Zach Newman (He/Him)

Hello Families, 

 

I’m so excited to be here for another school year at Athena. I began as a Support and ASP Guide in 2018 before working my way up to Assistant Guide. I started my Montessori certification in 2021 with the Center for Guided Montessori Studies and officially became a lead guide in 2022. My favorite thing about working with this age group is their sense of wonder. Everything is so new for them and it’s truly an honor to be a small part of their journey through childhood.

 

I have lived in Texas since I was 10 years old and have called the central Texas area home since 2012. I started at Athena as a Support and After School Guide in the summer of 2018, but my passion for working with children started as a clinical student in high school, working alongside pediatric healthcare professionals. That passion led me to earning a degree in Family and Child Development at Texas State University in the beautiful city of San Marcos. Through my studies with the FCD program, I was able to gain a wide range of knowledge in areas such as socio-emotional development and guidance techniques for children of all ages.

 

During my final semester of undergraduate studies, I interned with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services under the Division of Ongoing Services in San Antonio. As an intern, I worked alongside caseworkers as they connected children and families in the foster care system with necessary services and worked with birth parents towards reunification with their children. My internship led me to working full time with CPS under the Division of Investigations, where I was tasked with investigating reports of abuse and neglect throughout Hays County.

 

After a challenging yet fulfilling year and a half with the state, I felt called to look for new opportunities. When I found Athena, I knew immediately I wanted to be a part of the wonderful community the staff has cultivated since the school’s inception.

 

I look forward to meeting you all!

Zach Newman