Teacher of the year
Please join us as we congratulate these teachers being named 2026 Cadence Education Teachers of the Year! We are so lucky to have them as part of our amazing team.
National Cadence Education 2026 Teacher of the Year | T.J. Lochowski
Congratulations to T.J. Lochowski, our 2026 Cadence Education National Teacher of the Year!
T.J. is the true definition of excellence in early education. Not only is he a phenomenal teacher in the classroom, but he also consistently steps up as a leader—supporting, mentoring, and training other staff across the school. His impact extends far beyond his own classroom and is felt throughout the entire team.
What sets T.J. apart is his intentionality. His curriculum is not only creative and engaging but thoughtfully designed around each individual child. He takes the time to truly understand their strengths, interests, and needs, ensuring every child is supported, challenged, and set up for success.
His classroom environment is equally impressive—warm, calm, and welcoming. It is a place where children feel safe, families feel connected, and everyone experiences a strong sense of belonging from the moment they walk in. Families notice it right away. He’s created a space that feels like a second home. It is not just a classroom — it is a community.
This year, T.J. demonstrated exceptional leadership as his program expanded from 20 to over 30 students. He didn’t just adapt—he led. Through thoughtful restructuring, strong systems, and clear routines, he ensured his classroom continued to operate at a high level while maintaining the quality experience we expect for our children and families.
He also fosters strong, collaborative relationships with his assistant teachers, creating a culture of respect, communication, and teamwork that directly benefits the children in his care. He collaborates side by side with them, modeling teamwork, communication, and mutual respect. He fosters an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered, creating a cohesive team that directly benefits the children in their care.
T.J. leads by example every single day, bringing consistency, heart, and professionalism into everything he does. We are incredibly proud to recognize him as our Northeast Teacher of the Year and grateful for the lasting impact he continues to make.
National Cadence Education 2026 Teacher of the Year | Jeannie Moore
Congratulations to Jeannie Moore for being recognized as the Cadence Education Specialty Territory Winner for 2026!
Jeannie began her career with MEC in 1985 while attending college, initially working part-time with infants before transitioning to toddlers. In 1987, she started her Montessori teacher training and went on to serve as a lead teacher across several MEC schools, including Duchesne Montessori, Montessori on the Mall, Toddler Village, and House of Montessori.
Over the course of more than 40 years, she has held a variety of leadership and mentorship roles, including House Director and Mid-America Montessori Teacher Trainer, while also mentoring numerous teachers through AMS training programs. In 2024, she retired from her role as lead teacher at House of Montessori and transitioned into her current position as Principal of Midtown Montessori. As Director and Lead Teacher, she stepped into a struggling school facing significant parent concerns and transformed it into a stable, fully enrolled campus through trust, consistency, and strong leadership.
Her influence extends well beyond her own school. Jeannie mentors and supports infant and toddler teachers across multiple MEC campuses, helping both new and experienced educators grow in their Montessori practice. She inspires passion, builds confidence, and fosters a culture of kindness and excellence wherever she works. Jeannie is the person that took over and turned around the school that Amanda had to go into right when taking over Specialty and meet with the parents, who were a challenge until Jeannie took over. (Tammi will likely recall this according to Amanda.)
She is deeply passionate about early childhood education and finds joy in observing young learners grow within the Montessori prepared environment. She remains committed to continuous learning and values the ever-evolving nature of working with toddlers. She views her role as both a responsibility and a privilege, recognizing the impact educators have in shaping confident, capable individuals. She also believes strongly in the importance of teamwork and community, noting the meaningful, full-circle experience of teaching children whose families she has served across generations.
In her personal time, she enjoys being with her family, especially as a new grandmother. She and her family share a love of trying new foods, and she takes pleasure in gardening and caring for houseplants. She and her husband attend vintage car shows and are actively involved in their church and local volunteer efforts, including serving at a food pantry.
