Lisl Friday (She/Her)

I am proud to welcome all of you to Athena Montessori Academy. In 2006, what was only a dream has evolved into an incredible community of dedicated teachers, staff, and families united in our vision to make the world a better place by serving and guiding children in a loving, inclusive, nurturing, diverse, stimulating, equitable, toxic-free, fun, and joyful environment. I work hard every day to cultivate a community that is welcoming and inclusive of all its members.

I lead Athena with a deep commitment to caring for our staff, children, and families while fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional growth. I personally lead our initial staff recruitment because I believe that exceptional schools are built by exceptional educators, and that thoughtfully selecting people who share our mission is one of the most important ways we preserve and strengthen Athena's unique culture. I am equally committed to investing in the ongoing education and development of our teaching team so we can serve every child and family to the very best of our ability. 

While honoring the enduring wisdom of Montessori—its philosophy, methods, materials, training, and curriculum—we also strive to thoughtfully integrate insights from contemporary research in psychology, neuropsychology, early childhood education, literacy, and the sciences to better understand, support, and educate every child. My current professional interests include creating healthier, less toxic environments for children; supporting neurodiverse learners; fostering inclusive communities where children of all gender identities feel seen and valued; and applying the principles of justice, equity, inclusion, and belonging to educational environments.

I was born and raised in Austin and attended the former Athena Montessori School in Tarrytown in the early '70s. Memories of the place we affectionately called "Leo's school" helped shape my vision for what has become Athena Montessori Academy. My school is not affiliated with my alma mater in any way other than the name "Athena," which was gifted to me by Leo and Mary Ann's family to honor the memory of the original school.

Young children, sports, and Montessori education have been the prominent themes in my life for as long as I can remember. I worked as a camp counselor, nanny, gymnastics coach, ballet teacher, kickboxing instructor, swim instructor, and horseback riding instructor for young children. I earned a degree in Psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a Master's in Education from The University of Texas at Austin. I taught in Montessori schools in New Mexico and California, then detoured into a variety of professions—including sales, marketing, accounting, acting, and recruiting—before finding my way back to Montessori and taking a chance on the dream that became Athena Montessori Academy. 

When not working, I spend time with my amazing child, Joie, from whom I learn every day. I enjoy running on the Greenbelt, swimming at Deep Eddy, weightlifting, snowboarding, biking, traveling, enjoying good food and wine, and spending time with family and friends.

I look forward to getting to know all of you during your time at Athena. It takes all of us to create a community, so thank you for your contribution.

Warmly,

Lisl