EILEEN MARIANI, B.A., M. Ed.
Science Guide
Co-Founder, Curriculum Developer
Eileen is a long-time Montessori and traditional classroom educator, holding a B.A. from the University of Illinois with a speciality in Environmental Science, a M.Ed. from Indiana University with a Science focus, and an American Montessori Society (AMS) upper elementary Montessori certification from Columbus Ohio Montessori Educational Training (COMET).
Eileen’s formal teaching career began in 1996 when she earned an Indiana K-12 Teaching License and taught science for grades 7-12 at Triton Junior-Senior High School in Bourbon, Indiana. In 2006 Eileen transitioned from Triton to Good Shepherd Montessori School (GSMS) in South Bend, where she taught upper elementary (grades 4 - 6) in a multi-age, Montessori classroom.
In 2019, Eileen stepped down from her teaching position at GSMS to focus full time on opening River Montessori High School and leading development of the core curriculum. In Fall 2020 she will serve as the school’s science teacher.
PATRICK NEWSOM, B.A., M.A.T.
English Guide
Registrar
Patrick is an educator-poet, earning his B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College with a concentration in English literature and a M.A. in Humanities Education from Teachers College, Columbia University in the City of New York. He holds teaching certifications in both Indiana and New York.
Patrick’s teaching career began in 2015 while living in Mwanza, Tanzania in Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2017, he was awarded the Lipkin Family Fellowship for Poetry for his chapbook “Not the Red Baron.” Patrick has completed his American Montessori Society (AMS) certification at CMStep in Cincinnati, Ohio.
JUSTIN GORDON
Creative Process Guide
Facilities Manager
Blending the study and practice of Creative, Movement, and Wellness Arts, Justin offers an integrated program that emphasizes Process at LEAST as much as Product in all engagements. While exploring Composition in various mediums, Alignment in physical activities, and Mindfulness in life choices, students are encouraged to consider “Why” along with “How” a principle is applied.
In addition to being an accomplished designer, illustrator, painter, and performer, Justin’s qualifications include certificates in Anatomy & Physiology, Acupressure, Shiatsu, Aikido, and Archery instruction, as well as from the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI).
HENRY BORJAS, B.A.
Mathematics Guide
CFO, Test Coordinator
Henry Borjas is a math teacher with a B.A. in Mathematics and Physics from Indiana University South Bend. He worked for Indiana University South Bend as a supplemental instructor in the physics department supporting students with calculus based physics and laboratory. After his time at IU, Henry went on to teach for 5 years at Goshen High School, educating students in topics such as Algebra, Geometry, and Precalculus.
Born and raised in Honduras, Henry came to the USA in 2010 to the South Bend area. He loves to travel and spend time with his family and friends in both the USA and Honduras. Henry enjoys sports such as soccer and American football (especially IU basketball, Wisconsin football, and the Packers).
Henry holds an Indiana teaching credential and has completed his American Montessori Society (AMS) certification at CMStep in Cincinnati, Ohio.
ERIN MARKEL, B.S.
Science Guide
Information Technology
Erin is a science educator with a B.S. in Physics and a minor in Sustainability from the University of Notre Dame. Originally from Kentucky, they discovered their own passion for math and science as a high school student, and now they hope to inspire that same interest in their students by teaching Environmental Science, Integrated Chemistry/Physics, and Algebra 2.
Outside of school, Erin enjoys cooking, bouldering, and playing for the local roller derby league.
STEPHANIE SEICZKO, B.F.A
Student Support Guide
Health Aide
Stephanie is a behavioral therapist with a B.F.A in Theatrical Design from Indiana University. She ventured into behavioral therapy several years ago when her passion for helping others and building deep connections paved a path toward a new career. Specializing in teaching communication and daily living skills through the power of play, Stephanie finds particular joy in helping neurodivergent students.
When she’s not teaching, Stephanie enjoys camping with her husband, exploring the outdoors, biking, roller skating, and crafting.
KIRA BRAGG, B.A.
Spanish Guide
Kira is a lifelong lover of language, with a bachelor’s in English Language and Literature from Pfeiffer University as well as a master’s in Applied Linguistics from Ohio University. She has taught English and Spanish to hundreds of students over the years, both in-person and online, to speakers of many native languages. She discovered her passion for language as a young child living surrounded by Spanish speakers in inner-city Philadelphia; she was motivated to pursue Spanish fluency as an adult during graduate school and later during the years she spent living in Cuenca, Ecuador, as well as extensive time spent traveling in Mexico, Peru, and Spain. She operates from the philosophy that language is an inherently social, connective, and human practice, and she hopes to cultivate that mindset in her learning environment for her Spanish classes at RMHS.
ERIC OGLESBEE, PH.D.
Co-Founder and Board Member
Eric is an experienced, multi-disciplinary, academic entrepreneur possessing a B.A. from Bethel University with a double major in Mathematics and Biblical Literature as well as an M.A. and Ph.D. in General Linguistics from Indiana University.
From 2008 - 2015, Eric served as an Assistant/Associate Professor of Linguistics at Bethel University where he taught across three disciplines – Mathematics, English, and Linguistics – and launched a minor and major in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). As an element of the TESOL program, he established TESOL practicum sites in Spain, Lithuania, and Vietnam.
After witnessing the transformative power of Montessori education in the lives of students at Good Shepherd Montessori School (GSMS), Eric left Bethel University in 2016 to build the Montessori Consortium of the Great Lakes (MCGL), an organization based out of GSMS dedicated to advancing educational best practices according to the vision of Dr. Maria Montessori.
During the year prior to the launch of River Montessori High School, Eric was the recipient of a highly competitive fellowship from the Drexel Fund to support the design and launch of RMHS. In his role as the school’s founding CEO, he was responsible for fundraising, design of operational systems, managing community partnerships, and supporting curriculum development. Additionally, during the 2020 - 2021 academic year, Eric served as the Mathematics guide at RMHS. In July 2022 he completed a transition out of day-to-day operations and joined the school’s board of directors.
Governing Board
Eric Oglesbee, Board President
Eileen Mariani, Staff Liason
Jennifer Jordan, Wildflower Representative
John Petersen
Delores Johnson, Co-Vice President
Angela Thomas, Secretary
Erin Tracy, Co-Vice President
Gordon Fowler, Treasurer
Community Advisory Board
In addition to its governing board, RMHS is currently building a Community Advisory Board to support the pursuit of its mission. Current members include:
Sam Centellas
Marta Donahoe
Founder, Clark Montessori High School (1st Public Montessori High School in the U.S.)
David Kahn
Founding Director, Hershey Montessori School
Pete McCown
President, Community Foundation of Elkhart County
Charles Nelson
Executive Director, Judd Leighton Foundation
Kyle Null
Owner, CEO, Nullen
