Staff
Administration
Julia Preziosi – Executive Director
Education:
- B.S. in Montessori Education from Xavier University
- American Montessori Society teaching credential from Xavier University
- M.Ed. in Executive Human Resource Development from Xavier University
Work Experience and Accomplishments:
- Executive Director of NKMC since 2004
- 30 plus years of teaching and administrative experience includes Montessori and early childhood education, learning disabilities education, curriculum design, faculty management, leadership, and teacher training.
- Cincinnati Montessori Society Board Member
- Presenter at various workshops and teacher training programs
- No. Ky. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Success Award Nominee
- Delegation Member with People to People Ambassadors to Cuba
Fun Facts:
- Julia is the mother of a blended family of three children, and now has two grandchildren.
- Loves to travel, hike, and fish in her spare time.
- Life-long Northern Kentucky resident
Lisa Wellbrock Dieso
– Associate Director
Education:
- B. S. In Montessori Education from Xavier University
- American Montessori Society teaching credential from Xavier University
- M. Ed. in Education Administration from Xavier University
Work Experience and Accomplishments:
- Associate Director of NKMC since 2008
- Taught in several different Montessori 3 – 6 year old environments in New York City, Cincinnati, and Northern Kentucky (including 2 years at NKMC)
- Administrator with the Julia Brown Montessori Schools in Maryland where she managed the daily operational aspects of a school with over 150 students and 17 staff members
- Adjunct Faculty with the Montessori Teacher Training Program at Xavier University
- Delegation Member with People to People Ambassadors to Cuba
Fun Facts:
- Loves spending time with her husband and two young children
- Avid runner and is looking forward to training for her first half marathon in 2012
- Enjoys cooking and baking
Teaching Staff
Greta Weber – Primary Directress
and Orton Gillingham Specialist
Education:
- B. S. in Child Development/Family Relations from Indiana University of Pennsylvania
- American Montessori Society teaching credential from the Columbus Montessori Teacher Education Program
- Orton-Gillingham certification – a multisensory approach to reading, writing, and spelling that was devised for aiding dyslexics
- Work Experience and Accomplishments:
- Over 25 years of teaching experience in 3 – 6 year olds in Montessori environments
- Teaching at NKMC since 2004
Fun Facts:
- Lives in Northern Kentucky with her two teenage children and husband
- Enjoy gardening and spending time with her 2 dogs
Sarah Hattemer – Primary Directress
Education:
- B. A. in Women’s Studies/History from College of Mt. St. Joseph
- American Montessori Society teaching credential from Xavier University
Work Experience and Accomplishments:
- Three years of teaching a 3 – 6 year old class at St. Ursula Villa in Cincinnati, OH
- Instructional Assistant at Sands Montessori in Cincinnati, OH
Fun Facts:
- Enjoys riding her pink Vespa
Mollie Dwyer – Primary Directress
Education:
- B.A. in English from Xavier University
- M. Ed. in Montessori Education from Xavier University
- American Montessori Society teaching credential from Xavier University
Work Experience and Accomplishments:
- After completing her internship at NKMC, Mollie joined our team full time in 2010.
Fun Facts:
- Loves animals and even works occasionally as a veterinarian assistant
- Enjoys reading, skiing, hiking, and anything to do with the outdoors.
Sophia Preziosi – Primary Directress
Education:
- B.S. in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education from The University of Kentucky
- American Montessori Society teaching credential from Montessori Opportunities
Work Experience and Accomplishments:
- One year of experience in teaching 3-6 year olds in Montessori environment.
- Two years of experience working at the University of Kentucky Early Childhood Lab School.
- Three years experience as Coordinator and volunteer for Read to Succeed.
- Experience teaching English in a Montessori classroom in China.
- Experience implementing special education in Guatemala.
Fun Facts:
- I grew up in a Montessori home and attended a Montessori school through my preschool years.
- I love to travel, hike, and fish in my spare time.
- I enjoy photography, painting, drawing and creative writing.
Ana Noll – Elementary Directress
Education:
- B.S. in Social Work from Xavier
- M. Ed. in Montessori Education from Xavier University
- American Montessori Society teaching credential from Xavier University
Work Experience and Accomplishments:
- Three years at Prince of Peace Montessori School
- AmeriCorps volunteer – literacy support and conflict resolution facilitator
Fun Facts:
- Loves spending time with her two children
- Enjoys hiking, yoga, and gardening
Michele Fort – Specials Directress (French Instructor)
Education:
- 4 years of schooling in France equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in the States with emphasis on general business studies
- Montessori Teacher Training through Association Montessori Internationale
Work Experience and Accomplishments:
- Spent her early career working as a corporate IT in France
- Multiple years of experience working in Montessori environments throughout the U.S
Fun Facts:
- Born in France and grew up in Africa and Polynesia
- Traveled around the world and now resides in Cincinnati with her husband and two children
Lissa Ray – Specials Directress (Music Specialist)
Education: 
- B.S. in Music Education from Western Michigan University
- M.S. in Elementary Education from Indiana University
- Three Levels of Orff Schulwerk Certification
- Musicianship through Movement Certification
- Education through Movement Certification
- Permanent Ohio Teaching Certificate, Elementary Education, and Music Education
Work Experience and Accomplishments:
- Has taught music for over 30 years
- Taught Kindergarten through Fourth Grade Music at Sycamore Community School District
- Teaches pre-school music at Northminster Children’s Co-op
- Teaches pre-school through 8th grade music at the Montessori Academy of Cincinnati
Fun Facts:
- Workshop Presenter – Orff Schulwerk and OMEA
- Cincinnati Children’s Choir Festival Instructor
- Participates in a variety of community activities, including handbell ensembles, community bands, and choirs
Delia Bell – Aftercare Directress
Education:
- Attended Sands Montessori and Clark Montessori in Cincinnati Public Schools
- Graduated from Sycamore High School
- Plans to work towards degree in Early Childhood Education with a Montessori teaching credential
Work Experience and Accomplishments:
- Camp Counselor for children ages 4 to 14
- Nanny to twins
- Experience working with special needs children
Fun Facts:
- Life Long Montessori student and her mother is also a Montessori certified teacher
Student Teachers
NKMC works with the Xavier University Montessori Teacher Education Program and enjoys sharing our school with Xavier student teachers. Most semesters we have a student teacher assigned to our school from the Xavier Program. Mentoring and supervising fledgling teachers is a passion of the NKMC staff. We believe in the Montessori philosophy and are committed to doing our part in continuing the honored tradition of Dr. Maria Montessori.
“We must help the child act, think and will for himself. This is the art of serving the spirit, an art which can be practiced to perfection only when working with children.” –Maria
