Zachary Newman (He/Him)

Hello families!

I’m very excited to begin my fifth year at Athena. Last year I began my journey to becoming Montessori trained and certified through The Center for Guided Montessori Studies, and have been applying everything that I’ve learned as the Lead Guide in Tots 3.

 

I have lived in Texas since I was 10 years old and have called the central Texas area home since 2012. I started at Athena as a Support and After School Guide in the summer of 2018, but my passion for working with children started as a clinical student in high school, working alongside pediatric healthcare professionals. That passion led me to earning a degree in Family and Child Development at Texas State University in the beautiful city of San Marcos, Texas. Through my studies with the FCD program, I was able to gain a wide range of knowledge in areas such as socio-emotional development and guidance techniques for children of all ages.

 

During my final semester of undergraduate studies, I interned with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services under the Division of Ongoing Services in San Antonio, Texas. As an intern, I worked alongside caseworkers as they connected children and families in the foster care system with necessary services and worked with birth parents towards reunification with their children. My internship led me to working full time with CPS under the Division of Investigations, where I was tasked with investigating reports of abuse and neglect throughout Hays County.

 

After a challenging yet fulfilling year and a half with the state, I felt called to look for new opportunities. When I found Athena, I knew immediately I wanted to be a part of the wonderful community the staff has cultivated since the school’s inception.

 

I look forward to meeting you all!

Zach Newman