At Staunton Montessori School, our faculty and staff is composed of committed and passionate educators and professionals. We embrace a growth mindset, and are consistently working to bring our best selves to our students, parents and community.

In Montessori schools we use precise language. Whether we are describing the parts of a plant, the etymology of a word, or the titles of our faculty. Montessori teachers are trained to guide their students through their presentations, modeling and observations. Our classroom support teachers are there to assist our students and the lead guide in creating a harmonious learning environment. As such, we use the title Lead Guide and Classroom Assistant for our classroom faculty.

Lead Guides

  • A woman with glasses wearing a pink patterned sleeveless blouse, standing in a room with yellow walls and various furniture and decorations in the background.

    Nancy Breeden (she/her)

    Lead Primary Guide of the Bluebird Community

    Nancy Breeden is the Lead Primary Guide of the Bluebird community at Staunton Montessori School. She joined our community in 1997.  Nancy held the positions of office assistant and classroom assistant before training to become a lead primary guide. She  has over 25 years of experience in childcare settings and Montessori education. Children are the future leaders and professionals of our world. She hopes to guide them to approach life in a peaceful, respectful, caring way.

    Nancy earned her  B.S. in Psychology from Longwood University and earned her teaching degree in early childhood education from James Madison University.  She earned her AMI primary certification at RMIT in Rochester, NY.   Her daughter is an SMS alum, completing her Montessori education through grade 8.

    Outside of school, Nancy enjoys spending time with her husband, two dogs, cat, and daughter.  She is a gardener, reader, hiker and napper.

  • A woman taking a selfie outdoors with the Florence skyline, including the Florence Cathedral, in the background during sunset.

    Emily Sproul, M.Ed. (she/they)

    Lead Primary Guide of the Chickadee Community

    Emily Sproul Siemers is the lead Primary Guide of the Chickadee community at Staunton Montessori School. They first joined our community as a parent in 2007, then joined the faculty as a Primary assistant in Fall 2023. They assumed the role of Lead Guide in Fall 2025. Before joining SMS, Emily taught at Covenant Developmental Preschool and in public elementary schools in both rural and urban Virginia school districts. Emily has 11 years of experience in Montessori education, 8 as a parent and three in the casa. Emily is grateful for the many ways that Montessori education shaped her as a parent and formed her children into confident and capable young people.

    Emily earned their BA in History and MT in Elementary Education from the University of Richmond. They expects to earn their Primary certificate from Washington Montessori Institute in July 2026. Emily is also an SMS alumni parent.

    Outside of school, Emily enjoys traveling with her husband, board games with friends, and making music and memories outdoors with her four young adult children.

  • A woman with dark brown hair pulled back, wearing a navy blue top and a delicate necklace, smiling softly in an indoor setting with blurred bookshelves and colorful books in the background.

    Alison Oelke McCaul, M.Ed. (she/her)

    Lead Lower Elementary Guide of the Cardinal Community

    Alison Oelke McCaul is the Lead Lower Elementary Guide of the Cardinals community at Staunton Montessori School. She joined our community in 2016 as the Administrative Assistant. In that role, she also supervised Pre-Care and substituted in Aftercare. She then assisted part time in the Lower Elementary classroom, and led the Primary Summer Morning Explorers before leaving for one year to attend AMI training in 2018. She returned in 2019 to open a second Lower Elementary classroom. Before joining SMS, Alison worked for afterschool and summer programs, including the YMCA and Boys & Girls Clubs. Alison has 17 years of experience working with children and 9 of those years in Montessori education.

    Alison earned her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Social Work from Mary Baldwin College. She earned her Master’s in Education from Loyola University and AMI Elementary Teacher certification from Washington Montessori Institute. Alison is also an SMS parent.

    Outside of school, Alison enjoys goofing around with her family, as well as reading, gardening, and the art of puppetry.

  • A woman with shoulder-length brown hair and a black shirt standing in a room with yellow shelves filled with colorful books.

