Open to opportunities

Tessa Benner

@tessabenner

Message

Montessori education leader transforming curriculum, culture, and student outcomes through staff development.

United States

Message

What I'm looking for

I’m looking for a Montessori leadership role where I can strengthen school culture, guide staff growth, and ensure high-fidelity curriculum implementation—while partnering deeply with families to support academic, social, and emotional success.

I’m a Montessori education leader focused on building high-fidelity programs and strong school culture for learners from toddler through middle school. As Director of Education, I lead educational programming and day-to-day operations, ensuring curriculum implementation, behavior support, and a supportive learning environment.

I supervise and support staff through weekly level meetings, classroom observations, and quarterly professional development. I also partner with families to advance student success academically, socially, and emotionally—because I believe outcomes improve when school and home work as one community.

Alongside my directorship, I serve as a Field Consultant for Montessori secondary teacher education. I provide online instruction, coaching, and evaluation for adult learners, reviewing classroom environments and teaching practices to align with high-fidelity Montessori standards and secondary program criteria.

My background also includes structured curriculum development and mentorship for emerging educators, with a long track record guiding adolescent learning in humanities through interdisciplinary, project-based experiences. I bring deep expertise in Montessori philosophy, adolescent development, instruction, and teacher training—supported by additional honors and leadership development focused on innovation, collaboration, and rebuilding school community post-pandemic.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Director of Education

Current

Montessori School of Dayton

Jun 2023 - Present (3 years)

Led educational programming and school culture for a Montessori program serving toddler through middle school students. Supervised staff through meetings, classroom observations, and professional development, and partnered with families to oversee curriculum implementation, behavior support, and day-to-day operations.

Staff Supervision Professional Development Classroom Observations School Operations

Current

State Testing Coordinator

Current

Montessori School of Dayton

Jan 2021 - Present (5 years 5 months)

Coordinated and oversaw state testing procedures for grades 3–8, including scheduling, staff training, compliance, accommodations, and communication with families and state agencies.

Scheduling Staff Training Accommodations Communication With Families Process Management

Middle School Humanities Guide

Montessori School of Dayton

Aug 2011 - Jan 2023 (11 years 5 months)

Guided middle school humanities instruction including history, language arts, writing, literature, and microeconomy through interdisciplinary, project-based learning aligned with Montessori adolescent philosophy. Supported students’ academic, social, and emotional development through advisory, community-building, and experiential learning, and facilitated student business operations, public speaki

Montessori Adolescent Education Humanities Instruction Project Based Learning Student Advising Community Building Experiential Learning Public Speaking Research

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

American Montessori Society

40 Under 40 Leadership Conference, Leadership Development

2023 - 2023

Selected to participate in the American Montessori Society 40 Under 40 Leadership Conference focused on innovation, collaboration, and leadership development within Montessori education.

Montessori Center of Minnesota

AMI 6–12 Overview Course, Montessori Education (6–12)

2022 - 2022

Completed an AMI 6–12 overview course covering Montessori philosophy, child development, and curriculum for elementary-aged students.

Southwest Institute of Montessori Studies

AMI 0–6 Overview Course, Montessori Education (0–6)

2022 - 2022

Completed an AMI 0–6 overview course focused on Montessori philosophy, early childhood development, and prepared environments for children ages 0–6.

American Montessori Society

Emerging Leaders Fellowship, Educational Leadership

2021 - 2022

Completed the year-long Emerging Leaders Fellowship focused on professional growth, educational leadership, collaboration, and advancing Montessori practice. Completed an action research project on rebuilding school community and connection following the COVID-19 pandemic.

American Montessori Society

AMS Secondary-II Credential, Montessori Education (Secondary)

2013 - 2013

Completed American Montessori Society Secondary Teacher Education training (Secondary-II credential) focused on adolescent Montessori teaching and curriculum implementation.