our CREW

MEET THE CASCO CREW

Educators at heart, world travelers by trade

CASCO was born from a decision by education pioneers who were bold enough to dream and brave enough to try.

Maria J. Casco, Founder & Lead Educator

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!

Maria was born and raised in Mexico, lived in France, and has now spent the majority of her life in the United States.

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 is happily settled in Saint Louis with her incredible spouse, Ali, and their annoyingly lovable rescue pups, Chandler & Joey.

WE ARE on a quest for knowledge, culture, and adventure.

Jenna Hill, Co-Founder & Lead Educator

Jenna Hill has been a Montessori educator since 2009. Along with her Association of Montessori International (AMI) Diploma in Elementary Education, a Master's Degree in Montessori Studies, and her Montessori Orientation to Adolescent Studies Diploma, Jenna also holds a Bachelor's Degree of Science in Business.

Jenna has taught in upper and lower Elementary classrooms and helped launch the first Montessori Adolescent Program in Saint Louis, Missouri, as the director and founding guide. She is a certified Parent Coach whose mission is to share peaceful parenting methods with families to help children feel safe, loved, and understood.

She is happy to be working side by side with Maria as a renewed educator who stands by the work and mission of CASCO Learning.

Jenna is married to a wonderful, intelligent man (also an educator), and together they are raising two daughters with a spirit of exploration, adventure, and discovery. They often find themselves connecting with nature in the wild places they encounter on their many journeys.

connecting with people and places through curiosity and intention.

Kelly Sim, Lead Primary 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 Adolescent 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.

and re-defining what it means to be an educator.

Jenni Prost, Assistant Educator

Jenni holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Loyola University in Chicago and a Master’s Degree in Reading Education from Fontbonne University in St. Louis. She also holds certifications in Early Childhood, Elementary Art, and Middle School Language Arts. After teaching in traditional schools from 2006-2015, Jenni took a career break to stay home with her children.

It was then that she learned more about Montessori, self-directed learning, and respectful parenting through books, online courses, and practicing with her children. Yearning for a similar local community for her family, Jenni found it at CASCO in 2022 and looks forward to connecting with other families in the years ahead.

Jenni can often be found exploring trails and creeks with family and friends, learning how to garden, playing with art supplies, and planning her family’s next road trip!