Faculty & Staff

Meet our faculty

A high quality education for your child starts with highly qualified teachers in the classroom. At Mountaineer Montessori, you’ll find experienced and dedicated faculty and staff who are passionate about education and committed to nurturing your child’s unique potential. MMS faculty train at AMS or AMI affiliated programs (see below) and bring more than 250 combined years of professional education experience — 200+ in authentic Montessori classrooms — to MMS. Our teachers have received specialized training in Positive Discipline and our faculty includes certified Positive Discipline Parent Educators.

Mountaineer Montessori is an American Montessori Society (AMS) Pathways to Continuous School Improvement program school. Pathways, a mission-driven, standards-based process that helps schools achieve and maintain Montessori excellence, is administered by AMS, the nation’s foremost Montessori organization. MMS is the only full member AMS school in West Virginia.

Administrative staff

Jennifer Carriger

Head of School

Jennifer, now in her thirteenth year at MMS, brings extensive experience as a teacher in public and independent school settings, educational leadership, and non-profit management to her position as our school director.

Jennifer received a B.A. in international studies, a B.S. in secondary education and a M.S. in special education from West Virginia University and has pursued additional graduate studies in education at Marshall University and the University of Virginia. She holds permanent WV certification endorsement for students ages 5-12 in social studies, learning disabilities, mental impairment and behavior disorders.

Jennifer is the only educator in West Virginia to be certified as an AMS Montessori Administrator. She was awarded this credential after completion of a two-year program at the Center for Montessori Education in New York. Jennifer received additional Montessori training through the Virginia Center for Montessori Studies and completed NAMTA Montessori Whole School Management (Level I) training.

In June 2018, Jennifer was selected for the prestigious WVU Consortium for Faculty and Course Development in International Studies program in Mexico.

In addition to her administrative responsibilities, Jennifer leads our Student Support Team as our learning consultant.

Jennifer co-founded the Appalachian Reading Center in 2004 and is certified in the Wilson Reading System with additional training in Handwriting Without Tears. Jennifer is also a past president of the West Virginia Learning Disabilities Association. She taught in the public school system for nine years at the elementary, middle and high school levels in Madison County, Va., and Boone County, W.Va. In 2014, Jennifer was honored as West Virginia Teacher of the Year by the WVLDA. She and her husband, David, are the parents of two Mountaineer Montessori alumni. Jennifer enjoys hiking, camping, reading, and home renovation projects.

Learn more about Jennifer

Beth George

Assistant Director

Beth George has been a part of our school community for more than 15 years as a parent of three MMS students and as an educator. She earned a B.S. in education from the University of Akron and completed AMS Montessori Assistant training through the Virginia Center for Montessori Education and Positive Discipline in the Classroom training. Beth previously worked as an assistant in primary classrooms. A native of West Virginia, Beth grew up in northeastern Ohio. She enjoys walking, working on her house, spending time with her daughters, and being with family.

Learn more about Beth

Nasrin Chbarek

Administrative Assistant/20th Street

This is Nasrin's second year as an administrative assistant at our 20^th Street campus. She is a mother of three, and earned an associate’s degree in liberal arts and earned a BS in biology from West Virginia State University. Originally from Aleppo, Nasrin has spent most of her live in Charleston, which she is glad to call home. She is excited to be a part of the Montessori family especially “because my youngest graduated from here and we absolutely loved our experience with this school!”

Stephanie Spradling

Administrative Assistant

Stephanie is in her sixth year at MMS, and is serving as the Administrative Assistant for our Staunton campus after four years as a Primary assistant. Starting this fall, Stephanie will also teach music to our Primary friends. Her Montessori Assistant training is with the Virginia Center for Montessori Studies and she has completed Positive Discipline in the Classroom training. She is the music director for her church and enrolled in ordination classes through the Nazarene Bible College. She is a graduate of Ben Franklin Career Center and South Charleston High School.

John Elswick

Facilities

We are grateful to John for his careful and continuing stewardship of our expansive Staunton Avenue facilities, where he worked for many year prior to MMS.

