Primary 2

It is a delight to be here at Headwaters. I have a Bachelors in English from UT at Austin, and have spent many years working in schools - from UT Austin as a LAN Administrator, through volunteering at an elementary school supporting struggling readers, and volunteering and then working in a middle school.  I’ve also spent the last 20 years teaching childbirth classes. Through it all, I have learned to surround myself with lovely people and fully experience the joy in these connections.  

 

I have been married for 26 years to Dan Brown (not that one) and we have 3 remarkable children who all attended Montessori preschool, for which I am immensely grateful. 

 

For fun, I read, hike, and focus on the good. 

I grew up in Birmingham, Alabama where I was encouraged by my family to find strength in learning, engage in community building, and work towards positive social change. I received my BA in Anthropology and Art History as well as a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Texas. I have worked in a variety of professions including public libraries, archives and art museums, the health and wellness sector, and as a substitute teacher.

I first came to Headwaters as a parent; my three boys are now in the Elementary program. I am looking forward to being in service to our amazing teachers and staff. In my free time I like to cook, read, run, garden and enjoy the outdoors with my family.

Born and raised in Austin, I always went to summer camp. I spent about ten years attending one until I was old enough to start working there. Right out of high school I started as a recreational counselor, then as the years went on I grew into a group counselor. I quickly fell in love with the job as I was able to work with kids, remembering how fun and excited I was to attend camp. After exploring other opportunities found myself at a private school, with a short stint as a toddler teacher and then four years as a preschool teacher. Working with children has always been something I was naturally good at. Understanding their needs and being patient as they learn to understand the way the world works around them. 

I am excited to see the connections I make as well and the knowledge I gain working at Headwaters.

Hola, my name is Rosabel but my co-workers at Springs Campus call me Rosa.

 

I’m original from Lima, Perú, and was working there as a secretary at a Broker Insurance Company for many years. Since I came to the USA, I have worked taking care of children as a nanny/babysitter.

 

Later, I had the chance to work at Stepping Stone School in the Nido room and then at a Montessori school (NAMS) as an Assistant Guide in the Primary classroom for three years. I love the Maria Montessori philosophy and can see how easily and peacefully kids can learn in their own space at such an early stage of life.

 

I took a break from teaching when I became pregnant with my twin boys (now my tween boys). Recently, I began working as a substitute teacher at Headwaters Creek Campus and Mariposa Montessori, before joining Headwaters Spring Campus full-time.

Getting back to working with kids, I realized that I still have the connection, joy and passion to be around them--observing, helping, teaching, and giving my support when they run into difficulties.

 

I feel lucky to be part of this great Headwaters community, and at Spring Campus with all the wonderful people here. Thanks so much for the opportunity!

I grew up in a tiny country town in southeast Texas and spent my childhood running through the forests, riding horses, and writing screenplays in my backyard. I have always loved animals, adventure, and the charm of where I’m from, but I could feel a thirst forming for something bigger than what my slow-paced town could offer. When I was in high school, I won an international writing competition and flew to New York City for an interview with ABC Primetime. After seeing my first glimpse of what else could potentially be out there, I knew that the south wouldn’t hold my heart for too much longer. I was deeply involved in One Act Play as well, so when I graduated in 2009, I went to the University of North Texas to study more about writing and theater.

I moved to Austin in 2013, and it was the first move I’d made in my life with absolutely no plans or expectations. It was a really special pocket in time, where I was free to do whatever I wanted to. I worked at a few restaurants and bars, explored the city constantly and continued to work on  my writing. I also spend a lot of my time outside in whatever body of water I can find,  finding new favorite restaurants around town, taking road trips to new cities, and in December I’ll be embarking on my first international trip to Spain, France, and Italy. I’ve also always been hugely interested in the film industry, and spent the last year interning with Brock Allen Casting. There, I was part of a professional on-screen acting class and learned about working the camera, lights, script reads, and generally all about the casting process.

Knowing that I had always loved working with children, I decided to apply for a nanny position to care for a child with hearing loss in 2014. That’s where I learned I also had a passion for American Sign Language. I plan on taking ASL classes at ACC starting next year. In 2015 I began a job at Ladybird Montessori in Buda in a support role, and within a few months I was made an assistant. It was my first true introduction into the Montessori world and I fell in love with the philosophy, community, and children instantly. Although I loved it there, I knew I wanted something closer to home. I’d always heard about how incredible Headwaters School was through my sister, Laurie, who has been a part of this school for years. I couldn’t be more excited to be joining the Roadrunners classroom and to continue growing and learning as a part of this beautiful community.

I lived, from the age of three, on a bluff overlooking the Blanco River. My playground, my science lab, my obstacle course, my home instilled in me a love of nature, a sense of curiosity, of wonder and of play. I received my education in Wimberley, at Hays High School, and at Southwest Texas State University (B.A., Geography and History), now Texas State University. I first came to know about the methods of Dr. Maria Montessori while attending college. I had a part-time job assisting with a toddler class at Dripping Springs Montessori School and liked this way of teaching immediately. I continued with the job until graduation, marriage, and a move to Clear Lake where I worked at Armand Bayou Montessori School. There, I received my American Montessori Society (AMS) primary certification, in 1993. My husband, Cody, and I moved back to San Marcos where I worked at San Marcos Montessori. During that time, I completed my Association Montessori International (AMI) primary certification in 2000. I next worked in two other Austin Montessori schools and then took time away from teaching. One day I received a call from my friend Jennifer Phillips, a fellow student with whom I had trained. She was letting me know a position was open at Primavera (now Headwaters). Would I like to visit the school and be interviewed? I liked the school and accepted a position as a Primary Guide. That was in 2005, and I have never regretted a moment of my association with our school.

My experience at our school has been fulfilling and rewarding. I am fortunate to be part of a group of well-educated, dedicated, and loving people. The techniques of the Montessori Method resonate with me. I stay true to what Dr. Maria Montessori created; still I am encouraged to add my own creative touches to my approach at Headwaters. I give the children an experience that excites and engages them while they gain a sound foundation for their future studies. I embrace the whole child (mind, body, and spirit) and enjoy creating lessons with that in mind. I feel comfortable and confident at Headwaters, a place where our community spirit and dedication give us all a sense of purpose and a will to form well the lives of our students.