Annie Caudill, Office Manager
Annie Caudill joined the McGuffey staff as Office Manager in the fall of 2020. Annie has an Accounting degree from Miami University and worked in the accounting field for many years before becoming a mother. As her children grew, she became a substitute teacher in her children’s schools. Annie is thrilled to be in a position where she is able to combine her passion for education with her business background.
Annie and her husband live with their youngest son in Oxford. Her oldest son is grown and on his own and her daughter is attending college. Annie is also her church Treasurer and is actively involved in her children’s activities. She can also be found cheering on her favorite sports teams or reading a favorite book, but is happiest when surrounded by family and dear friends.
Casey Daubenmire, Office Assistant
Casey began working in the McGuffey Montessori School office in the Fall of 2017 when her daughter was enrolled in the elementary classroom. The Montessori method was a natural fit for Casey who enjoys constantly reading and learning new things. Her skills in the areas of problem-solving, creativity, customer service, and organization have been honed over many different positions with non-profits and businesses.
Casey’s interests include reading, crafts, and graphic arts. She is currently developing her own Etsy site.
Mike Desmier, Business Manager
Mike has been the Business Manager for McGuffey since 2008, when he developed a love of the culture of learning at McGuffey. Mike has been providing accounting and business services for a variety of schools and non-profits in Southwestern Ohio since 1993. He works for McGuffey part-time while also managing the finances of other entities. He has a bachelors degree in Accounting, is a Certified Public Accountant, and is completing a Master’s degree in Pastoral Ministry.
Mike lives in Cincinnati with his wife and daughter, enjoys numismatics and playing the guitar, both of which he has generously shared with McGuffey students over the years. He is also an ultra marathoner having run several 50-mile and 24-hour races.
Elizabeth Taylor Assistant, Head of School + Music Teacher for Grades 1-8
Elizabeth divides her time between her duties as Assistant Head of School and Music Teacher to Grades 1-8. This combined role reflects her long-term interest in management and her recognition of the crucial role music plays in the education and support of children in all areas, including academics and social learning.
Elizabeth began teaching at McGuffey in 2011 in the Primary classroom as a licensed Kindermusik teacher and obtained her Primary Montessori Certification. Before becoming a teacher and starting a family, Elizabeth was an opera and oratorio singer. Elizabeth enjoys reading, playing the ukulele, and sewing. She and her husband have two sons who attended McGuffey.
Nancy Hawthorne, Head of School
Nancy taught middle and high school mathematics in Cincinnati and in the District of Columbia Public Schools. While living in Washington, DC, Nancy worked at the National Research Council, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and the U.S. Department of Education. For ten years before coming on staff at McGuffey, Nancy was an education consultant providing professional development and instructional support to K-12 teachers.
Nancy is passionate about the role that independence, problem solving and skill development play in a child’s empowerment. She loves seeing the Montessori values of honoring the child influence the development of authentic confidence and self-worth in our students and applying these same principles to school culture and operations.
Nancy’s involvement in McGuffey began when her daughter enrolled in Kindergarten and included coordinating tours and serving on the board of trustees. She enjoys all things geeky and crafty.
B.S. + M.Ed., Secondary Mathematics Education, Miami University
M.Ed., Curriculum and Supervision, Miami University
