“We discovered that education is not something which the teacher does, but that it is a natural process which develops spontaneously in the human being.”
-Maria Montessori
The Montessori teacher has the critical job of preparing the classroom and outdoor environment so it is interesting and enticing to each child in the classroom. This involves a deep understanding of human development as well as always being alert to the specific interests of each child and where they are on that path of development. Continuously refreshing the classroom and connecting the children to purposeful activities that match their needs are rewarded by the children making ever more challenging choices and delighting in their learning. Every part of the curriculum is managed in this way – care of oneself and the classroom, sensorial explorations, language and mathematics, expression through art, music, and drama, geography, science, and the grace and courtesy needed to live in harmony with others. There are never enough words to express our gratitude and appreciation to our exceptional teaching staff. They consistently keep the children’s love of learning as their top priority. In every classroom, our guides recognize each child’s individual strengths, talents, and unique qualities while fostering literacy, intellectual curiosity, compassion, creativity, community awareness, and physical well-being.
Our Head of School supports the Spruce Pine Montessori teachers and oversees the fundraising and program operations of the school.
Administration
Jennifer Rambo, Head of School, lives with her family on a small homestead in Bakersville. Jennifer has a BA in French Language/Literature and Elementary Education Certification from Mary Washington College (now University of Mary Washington) and has received her Early Childhood Administration credential at Haywood Community College. She has a Montessori Administrators Certificate from AMI and has completed the Nonprofit Fundamentals Certificate Program through WNC Nonprofit Pathways. She served on the SPMS board from 2013-2016 and from 2020-2021. She has also subbed, worked as the after-school elementary after school teacher, taught elementary summer camps, and worked at the school over the years wearing lots of hats. Her two kids attended SPMS for primary and elementary. She is deeply invested in the school and passionate about the Montessori method. She credits SPMS with many lessons that taught her how to be a better parent and a better human.
Toddler Classroom
Leona Pendley, Lead Toddler Teacher, has been with SPMS since 2011. Before beginning with the Toddler Class full time in April, 2012, Leona worked with our After Care and Summer programs and as a substitute. She earned her NC Early Childhood Credential in December 2013.
Desiree Duncan, Toddler Assistant Teacher, started working at SPMS in January 2001 when her son was a student at the school. She has her NC Early Childhood Credentials I and II and completed her Montessori Assistant training at Lake Norman Montessori. She was mentored by Wanda Levin and worked beside her in the Primary program until Ms. Wanda’s retirement in 2014. Desiree has also worked in the primary classroom and has been a floater, assisting in the toddler and primary classrooms throughout the day.
Primary Classrooms
Christine Henry, Primary Lead Teacher, received her Montessori Primary Certification in May 2013. She has a BA in Psychology from UNCA and an NC Early Childhood Credential. Christine has been with the school since 2008 and before becoming a lead teacher had worked at every classroom level as an Assistant Teacher. Her two sons graduated from SPMS.
Savannah Buchanan, Primary Assistant Teacher, Savannah began working at SPMS as Christine’s assistant when her daughter was enrolled in the toddler program in 2023. She has taken a Montessori approach to raising her child and is excited to grow and learn even more with her time at SPMS.
Chastity Boston, Primary Lead Teacher, started working at SPMS in August 2022 as a substitute and was a primary assistant for spring semester 2023. In June 2023, Chastity led the summer camp program and she stepped into the Primary Lead Teacher position for the 2023-24 school year. She graduated from McDowell Tech with an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education in May 2022 and has plans to pursue her Bachelor’s Degree and Montessori certification.
Wris Skenandore, Primary Assistant Teacher found her way to SPMS when she enrolled her son in the Elementary program in 2020. During the 2020-21 school year, she worked as a substitute teacher, elementary classroom helper, and primary after school teacher. She was hired as Christine’s assistant for the 2021-22 school year, excited and inspired by all that she had learned about Montessori philosophy the previous year. For the 2023-24 school year, she is working as Chastity’s assistant. Wris has completed her Montessori Assistant training and earned her Early Childhood Credential in the spring of 2023.
Morning Floater, bio coming soon.
Ariana Sellers, Afternoon Floater, graduated from Coastal Carolina University with a B.A. in Studio Art and an M.A.T in Art Education. She grew up in rural South Carolina, followed by time in in Conway, SC, and Memphis, TN. She moved to Spruce Pine in 2020 and found her way to SPMS in mid 2023. Ariana loves astronomy, scary movies, wildlife, and volunteering for community events.
Elementary Classrooms
Skylar Miller, Lower Elementary Lead Teacher, graduated from Beloit College in Beloit, Wisconsin with a double major in Environmental Geology and Dance. He grew up attending Camp Celo and one year he went back to Camp as a counselor and never left. Through coaching youth soccer, he found out about SPMS and was hired as the Elementary Assistant in 2019. He has completed his Montessori Fundamentals Assistant training and has completed his Lower Elementary Lead Teacher Certification through The Center for Montessori Teacher Education-NC. Skylar is an avid soccer player and backpacker.
Rachel O’Reilly, Lower Elementary Assistant Teacher, has been a part of the SPMS community since 2016 when her oldest child was in the toddler program. Two of her 3 children are enrolled at the school. She has a degree in voice and has taught music in Mitchell County Schools. Rachel brings her love and knowledge of music to the elementary classrooms.
Benjamin Peverall, Upper Elementary Lead Teacher was born at Spruce Pine Hospital and grew up in the South Toe Valley. He attended SPMS from Primary through Lower Elementary. In February of 2023, Ben Graduated from College of the Atlantic with a bachelor's in Human Ecology. Having spent many summers as a counselor at Camp Celo and working at Children's Garden Preschool, Ben always knew being a teacher was his future. While leading backpacking trips for Camp Celo's Adventure Camp Program, Ben heard about the open position at SPMS. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Ben accepted the job and will receive his Lower and Upper Elementary Training from the Center for Guided Montessori Studies over the next three years.
Rebecca Page-McCaw, AmeriCorps Volunteer is serving with Project MARS at Spruce Pine Montessori. Rebecca works primarily with the Upper Elementary class and also teaches Elementary afterschool. After working as a counselor at Camp Celo, Rebecca found out about SPMS and began serving here through Americorps in Fall 2023. Rebecca attended Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, studying English and history.
Finance Manager, bio coming soon