our CREW
MEET THE CASCO CREW
educators at heart, world travelers by trade.
Maria J. Casco, Founder & Business Manager
Hark the sound! A die hard Tar Heel, Maria holds her Master's degree in Education as well as her Association of Montessori International (AMI) Diploma in Primary Education. She received her dual Bachelor's degrees in International Studies and Linguistics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Maria has been an educator since 2015. Her biggest joy in this world is working with children and sparking in them the same love she feels for exploring our world. An avid scuba diver, cycling enthusiast, and animal lover, Maria holds steadfast in her belief that life is a collection of memories and you can bet that she is on a perpetual quest for more!
Above all else, she is a passionate advocate of change; a representative of a multicultural upbringing committed to spreading the inspiration of what it means to belong everywhere.
She currently lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, but travels back to Saint Louis regularly to visit her CASCO family!
Jenna Hill, Co-Founder & Executive Director
Jenna has been a Montessori educator since 2009. She holds an AMI Elementary Diploma, a Master’s in Montessori Studies, a Montessori Orientation to Adolescent Studies Diploma, and a Bachelor’s degree in Business.
Throughout her career, Jenna has worked with children across Lower and Upper Elementary and helped launch the first Montessori adolescent program in St. Louis, serving as its director and founding guide. She is also a certified Parent Coach.
At CASCO, Jenna loves creating opportunities for children to follow their curiosity, engage in meaningful work, and grow in independence. She believes deeply in giving children the time, space, and support to discover who they are as learners and as people.
Jenna is married to Mike—better known around CASCO as “Science Mike”—a fellow lifelong learner who is deeply invested in the CASCO community. Together with their family, they love traveling, exploring the outdoors, and finding ways to stay connected to the wild world around them.
connecting with people and places through curiosity and intention.
Kelly Sim, Lead Educator
Kelly entered the Montessori classroom as an assistant in 2012 and began teaching in 2016 after receiving her Association of Montessori International (AMI) Diploma in Primary Education. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in in English and Business from Saint Louis University, along with a Master’s Degree in Education.
Previous to joining the world of education, Kelly spent ten years as an Irish musician— teaching, traveling, and performing nationally and internationally. She continues to play and teach Irish accordion and concertina on a weekly basis at St. Louis Irish Arts.
Kelly and her spouse Jason, love to spend family time with their two children exploring the outdoors.
Camping and hiking are family favorites!
creating meaningful experiences together with our families.
JoAnna Daniels, Lead Educator
JoAnna began teaching in 2011 after finishing her Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education. She went on to earn her Master’s in Special Education and holds teaching certifications in Early Childhood, Elementary, and Special Education. She has worked in special education and general education settings with students from first grade through high school.
In 2017 JoAnna put her teaching career on pause to raise her children. She began exploring homeschool options and immersed herself and children in nature-based playgroups. She joined CASCO with her children as a hybrid-schooling family and she could not be more excited to be on CASCO’s team of educators.
In her free time, JoAnna enjoys reading, sewing, and exploring with her children and spouse.
re-defining what it means to be an educator.
Jenni Prost, Lead Educator
Jenni has been a certified educator since 2006 with students from preschool through middle school. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in Reading Education, plus additional credentials in Art, Early Childhood, and Language Arts.
After stepping away from the classroom in 2015 to spend more time with her children, Jenni developed a deep appreciation for respectful parenting approaches such as RIE, Montessori, and nature-inspired programs. She immediately connected with their philosophies and immersed herself in books, online resources, and local communities with shared values.
Jenni is proud to be part of the Casco educator team and is dedicated to creating a safe space where children can grow in confidence, independence, and a love of learning. She believes curiosity is at the heart of meaningful experiences in and beyond the classroom, encouraging growth and discovery at every age.
Outside the classroom, Jenni is a self-published author and illustrator who enjoys a balance of adventures and slow days at home with her family.
and cultivating the change we hope to see in the world, one child at the time.
Carmen Hawkins, Assistant Educator
Carmen has been an educator since 2010. She holds a bachelors degree in early childhood education from NAU, a masters degree in education and completed her AMI certification in primary education in 2017 in Phoenix, AZ.
She has taught in Argentina, South Korea, Taiwan and Arizona.
In 2024, she moved from Denver to Saint Louis and has since found her way to CASCO! She loves traveling the world and lives for a good roadtrip. In her free time she loves to read, cook, and explore new places with her son.
want to join our team?
reach out!
Location
2324 Marconi Saint Louis, MO 63110