Toddler Faculty

Samantha Van Den Berghe-Lynch

Toddler Guide

Samantha is a graduate of Baldwin-Wallace University in Berea, Ohio, with a degree in psychology and a minor in child and family. Prior to joining MMS, Samantha was an assistant at the Family Life Childcare Center of Berea. Samantha holds an AMS Early Childhood and Infant and Toddler credentials from the Virginia Center for Montessori Studies in Richmond, Va. After six years as a key member of our Early Childhood team, she brought West Virginia's first AMS Montessori Toddler Program to MMS in 2021. Samantha completed Positive Discipline in the Classroom training and is a certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator. Samantha will begin her eighth year at MMS this fall and brings vibrancy, caring, and careful insight to her students. She is the parent of three children, two of whom are MMS students.

Jordan Kessler

Toddler Assistant

Jordan is a Kanawha City native and grew up with friends who attended MMS. She was deeply inspired by them, which led her to discover and embark on her own Montessori journey. Jordan moved about the country for a few years living in Hawaii and Florida, being a SAHM for several years, and then settling into her roots at home. She is currently enrolled at West Virginia State University working towards a political science and pre-law degree. Jordan cherishes the opportunity to be a guiding light for children and foster a nurturing environment for them to grow and learn. In her free time, she enjoys herbalism, working with the local flora and fauna, hiking, meditation, yoga, reading, swimming, and cooking. Jordan is a parent of an MMS Primary student.

Primary Faculty

Sara Lloyd

Primary I Lead Guide

After serving as an assistant in Upper Elementary I, Sara Lloyd moved up to Lead Guide for our Primary I classroom in 2022-23. She brings more than 18 years of experience as a kindergarten and first grade teacher in public and private schools to this role. Sarah is in her second year of training for her Early Childhood Credential with the Virginia Center for Montessori Studies and graduated from West Virginia State University with a BS in elementary education. In her free time, she enjoys time with family, hiking, yoga, and cooking.

Angela Walker

Primary II Lead Guide

Angela joined MMS in 2018 after serving as the lead teacher for Bream Center for Childhood Development. Following three years as an Assistant, she is now the Lead Guide for Primary II. She studied elementary education at Marshall University, and received her AMS Montessori Assistant and Early Childhood certifications from the Virginia Center for Montessori Studies in Richmond, Va., She has completed Positive Discipline in the Classroom training. Angela is passionate about supporting children during sensitive periods of their development. In the summer of 2022, she developed and presented the first MMS Montessori Assistant Training Institute for our staff. Her busy home includes three teenage boys, a fiancé and an adored cat, and she enjoys travel, live music, creating with art, and fishing.

Julia Carriger

Primary I Assistant

Julia is in her second year in the Primary community as an Assistant after having worked in the Plus Program at the Primary and Elementary levels for two years and in Campessori at the Primary level for four summers. She is an MMS alumna and was a member of its inaugural Middle School class. Outside of the classroom, Julia enjoys singing, performing in community theater productions, board games, and spending time with her cat.

Sutton Higginbotham

Primary II Assistant

Sutton joins MMS with eight years of teaching experience in Putnam County. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in music performance and is working on her master's degree in music education. Sutton loves interacting with children and supporting their growth through music and other creative activities. Her dedication to nurturing young minds is evident in her commitment to creating a positive and inspiring learning environment where children feel valued. Sutton and her husband are foster parents and they just recently adopted their three-year-old son who will attend MMS this year. In her free time, Sutton enjoys running, playing music with her husband, and spending time outside with her family.

Maria Leon Kershner

Primary II All Day Montessori Assistant

Maria, a native Spanish-speaker from Costa Rica, holds the American equivalent of a master’s degree in preschool education from her university studies in Costa Rica. She has worked with young children in education for 23 years. She completed the AMS Basics Course at the Midwest Montessori Teacher Training Center in Evanston, Ill. Maria teaches Spanish to all levels in the morning, and works with our Primary II students in the afternoons. She has also previously worked five years as a primary assistant. Maria has two children, both of whom have grown to be MMS alumni. Her favorite pastimes are reading, traveling, and working in her garden. Maria shares her enthusiasm and love of children while skillfully integrating Spanish into the classroom.

