“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 environment, sensorial explorations, language and mathematics, expression through art and music, 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 School teachers and oversees the fundraising and program operations of the school.
Administration
Jennifer Rambo (she/her), 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 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. Jennifer went through Brene Brown’s dare to lead training in July 2024. She is also the child care representative on the board of the Blue Ridge Partnership for Children. Prior to taking on the Head of School role, she served on the board at SPMS, subbed, worked as the after-school elementary after school teacher, taught elementary summer camps, and assisted 2 previous Heads of School. Her two kids attended SPMS for primary and elementary.
Susan McDaniel (she/her), Finance Manager, came to SPMS in September 2023 after a long career in accounting which included CPA, auditor, and Director of Finance at Penland School of Craft. She has a BSA from the University of Illinois at Springfield and a MBA from Regis University, CO. She is an avid reader and volunteers in the community.
Toddler Classroom
Leona Pendley (she/her), Toddler Lead 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 and is currently enrolled in the Center for Guided Montessori Studies 0-3 training. She will receive her Montessori credential in 2025.
Desiree Duncan (she/her), 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.
Abby Putman (she/her), Toddler Lead Teacher, has worked as the Toddler After School teacher, Toddler Assistant, and Primary and Toddler Floater. After taking a year off to stay home with her son, she’s returned to take the lead in our young toddler classroom, working with 13-20 month olds. Abby has her North Carolina Early Childhood credential.
Primary Classrooms
Christine Henry (she/her), 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.
Genevieve Perez (she/her), Primary Assistant Teacher graduated from Florida International University with a BA in Psychology. Her daughter attends SPMS.
Wris Skenandore (she/her), Primary Lead 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 has worked as a Primary Assistant since 2021. Wris has completed her Montessori Assistant training and earned her Early Childhood Credential in the spring of 2023. She will begin her 3-6 Montessori training through the Center for Guided Montessori Studies in October 2024.
Spencer Buchanan (he/him), Primary Assistant Teacher lives in Bakersville with his family. Spencer is in his second year as a primary assistant as SPMS, and he received the Early Childhood Credential from Haywood Community College in July 2024. His daughter attends SPMS.
Amy Honeycutt (she/her), Morning Floater, has a degree in medical assisting and is a dance instructor at Appalachian Performing Arts in Burnsville. She brings her love of children and dance to her role as morning floater.
Ariana Sellers (she/her), 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 (he/him), 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. Skylar was hired as the Elementary Assistant in 2019. He completed a Montessori Fundamentals Assistant training and received his Lower Elementary Lead Teacher Certification through The Center for Montessori Teacher Education-NC. Skylar is an avid soccer player and backpacker.
Camila Prada (she/her), Lower Elementary Assistant Teacher, graduated from Florida State University with a major in Psychology and a minor in Education. She taught in Miami before moving to WNC. Cami is bilingual and will teach Spanish to the elementary students at SPMS. She is also a beekeeper and has taught students about bees through the Toe Cane Beekeepers Association.
Benjamin Peverall (he/him), 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. Ben will receive his Lower and Upper Elementary Montessori credential from the Center for Guided Montessori Studies in 2025 when he completes his training.
Rebecca Page-McCaw (she/her), AmeriCorps Volunteer is serving with Project MARS at Spruce Pine Montessori School. Rebecca works primarily with the Upper Elementary class and also is the Elementary after school teacher. Working as a counselor at Camp Celo, Rebecca found out about SPMS and began serving through Americorps in Fall 2023. Rebecca attended Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, studying English and history.