Brooke is a graduate of Lynchburg College with a BA in Business Administration. She obtained her AMI certification for the Assistants to Infancy level from the Montessori Training Center of St Louis. Her love for the Montessori method began with her primary education at a Montessori school in Ohio. She has worked in numerous childcare settings from the time she was in high school. She enjoys working with children under the age of 3 because of their passion, curiosity, and love of the simple things in life that help remind us of all the world has to offer.
Nancy has been with Staunton Montessori School since 1997. She has a BS in psychology from Longwood College, a BS in Early Childhood Education from James Madison University, and her primary AMI diploma. She recently pursued her love of writing by completing two Writing for Children’s Magazines courses with the Institute for Children’s Literature.
“I truly believe that Montessori provides the most natural and hands-on way for children to learn.”
Susan has a BA in art from George Mason University (1990) and an AMI primary diploma from The Washington Montessori Institute (1995). She especially enjoys art, music, literature and geography. Through working with children, she loves that every day is full of new discoveries and joyful learning.
Lia began her undergraduate studies at Radford University and completed her BA in psychology at Georgia State University. She was an assistant in a Montessori upper elementary classroom at Arbor Montessori in Atlanta for 10 years before moving back to Virginia. After a year as Nancy’s assistant, she completed the AMI elementary training at WMI and received a Master’s Degree in Education.
Chrissie is a graduate of Mary Baldwin College, with a degree in psychology. Additionally, she earned her Master’s Degree in Education from Loyola College of Baltimore. Since beginning the elementary program at SMS in 2002, Chrissie continues to focus on fostering the independence, responsibility and curiosity of all students.
Kayla MacLachlan holds a bachelor’s degree in English and Adolescent Education and has a passion for land-based learning and regenerative agriculture. After graduating from the State University of New York, College at Fredonia, she served with AmeriCorps NCCC and following that studied organic food production, permaculture, and leadership as an Allegheny Mountain Institute Fellow. Kayla is a graduate of the AMI/NAMTA Orientation to Adolescent Studies and completed her coursework at the Hershey-Montessori Farm School in Huntsburg, Ohio. In addition to teaching at SMS, she serves on the Allegheny Mountain Institute’s Board of Directors and is the acting Education Committee Chair. Kayla is grateful to work in an environment that bridges her joy of teaching with her love of plants, music, food, community, and the great outdoors.
Robert has spent the past two decades working with students in elementary and middle schools in New York, Ohio, Oregon, and Virginia. He began his adult life as a metal and ceramic artist in Portland, OR and then became interested in historic building restoration. After a job as a therapeutic teacher in adolescent adjudication, he earned his MS in Special Education. In 2002, he moved to Italy with his wife to obtain the AMI Elementary Montessori Diploma at the 6-12 level from Bergamo. He holds a BA in Studio Art from Washington & Lee University and loves to create art with the children.
Annica’s bio will be added soon.
Kelly is a graduate of Bridgewater College with a BA in liberal studies. While at Bridgewater she also received her PK-6 teaching license. She has worked at Staunton Montessori School since 2008 and has developed a deep love and appreciation of the Montessori method.
Carolyn attended Ferrum Jr. College and transferred to VCU where she majored in psychology and minored in sociology. She has some training in sign language and worked as a Licensed Real Estate Appraiser for several years.
Katy’s bio will be added soon.
Brigid earned her BA in Spanish and Women’s Studies (1995) from Guilford College in Greensboro, NC, before going on to earn a Master’s in Library Science from North Carolina Central University . She has worked in public and university libraries, and she was the Library Media Coordinator at Easley Elementary School in Durham, NC, for six years before her family relocated to the Shenandoah Valley. She joined the staff at Staunton Montessori School in 2016.
Rodi graduated from Wilson Memorial High School and attended Blue Ridge Community College. She has worked in child care since 1996 with ages ranging from Infant to Adolescent. Her personal philosophy on children is to “follow the child.”
Kelley’s passion for Independent Education started as a child. She had the privilege of growing up as a faculty child and attended Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, Connecticut for Preparatory School. After Choate, she received a BA in psychology and English Literature from Lake Forest College. Kelley was the Dean of Admission at Stuart Hall School, taught English and ESL, as well as coached varsity soccer and softball and organized student activities. She has managed a large retail store as well as owning her own retail business (Byers Street Housewares) for 14 years. Kelley has served on numerous local non-profit Boards of Directors. Her vast knowledge and experience in management, fundraising and marketing has been an asset as she leads SMS during this time of growth in the school.
Alison is a graduate of Mary Baldwin College with a BA in Sociology & Social Work. She has worked with children in Day Cares, Summer Camps, Puppetry Workshops, and Boys & Girls Clubs in Virginia and Maryland. She loves animals, art, puppetry, games, and watching the children learn and grow.
Staunton Montessori School respects the mind, imagination, and spirit of each student. Grounded in the philosophy of Maria Montessori, we create an environment where children are empowered to fulfill their academic, personal and social potential.
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