Stevie Palenchar

Primary II Assistant

After a year as a Plus Assistant, Stevie will support Primary II friends in the outdoor environment this fall. She started her Montessori education journey when her youngest child began Primary at age four and was excited to learn that the philosophy of respect for the child and joyful discovery of self-paralleled her own style of parenting. Stevie has earned a certificate as an Early Childhood Primary Assistant from Trillium Montessori and has experience as a Lower Elementary assistant as well. Stevie trained in the Early Childhood credential program at the Virginia Center for Montessori Studies in Richmond, Va. and looks forward to brining her experience and natural rapport with children to enrich the Primary Program. Stevie’s youngest daughter is a student in Lower Elementary.

Kyra Zamora

Primary I Assistant

Kyra has five years of experience working with children, including behavioral analysis-centered therapy for kids with autism spectrum disorders, developmental delays, and behavioral challenges. She holds a deep-rooted zeal for creative teaching approaches and consistently strives to make learning an engaging and enriching experience for others. As a local artist featured at Festivall, local events local galleries, Kyra brings a unique artistic perspective to her work. In 2020, she was able to combine her passions by teaching art lessons at a Montessori summer program, integrating her creative skills with Montessori principles. In her free time, she enjoys exploring various mediums of art, roller skating, and hiking

Elementary Faculty

Alasha Al-Quadwah

Upper Elementary II Lead Guide

Alasha brings a passion for the arts and deep commitment to Montessori education to her role as the Lead Guide for Upper Elementary II, and says her educational philosophy can be summed up in one of Maria Montessori’s most famous quotes: “Within the child lies the fate of the future.”

Now in her sixth year at MMS, Alasha holds bachelor’s degrees from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, and West Virginia State University and is trained in the Wilson Reading System and Positive Discipline in the Classroom. She received her Montessori 9-12 certification at the AMS-affiliated Montessori Education Teacher Training Collaborative in Waltham, Massachusetts. She is the only WV educator and the only MMS teacher to be awarded a teacher training scholarship from the American Montessori Society. Alasha heads our Montessori Model United Nations Program and Campessori summer camp. She is a composer, music instructor and performer, and contributed to the success of one of West Virginia’s most notable bands, Qiet. Outside of MMS, Alasha is a private music teacher and performs with Minor Swing, a gypsy jazz ensemble.

Alasha has seven years of Montessori education experience, serving in a variety of arts, administration and classroom roles. She is the mother of an MMS student.

Learn more about Alasha

Shannon Bradley

Lower Elementary II Lead Guide

Shannon joined MMS in 2020 with 16 years of experience in the credit union industry, where she wore many hats from working directly with families on personal finance, to marketing, product and website development, and employee training. After two years as a classroom assistant, Shannon leads Lower Elementary II and is completing her Montessori 6-9 credential with The Prepared Montessorian Teacher Training Institute. She has a lifelong desire to serve her community, improve the world around her, and bring her creative energy to the classroom. Her heart lies with child development and education, and feels it’s her calling to be a part of Montessori education after she witnessed her own daughter excel in the program starting at age 4. Shannon is grateful and excited to be working with the MMS Elementary team to inspire the best in every child. Shannon earned a BA in marketing, cum laude, from Marshall University. She enjoys making adventures where ever she can and will choose every life situation as a learning one!

Emily Christian

Upper Elementary I Lead Guide

Emily joined the Mountaineer Montessori community in 2020 as an experienced international teacher, having diverse experiences in classrooms on three continents. She achieved her AMS certification in 9-12 education with the Montessori Elementary Teacher Training Collaborative in Waltham, Mass. She earned a BA in history at the University of Notre Dame, and an MA in teaching from Brown University. She has taught fifth and sixth grades in international schools and private schools for more than ten years. Emily’s family moved to Charleston, and her two children enrolled at MMS, in 2019. She especially enjoys artistic endeavors. She is a prolific quilter and sews many of her own clothes. She also enjoys taking long walks with her puppy, game nights with her family, and working with them on the Lego city they have been building together this year.

