Administration

Principal Melissa Ridley

Melissa Ridley attended Xavier University, graduating with her bachelor of education in Montessori Education in 1994, master of education in Early Childhood Special Education in 1998 and master of education in Educational Administration in 2012. Over the past 24 years, Ridley has served as a public Montessori educator in the Dayton Public Schools at Jefferson Montessori from 1994-2001 and in the Cincinnati Public Schools from 2001-2003 at Burton Elementary and 2003-2017 at Parker Woods Montessori, formerly Winton Montessori.

Ridley joined the leaders of Cincinnati Public Schools in the 2017-2018 school year, joining Dater Montessori as the assistant principal. She was then called to serve as the interim principal at Pleasant Ridge Montessori for the 2018-2019 school year. She is beyond excited to grow the new Gamble Montessori Elementary on the west side of Cincinnati!

As a Montessori educator and administrator, she believes in children and who they are! She is dedicated to promoting respect for all children, one another and the environment in which we live. She looks forward to building relationships with the Gamble Montessori Elementary community to ensure a safe, well-prepared and engaging learning environment for our children.

Ridley can be reached via email or by phone (513) 363-9600.

Assistant Principal Ebon Wilder

Ebon Wilder, now in her second year as Assistant Principal, brings a wealth of experience, heart, and a deep commitment to student growth. A proud 2008 graduate of Tennessee State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, she went on to earn her Master’s in Educational Leadership from Miami University in 2023.

Before stepping into school leadership, she taught fourth grade, third grade, kindergarten, and worked in a therapeutic preschool program—experiences that have shaped her holistic and inclusive approach to education. Her first year as an Assistant Principal was at Dater Montessori Elementary, where she began building strong connections with students, families, and staff.

She is a compassionate and equity-driven leader who believes in pushing students to meet—and exceed—their potential. Her core mission is to create a safe, joyful space where children feel free to be themselves, learn deeply, and enjoy the process along the way.