    Lia Craft, M.Ed. (she/her)

    Lead Lower Elementary Guide of the Hummingbird Community

    Lia Craft is the Lead Lower Elementary Guide of the Hummingbird community at Staunton Montessori School. She joined our community in 2007. Lia started out as Nancy’s Primary assistant before beginning her Montessori training. Before joining SMS, she was an Upper Elementary Assistant for 10 years in Atlanta. Lia has been part of Montessori education for her entire life. Lia’s mother was a Montessori Guide and she served as the Head of Staunton Montessori school in the early 2000’s.. Lia was a Montessori student and her adult children are SMS alums. 

    Lia began her undergraduate work at Radford University and completed her BA in Psychology at Georgia State University. She completed her AMI Montessori elementary certification from WMI and earned her Master’s Degree in Education from Loyola University in Maryland.

    Outside of school, Lia enjoys spending time with family, reading, doing crossword puzzles, live music, camping and gardening.  

  • A woman with long blonde hair smiling in front of a world map.

    Chrissie Hall, M.Ed. (she/her)

    Lead Upper Elementary Guide of the Meadowlark Community

    Chrissie Hall is the Lead Upper Elementary Guide of the Meadowlark community at Staunton Montessori School. She joined our community in 2001 to establish our Elementary Program. Before joining SMS, Chrissie taught fourth grade for a local school as well as worked as a tutor for The Boys and Girls Club. Chrissie has 20 years of experience in Montessori education. 

    Chrissie earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Education from Mary Baldwin University and a Master’s Degree in Education from Loyola College of Baltimore. Chrissie earned her AMI Elementary Teacher Certification from Washington Montessori Institute. Chrissie is also an alumni parent.

    Outside of school, Chrissie enjoys family time outdoors, playing with her dogs, and exploring new coffee shops.

Assistant Guides

  • A woman with curly brown hair and blue eyes smiling at the camera in a room with yellow walls and wooden furniture, including chairs, shelves, and a table.

    Kelly Harris (she/her)

    Primary Assistant of the Bluebird Community

    Kelly Harris is the Primary Assistant of the Bluebird community at Staunton Montessori School. She joined our community in 2008. Kelly has 18 years of experience in Montessori education, and has worked with children her entire life.

    She earned her B.A. in Liberal Studies with an PK-6th teaching license from Bridgewater College. Kelly is also an SMS alumni parent.

    Outside of school, Kelly enjoys spending time with her two daughters and husband, reading, gardening, and tending to her chickens. 

  • A young woman with dark skin and natural hair styled in an afro, wearing a black headband, a black choker necklace, a light-colored top, and a black cardigan, smiling outdoors with a blurred fence and trees in the background.

    Symone Edwards (she/her)

    Primary Assistant of the Chickadee Community

    Symone Edwards is the Primary Assistant of the Chickadee community at Staunton Montessori School. She joined our community in the fall of 2025. Before joining SMS, she worked for Harrisonburg City Schools as a long term substitute, camp counselor and floater. Symone has 9 years of experience in working with children.  

    Symone is currently pursuing her college degree and has completed classes at Kenyon College and Blue Ridge Community College.

    Outside of school, Symone enjoys gardening, baking, cooking and reading.

  • A man with curly brown hair, glasses, and a beard, wearing a black shirt, sitting in a classroom or office environment with shelves, boxes, and a whiteboard in the background.

    Connor Phillips (he/him)

    Lower Elementary Assistant of the Cardinal Community

    Connor Phillips is the Lower Elementary Assistant of the Cardinal Community community at Staunton Montessori School. He joined our community in 2018. He has also worked as an Aftercare assistant and in the office. Before joining SMS, Connor worked with children at Wintergreen Ski Resort and the Boys & Girls Club of America. He has 13 years of experience working with children in a variety of settings.  

    Outside of school, Connor enjoys reading, trivia and puzzles.

  • A smiling woman with brown hair, wearing a floral sleeveless dress, is sitting in front of shelves filled with colorful books and files.

    Jenny Hinch (she/her)

    Lower Elementary Assistant of the Hummingbird Community

    Jenny is the Lower Elementary Assistant of the Hummingbird community at Staunton Montessori School.  She  joined our community in 2021. Before joining SMS, Jenny was an assistant and lead teacher of toddlers at another Montessori school for 22 years. Jenny  has  27 years of experience in Montessori education and working with children. She has dedicated over half her life to working with children and following their leads.

    Outside of school, Jenny enjoys spending time with her family, two dogs, gardening, puzzles and relaxing.

  • A smiling woman with glasses wearing a red shirt standing in front of a colorful world map.

    Brigid Bronik, M.Ed. (she/her)

    Upper Elementary Assistant of the Meadowlark Community

    Brigid Bronik is the Upper Elementary Assistant in the Meadowlark Community at Staunton Montessori School. She  joined our community in 2013 as a parent, and then in 2016 as a staff member. Before joining SMS, Brigid taught ESL, worked for the NC Department of Social Services, was a public children’s librarian, and was an elementary school librarian. Brigid has over 20 years of experience in working with children of all ages. Brigid loves being able to share her love of books and reading with the SMS community. 

    Brigid earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Spanish and Women’s Studies with a minor in Sociology from Guilford College and a Master of Library Sciences degree from North Carolina Central University. She held North Carolina state certification for both public librarianship and K-12 School Librarianship. Brigid is also an SMS alumni parent.

    Outside of school, Brigid enjoys reading, puzzles, sitting on her front porch listening to the birds, and spending time with her family and 3 cats. 

Aftercare

  • Close-up of a woman with short reddish-brown hair, wearing glasses, a striped sweater in red, white, and brown, a pendant necklace, and earrings, standing in front of a brick wall.

    Rodi Sutherland (she/her)

    Aftercare Director of Mockingbird community

    Rodi is the Lead Guide for the Mockingbird Aftercare community at Staunton Montessori School. She  joined our community in 2004.  Before joining SMS had worked with infants, toddlers and young children at local child care centers. She started working with children in 1996 and still has the same passion for providing children with warm care and support in their developmental journey.

    She has her Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Rodi is a life long learner and is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Development. 

    Outside of school, Rodi enjoys reading, meditating, listening to local bands and spending time with her 3 cats.

  • Smiling woman with shoulder-length brown hair wearing a floral blouse and a silver infinity necklace, standing indoors in front of a colorful abstract painting on a light blue wall.

    Cindy Curtis (she/her)

    Aftercare Assistant of the Mockingbird Community

    Cindy Curtis is the Assistant of the Aftercare community at Staunton Montessori School. She joined our community in 2020. Before joining SMS, Cindy worked at the Montessori School of Waynesboro for 26 years as an assistant.   Cindy has over 35 years of experience with Montessori education in both Virginia and North Carolina.  Cindy has a heart and passion for children and enjoys watching them flourish within their educational journey. 

    She earned her AAS degree from Thompkins Cortland Community College.

    Outside of school, Cindy enjoys clogging with her friends on the Mountain Heritage Clogging Team and spending time with her grandkids.

  • Young woman with shoulder-length wavy hair, brown with purple tips, smiling outdoors in front of a wooden fence and green canopy.

    Bonnie Rosen (she/her)

    Aftercare Assistant of the Mockingbird Community

    Bonnie Rosen is an Aftercare Assistant in the Mockingbird community. She joined Staunton Montessori School in the fall of 2025. She has been working in childcare for the past 5 years. She is also a Staunton Montessori School Alum.

    She has an Associates Degree in Liberal Arts and will be continuing her education this fall. She is pursuing a BA in Psychology. 

    Outside of school, Bonnie enjoys doing a variety of arts and craft including painting, drawing, and jewelry making. 

Specialist Instructors

  • A woman with shoulder-length dark hair smiling at the camera, wearing a black top against a plain beige background.

    Ting-Ting Yen (she/her)

    Elementary Music Specialist

    Ting-Ting Yen is the Music Specialist at Staunton Montessori School. She joined our community as a parent in 2022 and as faculty in 2025. Ting-Ting is a violinist in the Roanoke Symphony, and has performed periodically with the Richmond Symphony and Charlottesville Symphony. As a pianist, Ting-Ting is the accompanist for the Virginia Glee Club at UVa. During the summer she serves on the piano faculty at the Heifetz International Music Institute at Mary Baldwin University, working with students ages 8- 18. Besides performing and teaching, Ting-Ting is music director at Tinkling Spring Presbyterian Church, where she founded and directs their annual summer music camp for children Pre-K through 5th grade, and occasionally brings musical fun to their Preschool program.  

    Ting-Ting earned her DMA in Violin Performance and MM in Collaborative Piano from the University of Minnesota. She also holds a Masters in Violin Performance from Manhattan School of Music. 

    Outside of school, Ting-Ting enjoys traveling, sipping tea and chasing after her two active children.

  • A young woman with long blond hair styled in a braid, smiling, wearing a teal T-shirt with white text and graphics, sitting against a plain grey background.

    Stephanie Taylor (she/her)

    Elementary Physical Education Specialist

    Stephanie Taylor is the Physical Education Specialist at Staunton Montessori School. She is also the owner of Stretch-n-Grow, a children’s fitness program. She offers classes at a range of schools across the area for ages 2-12. Her goal is to provide children with physical fitness that involves proper form, motions, and names, while still being fun and exciting for the kids. She originally worked as a veterinary technician before deciding to switch to a path working with children. This means she also has a passion for working with and around animals. 

    When she is not teaching classes, she enjoys spending time with her family, hanging out at home taking care of her hobby farm or out hiking/camping or exploring fun new local adventures. 

  • Smiling elderly woman with gray hair and glasses holding a brochure inside a room with white walls and chairs.

    Karen Wilson

    Literacy Specialist and Feldglings Montessori Mornings Guide

    Karen Wilson is the Literacy Specialist. She began at SMS as a reading tutor to several SMS students in 2021 and stepped into the literacy support role in 2025. She works with emerging readers and those needing extra support in reading, spelling, and writing. She also co-leads our Montessori Mornings parent/toddler class, which she created in 2024.

    Before joining SMS, Karen taught Montessori primary classes and parent/infant classes in North Carolina and served as the first Head of School at Salem Montessori School in Winston-Salem for 18 years. She has worked with children and families for over forty years.

    Karen earned her BS in Elementary Education at Baylor University, an MA in Christian Education at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and her American Montessori Society Primary Teacher Certification at the North Carolina Center for Montessori Education. Karen has an Associate Level Coursework certificate from the Orton-Gillingham Academy, is a certified Music Together teacher and Positive Discipline parent educator, and completed training at the Pikler Institute in Budapest, Hungary for teaching parent/infant and toddler classes.

    Outside of school, Karen finds joy while hiking and biking the beautiful trails in our state and soaking up the wonders of nature.

Administration

  • A woman with short curly light brown hair and blue eyes smiling, wearing a royal blue dress and a beaded necklace, sitting in front of a sign that reads 'Montesori' with a leafy tree logo, in an indoor setting with a green plant and wooden bench in the background.

    Leanne Gray, M.Ed. (she/her)

    Head of School

    Leanne is the Head of School at Staunton Montessori School. She joined our community in 2022 as summer camp staff and went on to pioneer and lead our Admissions department for two years. Before joining SMS, Leanne taught in public and private Montessori schools, mentored teachers and parents, supported families through consulting work, and spoke at Montessori conferences. She also has completed a RIE Foundations course for supporting infants and toddlers. Leanne has 20 years of experience in Montessori Education and around 30 years experience working with children.  Leanne is thrilled to be supporting and growing the community of Staunton Montessori.