Jennifer Preston

Lower Elementary III Guide

After several years as an MMS parent, Board member and active volunteer, Jen moves into a new role at our school as our new LE III Lead Guide. Jen is a graduate of Virginia Tech with degrees in urban planning and political science. Before joining MMS, she spent most of her career focusing on facility planning and programming. Jen worked on the Detroit Public Schools Capital Improvement Program, which built seven new K-12 schools and provided eight major school renovations, totaling over $500 million. She is currently enrolled at the Modern Montessori Teaching College. Jen and her husband, Aaron, live in South Hills with their three children, two of whom are MMS students. She enjoys yoga, reading, writing, and traveling.

Denessa Rouse

Lower Elementary I Lead Guide

Denessa joined MMS in 2022 and will Lead Lower Elementary I this fall. Denessa graduated summa cum laude from WV State University with a BA in history and minor in Spanish, and studied at the Samara Language School in Costa Rica. She also earned a certification in culinary arts and hospitality studies from West Virginia North Community College in Wheeling. Most recently, she was been a long-term substitute teacher and reading interventionist for grades 1-5 in the Kanawha County Schools. Her experience also includes serving as a reading coordinator for the Salvation Army Boys’ and Girls’ Club of St. Albans, a career coach at Job Squad, and Lifebridge Americorp Service Member for Catholic Charities of West Virginia. Denessa is completing her Montessori 6-9 credential with The Prepared Montessorian Teacher Training Institute.

Sonji Byers-Baldwin

Lower Elementary I Assistant

“I absolutely love working with children… Throughout my years as a teaching assistant, I have learned so much. I believe that if you build up a child’s confidence there is no limit to what can be accomplished.” Sonji joined MMS in 2019 with a strong background in early childhood education, having served as a classroom and after care assistant at St. Agnes School for 13 years. Sonji helped build the school’s summer program, which grew from 25 to 50 students during her time there. She earned a certification in early childhood education from Ben Franklin Vocational Center and holds numerous licenses and certifications in working with children. She trained with the Virginia Center for Montessori Studies.

Karen Kelly

Upper Elementary I Assistant/
Elementary Specialist

A native of Charleston, Karen earned a B.S. in biology from Bethany College, studied veterinary medicine in St. Petersburg, Fla., and completed both AMS Montessori Assistant (Virginia Center for Montessori Education) and Positive Discipline in the Classroom training programs. A life-long student of nature, she is completing certification as a Master Naturalist. In addition to directing our Plus Program, Karen leads engaging, hands-on science learning for lower and upper elementary classes. Prior to joining MMS 16 years ago, she worked for 15 years as a veterinary technician in the former Sunrise Museum and as the children’s book manager for Renaissance Book Company in Huntington. She retains an avid interest in children’s literature which she shares regularly with our students. As our Plus director, Karen develops and manages a rich program offering an extensive array of creative, entertaining and educational activities in a consistent Montessori environment. She is also the caretaker for all Mountaineer Montessori animals. Her son, now an historian at the Craik-Patton House, is an MMS alumnus. Karen enjoys knitting, reading, caring for animals, storytelling, and cooking.

Learn more about Karen

Tiffany Martin

Lower Elementary II Assistant

After working with children ages 2-6 at the Bream Center for Child Development and as a Behavior Support Specialist for the Children's Home Society of WV, Tiffany is excited to bring her experience to Mountaineer Montessori as a Lower Elementary II Assistant. With a heart for children, she strives to provide the best support for her students and seeks to constantly grown as a team member. Outside of the classroom, Tiffany enjoys spending time with her family, reading and thrift shopping.

Elea Paybins

Upper Elementary I Assistant

Elea moves to UE I as an Assistant in the mornings this year in addition to her continuing role as MMS Art Teacher in the afternoons. She is a West Virginian who’s had a lifelong love of the arts. While pursuing a BFA in painting, with a minor in Japanese, at Marshall University, she illustrated Tom Beal’s first book, "Bara Seal & Emily Too"(2018). Upon graduation in May 2019, Elea excitedly hopped on board to illustrate Tom Beal’s second book while simultaneously hopping aboard a plane to Kumamoto, Japan to teach English for two years. While there, she rekindled her love of nature through hiking, starting an ever-growing succulent family, and appreciating nature through flower pressing, discovering brightly colored insects, and ever trying to spot the local tanuki (the famous Japanese racoon-dog).

