HELLO!

VARUN Bhatia (CO-Founder / DISCOVERY Guide)

My professional career has taken me through amazing opportunities at PNC Bank, Scotts Miracle-Gro, and JPMorgan Chase, among others.

I have worked in investment banking (mergers and acquisitions), corporate strategy, corporate finance, and, most recently, as a project manager for a Machine Learning team.

And now, I’m a Guide at Acton - and I wouldn’t change it for the world! The opportunity to help young learners grow through education and learn real-world skills is what I’m most passionate about.

My bachelors degree is from Ohio State and MBA from University of Michigan.

If you’re dreaming of a school where children love learning and are empowered to lead, I’d love to connect.

Connect with me on Linkedin or Twitter or Medium.

Ashlee (Growth Studio Guide) 

I am passionate about curiosity, adventure, creativity and learning. I graduated from Ashland University with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Special Education and a Reading Endorsement. My coursework led me to student teach in Australia. This ignited a passion for hands on learning which guided me back to the states to teach in a full inclusion preschool classroom for 5 years and following that a kindergarten teacher for 5 years.  While teaching, I became a national and international PAX Good Behavior trainer. I trained educators to implement self regulation strategies with youth in various settings. Over the course of 10 years I continued to strive to create a nurturing, hands on, play based environment for learners to learn. I made the decision to follow my passion when I learned about Acton.  It is my goal to help learners find passion, confidence, excitement, curiosity and leadership all while learning life skills. 

I also enjoy spending time with my family, reading, volunteering at a camp for youth living with diabetes, and going on adventures. I am excited to join Acton to learn and grow alongside the learners! 

STEPH (SPARK MONTESSORI GUIDE)

Steph Richardson is a dedicated early childhood educator with over a decade of experience, specializing in both Montessori and Reggio Emilia approaches. Her passion for nurturing children's growth has led her to develop her own unique hybrid curriculum called "Reggessori," which combines the strengths of both philosophies. Steph holds a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care from Australia, as well as a Montessori Education certification, and has spent years fostering learning environments where children can explore, create, and grow in confidence and capability.

Prior to joining Acton, she served as a Lead Montessori Teacher and Reggio Specialist at Villa Montessori. She also served as a Montessori Consultant. Her expertise in creating open-ended, child-led learning environments helped inspire both students and teachers to embrace creativity and curiosity. She has also worked as a curriculum coordinator, developing lesson plans tailored to each child's unique developmental needs.

Steph's educational journey extends across multiple countries, having worked in both the United States and Australia. Her global experience includes positions as a lead teacher, kinder assistant educator, and program director. With a background in health and physical education, Steph incorporates holistic development into her teaching, ensuring learners grow not only academically but also physically and emotionally.

ARABELLA (REGGIO STUDIO GUIDE)

Hello! My name is Arabella (Bella), and I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining the Acton community as the Reggio Studio Guide.

I live in Dublin with my wonderful partner, Jorge, and our two energetic boys: Eyvind (6) and Amaru (almost 5), who will be joining me at Acton! As a family, we love hiking and stargazing.

My background spans both early childhood and high school education, with experience supporting learners from infant and toddler stages all the way through 11th grade English. I hold a degree in International Relations and Political Science from Florida International University, but my true passion has always been creating loving, meaningful educational experiences that honor each child’s unique learning journey.

For the past two years, I’ve had the joy of working in a Montessori/Reggio Emilia-inspired environment at Ivybrook Academy, designing interest-based projects and encouraging self-directed learning. I’m excited to bring that same sense of wonder and exploration into our Spark Studio.

I am looking forward to walking alongside our Eagles this year as they build independence, make discoveries, and grow into the heroes of their own stories. I can’t wait for all the learning and adventures ahead!

ARCHNA (ASSISTANT DIRECTOR)

Hello! My name is Archna Patel, and I’m honored to join the Acton community. I’m an optometrist by training, a mother of two energetic boys (Savya and Nimit), and someone deeply passionate about education.

I was born in Chicago, raised in Virginia, and earned my Doctorate of Optometry in Illinois before moving to Ohio with our baby, Savya, over seven years ago.

My journey into education began during my first pregnancy, when I discovered the Montessori philosophy. I was drawn to its respect for children’s independence and the idea that they thrive when given space to try, fail, and try again—something that deeply resonates with the Acton approach.

We had heard about the transformative impact of Acton from friends around the country, and learning that there was one right here in Columbus made our decision easier. Savya has now been at Acton for a year, moving from Spark to Growth, and we’ve seen firsthand how this learner-driven model builds confidence, curiosity, and capability.

Alongside my healthcare background, I’ve enjoyed teaching Gujarati to young children using hands-on, Montessori-inspired methods—blending culture, language, and child-led learning. I believe in guiding with patience, listening deeply, and creating environments where learners feel supported and challenged.

Joining Acton feels like a natural next step in my journey. As someone who values independence, critical thinking, and joyful, hands-on learning, I’m deeply aligned with Acton’s mission to help each child find their calling and change the world. My background in healthcare has taught me how to listen closely, support growth, and collaborate effectively—skills that I hope will help me into guiding young learners and supporting our community. But more than anything, I bring with me the heart of a parent and the perspective of someone who truly believes in the power of learner-led education.

I’m so excited to be part of this vibrant community and look forward to walking alongside your families and our heroes this year!

LAURA SANDEFER (ACTON CO-FOUNDER)

Laura lived on both US coasts and in between as a child, then settled into Vanderbilt University for her undergraduate studies in the College of Arts and Science. After being awarded the highly competitive Walter Wattles Fellowship at Lloyd’s of London, Laura worked in the aviation insurance industry in New York City.

Deciding to follow her calling into the world of education, Laura returned to Nashville and earned her Master of Education at Peabody College. This led her to her work at the Oklahoma Arts Institute, creating fine arts education programs for teachers and talented high school students.

Laura married Jeff Sandefer and is the happy mother of Sam and Charlie and step-mother to Taite. It is the inspiration of these children that led Laura and Jeff to co-found Acton Academy.

Her greatest hero is her mother who was a Master Teacher. Her wisest mentor is her father who sent her off to college with two words of advice: "Be curious."

JEFF SANDEFER (ACTON CO-FOUNDER)

Jeff Sandefer lives a dual life as an entrepreneur and a Socratic Guide. As an entrepreneur, he founded his first company at age 16 and went on to found or co-found seven successful businesses. As a Socratic teacher at the University of Texas, Jeff’s students five times voted him the school’s Outstanding Teacher and Businessweek named him one of the top Entrepreneurship professors in America.

Jeff went on to co-found the Acton School of Business, an MBA program perennially ranked by the Princeton Review among the best in the nation. In 2012 The Economist honored him as one of the top fifteen Business School professors in the world.

Jeff is a graduate of the Harvard Business School, where he served for over twenty years on the school’s governing committees. He was a longtime director of the Philanthropy Roundtable and National Review magazine and one of the youngest members ever elected to the Texas Business Hall of Fame.