“My teaching is like gumbo; its roux is based on the Montessori method; consisting of a prepared environment and trained teacher. It is child centered and offers individualized self-paced learning. It has a dash of contemporary direct-modeling and instruction along with a whole lot of spicy questions. And for flavor… a sense of community and connection!
Not every gumbo is the same; each year, each student, whatever resources I read or encounter during that time will influence its taste. Each time, it will have subtle differences and I am ok with that. Not every student learns the same nor should every teacher teach the same. If my teaching needs more boudin or a little less salt, I’ll trust the ever evolving process and test it out.
Essentially, if I’m able to free the child’s potential, aim for lasting peace and a love for learning…then bon appétit!”
– Amanda LaPlaca, Founder, Director & Lead-Educator
Meet Ms. Amanda
Amanda is a Montessori certified teacher with over 15 years of experience working with children. She identifies as a creative and forward thinking teacher-leader. Amanda has taught in public and private Montessori schools, coached and trained adults, founded and run camps, programs and clubs and been a teaching artist in schools & museums.
Amanda is the Founder, Director, and Lead Educator at FireFly Montessori, which began as a dream and grown into a thriving and joyful Montessori community!
Education & Professional Credentials
St. Catherine’s, Master of Arts in Education (MAED) with a concentration in Montessori Education and Leadership (in process)
4.0 Schools Fellow (New Orleans, LA)
American Montessori Society Early Childhood Certification (Houston, TX)
B.F.A. Communication Design, Pratt Institute (Brooklyn, NY)
Meet Ms. Addison
Ms. Addison has been working in education in New Orleans since 2009, with experience in traditional public, charter, and private school settings. She discovered Montessori in 2020 and quickly fell in love with its thoughtful, child-centered approach. More recently, she has developed a love for early childhood and is currently completing her Montessori teacher training at the Early Childhood level. She is excited to continue growing as a Montessori guide and educator.
Ms. Addison is mama to Emerie (5) and Arthur (2). She loves seeing the world through their eyes and finding the wonder in everyday moments alongside them. When she’s not at school, you’ll often find her working in her yard, riding bikes with her family, taking a yoga class, or enjoying the food, music, and culture that make New Orleans such a special place to call home.
Ms. Addison is so happy to be part of the FireFly team and looks forward to learning, growing, and building meaningful relationships alongside FireFly’s wonderful children, families, and teachers.
Meet Ms. Jasmine
Jasmine is a New Orleans native and a graduate of the University of New Orleans, with more than 15 years of experience working with children. She is also the proud mother of three wonderful children.
Jasmine believes that nurturing children’s social-emotional development is just as important as supporting their academic growth. Through her experience in both traditional and alternative educational settings, she has found Montessori education to be the most holistic and child-centered approach to learning. She is passionate about the power of early childhood Montessori education to empower future generations and help children grow into confident, compassionate, lifelong learners.
Jasmine—better known around FireFly as Ms. Jas—is excited to share her warmth, joy, and dedication with our community, bringing even more light and love to FireFly Montessori.
Meet Ms. Jessie
Jessie moved to New Orleans sight unseen in 2004 and fell in love with the city immediately. She’s been an educator here ever since, teaching PK–middle school and specializing in literacy, arts education, and teacher development and support. She completed her Early Childhood Montessori certification in 2021 and has continued her education through The Montessori Event and the Black Montessori Conference in 2025.
In addition to teaching at FireFly, she runs FUN ART, a tiny art school in the heart of New Orleans. She lives by the Fairgrounds with her husband, Ryan, and their children, Lu (15) and Wes (11). Outside of school, some of her favorite things include singing with Community Polyphony and eating oysters!
Meet Ms. Jessica
Jessica has called New Orleans home for over a decade. Prior to that, she studied architecture and worked as a caregiver for families in New York City, where she supported before- and after-school care focused on nutrition, academics, and educational play.
As the oldest of five, Jessica brings a naturally patient, nurturing, and grounded presence to her work with children. She has a deep love of plants and outdoor learning and especially enjoys guiding FireFly students in nature-based exploration and garden experiences.
Education & Professional Credentials
Montessori Early Childhood Assistant Teacher Credential, IMC (International Montessori Council)
B. Arch with a minor in Architectural Theory and Technology, Pratt Institute (Brooklyn, NY)
Meet Ms. Liz
Elizabeth (Liz) Frederick is our afternoon associate teacher, helping guide and support the children each afternoon and assisting with our aftercare program. She has experience working in Montessori and traditional school settings, as well as summer camps, both in New York and here in New Orleans.
Liz has a genuine love for working with young children and brings a wonderful range of creative skills to the classroom, including baking, sewing, knitting, and many other crafts. She also loves sharing her passion for children’s literature with our students and bringing great books into the classroom.
We are so happy to welcome Liz to FireFly and are excited for all she will bring to our community!
Meet Ms. Tina!
Tina (Christine) McCrory, MCD, CCC-SLP, is delighted to be offering speech and language services at FireFly again this year through her private practice, Tiny Doors Speech & Language. Tina founded Tiny Doors after many years of working as a Speech-Language Pathologist in early intervention, as well as in preschool and elementary school settings.
Tina specializes in early language development and articulation and loves providing speech services at several wonderful preschools throughout the New Orleans area. She brings a playful, warm approach to therapy sessions, helping her students have fun while developing their speech sounds, expanding their grammar and vocabulary, and working toward confident self-expression.
Educational & Professional Credentials
- B.A., Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge (2004) — Major in Communication Disorders; Minor in French
- M.C.D., LSU Health Sciences Center, New Orleans (2008) — Master of Communication Disorders
- Certified Speech-Language Pathologist (CCC-SLP) through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
- Louisiana-licensed Speech-Language Pathologist through the Louisiana Speech and Language Association (LSHA)
Learn more about Tina and Tiny Doors Speech & Language: tiny-doors.com/our-services/
fireflymontessorinola.com 