I am a Middle School Montessori Lead Teacher at South Carolina’s oldest Montessori School located on Hilton Head Island. I am interested in adolescent education and curriculum development. I teach all subjects, with concentration in mathematics and science.  I have written several successful grants to fund our Upper Elementary program as well as creative science themed projects in my classroom.

I am a member of the American Montessori Society, and have spoken at their national conference about science and inquiry-based learning.  Next year, I will speak in Philadelphia on using art and inquiry to teach history.  I also have been invited to be on the national research committee to aid in selecting grants to be funded and help write grants to fund Montessori and general educational grants.

I am wife to Eldon E. Baird and mother to 3 boys:  Ben (14), Chris (11), and Joey (8).  We live in gorgeous Hilton Head Island, SC and take advantage of the beaches daily.  I teach at their school, Sea Pines Montessori Academy.  Next year, Ben will attend Hilton Head Island High School, our first experience with public school since I attended them.

In a former life, I worked at GeneSoft, Inc., a biotech company I helped to start out of grad school.  I led the biochemistry department in creation of in vitro and in vivo DNA-binding assays for proprietary molecules. I managed a Ph.D. scientist as well as research assistants. We used bench-top as well as high-throughput techniques for assays. I helped to write a successful DARPA grant for the development of antibiotics and antivirals for military applications.

For fun, I play piano and guitar, attempting to sing.  I have played those instruments for at least 20 years.  I play for anyone who will listen, including my students.  I also kayak, hike, swim, walk/run, and do photography.  After my week with the Salt Marsh STEAM program, I can say proudly that I am an amateur artist as well, who specializes in watercolor. 🙂