About
Our Story
Peanut Montessori provides a holistic education based on principles from Maria Montessori; inviting young children to learn at their own pace in a calm and nurturing environment.
The program was created by Nina Robinson, a Montessori child herself, whom after years educating preschool aged children recognized how impactful these principles are when taught to students at an even younger age. We focus on infants & toddlers as they are in such an impressionable age to begin learning practical life skills.
We welcome you to learn more about our Infant, Toddler, and Primary programs and read current parent testimonials along with following along through our social media channels!
Nina Robinson
Founder & Head of SchoolNina Robinson is a Certified Montessori Teacher (MACTE) and a proud Indiana University graduate. She possesses experience from numerous Montessori based curriculums throughout Central Indiana and created Peanut Montessori offering a diverse perspective from each. She is a mother to two children at Peanut Montessori and Broad Ripple resident. herself.
Emily Land
Infant Program Director & Lead GuideMs. Em joined the infant program at Peanut Montessori when it began in 2021. She adores this age and period of development - it is full of so much joyful discovery and fascinating stages of growth. She earned her Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education at Indiana University followed by certification in Educational Neuroscience at Butler University. In 2023 she received her Infant-Toddler credentialing at the American Institute of Montessori. She has taught preschool and kindergarten in Bloomington, Indiana. She also taught for many years at St. Mary’s Child Center in Indianapolis and Hearts Leap Preschool in Berkeley, California. Her passion for early childhood and mixed-age learning has inspired travel to Reggio Emilia, Italy to study the region’s teaching philosophies and schools for young children. Her husband is a Merchant Marine who is currently practicing stationary engineering. She has two daughters who both attended a local Montessori preschool. She enjoys going to live music performances, bookstores/reading, spending time with family and friends, and finding new ways to connect to the Indy community where she was born and raised.
Adriane Farmwald
Director of Operations & Toddler Program DirectorAdriane graduated from George Mason University with a BA in Early Childhood Development. She worked with 1 st grade for a while, but realized her love was teaching younger children. She worked for 3 years in a traditional preschool with 3-year-olds. She veered from the teaching profession for many years and returned after sending her own daughter to Peanut Montessori. She began working at Peanut in October of 2021 and can’t see herself anywhere else.Adriane looks forward every day to greeting all the children and families. The connection and community she has found at Peanut is unmatched. Adriane looks forward to growing and continuing to learn and guide others through the Montessori philosophy. Adriane loves to spend her free time with her family exploring parks, visiting every library (42nd and College is home base) and baking.
Maddy Willis
Primary Program Director & Lead GuideMaddy is a mother, a wife, and a passionate Early Childhood educator. Maddy graduated from IUPUI with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. After graduation she taught Kindergarten for two years, and in 2019 she transitioned from the traditional classroom to a public Montessori school where she taught Primary for five years. Maddy is a MACTE certified Montessori Guide, a certified yoga and SEL facilitator, and also has her Master’s in Early Childhood Education. Maddy found Peanut in 2024 after she had her first child and struggled to find reliable childcare that aligned with the way she was wanting to parent her own child. Maddy is passionate about the Montessori philosophy and enjoys learning from her students in the classroom every day. In her free time, Maddy enjoys hiking with her family, reading, and spending time outside.