensuring the smooth functioning of daily operations. Her responsibilities encompass supporting parents with tuition needs, assisting students during morning arrivals and throughout the day, and tending to teachers’ needs for various office tasks. She also helps support our aftercare program and is a key partner in supporting Karrin with the Head of School role.
Julie is originally from Huntington, IN and moved to FW in 1997 when she married her husband Darren. She has been working in a school environment since 2008. Julie has a bachelor’s degree from Fort Hays State University. Julie has two daughters one graduated from Indiana University and the other from CLHS in 2021. Her whole family loves to perform on stage at the Pulse Opera House in Warren. Julie loves being part of the SMA community!
Lisa
Lead Teacher Room 1
Lisa Magsamen is a native of Iowa City, Iowa. She has over 20 years of experience in working with young children, spending the first 14 years as a Montessori trained toddler teacher.
Her journey brought her to Indiana in 2003, right after she successfully completed her Montessori training in Infant/Toddler at the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies in Boulder, Colorado. In 2022, Lisa earned her AMS Early Childhood Associate Credential (ages 3-6) from Seton Montessori Institute in Chicago.
When she’s not immersed in the Montessori world, Lisa cherishes moments spent with her husband, family, friends, and her beloved cat. She is actively involved in her church and loves to travel aboard cruise ships.
Since joining SMA in the fall of 2016, Lisa has embraced each day with excitement and a genuine eagerness to nurture and guide her students. Her passion for education and dedication to the Montessori philosophy make her a treasured member of our school community. We are fortunate to have Lisa as part of our team, inspiring and shaping young minds every step of the way.
Miranda
Lead Teacher Room 2
Miranda Riddle joined Southwest Montessori Academy in 2018 as a Classroom Assistant, supporting both Room 1 and Room 2 over the years. She has also led our summer camp program. In 2025, Miranda was promoted to Lead Teacher, as she recently earned her Masters in Montessori Education and AMS Early Childhood Credential through The Center for Montessori Education at Trine University in Angola.
Originally from Ohio, Miranda completed her Bachelor of Science in Psychology, also at Trine University. Before joining SMA, she worked as a behavior technician in Coldwater, Michigan, specializing in Applied Behavior Analysis.
She and her partner enjoy theatre, traveling, and caring for their many pets!
Miranda is very excited to continue supporting students’ learning and growth at Southwest Montessori Academy. Her dedication to SMA makes her a valued member of our team.
Orrapan
Assistant Teacher Room 1
Orrapan “Pui” Poonthaisong Olson joined SMA as an Assistant Teacher in Room 1 in the fall of 2024, a year after first becoming part of the SMA community as a parent.
Originally from Bangkok, Thailand, Orrapan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education, specializing in English teaching, and a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from a university in Bangkok. She spent seven years working as a government teacher in junior high and high schools in Bangkok, gaining valuable experience in the education field.
In 2019, Orrapan moved to the United States, initially residing in Oahu, Hawaii, with her husband. In 2021, they relocated to Indiana to be closer to her mother-in-law. Orrapan has a son who attended SMA, and her family has an appreciation for Montessori education. This interest is shared by her husband, niece, and nephew, who all attended Montessori schools, as well as her mother-in-law, who was a teacher and director of a Montessori school. Orrapan is enthusiastic about joining the SMA team, continuing her career in education, and being around children once again.
Outside of her professional life, Orrapan has a passion for travel, learning about new cultures, and exploring different cuisines. She enjoys cooking, fruit carving, creating 3D jelly art, DIY handcrafts, painting, gardening, and teaching English online.
Orrapan looks forward to another year of bringing her skills and enthusiasm to her role at SMA and supporting the school community.
MacKenzie
Assistant Teacher Room 2
Sarah
Extra Care Teacher
Check back for her full bio soon!
Vyju
Founder
Vyju Kadambi is the Founder of Southwest Montessori Academy. Her journey began as a parent, witnessing the remarkable growth of her daughter during her early years in school. Inspired by the Montessori approach, Vyju enrolled in a teacher training program, which eventually led her to the unexpected role of director at a Montessori school. This experience became a turning point in her life, guiding her towards the founding of Southwest Montessori Academy (SMA).
Recognizing the need for a Montessori school in the southwest region of Fort Wayne, Vyju, with the support of her husband, established SMA in 2013. Through seven years of dedicated efforts, the school flourished under her guidance, reaching its full capacity and fostering a committed board and staff who could continue the school’s mission even without her as Head of School. Vyju continues her work at SMA as a board member.
In 2021, Vyju’s passion for Montessori education for all children guided her into working for Montessori Public Policy Initiative. The organization is focused removing policy barriers to the full implementation of Montessori and increasing access of Montessori education to all families regardless of economic abilities.
Vyju Kadambi’s unwavering commitment to Montessori education and her tireless efforts in establishing and nurturing Southwest Montessori Academy have made her a respected figure in the field. Her journey continues to shape the lives of children and advocate for the principles of the Montessori philosophy.
