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.
Karrin recently completed her training to earn an AMS credential in Montessori Leadership and Administration from Seton Montessori Institute. She also holds an American Montessori Society (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, playing with her cat and dog, and is active in her church. She is excited and honored to carry on the mission and growth of Southwest Montessori Academy!
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 21 years ago, 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.
Leticía de Oliveira Tenório is joining SMA this year as the Lead Teacher of Room 2. We welcome her to our school community and are excited to learn and grow with her!
Leticía is from the Southern region of Brazil. In 2022, she earned a master’s degree as a Montessori Guide for ages 0-6 years from the International Montessori Institute (IMI). Like many Montessorians, she first had a career outside of teaching, graduating with a degree in Civil Engineering and Occupational Safety Engineering. She worked for almost 10 years in civil engineering for the state where she lived in Brazil. However, her passion has always been to be with children. In trying to learn more about childhood and child development, she came across the Montessori method and it was like “love at first sight”. So, in 2019 she started her studies in Montessori education, aiming to change her career. At the end of 2022, she moved to the United States, accompanying her husband who was transferred to work in Indiana.
Leticía will continue to advance her Montessori career as she pursues an AMS Early Childhood credential through The Center for Montessori Education at Trine University in Angola while being a lead teacher at Southwest Montessori Academy this year.
Letícia loves to travel. She and her husband enjoy discovering new places, cultures and people. Another thing she likes to do is to dance. During her childhood and adolescence she did classical ballet and now she is taking tap classes. She likes to read and loves to observe nature.
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.
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!
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 and plans to earn her Montessori Early Childhood credential in the near future.
Originally from Ohio, Miranda completed her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from 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.
Cindy Greider joined SMA in 2019 and has served in a variety of roles, including Classroom Assistant, Before/Aftercare Teacher, and Classroom Substitute.
Her Montessori Early Childhood Teacher Preparation was at The Montessori Academy at Edison Lakes in Mishawaka, IN. She completed her Practicum for Certification at Three Rivers Montessori (now Peace Montessori) in Fort Wayne, where our school founder, Vyju Kadambi, was her advisor.
Cindy was the founding Director and instructor for Kindermusik of Fort Wayne for over 13 years. She was also the Children’s Choir Director at her church for several years.
She was a professional clarinetist with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Orchestra for over 30 years. She has taught all levels of clarinet students from age 8 to 80. During this time, she also taught clarinet at the collegiate level at Purdue University Fort Wayne and Manchester College. She has a Master of Music Degree and Artist Diploma from The Cleveland Institute of Music.
When Cindy is not working or playing her clarinet for fun, she enjoys reading and attending theatre (Hamilton!), musicals and concerts.
