Alex Kinkade (She/Her)

Hi Athena Families,

I'm excited to return to the Cardinal classroom this year alongside my wonderful team: Kimby, Jackie, and John. The 2025–2026 school year marks my sixth year in P4. I hold a degree in Child Development and an AMS Early Childhood Montessori teaching credential from the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies. Literacy is a passion of mine, and I hope to one day pursue a master’s degree that will prepare me to work more closely with children with dyslexia in a specialist role.

I grew up just west of Austin, where I spent most of my formative years playing outside and exploring the world around me. Many of my childhood memories involve following the creek behind my house, riding bikes with friends for miles, and figuring out how to navigate our way back home. I’m grateful to have had a safe environment to explore, play, and learn. I believe those early experiences helped shape who I am today and are part of what draws me to the Montessori philosophy—how it is designed to build children’s confidence and independence.

Working with children has always been a passion of mine, and I’ve been fortunate to have had many opportunities to do so. From my early days as a babysitter and nanny throughout high school and college, I knew I wanted a career where I could make a positive impact on young lives. While in college, I explored a variety of early learning environments and observed different preschool settings. That’s when I first discovered the Montessori method. I was immediately drawn to its respectful language, beautiful materials, and emphasis on hands-on learning. I was fascinated by how this approach nurtures children’s development, independence, and love of learning.

Since then, I’ve had the privilege of teaching at two Montessori schools in the Austin area, gaining experience in both Toddler and Primary environments. In 2019, I began my journey at Athena as a substitute and later joined the full-time staff. Even after several years, I’m still in awe of the natural beauty on campus—it’s a peaceful and inspiring setting for both students and teachers. But what truly makes Athena special is the close-knit community. The moment you step onto campus, you can feel the warmth and welcome. Our shared commitment to growing and learning alongside the children makes Athena a truly exceptional place to work and learn.

With gratitude,

Alex