MEd in Integrative Education from The Institute for Educational Studies (TIES) through Endicott College

American Montessori Society Primary Credential from the Montessori Teachers Institute in Norwich, CT

American Montessori Society Lower Elementary Credential from the Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies in Silver Spring, MD

BA in English from Principia College, Elsah, IL

Tamara Sheesley Balis joined the Greenspring community as Head of School in 2012, bringing with her a diverse background in education, school leadership, Montessori pedagogy, and child development. Driven by a mission to strengthen educational excellence, Tamara is deeply committed to building school cultures that nurture, inspire, and empower students, educators, and families—fostering strong, inclusive communities. Tamara holds a Master of Education in Integrative Education from The Institute for Educational Studies (TIES), where she focused on centering and nurturing the child’s spirit in non-religious school settings.

Prior to joining our team, Tamara served for four years as the Head of School at the Amherst Montessori School in Amherst, Massachusetts. Before that, she served as the Director of the Boyd School’s Reston Campus, the Lower Elementary Directress at the Henson Valley Montessori School, and as a bilingual elementary public school teacher in the Teach for America program.

Tamara also wrote, narrated, and produced an educational documentary on using Montessori principles for the care of infants in the home. Additionally, she is a regular presenter at both regional and national educational conferences and is a classroom, school, and leadership consultant. She has been a contributing author for Washington Families Magazine, publishing articles on Montessori education, child development, and parenting.

Tamara is grateful that both her children enjoyed a Montessori education from Toddler through Adolescence. When not working, Tamara enjoys spending time with her family and in the outdoors, walking and hiking, and even just reading a good book on the back porch swing. Tamara also enjoys propagating house plants, dabbling in watercolor, playing pickleball, and continuing her learning – especially about education, nature, the cosmos, child and brain development, and leadership.