Lower Elementary Staff
Amy Brauer
Amy Brauer is a graduate of Moorehead State University with a B.S. in Elementary Education. She received her American Montessori Society Elementary Certification from Houston Montessori Center. As a Peace Corps Volunteer, Amy taught reading for two years in St. Vincent, West Indies. She then taught kindergarten and elementary for ten years in public and private schools. Amy and her husband Randy have two children who attend Hermosa. Besides teaching, she likes spending time with her family, music, singing, nature and the beach. Amy successfully guides her students with peace, kindness, respect and songs throughout the Montessori curriculum.
Diane Brandon
Diane Brandon received a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from the University of Wisconsin, and her M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Arizona. Diane taught kindergarten students in Wisconsin and special needs young adults in Tucson and surrounding areas in the College of Education at the University of Arizona. Diane has been a dedicated and committed Hermosa parent and teacher since 1989.
Michael Harding
Michael Harding received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Texas, a Master of Arts from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Arizona, and AMS Elementary Certification. Before joining our Hermosa family, Michael worked in higher education, specifically in music education. Michael has been a musician all his life and enjoys learning about music from other cultures, particularly music from Africa and the Middle East. He is an accomplished and gifted guitarist. When Michael decided to teach Montessori students it was largely because the Montessori commitment to peace education drew him. Michael's interest in ecology, sustainable resources, and peaceful coexistence with the planet fit beautifully with Maria Montessori's vision of thoughtful and intentional students making choices for our world. Michael is also an avid reader; he enjoys everything from novels to historic fiction and is a gardener.
Don Van Karsen
Don has a Bachelor of Science degree in Family Studies and Relations from the University of Arizona and AMS Montessori elementary certification. Before joining the elementary teaching staff at Hermosa, Don was the late care teacher for six years. Don loves to read and will attest to reading whatever he picks up, but is a particular fan of historical and science fiction subject matter. He also enjoys doing home improvement projects, surfing the net, and caring for his animals: 2 two cats and six reptiles!
