Academy of Thought and Industry at San Francisco

Maria is originally from the United Kingdom, and spent 12 years living and working in Italy before moving to the United States. She loved living and working where Maria Montessori had such a historical presence, and where she wrote her first book. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in International Business Studies and an Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) teaching diploma for ages 3-6 from the Montessori Training Center in Perugia, Italy. She has completed additional certificate courses in teaching language arts to young learners (with an emphasis on grammar and phonics). While English is her mother tongue, she is also fluent in Italian and possesses basic proficiency in French. In her free time she enjoys writing, reading, visiting art exhibitions, and traveling.

After Jessica Lane received a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism and Documentary Film with a Minor in Peace Studies from Chapman University, she became dedicated to exploring the process of personal-growth and the gap in adolescent self-development support. Jessica became certified in mindfulness, integrative wellness and life coaching, yoga, and therapeutic drumming, and began teaching youth using these techniques. She then decided to earn her Masters in Teaching and her Single Subject Credential in English from Loyola Marymount University. Jessica is currently a student in the LMU Masters in Education program. She has worked one-on-one and in class settings with diverse groups of students from Montessori Schools to Boys and Girls Clubs to homeschool organizations. Jessica now focuses on creating course curricula from the lens of mindfulness and individualized learning to produce an atmosphere of thriving individual development, and integrative, improved education programs. She is excited to be guiding Humanities at Academy of Thought and Industry in San Francisco. She looks forward to providing self-directed, activity-based lessons that encourage self-exploration and community awareness along with a culture of work and knowledge so that the next generation can cultivate thriving communities and healthy change.

Thomas earned his B.S. in Bioenginering - with a minor in math - from California Lutheran University, and his PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Connecticut. Before starting at the Academy of Thought and Industry, he served as a Submarine Officer in the United States Navy. He is an avid musician and loves teaching interdisciplinary projects to help develop confidence and autonomy in his students.

Nick Wagner is an alumni of K-8 Montessori education and has received a Bachelor’s of Applied Sciences in Environmental and Outdoor Education from the University of Minnesota Duluth. During his studies, he worked with schools, community centers, and private entities providing opportunities for students to explore the natural world and further their knowledge of the sciences and themselves. As a Program Director for an Environmental Learning Center, a Wilderness Therapy Instructor, and an Environmental Science Educator, Nick has guided students of all levels to better understand life sciences, earth and space sciences, ecosystems, engineering, climate and Social-Emotional Learning through adventure education, therapeutic education, and hands-on science curriculum. By learning and inspiring students, he has found his love for teaching through inquiry-based experiential and kinesthetic methods that engage all learners and inspire lifelong learning. Nick is excited to foster the skills, knowledge and experiences that the Montessori model has brought him for his students and future generations.

Kyli Brown, a multilingual globe-trotter and passionate educator, holds a Bachelor's degree in French and a minor in History. She also holds a Master's degree in International Policy Studies, with a double major in French studies. Living in eight different countries and teaching in four of them, she brings a rich global perspective to the classroom. She has a keen interest in international languages, which she's made a significant part of her life and career. Being particularly intrigued by alternative education models and methods within the U.S, Kyli employs a student-centered, inquiry and project-based approach in her teaching practice. With strong convictions about the necessity of critical thinking skills and media literacy, she aims to prepare her students for academic success but also for informed citizenship in an ever-changing world. Her areas of teaching and learning interest are History and Philosophy to Literature, International Relations, Political Science, and Sociology. Her hobbies include hiking, practicing martial arts, and traveling. She enjoys sci-fi and speculative fiction, and she writes fiction and studies languages in her free time.

David Winters has always had a passion for mathematics, and used that interest in a wide variety of fields. After finishing his undergraduate degree in economics from the University of Southern California, and an MBA from Pepperdine, he started his professional life as the owner and CEO of radio stations. After owning and operating several different stations with different formats, he sold his business in 2016 and transitioned to education in order to share his passion for mathematics with others. He has taught middle and high school math at several schools in California, and has trained and coached high school and college swimming and basketball.