At Osiri University, we believe education is not just about knowledge, it’s about transformation. Few embody this belief as beautifully as Mary Frink, a master’s student in Inclusive Education (with a Montessori Teacher Credential) whose journey is rooted in creativity, community, and a deep commitment to Ubuntu philosophy.
Mary was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, the youngest of five children in a home full of music, movement, and meaning. Her mother, Carol Dworak, a math-minded academic with a love for nature and the arts, and her father, Gus Dworak, a businessman and artist with a dancer’s soul, cultivated in her a rare balance of structure and expression. From an early age, Mary was drawn to learning and storytelling, especially through dance, which remains her lifelong passion and tool for connection.
Her childhood was shaped by her parents’ wisdom and lessons shared by her siblings. “They taught me how to think critically, reason deeply, and, most importantly, how to be myself,” she reflects. These roots led her to the University of Nebraska at Kearney, where she graduated
summa cum laude with a degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Dance, earning top honors in both fields.
Mary’s early professional journey began in the public school system, but she quickly realized it wasn’t the right fit. “I wanted to teach in a way that honored the whole child,” she says. That search led to something bigger: a shared dream with fellow educators and mothers Margaret and Claire. Together, they founded Sandhill Cranes Academy, a Montessori-inspired school built on the belief that children deserve more: more freedom, more trust, more respect.
Building a school from the ground up is no small feat, and Mary is quick to acknowledge the village that made it possible. Her husband, Jacob, is her unwavering partner, and their daughter, Evelyn, is her daily inspiration. Her extended family, and that of her co-founders, showed up time and again to carry boxes, paint walls, and pour love into every corner of their dream. “This school exists because of the many people who believed in it and in us,” Mary says.
When Margaret introduced her to the Inclusive Education (with Montessori Teacher Credential) program at Osiri University, Mary immediately felt at home. “The Ubuntu philosophy, the hybrid format, the Montessori foundation – it all aligned perfectly,” she shares. Studying under mentors like Professors Kathie Sweet and Dorothy Harman has deepened her commitment to education that is authentic, inclusive, and transformative.
For Mary, Ubuntu, I am because we are, is a lived reality. It is evident in how she parents, teaches, collaborates, and dreams. At Sandhill Cranes Academy, Ubuntu will be woven into every lesson, every interaction. “Children will be seen, heard, and honored. They’ll grow together, academically and as human beings learning how to belong, empathize, and lead with heart,” she says.
As Mary continues her journey at Osiri University, she brings with her the rhythm of dance, the strength of family, and a bold vision for education grounded in community, equity, and love. In her words and in her work, one thing is clear: she is not just building a school, she is nurturing a movement. And we are proud to walk alongside her.
Osiri University. Where Ubuntu Meets Purpose.
