Matt's passion for education has been a constant throughout his life, from his days as a student teacher to his role as a military professor at the U.S. Naval War College. His time spent leading and mentoring young men and women has only reinforced his belief in the transformative power of education. He has dedicated the past four years to working with schools, divisions, and state education agencies across the country to help create deeper and more meaningful learning experiences. Matt holds a Bachelor's in English Education from the State University of New York at Albany, an MBA from the University of Rochester, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Kristen's career as a nurse instilled in her a profound appreciation for humanity and a deep-seated desire to help others. When she started her family, she wanted to continue making a positive impact on her community while also being an active and present parent to her children. This led her to found Young Chefs Academy of Richmond in 2006, where children learn the lifelong skill of cooking through an artistic, creative, and fun educational experience. In search of a school that would support her youngest son's entrepreneurial spirit, Kristen and her husband discovered the Acton Academy network of innovative schools. They immediately knew the self-directed learning model was the perfect fit for their family and community. As the leader of the business and development operations at Pace Academy, Kristen works tirelessly to ensure that our mission of empowering learners throughout the greater Richmond area is fulfilled.

Sally's lifelong passion for working with children has led her to become a dedicated advocate for self-directed education. With years of experience teaching children from ages 3-6 in both public and private Montessori schools, Sally honed her skills as a compassionate and effective educator. Her passion for education led her to work at the Brooklyn Museum in New York as a teacher for the Meet the Museum program, as well as at the Edible Schoolyard NYC. For the past 3 years, she has been homeschooling her children and recently began working at a local homeschool co-op. Sally believes that each child’s unique spirit and skills are to be honored, fostered, and celebrated. Sally holds a Bachelor's in Education from Wittenberg University of Ohio, and a Master’s Degree in Education with Montessori 3-6 certification from Xavier University.

Matthew came to education through a career in the performing arts. Discovering as a theatermaker that when a diverse group of people is given the task of working together, honoring everyone’s unique talents, and embracing our differences, transformative and profound discovery will occur. Whether in a classroom or in any of his numerous leadership roles in not-for-profit Art Organizations, Matthew is passionate about creating environments where meaningful communication and collaboration are the principal means of problem-solving. Both as an educator and as a parent, he holds the belief that education is a privilege and responsibility, as well as a great producer of hope. Matthew holds an M.A. in English and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University.

Carrie's journey into education began in public schools, but nearly a decade ago, she discovered her calling in Montessori education, earning her Elementary teaching credentials from Seton Montessori Institute in Illinois. In 2020, like many educators, she transitioned her work online during the pandemic, founding Montezoome Tutoring and leading a vibrant virtual classroom. In recent years, Carrie has dedicated herself to developing elementary programs and mentoring guides across a network of 14 Montessori schools in Northern Virginia. Beyond her professional pursuits, she cherishes moments with her husband, two children (ages 14 and 12), and their furry and feathered companions – a dog, two cats, and a parakeet. Outside of her busy schedule, you'll find Carrie immersed in a captivating mystery or science-fiction book, accompanied by a steaming cup of coffee – her cozy retreat.