TARA CAVALIERE

Tara Cavaliere is the Head of School at First Steps Montessori School. Originally from Pennsylvania, she earned her undergraduate degree from Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA and later completed both her MA and MFA at West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV. After relocating to Houston, Texas, Tara received her American Montessori Society Early Childhood Credential in 1999, followed by a Texas State Director Certification in 2002. In 2006, she was among the first cohort to earn an Administrator’s Credential from the Houston Montessori Center. Tara currently serves as a board member for MOLO Bilingual Montessori School in Houston, as well as an AMS Ambassador for the Heads of School Leadership Collective. She has presented in the past at AMS national conferences on topics including leadership and Montessori education and has previously served on the Children’s Enrichment Fund as well as a Field Consultant for the Houston Montessori Center. With over 30 years of experience in education, 27 of those in Montessori, Tara has taught across developmental levels from Infant/Toddler through college aged students. Her work is grounded in a deep commitment to Montessori education and a passion for fostering thoughtfully prepared environments that inspire independence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning.