faculty & staff

ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM

Augusta McDonald
Head of School

Augusta McDonald
Head of School

Augusta brings a wide array of skills to this position. Originally from New Zealand, she graduated from the New Zealand Drama School in 1982. While acting in television and theater, Augusta taught improvisation, dance and creative movement to three to twelve year olds. Since moving to the U.S. in 1991, she has been a manager, a mother, and a maverick—creating and managing her own business for nine years. She completed the American Montessori Internationale primary teacher training in May 2011.

In her role as the Director of the Garrison Afterschool Program, Augusta built a vibrant, happy, and creative program. Augusta joined MIT in 2011 and is delighted to be able to continue her work of creating a meaningful environment for children, families, and staff that fosters a strong sense of community.

Annabelle Lawrence
Assistant Head of School

Annabelle Lawrence
Assistant Head of School

Annabelle has been working with children since her teenage years. Seeing first-hand that traditional early childhood education could go only so far, she was inspired by the Montessori approach to developing the whole child and decided to leave her role as a preschool teacher to receive AMI Primary training. Annabelle holds a BA in Children's Learning and Development from UMass. She graduated from the Montessori Institute of Atlanta in 2009.

Annabelle joined Montessori In Town in 2013. She brings experience from her previous work at other Atlanta Montessori schools, both as a Primary guide and administrator. Now, as a mom to 4 beautiful children, she continues learn what it means to parent the Montessori way.

Holly Michael
Accounting

Holly Michael
Accounting

Holly has a Bachelor of Administration from the University of West Georgia. She decided to leave her corporate job to raise a family. Holly began working in a Montessori school in 2013, when her eldest daughter began in Primary, and came to Montessori In Town with her youngest. As a native Atlantan, Holly loves living in our wonderful city and spending time with friends. She and her husband stay busy with their two daughters and tending to their family's urban farm.

MiRia Cambie
Digital Media & Administrative Coordinator

MiRia Cambie
Digital Media & Administrative Coordinator

MiRia was raised in Nairobi, Kenya, and is now a proud naturalized U.S. citizen. As a mother of twins, she balances family life with a dynamic career in graphic design, website branding, and social media content management. She is a graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Outside of her professional work, she enjoys spending time with her dog, on trails, and cruising on her vintage cafe racer motorcycle, embracing both her creative side and adventurous spirit. She's passionate about civic engagement, especially when it comes to voting, and values the impact it has on her community. She currently serves the community as a certified Fulton County public notary.

TODDLER PROGRAM STAFF

Celia Parga
Toddler Community Assistant

Celia Parga
Toddler Community Assistant

Celia was born in California but spent most of her childhood in Mexico where her parents are from. Celia studied Criminology and has worked with children since she was a teenager–babysitting and nannying.

Celia has been in a Montessori environment since 2018. She joined the MIT community in 2023. The hands-on approach reminds her of her childhood, but what is more appealing to Celia is the respect for the child in terms of allowing them to work and learn at their own pace while treating them as people. She has two daughters, both of whom attend Montessori In Town, and a teenage son.

Renata C. Dickerson
Toddler Community Guide

Renata C. Dickerson
Toddler Community Guide

Renata was born in Brazil and moved to the U.S. in 2001. Renata has always loved children. When her first daughter was born, she enrolled her in a Montessori school. Renata volunteered as the room parent and then became a substitute shortly after she was employed as an assistant. Inevitably, Renata enrolled in the AMI Toddler training.

In the 20 years Renata has worked with children, she has never stopped being amazed and amused by the way human beings are in the process of developing and constructing themselves. Renata loves the curiosity and power of observation of the children. Renata has been with Montessori In Town since 2022.

Presently, Renata has earned her M.Ed. in Montessori Early Learning. In her free time, she loves to hike in the woods and spend time on the beach. She enjoys painting with watercolors and working with felt.

Cidney Carlton
Toddler Community Assistant

Cidney Carlton
Toddler Community Assistant

Cidney is a valuable addition to our team, offering patience, compassion, and a calming presence in the fast-paced world of young explorers. With a CNA certification and over five years of experience in childcare, she has a solid background in child development and health. Cidney plays a key role in helping toddlers navigate their big emotions, build first friendships, and master the essential skill of putting their shoes on the right feet.

When she’s not in the classroom, Cidney loves exploring her creative side through writing, painting, and photography, passions she often brings into her work to inspire and connect with her students. You might also find her hiking nature trails or chasing waterfalls, as she has a deep love for the outdoors. Nature is a true passion of hers, second only to her little ones, of course!

Sandra Cruz
Toddler Community Assistant

Sandra Cruz
Toddler Community Assistant

Sandra was born in Georgia, she went to Georgia State University and studied Applied Linguistics to receive a TEFL Certificate. Sandra began working with children in the midst of the pandemic. She learned about Montessori through a conversation with a co-worker, the more she learned the more the philosophy made sense to her. After working with toddlers and Primary-aged children for two years Sandra joined MIT in 2022.

Sandra enjoys going to festivals and visiting family in Mexico. In her spare time, she enjoys volunteering in the Latin community and spending time with family and friends.

Jennifer Ray
Toddler Community Assistant

Jennifer Ray
Toddler Community Assistant

Jennifer was born and raised in Chicago and moved to Georgia in 2018. Jennifer was working as an office assistant at a Montessori school when she was asked to help in a classroom. She loved it so much, they asked her to stay in the classroom.

Jennifer, who has always loved working with children, has worked with children for seven-plus years and joined Montessori In Town in 2023. She has taken many online courses to learn more about early childhood development. She has three children; Joseph (15), Jiselle (9), and Jada (8). Jennifer loves to read and bake with her girls.

 

Mari Carmona
Toddler Community Guide

Mari Carmona
Toddler Community Assistant

Mari was born in San Diego, CA, and came to Atlanta in 2005. When Mari’s first son was born, a good friend introduced her to Montessori by giving her a basket of Montessori materials. Soon after, Mari observed a Montessori Toddler classroom, and she was amazed at how independent the children were–at that point, she fell in love with the Montessori method.

Mari began as an assistant teacher in a Toddler classroom in 2016 and has since worked in both Toddler and Primary classes. Mari enjoys hiking, running 5ks, taking care of her chickens, and doing arts and crafts. Mari has three children who attend MIT.

PRIMARY PROGRAM STAFF

Andreale Mitchell
Primary Classroom Assistant

Andreale Mitchell
Primary Classroom Assistant

Drea was born in Atlanta, Georgia. She has earned a BA in Psychology and Human Services. Drea has worked with children for 10 years. A close friend introduced her to Montessori, the philosophy made perfect sense to her, she has been with Montessori In Town since 2022.

In her spare time, she enjoys writing poetry. Her daughter also attends MIT.

Kwylifah Gillis
Primary Classroom Assistant

Kwylifah Gillis
Primary Classroom Assistant

Kwylifah is originally from New York and moved to Atlanta to join Montessori In Town in June of 2023. She has worked for six years as a special ed assistant, she brings a special calm and patience to her work with children. She is currently in a BA program for Early Childhood.

Kwylifah enjoys spending time with family and friends, painting, and walking, and she would like to travel.

Lindsay Rauen
Primary Guide

Lindsay Rauen
Primary Guide

Lindsay is from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Arts. She studied Fine Arts in Italy and Botany in Costa Rica. Lindsay was working on her second degree in teaching 1st - 8th grade when she had the opportunity to observe a public Montessori school. She loved what she saw, researched Montessori, and enrolled in an AMI Primary Montessori training.

Lindsay has been working with children in various roles for 20 years. She has worked in public schools as a Montessori guide and as an art teacher. Lindsay, who has two boys who attend MIT, joined our school in 2022. She enjoys spending time with her family, camping, hiking, cooking, and listening to live music.

