Darlene Abernathy‑Neely is a Montessori consultant, leadership designer, and instructional coach with more than 30 years of experience developing educators, coaching school leaders, and designing Montessori‑informed learning environments where children and adults thrive.

Her career spans Nashville’s first public Montessori school, co‑founding the Belmont University Montessori Teacher Education Program, and nearly a decade as cofounder and Academic Dean of NIA House Montessori School. Most recently, she served as a Senior Leadership Designer with Bezos Academy, creating professional learning for Montessori school leaders across the country.

Through Montessori Essence, Darlene partners with schools, educators, and organizations to offer leadership development, instructional design, coaching, and professional learning rooted in clarity, equity, and the essence of the Montessori philosophy.