MEET THE FOUNDER & GUIDE
Ms. Briana
Long before Maria Montessori developed her revolutionary educational method, she studied experimental psychology and anthropology. She viewed the classroom not as a place for rigid lectures, but as a scientific laboratory—a space where careful, empirical observation reveals how a learner naturally grows, solves problems, and engages with the world.
My journey to founding Dolphin Pod Montessori follows that exact same scientific curiosity. Before guiding young children, I spent years studying marine mammal behavior, earning my Master’s degree in Experimental Psychology. That deep training in animal behavior and observation led me to the college classroom, where I spent years as a professor teaching university courses in Child Development, Psychology, and Animal Behavior.
Montessori, however, has always been in my roots. Raised with the philosophy by my aunt who was a Montessori guide, I knew it was the environment I wanted for my own children when they were born. While touring a local Montessori school for my kids, the school offered me a position, and I eagerly stepped into the classroom. I earned my certification, starting as an assistant and rising to lead teacher. When the pandemic hit, I transitioned to homeschooling my own children alongside several neighborhood families in a small learning pod. an experience that reinforced my passion for small-group, individualized education.
Why Observation Matters
In a traditional classroom, the teacher is the center of attention. In an authentic Montessori environment, the guide steps back to observe.
Whether observing marine mammals in the wild or young children in a prepared environment, the key to supporting development is the same: keen, objective observation. By carefully watching how your child interacts with materials, self-corrects, and navigates their environment, I can tailor individual lessons to their exact cognitive, social, and emotional readiness.
My goal at Dolphin Pod Montessori is to combine developmental science and my love for nature with the warmth of a small, family-like pod; meeting your child precisely where they are and nurturing a lifelong love of learning and discovery.
