Kara Hawkins has an academic background in Psychology (BA), Kinesiology (MSc.), and Neuroscience (Graduate Diploma). She earned her PhD studying cognitive-motor integration at York University in Toronto, Ontario. After the birth of her daughter in 2014, she began exploring the child development literature and became intrigued by the alignment of Montessori principles and practices with current research. Since then, she has gained hands-on experience working in Montessori preschool classrooms in Aurora and Barrie, Ontario. She currently lives in Barrie with her husband and daughter. Her growing family is excitedly awaiting the birth of their second daughter in January 2021.