Lindsay Aceto, Primary Teacher

I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. I currently live in East Cobb with my three children. I have worked with children for the past twelve years. I have been teaching with Messiah Montessori School since it opened in 2005.

I began my studies as an Early Childhood Education teacher in 2005 by taking classes at a local Community College and at Kennesaw State University. I received my Montessori education and training from the Atlanta Teacher Montessori Education center and earned a certificate for teaching preschool and kindergarten children. 

When I am not preparing lessons and creating materials for my classroom, I enjoy scrap booking, reading, and attending my children’s sports events.

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David Kitzler, Elementary Teacher

I was born in Yankton, South Dakota and grew up in Vermillion, South Dakota along the Missouri River. My father is from Germany, and a professor of German, and my mother a librarian. My sister is adopted from South Korea. As a child I was able to travel with my family and learn about different cultures and traditions.

I attended the University of South Dakota from 1995 to 2000, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in studio art, along with a minor in English. I often displayed my paintings, sometimes earning awards in juried exhibitions.

In 2000 my life changed directions and I became involved in ministry and mission work. I have spent the majority of the past six years in Kodiak, Alaska, where I worked in a Christian preschool and after school program. I also assisted with community recreation programs for Native American, Hispanic, and Filipino youth. In 2006 I began to take college courses again, through the University of Alaska, and turned my mind toward teacher education.

In 2007, I transitioned back to South Dakota, continuing with education courses as I began to look towards graduate school. I also met my fiancé, who is from Georgia. After visiting here and researching some universities in the area, I decided to move to Georgia. In June of 2008, I was blessed to obtain a position at Messiah Montessori School.

I love working with children because they are the most enthusiastic learners, and they appreciate the world around them. They demonstrate a fascination for God’s creation and the world that is free of prejudice. I have always loved learning, and being a teacher allows me to continue the life-long learning process every day.

Some of the things I appreciate include art, sports, geography, literature, foreign languages, history, and church-related activities. In my spare time I enjoy writing, reading, playing soccer, and fishing.

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Tami Patino, Pre-Primary Teacher

I was born and raised in beautiful Venezuela, I moved to USA 8 years ago, I then married my best friend Henry and now have two wonderful children, Emilie and Henry. I have been in the field of Early Childhood Education for almost 10 years. I hold a degree in Early Childhood Education. Previous to joining Messiah Montessori School I owned a recognized sport program franchise for children age 2 to 6 in the North Metro Atlanta area for almost 3 years where I've learned a lot about how physical activity impacts positively in children's social life and their academic performance.

I've also worked as both lead and co-lead teacher in two different
preschools in the same area. I am very excited to be part of the wonderful future of this amazing school that is Messiah Montessori School.

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Kellie Porch, Primary Teacher

I was born and raised in South Florida, my mother from Massachusetts and my father from Ireland. As a child I took an interest in ice skating and began participating in competitions at an early age. I had the opportunity to train beside World Champion skaters at the University of Delaware and was invited to participate in an experimental program to develop an alternative design for skating boots to limit stress-related ankle and foot injuries.

My interest in ice-skating led me to a professional ice-skating career first performing at Cypress Gardens, Florida and later I successfully tried out for a skating position with Disney on Ice. As a performer with Disney on Ice, I had the opportunity to travel the world including Canada, Europe, Japan, and Mexico. In addition, I participated in tours of the East and West coasts of the United States. After ending my tours with Disney, I became a coach and taught primarily children for a period of years at an Alpharetta skate center.

My secondary education has included courses in early childhood education and child psychology at Polk Community College, in Winter Haven, Florida. I developed an interest in Montessori Education after the birth of my first child and enrolled him at the age of 2 ½ in a Montessori School. The immediate success of his experience in the Montessori environment led me to volunteer at his school and to develop a deeper interest and belief in Montessori Education Methods which eventually led me to pursue a career as a Montessori teacher.

I earned an initial teaching certification from the North American Montessori Center (NAMC) in Preschool/Kindergarten Montessori in 2007. I have also received training from the Pan American Montessori Society at Kennesaw State University with accreditations from the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teaching Education (MACTE.) This program is directed by Dr. Feland Meadows who was originally trained by Dr. Caspari, one of Dr. Maria Montessori’s personal teaching graduates. 

I have over 10 years experience of working with preschool and kindergarten aged children. I believe Montessori is a way to open the door for a child to expand his or her interests at a high level of achievement.  It is not just an excellent method of education, but also a way of life for children to learn about themselves and to spark their own interests in life. Montessori is about teaching children about life.  My exposure to Montessori has been an ongoing, life changing experience for my children and my family. As a teacher, I have learned to think of children as individuals and guide them along their path to their future.

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