Leah Towler

Upper Elementary II Assistant

Leah brings a background in arts education, joining the Upper Elementary II team this year after two years in the MMS Primary environment. She's been an instructor with the Summer Arts Camp at Capital High School and at the Bob Burnette Center during FestivALL, and her own work has been accepted in many regional art exhibitions, including numerous Tamarack shows. A graduate of Hurricane High School, Leah earned an associate degree in graphic design from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.

Liliana Yocum

Lower Elementary III Assistant

Liliana, a graduate in architecture from The Ohio State University, joins MMS this year as an Assistant in Lower Elementary III. Her passion for teaching emerged while volunteering in architecture workshops and serving as a studio counselor for an architecture and design summer camp. She is inspired by the Montessori mission and is excited to nurture creativity and independence in students. Liliana was also a member of a service and professional development fraternity, Alpha Rho Chi, and has showcased her fashion collections in student fashion shows. A travel enthusiast, she has explored architecture in London and Athens and is new to Charleston, hoping to connect with the local community.

Middle School Faculty

Emily Beal, PhD

Middle School Guide/Math-Science-STEM

Emily brings rich talents and extensive expertise to our Middle School as a math/science/STEM teacher, leading hands on classes in life science, geoscience, astronomy, and physics, among other subjects as well as our full math curriculum. She earned a B.S. in astronomy at the University of Illinois and a dual PhD in geoscience and astrobiology from The Pennsylvania State University. Her Montessori training is with the Cincinnati Montessori Secondary Teacher Education Program. Emily is a former MMS student, and credits her Montessori background for giving her the academic preparation and confidence to pursue her educational goals. “I learned a very important thing from MMS — the ability to teach yourself and answer your own questions. Without the education I received from MMS, I do not think I would have had the courage or the confidence to pursue many of the things that I have.” Emily and her husband, Arie Spitz, are the parents of two MMS students.

Learn more about Emily

Greg Moore

Middle School Guide/Humanities-English Language Arts

Greg has called West Virginia (specifically Morgantown and Charleston) home for his entire life. He graduated from West Virginia University with a bachelor’s degree in English language and literature. He coached young writers at the Charleston Gazette and Gazette-Mail, where he spent nearly 25 years, including two years as executive editor. He co-founded Mountain State Spotlight, West Virginia’s first statewide nonprofit news outlet, and briefly worked as communications director at WVU’s Eberly College of Arts and Sciences. Throughout, he has maintained a love of literature, history, and travel, and a firm conviction in the importance of the humanities in education.

Sarah Halsted

Middle School Advisor

From the time she returned to West Virginia in 2005 after years of teaching and working in Winchester, Va., Okinawa, Beaufort, S.C., Toyko, and San Diego, Sarah has been engaged in bringing the best of cutting edge ideas, practices, and programs tailored specifically to the needs of her home state. She graduated from West Virginia State University, with a multi-disciplinary teaching degree and holds a master’s degree in educational leadership. Her Montessori training is with the Cincinnati Montessori Secondary Teacher Education Program.

Sarah works with middle school students in the areas of humanities, language, micro economy, and field experience. Her professional focus on cultivating and fostering achievement, innovation, creativity, entrepreneurship, and community engagement has been recognized by the Department of Defense Dependent Schools (DODDS), the National Association of Community Development and Extension Professionals (NACDEF), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the West Virginia Environmental Focus. Sarah and her husband, David, are the parents of an MMS alumnus.

Learn more about Sarah

Faculty Specialists

Bernard Di Gregorio

Strings Instructor

Bernard, a native of Boston, studied at the New England Conservatory of Music and holds a diploma in viola performance from the Longy School of Music of Bard College in Cambridge, Mass. He is the principal violist and the Blanchette H. Rockefeller Chair for the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra and has also held the position of principal viola with the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra since 1991. A strong advocate of music education, Bernard teaches strings in several schools in the Charleston area. In the summer months, he is a member of the New Hampshire Music Festival Orchestra and has also been a member of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. Bernard is also a composer and works with the West Virginia Youth Symphony as a sectional instructor and chamber music coach. Bernard leads our strings program and is the proud father of two former Mountaineer Montessori students.

