Who We Are
At the heart of our school is a dynamic and deeply human team of educators and administrators who are more than teachers—they are architects of possibility. Utilizing the timeless wisdom of Montessori pedagogy, our team honors each child’s natural curiosity, independence, and drive for purposeful work.
But we don’t stop there.
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Our teachers (guides) describe themselves as inquisitive, supportive, compassionate, empathetic, kind, adventurous, and fun-loving, balancing warmth and connection with a commitment to academic rigor and personal growth. They are forward-thinkers, bridge-builders, and lifelong learners who believe that preparing children for their future requires both reverence and reinvention.
Together, we cultivate a learning environment that is intellectually rich, emotionally safe, and boldly imaginative, where children are prepared for the world ahead and inspired and empowered to shape it with confidence and compassion.
Guides
Brittany Belviy
Primary (ages 3-6)
& Gardens
Originally from Massachusetts, Brittany has called Florida home for the past 13 years. Brittany studied at the State College of Florida and then began her Montessori journey as an administrative assistant, spending five years immersed in the school environment before transitioning into the classroom. She has since earned her Montessori certification and has worked in a Primary setting for the last three years. She enjoys gardening, walking, kayaking, and being in nature. She lives with her fiancée, Matt, and their two cats, and she loves time spent with family and friends. Brittany is the Primary guide at Ember.
Noemi Coronado
Lower & Upper Elementary
(Grades 1-5)
Noemi grew up in Hungary, where her love for learning (and adventure) first took root. Since moving to the U.S. in 2003, she has worked with toddlers, primary, and elementary. She earned her medical assistant diploma from Remington College in Tampa, but it was the Montessori classroom that truly captured her heart, leading her to earn Montessori certification in 2018. Outside the classroom, you’ll find her out in nature—hiking, camping, fishing, kayaking, or taking photos of flowers and animals. She shares her home with her boyfriend James, her mother, and three beloved cats—Ella, Rex, and Sunny—with hopes of adding a dog to the family someday. Noemi (alongside Jenn Darmogray-Lombard) is a lower and upper elementary guide at Ember.
Jenn Darmogray-Lombard
Lower & Upper Elementary
(Grades 1-5)
Originally from Michigan, Jenn earned her undergraduate degree from Northern Michigan University in Marquette. She then earned Montessori certifications in Pre-Primary, Lower and Upper Elementary, and Administration. Jenn worked in South Bend, Indiana and in the suburbs of Chicago until 2017, when, after a particularly harsh winter, she and her husband Bryan decided to relocate to a warmer climate. In addition to classroom teaching, Jenn has served as a teacher trainer, supervising teacher, and Montessori presenter. She is passionate about history, cooking, and gardening and finds pure joy in spending time with her family—her husband, their two adult sons, a soon-to-be daughter-in-law, and their beloved fur babies. She is Ember’s lower and upper elementary guide, with Noemi Coronado and her sidekick, Lily Pug.
Alison Dengler
Spanish
Originally from the small town of Westfield, New York, Alison grew up spending time in her mother’s classroom and on her family’s grape and dairy farm. She earned her undergraduate degree in Raleigh, North Carolina in K–12 Education with a second major in Spanish, and she studied abroad at La Universidad de Alicante in Spain. She later earned a master’s in Student Personnel Administration in Buffalo, New York and a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership & Development—with a certificate in International Business Studies, with research in Prague and Mexico City. Alison’s career in education and leadership includes roles as a Sylvan Learning Center Director and as a healthcare training strategist. She has also tutored and advocated for students with diverse learning needs. She has a passion for helping students connect with content in creative, personalized ways. Alison and her husband Tim have a grown son, Jeffrey, and two rescued dogs, Josie and Piper. She enjoys traveling and is always planning her next adventure. At Ember, Alison serves as the grade 6 through 8 guide and teaches Spanish to all ages.
Administration
Kate Aumua
Head of School
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Kate grew up in Buffalo, New York, where she earned her undergraduate degree in nursing. After working in the nursing field, she decided to follow her love of teaching. She then spent ten years living in China, completing a master’s in Comparative Education in Beijing as well as her Montessori training. She taught high school science, math, and debate and speech in the U.S. and early childhood and elementary in China. She has also served as a director of education, curriculum developer, principal and superintendent. Later, she moved into business development, supporting entrepreneurs in launching schools worldwide, as well as real estate, serving as the CEO of Keller Williams Sarasota and co-founder of Grandview Homes Group (with her husband, Jay). Kate’s leadership is fueled by her passion for innovation, community engagement, and child-centered learning. She and her husband Jay have two children, Phoenix and Ayla, and two dogs, Bingo and Charlie. They enjoy frequent road trips to visit extended family in South Carolina, North Carolina, and New Hampshire, and she is always up for spontaneous trips, exploring hidden corners of Florida and sampling cuisine from around the world—especially on the hunt for the best Asian food around.
Ellie Campbell
Administrative &
Community Manager
After spending most of her upbringing north of Boston, Ellie moved to Florida in 2003 with her now-husband, JP. She earned her bachelor's degree in English from USF, specializing in Professional & Technical Writing, and also studied photojournalism and early childhood development at both Boston University and USF. Her background includes work in childcare, local magazine publishing, and photography. She founded Be Brave Press, a publishing company that creates resources to help children and families navigate anxiety and emotional wellness. Her favorite places to be are at the beach or with animals (especially dogs, goats, and horses!)—and visiting family in Boston, Houston, and Tel Aviv. She and JP have two children, Talia and John, and a Cavalier named Charlie.
Jay Aumua
Operations &
IT Manager
Jay was born and raised in Samoa. He completed his undergraduate studies in Fiji and earned a master’s degree in Engineering (Computer Science and Telecommunications) at the University of Science and Technology in Beijing, where he met Kate (our head of school!). While living in China, Jay taught ICT to middle and high school students. After moving to the U.S. in 2018, Jay stayed home with each of their children (Phoenix and Ayla) when they were little, while also working in international product development and sourcing for PPE and technology. He then went on to build a multifaceted career in real estate—renovating, flipping, managing properties, and running his and Kate's real estate company, Grandview Homes Group. He enjoys visiting family in Samoa, Australia, New Zealand, and the U.S., playing instruments (specifically drums), and exploring with his family. Jay now serves as Ember’s Operations and IT Manager.