    Leanne earned her BS in Early Childhood Education Pre-K to 3rd from Eastern Mennonite University, and went on to earn her Master’s in Education and AMI Primary Montessori certification from Washington Montessori Institute.  Leanne is also a SMS parent. 

    Outside of school, Leanne enjoys nature and being outside.  She loves music, thrifting, and good food. She is always looking for the best cheeseburger, ask her favorites!

  • A woman with short, light brown hair smiling, wearing a colorful floral shirt, sitting outdoors with a wooden fence in the background.

    Kim Nations (she/her)

    Director of Enrollment

    Kim Nations is the Director of Enrollment at Staunton Montessori School. She joined our community as a parent in 2022 and as faculty in 2024. Before joining SMS, Kim taught Lower Elementary for twelve years at Montessori schools in Virginia and South Carolina. In addition to her roles as a classroom teacher, Kim developed and led a lower elementary program while teaching in South Carolina. During her time in Northern Virginia, she also worked with adult learners and taught the lower elementary Montessori Art curriculum at the Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies. Kim has been working in Montessori education for over 20 years and with children in some capacity for 30 years. As Director of Enrollment, Kim’s priority is supporting the current and future families at SMS,  and sharing the Montessori magic with the greater community. She is dedicated to nurturing and supporting our school community as we present the best versions of ourselves to our students. 

    Kim earned their BA in Sociology from the University of Mary Washington and went on to get her AMS Lower Elementary 6-9 credential from the Institute of Advanced Montessori Studies (IAMS) in Silver Spring, Maryland. Kim is also an SMS parent.

    Outside of school, Kim enjoys spending time with her boisterous boys and two dogs. She loves reading, being in nature, creating, playing board games and attempts to cultivate a slow and peaceful life.

  • A smiling woman with glasses and gray and black hair, dressed in a brown patterned shirt.

    Hsini Leary (she/her)

    Operations Executive Assistant & Elementary Art Specialist

    Hsini Leary is the Operations Executive Assistant, as well as the Art Specialist at Staunton Montessori School. She joined our community as a parent in 2023, began teaching Art classes in 2025, and took on her role with the Administration team in 2026. Before joining SMS, Hsini taught Studio Art at James Madison University and Virginia Commonwealth University, among other higher education institutions. She has also taught summer camp at the Staunton Augusta Art Center. Hsini has over ten years of experience teaching art and continues to have an art studio practice. Her work has been exhibited at numerous venues in New York City as well as in Virginia. She also has over a decade of experience working in non-profits including Story Corps, the New York Public Library, and various arts organizations.

    She earned her Master in Fine Art in Studio from Hunter College (NY), a Master in Library and Information Science from Rutgers University (NJ), and a Bachelor in Fine Art from Alfred University (NY). Hsini was first introduced to Montessori methods in 2000 when she attended a primary training course in Hangzhou, China while studying abroad. 

    Outside of school, Hsini enjoys spending time with family and friends, puzzles, thrift shopping, and gardening. She also has a line of sustainable clothing, Test Patterns Attire, that she sells at local markets. 

  • A young woman with curly hair and a nose ring smiling outdoors in front of tree roots, wearing a white t-shirt, sunglasses on her head, pearl earrings, and a necklace.

    Rachel Wine (she/her)

    Office Manager

    Rachel Wine is the Office Manager at Staunton Montessori School. She joined our community as a long-term substitute for the Cardinals in 2025, and stayed on in administration. Before joining SMS, Rachel worked primarily in Staunton’s local food scene and oversaw research for a women’s health nonprofit. In addition to her role as a classroom teacher, she manages the Staunton Farmers Market.

    Rachel earned her BS in Public Health from Tulane University and went on to get her MS in Global Health from Georgetown University. In 2022 she shifted to grassroots community care and has never looked back!

    Outside of school, Rachel enjoys watching her kitties frolic through the garden, cooking with the seasons, and swimming in mountain creeks.