Julie Schroer
Head of School
Email address: julie@montessoricenter.org
Julie was born and raised in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. She moved to the U.S. in the mid 1980s and settled in Palm Springs, where she became a live-in nanny while studying for a major in physics. Julie then trained as an assistant physical therapist and worked in a rehabilitation unit caring for patients with critical injuries.
In the early 1990s, Julie moved to North Carolina where she attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Knowing her calling was to work with children, Julie switched majors and earned a BA in psychology with a minor in African American Studies. She also worked part-time on a research team in the clinical psychology department at UNC studying parental disciplinary models and behavioral disorders. Julie then went on to earn a MS in educational psychology.
In 1992 Julie began working with The New School in the Children’s House program. After falling in love with the philosophy of Montessori and recognizing it as an extension of her studies in developmental and clinical psychology, she began her Montessori training. Julie earned her AMS certifications at the lower and upper elementary levels.
Julie taught lower and upper elementary and middle school for a total of 14 years, then assumed an administrative position for another 5 years before assuming her current role as Head of School. In addition to her classroom teaching, she has tutored in many levels of mathematics and science. She has also coached judo and fencing.
On a part-time basis, Julie serves as treasurer of an international environmental organization that promotes sustainability education. She is also a PADI Scuba Dive Master who enjoys leading underwater tours and participating in reef preservation projects. Her other interests include traveling, art, photography, chess, and caring for her saltwater aquarium.
Favorite Educational Quote
Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.
∼ William Butler Yeats
Julie Schroer
Executive Director
Jonathan Schroer
Executive Director
Email address: jon@montessoricenter.org
Jonathan was born in Illinois and was raised on Long Island, New York. His first introduction to Montessori was through his mother, Ceres Schroer York, a life-long Montessori professional who founded the The New School in 1984. He attended Montessori school as a young child, which is also when he began his very successful chess career.
Jonathan graduated from Stony Brook University with a double major in Russian and political science. After Stony Brook, he attended Columbia University and earned a degree in law. He then went on to pass the bar in California, Washington D.C., and North Carolina.
He practiced law for a few years in California and then moved and settled down in North Carolina. After a year of practicing law in Raleigh, he decided to pursue Montessori training and join The New School to assist in its development. He attained his certification in Children’s House and gained invaluable classroom experience before assuming administrative roles and eventually becoming the Head of School in 2000.
Jonathan continues to play and coach chess, both privately and to other local schools. In addition to at one time being the third youngest international chess champion in the U.S., he also holds the record for winning the NC state championship the most times (in 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2009). In his spare time, Jonathan enjoys listening to music, playing cards, and tennis.
Favorite Educational Quote
The greatest sign of success for a teacher is to be able to say, ‘The children are now working as if I did not exist.’
∼ Dr. Maria Montessori
Jonathan Schroer
Executive Director
Torey Daniels
Assistant Director | Human Resource Coordinator
Email address: torey@montessoricenter.org
Torey was born and raised in Fuquay-Varina and is happy to be considered one of the few natives to still live in the area with her family, Seth and Bella. Bella is her only child, and it was her who led Torey to pursue an education in early childhood.
Torey has over 10 years of experience working with children. She has two degrees, one in general education and the other in early childhood education. She has also attended classes ranging from medical coding to cosmetology and aesthetics. Currently, she is attending school at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke to obtain her bachelor’s degree in business management.
In 2015, after gaining classroom experience for five years, Torey decided to focus on a career in educational administration, which is when she joined The New School. Along with her administrative role, she has introduced several school-wide initiatives to enrich our community including co-managing our Student Council and actively participating in several TNS committees.
Her favorite part of working at the school is watching the growth of not only the children but the school in general. Her participation, ideas, and enthusiasm have contributed significantly to many of our community-building activities.
Over the past five years, Torey has been the co-president of the local NC Million March Against Child Abuse which happens every April. Along with having a heart for children, she loves animals and was, at one point, a top foster organizer for a high-kill shelter in Harnett County. She has four pets of her own: two dogs, Millie and Bosley, and two cats, Pebbles and Bam-Bam.
In her spare time, Torey enjoys traveling, reading, shopping at thrift stores, and staying on-the-go with her friends and family.
Favorite Educational Quote
Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed.
∼ Dr. Maria Montessori
Torey Crompton
Assistant Director & HR
Dawn Bowden
Billing Specialist
Email: dawn@montessoricenter.org
Dawn lived in Staten Island, New York, for her whole life before moving here. She relocated to Holly Springs with her two girls, but her two boys still live in New York. They have one fur baby that they rescued in 2015 — a Maltese mix named Betsy.
She found her dream home here three years ago and loves the beautiful state of North Carolina, the great weather, nice people, and its beautiful parks and beaches.
Dawn has an accounting background, but this is her first time having the wonderful opportunity to work in a school. She loves children and, as a nurturing mom, hopes to bring that quality to her job.
Spending time with her family is paramount, especially big gatherings for the holidays. Cooking and baking (especially whipping up new recipes), trying new restaurants, and shopping are favorite pastimes. And she loves traveling – but only by car or cruise. She’s afraid of flying!
On her “Bucket List”? Taking a cruise with her children to visit multiple Caribbean Islands!
Dawn Bowden
Billing Specialist