Faculty Spotlight

Meet Mrs. Amanda Donaghue

I’m an Early Childhood Educator who is passionate about helping children grow both academically and personally. I grew up in Tampa, Florida, and now live in the Lake Ida area with my family. My children attend Unity School, which I truly believe is a magical place. It strikes the perfect balance between advanced academics and teaching children how to be kind, accepting, healthy, and well-rounded individuals.

Although I majored in Advertising and Entrepreneurship at the University of Florida and began my professional career in advertising and sales, I later realized I wasn’t fulfilled. After some soul searching, I decided to pursue a Florida Teaching Certification and later earned a Montessori certification. It is now my 10th year of teaching. Teaching allows me to combine my love for creativity with my passion for helping and working with people. It’s a field where I can make a real difference in children’s lives while doing what I love.

My teaching philosophy centers around meeting children where they are, but also challenging them to go beyond what they think they are capable of. I thrive on instilling a growth mindset and encouraging self-pride in my students. One of the things I love most about Montessori is how it fosters independence and curiosity, while offering incredibly unique materials that help children learn in ways that traditional education often cannot. Seeing children grow in confidence and capability through their own efforts is incredibly rewarding.

There’s nothing quite like the pride I feel when I see my students mastering material that they once struggled with. It’s even more rewarding when I see them develop a true love for learning and feel proud of their accomplishments. What excites me most, however, is when my students go above and beyond to help others, be inclusive, sincerely apologize and fix their mistakes, and demonstrate what we call “Grace and Courtesy” for their environment and everyone around them. Moments like these make teaching so fulfilling.

I chose to work at Unity School because it is so unique in its mission and values. Unity is a truly special place that not only challenges students academically but also emphasizes the teaching of important virtues. The tight-knit community here makes every family feel valued and supported. Another aspect I love about Unity is the amazing group of co-workers I get to collaborate with every day – especially my Pre-A team. We work together seamlessly, supporting each other and sharing ideas. The leadership team at Unity is also exceptional, providing the guidance and support that help make our work so rewarding. The environment at Unity perfectly mirrors what I want for my own children: a place where individual success is paired with love, respect, and personal growth.

As a teacher at Unity, I am honored to help guide my students as they grow into thoughtful, capable, and compassionate individuals who are excited about learning and ready to take on the world.