Marina P. | Founder / Director
Marina was born in Phoenix and raised in Tempe, Arizona. Her interest in education was piqued during her junior year in high school while working with her first mentor, Father Arthur, a Jesuit priest.
She worked alongside Father Arthur, assisting at-risk children at the poorest church in the Phoenix area. Teaching those young children that year and the following year was the highlight of her last two years at Xavier College Preparatory.
Marina holds one degree from Arizona State University in elementary education (B.A.E) and a second degree from Belmont University in early childhood and Montessori education (M.A.).
She also holds two endorsements: Early Childhood and Elementary Education and an American Montessori Society primary diploma (2 ½ year olds to 6-year-olds) with a MATCE (Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education) endorsement.
John Jackson | Music Instructor
John Jackson is a Nashville native and local hero. He is a professional guitarist whose career has included national tours and studio recordings with Bob Dylan, Lucinda Williams, Shelby Lynne, Minton Sparks, and Tom Jones.
He has a passion for teaching children and has over 19 years of experience teaching music in Montessori schools around Nashville, Tennessee.
Shabaz Ujima | Movement Instructor
Native to Nashville, Shabaz began his formal dance training at the Nashville School of the Arts and the School of Nashville Ballet. He continued his education at the New World School of the Arts in Miami, Florida, where he studied the Martha Graham Technique.
During his professional career, Shabaz danced with many professional companies, including Nashville Ballet’s second company, NB2, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company in Dayton, Ohio, and Graham II in New York City. Shabaz has worked with notable choreographers throughout his career and has performed the works of Alvin Ailey, Martha Graham, Jose Limon, and Anna Sokolow.
Later in his career, Shabaz began to teach company classes for the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, which birthed the love for teaching that he still has today. That opportunity guided him to teach Graham-based modern dance, contemporary, and improvisation at various art schools around the country, as well as in Middle Tennessee. Along with being the Movement Instructor at Ithaca Montessori, Shabaz is a full-time faculty member at the Nashville Ballet, a teaching artist with the Global Education Center, and an adjunct dance teacher at Belmont University. In 2017, Shabaz founded shackled feet DANCE! here in Nashville, Tennessee.
J. Gabriel | Astrophysicist
J. Gabriel joins the talented team of instructors at Ithaca Montessori, inspiring curiosity and wonder as he guides young learners to explore the mysteries of the universe.
With a unique blend of academic and practical experience in Astronomy, Physics, and Astrophysics, he ignites a passion for science in young minds. Originally from Chile, J. Gabriel now is conducting a research on Time-Warp theory and Computer Engineering solutions for Astronomers and physicists.
J. Gabriel contributed to the development of new ideas and equipment, utilizing cutting-edge technology to advance radio telescopes and other critical instruments in his field.
He brings that same passion for discovery to Ithaca Montessori, encouraging students to ask big questions through engaging, hands-on virtual lessons featuring interactive, out-of-this-world science experiments.
Vicki Martin | YOGI
Awareness Yoga
Focusing on The Posture , Breath & Meditation
Bringing Mind,Body & Spirit to a state of Harmony
1. The breath
2.meditation
3.moving the energy in the body
All three of these aspects are vital for moving energies stored in the body such as The energies of past experiences, every single situation you have ever encountered including epigenetics (inherited through our DNA or gene pool) holds a space in your body, I know right? Sounds CRAZY!
But research it and you will find that these past experience hold physical space in your body! in your DNA,your bloodstream, your organs and tissue.
The combination of these 3 aspects move the energies out of the way , give you space for healing , physically,mentally& spiritually.
Yes, you can change you path in all these areas while getting in great physical shape! You’ll be glad you did this work however, it is work, but no worries,I’ll lead, I’ll guide and demonstrate every step of the way!
What to expect?
practice a little pranayama (breath work)
take move (I’ll lead the set)
meditate (I’ll guide this meditation)
rest in savasna while I play the Gongs for you for integration (all you do is lay there).
Be Strong , Be Kind , Be Brave , Be Love but most of all , Just Be Yourself
Vickie
ABSOLUTELY NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED!
KARA & EMMA | Classroom Assistant
Kara and Emma are dedicated classroom assistants who bring passion and warmth to every lesson. Their love for teaching shines through as they foster nurturing environment where students feel valued and supported.
With their attentive care, they inspire young minds to explore and learn, making a positive impact on their journey. Together, they create a vibrant classroom atmosphere that encourages curiosity and growth.
Our Classroom Assistants are currently in training to be
Montessori Educators.