Tara Fought

Reading and Learning Specialist

After seven years as Lead Guide for Lower Elementary I, Tara moves to a new role as a Learning Support Specialist, working to support Elementary students in the areas of reading and math. Tara is beginning her year at MMS. She is a graduate of Florida International University, completed Positive Discipline in the Classroom training, and holds an AMS Lower Elementary credential from the Summit Montessori Teacher Training Institute in Davie, Florida. Prior to joining MMS, Tara was the Lead Teacher of Lower Elementary at the Montessori School of North Miami in Florida. She leads her classes with enthusiasm and respect, and provides an environment where each child will feel safe and have the confidence to learn and grow as students and as people.

Elea Paybins

Art Teacher/Middle School Creative Expression Specialist

Elea is a West Virginian who’s had a lifelong love of the arts. While pursuing a BFA in painting, with a minor in Japanese, at Marshall University, she illustrated Tom Beal’s first book, "Bara Seal & Emily Too"(2018). Upon graduation in May 2019, Elea excitedly hopped on board to illustrate Tom Beal’s second book while simultaneously hopping aboard a plane to Kumamoto, Japan to teach English for two years. While there, she rekindled her love of nature through hiking, starting an ever-growing succulent family, and appreciating nature through flower pressing, discovering brightly colored insects, and ever trying to spot the local tanuki (the famous Japanese racoon-dog). She is more than excited to share her love of art with the students as our teacher!

Maria Kershner-Leon

Foreign Language Instructor

Maria, a native Spanish-speaker from Costa Rica, holds the American equivalent of a master’s degree in preschool education from her university studies in Costa Rica. She has worked with young children in education for 23 years. She completed the AMS Basics Course at the Midwest Montessori Teacher Training Center in Evanston, Ill., and Positive Discipline in the Classroom training. Maria teaches Spanish to all classes in the morning, and works with our primary students in the Plus Program in the afternoons. At the Middle School level, Spanish classes are coordinated with distance learning programs that qualify for high school credit in the Kanawha County School system. Maria has two children, both of whom have grown to be MMS alumni. Her favorite pastimes are reading, traveling and working in her garden. Maria shares her enthusiasm and love of children while skillfully integrating Spanish lessons into the Montessori curriculum. This is her eleventh year at MMS.

Napthali ReBrook

Elementary Music Specialist

Naphtali is a classically trained opera singer with a passionate belief in the power of music to enrich people's lives. Prior to her appointment as MMS Lower and Upper Elementary Music Teacher, she performed with the Boston Lyric Opera and the Washington Opera. Naphtali is a founding member and lead member of the alternative rock band, Audio Inkblot.

She is a graduate of The Catholic University of America where she earned a BA in vocal performance and Boston University, earning an MA in gallery and non-profit management. She is participating in specialized training in world music in the Montessori environment. Naphtali is the parent of two children, two of whom are MMS students.

Darlene Spangler

Elementary/Learning Support Specialist

Darlene has played many important roles at MMS, including teacher, administrator and sixth year project leader. She is in her 20th year with our school. She holds a B.A. in English from Duke University and is currently a learning specialist, providing screening and specialized reading instruction. Previously, Darlene spent 14 years as an assistant teacher in the advanced elementary class (concurrently teaching English in our middle school program for five years). She also served as our school’s assistant administrator for 13 years and interim co-director for three years. Originally from the eastern shore of Maryland, Darlene settled in her husband’s hometown of Charleston, where they raised two (now adult) children. In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis, reading, and traveling.

Learn more about Darlene

Dr. Ray Singleton

Reading Specialist

Ray Singleton is a lifelong teacher, having spent 30 years teaching elementary and middle school in Kanawha County. He was also department chair of education at the University of Charleston from 2014-2021. He has a master’s degree in reading and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from Marshall University, and he is National Board Certified in English language arts. Ray also plays guitar in several area bands, including Minor Swing with fellow MMS teacher Alasha Al-Qudwah.