Our Staff
Brandy Franks
Founder / President
Brandy Franks is a graduate of Tallmadge High School and Mount Union College. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Preschool/Kindergarten Montessori Education diploma from North American Montessori Center. Brandy has worked with children in many settings including day care facilities, coaching athletics (softball, swimming and basketball), Montessori schools and The Cleveland Clinic Foundation treatment programs. 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.
Kelly Andamasaris
Administrator
Kelly Andamasaris, graduate of Stow-Munroe Falls High School, has always had a passion for running businesses. After years of college education and experience in the dental field, she was brought in to lead the start up of a new dental practice. After the successful launch of the practice, Kelly continued to manage day to day operations until 2002 when she decided to start her own business, because of the birth of her first child.
While running her own business, Kelly's greatest fear was not that she wouldn’t succeed in business, but that her success would be in something that didn't matter. Having the opportunity to get to know Brandy and seeing the impact that she and her staff are having on the next generation, drove Kelly to make the decision to join Absorbent Minds Montessori School. Kelly is excited to have that opportunity to serve the students and families of Absorbent Minds Montessori School.
Anna Cooper
Directress
Anna Cooper is a graduate of Regina High School of Cleveland. She attended the University of Toledo for two years acquiring a background in English Arts & Music. Anna has worked with children for over a decade in various academic settings such as preschool, elementary, daycare and Montessori schools. Anna earns her Montessori teaching credentials from North American Montessori Center. Anna is also certified as a Youth Fitness Instructor and is qualified to teach Fitness and Nutrition classes to young children. A mother of two, Anna is inspired by the Montessori method of education. Her oldest daughter is a graduate of Absorbent Minds Montessori School. Anna believes the program encourages children to respect themselves and others while taking part of an environment that is sure to stimulate their natural curiosity and love of learning.
John Kotradi
Director
John Kotradi holds a B.A. in Human Ecology from The Ohio State University, and is currently pursuing his Montessori teaching certification through the American Montessori Society. He will complete the program in 2009. John’s experience with the Montessori Method began with his own children, one of which is enrolled in Absorbent Minds Montessori School. Through watching his oldest son thrive in the school, he was inspired to get involved, and is now pursuing teaching as a career. John currently resides in Akron, Ohio with his wife and three children.
Dawn Frantz
Assistant Directress
Dawn Frantz is a graduate of Stow-Munroe Falls High School as well as a graduate of Malone College. Dawn holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education. She has over ten years experience working with children in day cares, Preschools and teaching Special Education. She also has broadened her teaching skills with children, by coaching cheerleading and softball. All of her experience thus far, has led her to teach at Absorbent Minds Montessori School. Dawn has a passion for young children and is honored to be a part of their growth and development. Dawn and her husband have two daughters and reside in Canton, Ohio. Dawn is looking forward to the completion of her Montessori Training, summer 2010.
Michele Hayden
Assistant Directress
Michele Hayden is a graduate of Stow-Munroe Falls High School and currently resides in Stow, Ohio. She attended the Art Institute of Cleveland and is currently attending Kent State University in pursuit of an Art Education degree. Michele has worked with children in preschools and daycares, and is excited to use her skills in the Montessori classroom setting. Michele has a passion for art, especially ceramics and jewelry. It is this passion has led her to pursue a career in teaching. Michele brings this love of creating to Absorbent Minds, where she is excited to help each student develop their own love and appreciation for art.
Courtney Seckinger
Assistant Directress
Courtney Seckinger is a graduate of Stow-Munroe Falls High School and Northwood University in Florida. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Business and graduated Magna Cum Laude. Courtney is a Certified Substitute Teacher and has taught in Florida, Hawaii and Texas. Her first introduction to the Montessori Method of education was with her oldest daughter who attended Saint John's Catholic Montessori School in Mililani, Hawaii. Courtney found this experience to be very rewarding for her daughter. She plans to begin working towards her Montessori Teaching Certification in the fall this year. She believes strongly in the Montessori Method of teaching and hopes to create an engaging and meaningful learning environment for her students. Courtney currently resides in Munroe Falls with her three children.
“Señora Lisa” Durbin
Spanish Teacher
“Señora Lisa” Durbin has been teaching foreign languages for 26 years. She learned Spanish while teaching in international schools for three years in Ecuador. Her teaching experience spans from early childhood to elementary and middle school classes she taught in Ecuador and Japan. Lisa was also a Gifted Services Coordinator both in Ohio and in Berlin, Germany, and she spent a year as a college English professor in China.
During her career, Lisa spent time developing Spanish and French bilingual story hours because she could not find a local preschool where her daughter could be exposed to a foreign language. These sessions evolved into the Spanish for Little People program which “Señora Lisa” has been offering at area preschools for the past seven years. Two of Lisa’s three children attended Montessori preschool and all three helped pilot the Spanish for Little People program.
Lisa’s dream of giving the gift of foreign language to American children was truly realized when she first collaborated with Brandy from 2002-2004. Brandy’s commitment to reinforcing the Spanish lessons throughout the week enabled her students to learn more Spanish more quickly than children in other classes. When Brandy invited Lisa to bring Spanish to Absorbent Minds Montessori School, she was thrilled to come on board!
Lisa Adams
Music Teacher
Lisa Adams is a teacher, singer and co-arranger of music used in the Exploring Music curriculum. Lisa has a bachelors degree 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.