With over 40 years of service, Jeannie’s legacy is seen in the countless educators she has developed and the communities she has strengthened. She doesn’t just support the organization, she elevates it. She is an exceptional and deserving choice for Teacher of the Year. She is the embodiment of what it represents – resilience, leadership, and lasting impact.
West Teacher of the Year | Maria Martinez
Congratulations to Maria Martinez for being recognized as the Cadence Education Teacher of the Year for the West Territory!
Maria has built a strong foundation in Early Childhood Education through both hands-on experience and a genuine passion for the field.
Her journey in ECE began in high school when she took her first early childhood education class during her sophomore year and quickly fell in love with the work. Wanting to learn more, she enrolled in an advanced preschool course the following year, where she gained experience in lesson planning, developmentally appropriate practices, and classroom management.
Through that program, she split her time between classroom learning and working directly in a preschool setting, which further confirmed her passion for early education.
She began her career with Cadence 5 years ago and has continued to grow within the company ever since. Starting as a floater, she gained valuable experience supporting all age groups and building relationships across the school. Over the years, she has supported multiple classrooms including Busy Bees (3’s), Cuddle Bugs (1’s), Tiny Turtles (infants), and now serves as the Tender Bears (2’s) teacher.
She also comes from a large family as the youngest of eight siblings, with over half of her family working in the Early Childhood Education field.
Being surrounded by educators helped shape her passion for teaching and caring for young children from an early age.
Outside of the classroom, she loves hiking and spending time outdoors, and she brings that passion into her teaching by incorporating outdoor exploration and nature into her classroom’s daily routine whenever possible.
Her broad classroom experience, lifelong connection to education, and passion for child development make her an outstanding representative of early childcare and our selection for Teacher of the Year for the West.
Mid-Central Teacher of the Year | Brenda Campos Ponce
Congratulations to Brenda Campos Ponce for being recognized as the Cadence Education Teacher of the Year for the Mid-Central Territory!
Brenda currently supports the infant age group as an Infant Lead Teacher, where she provides attentive, individualized care to help children reach key developmental milestones. She has earned multiple certifications, demonstrating her dedication to maintaining a safe, healthy, and high-quality learning environment for our children.
In addition to her classroom role, she contributes to school operations by assisting with management responsibilities, supporting tours, and mentoring new teachers. Her personal commitment to building strong relationships with families, supporting children of all backgrounds and abilities, and fostering a positive, collaborative team environment highlights her meaningful impact within the school community.
If you walk into this school, you can’t help but not want to leave Brenda’s classroom. She is someone that stands out. She has outstanding dedication, leadership, and consistent commitment to the children she serves but also to Cadence as a whole. Beyond her classroom impact, Brenda is a valued team member who leads by example and consistently supports those around her.
She helps to keep her school growing and will take on additional duties beyond her scope of work. She takes initiative, embraces feedback, and models best practices that elevate the overall quality of the program. Brenda’s contributions have played a meaningful role in maintaining compliance standards, strengthening family satisfaction, and supporting overall school success.
Her professionalism, positive attitude, and genuine passion for her work make her incredibly deserving of this recognition.
Southeast Teacher of the Year | Diana Arango
Congratulations to Diana Arango for being recognized as the Cadence Education Teacher of the Year for the Southeast Territory!
Diana brings so much heart, joy, and consistency to her classroom every single day. She has been with Cadence for over two years, starting as a parent who fell in love with our school and now truly lives our culture.
Originally from Venezuela, Diana brings her culture into the classroom by naturally incorporating Spanish into daily activities, creating a fun and inclusive environment for her 3-year-olds. She loves thinking outside the box and making learning exciting and meaningful for her students.
Diana takes great pride in keeping a clean, organized classroom and is an incredible potty-training partner, always patient, supportive, and encouraging with both children and families… basically a superhero in disguise when it comes to potty training.
Diana brings more than experience to her classroom … she brings heart. As a mom, she connects with families on a deeply personal level, and it shows in the way parents and peers speak about her. Dependable, warm, and genuinely kind, she embodies everything Cadence stands for … and shows up for her children with the same intention and love every single day.
