Wendy LaRue, Head of School
Wendy LaRue is co-founder of Odyssey Montessori and serves as administrative head of the school as well as a member of the teaching staff. She has taught students from preschool to college with more than 20 years of or experience in education and related work. Wendy received her Montessori training from Montessori Educators International. She holds a BA in English from Mary Washington College where she also completed a Virginia teacher licensure program. She has an MS in mass communications from Virginia Commonwealth University. Currently, Wendy is in the dissertation phase of a PhD program in educational leadership at Walden University. In addition to her work in public and private education, Wendy has worked as journalist and free-lance writer and editor, specializing in youth media.
Click here to see Wendy’s resume
Eva Thornton, Guide
Eva Thornton is co-founder of Odyssey Montessori, and is on its board of directors. Eva currently serves as Secondary Guide and previously served as Elementary II Guide. Along with Wendy LaRue, Eva has helped to build the Secondary Curriculum and has developed much of its content. She received her Montessori training from Montessori Educators International. Eva holds a BA in English from Mary Washington College, though also studied Human Development and Psychology extensively. Eva is currently applying to graduate programs in English Writing and Rhetoric. She founded and owns The Pool Company, a local business since 1996, with her husband.
Andrew Slater, Guide
Andrew Slater serves as Elementary 1 guide, a position he has held for two years at Odyssey Montessori, after serving as assistant in the Elementary 2 class. Andrew received his Montessori training from Montessori Educators International. He has a Bachelors of Arts degree in Psychology and is currently working on completing his Masters in Education from the University of Mary Washington, with an expected graduation date of May 2010. Prior to joining the staff at Odyssey Montessori, Andrew served children in a number of settings. He has worked with children in danger of being placed in foster care or group homes. He has worked with children and adolescents dealing with emotional and behavioral issues in an acute mental health setting. He has also worked as a behavior specialist in an alternative school.
Jennifer Weinhagen, Guide
Jennifer Weinhagen serves the school in dual capacities as back-up administrator and Early Childhood/Primary Guide. She is currently serving as project coordinator for the Pennies for Peace program. Jennifer has ten years experience working with children, adolescents and families in various settings, and has been at Odyssey Montessori for four years. Jennifer received her Montessori training at Northeast Montessori Institute. She holds an Early Childhood teaching credential from the American Montessori Society. Jennifer also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work (B.S.W) from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and a Master’s degree in Social Service Administration (M.S.S.A.) from the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University. Jennifer is a member of the American Montessori Society.
Patricia Moeller, Spanish Teacher
Will Carroll, Assistant Teacher
Will Carroll currently holds the position of Assistant Teacher in the Early Childhood/Primary classroom. Will is currently pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education Administration through Ashford University. He graduated from Chancellor High School in 2002. Will has worked with children in both paid and volunteer positions since 2001. He worked as a First-Year Counselor at Boy Scout camp in Goshen, Virginia for four years. He has been working at Odyssey Montessori for three and a half years.
