Amanda Grano, Owner & Playgroup Guide
Amanda Grano, MAED, C-FSD, CLC
Amanda is a passionate Montessorian dedicated to honoring the unique path of the young child. She discovered the Montessori Method in 2007 and has been inspired by its depth and beauty ever since. After many years working with children ages 3–6, Amanda now focuses on supporting parents and young children through playgroups and home-based learning.
She believes Montessori is more than an educational method—it’s a philosophy for life. With its deep respect for the child’s individuality and development, it has shaped not only her work, but also her home life. Amanda has thoughtfully prepared Montessori spaces in her own home since becoming a parent in 2020, guiding her child from infancy through toddlerhood with intention and care.
Amanda holds an AMS (American Montessori Society) 3–6 credential, a Master of Arts in Education, and has presented at national Montessori conferences and webinars. A lifelong learner, she continues to study and grow in her practice, always eager to deepen her understanding.
Through her work at Grano Montessori, Amanda now shares her experience and love for Montessori with other families—helping them feel confident, connected, and inspired on their parenting journey.
Montessori Specific Credentials:
- MAED in Montessori Education
- AMS Early Childhood Certification
- Montessori Early Childhood Reading Certificate
Other Certifications:
- Certified Lactation Counselor
- Full Spectrum Doula (BADT)
- DIR Floortime Basic Certified Practitioner
Meet Our Team
Hillary Harpold, MSED - Music Guide & Birth Story Workshop Facilitator
Hillary is passionate about creating thoughtful, welcoming spaces where children can explore the world through curiosity and play. She believes deeply in the power of child-led learning and finds joy in observing children engaged in their most important work — play. Her approach centers on offering the right materials at the right time, allowing each child’s unique path to unfold with confidence and care.
Music has become a meaningful extension of that work. Hillary first picked up the guitar while teaching preschool, hoping to bring more music into the classroom — and it quickly grew into a lasting passion. She now leads toddler music classes, connecting with children and families through rhythm, movement, and song. With a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education, she brings a thoughtful, inclusive lens to her classes. Watching children grow in confidence as they dance, keep the beat, discover new words, and express their ideas is one of the most rewarding parts of her work.
Hillary’s interest in birth stories emerged after the birth of her daughter, deepening her appreciation for the power of reflection and storytelling in early parenthood. Since 2025, she has co-facilitated birth story writing workshops, creating a safe, grounded space for parents to document and share their experiences. She is honored to hold space for these stories and the meaningful conversations that unfold within them.
Amara Stuehling, PhD - Birth Story Workshop Facilitator
Since becoming a mother, Amara has rediscovered her love of creative writing as a way to hold memories and reflect on motherhood. She serves as a Birth Story Facilitator, co-leading Birth Story Writing Workshops that provide a space for parents to reflect on and document their birth experiences. Through guided writing and open-ended prompts, she encourages parents to explore their own stories from different perspectives and to honor whatever pieces they choose to write about.
Amara is still adding to her own birth story and is currently writing more regularly through Women Writing for (a) Change writing circles. She holds a Ph.D. in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education from the IU School of Education and has spent many years working in international education,
encouraging future teachers to explore other cultures and education systems during their training.
At the studio, she hopes others will join her in taking time to record the profound and tender stories of birth and the ordinary and extraordinary moments of parenthood.
Jessica Flanigan, MOT, OTR - Pediatric Occupational Therapist and Guided Play Group Facilitator
Jessica is an occupational therapist and caregiver who works with children and families to guide and support fulfilled engagement in their daily lives. She is passionate about facilitating play, social participation, family roles, and community access for everyone.
Jessica was born and raised in Bloomington, attended Indiana University, and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology with minors in Psychology and Spanish. She is a Master of Occupational Therapy from the University of Indianapolis. Jessica holds specialty certifications in SOS and SOFFI feeding methods, NDT handling, clinical anxiety treatment, mental health teletherapy, trauma-informed care, sensory processing, and DIR Floortime.
Jessica moved to Anchorage, Alaska and worked in an outpatient pediatric therapy clinic for 8 years, expanding her practice to nature- and community-based settings, including parks, pools, clients’ homes, and community environments. Jessica has led therapy groups including theater and art, role-play gaming, SOS food school, STEM exploration, reading and literacy, and social/play.
As an OT, Jessica works with people of all ages and stages to find and use the tools they need to succeed at the jobs of living. Jessica’s sessions are client-centered, play-based, and child-led. Children bring the fun, Jessica brings the safety and function. Jessica loves the fun and flexibility of occupational therapy and the joy it brings to children and families and is excited to join the Grano Montessori Studio community!
Julianna Holmes, LMHC, NCC, PMH-C - The Parenting Well Groups Facilitator
Julianna Holmes has always been passionate about storytelling and building meaningful community connections. As an undergraduate, she studied cultural anthropology and French, deepening her curiosity into how stories are written, retold, and defined through language, context, and cultural values. After college, she pursued an internship in homeless outreach in Philadelphia, learning about how access to intentional community, mental health support, and personal connection can affect one's ability to find meaning and improve all aspects of health. She then completed a master's in counseling through Indiana University, during which she explored integrated care and how it can help people maintain and improve health and well-being.
Julianna worked in community mental health with families and children for several years, up until the birth of her first child. Through her own experiences of supportive community and early motherhood, she developed a new passion not only for others going through the liminal spaces of life, but specifically the transformative process of becoming a parent. She has received additional training with Postpartum Support International and is certified as a perinatal mental health provider.
With personal experience of Amanda’s initial Montessori playgroups and doula-led new parent groups, Julianna is thrilled to join this team of early childhood and early parenthood supports at Grano Montessori. She looks forward to supporting families in the beginning adventures of parenthood.