Amya Gasby
Primary Classroom Assistant

Amya Gasby
Primary Classroom Assistant

Amya grew up in New York, where her babysitting skills evolved into classroom skills and her enjoyment of working with children grew. She has seven years of experience working in various classroom settings. Amya joined Montessori In Town in 2023 and brings a lot of creative craft ideas with her.

In her spare time, she enjoys reading, poetry, and watching documentaries.

Joanna Calixte
Primary Classroom Assistant

Joanna Calixte Johnson
Primary Classroom Assistant

Bio coming soon.

Lynn Stephens
Primary Classroom Assistant

Lynn Stephens
Primary Classroom Assistant

Lynn has been a valuable and experienced assistant in the primary community of Montessori In Town for more than ten years. She holds a BA in early childhood along with Montessori Assistant training courses. She took a hiatus in 2017 to pursue an important opportunity but thankfully returned to us in 2021. Lynn generously shares her Native American heritage with the children. Lynn is a mother of four children, who are each a source of pleasure and pride.

Clarissa Logsdon
Primary Guide

Clarissa Logsdon
Primary Guide

Clarissa began her Montessori experience at Montessori In Town in 2008. Having earned her degree in Early Childhood Education from Georgia State University, she chose to forgo opportunities within the traditional education system in order to pursue her interest in Montessori education.

She served as a Primary assistant for two years at MIT before leaving in order to earn her AMI Primary teaching diploma from the Montessori Institute of Atlanta and her Master’s Degree in Education from Loyola University. Clarissa began as a Primary guide at MIT in 2010; she continues to take pleasure in the opportunity to serve the families of her hometown community.

Julia Johnson
Primary Guide

Julia Johnson
Primary Guide

Julia is an AMI-trained guide who grew up in Tucker and has worked in Montessori schools in Virginia and Maryland. She has ten years of Montessori classroom experience. She has lived in some of the major cities of the world, including London, Tokyo, NYC, and DC. Julia has two dear dogs who she enjoys taking for walks.

Missy Richardson
Primary Classroom Assistant

Missy Richardson
Primary Classroom Assistant

Missy is the proud owner of Two Assured Hands, who cater to variety of people, including the elderly, disabled, and autistic. Missy stumbled across Montessori education as an expecting mother and feel in love with the interaction between the guide and child, as well as the independence and the freedom that the child has in the classroom. She has taken assistant training at the AMI institute. We are so glad to have her with join us this year. Missy has one son who is now a welder, she enjoys long hikes with her hubby, singing, and a mug of hot cocoa.

Dixita Shah
Primary Guide

Dixita Shah
Primary Guide

Dixita is originally from India and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2010, and her AMI Primary Diploma in 2011. Working with children has always been her passion. After completing the AMI training Dixita taught in India, Australia, and Albuquerque, NM, before arriving at Montessori In Town in 2021.

Dixita’s global perspective and depth of experience are tremendous assets in the classroom. She believes there is nothing more rewarding than teaching and being a part of a child’s learning journey. Dixita appreciates the outdoors and relishes the time spent with her family and friends. Dixita’s son also attends MIT.

LaVern McKnight
Primary Classroom Assistant

LaVern McKnight
Primary Classroom Assistant

Lavern joined MIT in 2016. She came with more than eight years of Montessori classroom experience. As a mother to four sons, one daughter, and a proud grandmother to fifteen grandchildren; LaVern knows children! She enjoys spending time with her family, taking long walks and naps in the sunshine.

Sherry White
Primary Classroom Assistant

Sherry White
Primary Classroom Assistant

Sherry hails from the small town of Camilla, Georgia, and has been dedicated to working with K-12 students since 2012. Over the years, she gained valuable experience as a substitute teacher with Atlanta Public Schools. Outside of work, Sherry enjoys blogging, exploring new cities, shopping, walking, attending church, dining out, and cherishing time with her family. She lives by the motto, "Be the change you want to see."

ELEMENTARY STAFF

Jodi Dunn

Jodi Broadaway
Lower Elementary Guide

Jodi Dunn
Elementary Guide

In college, Jodi studied in Hotel and Restaurant Management. She later worked in the hotel industry for 5 years (miserably). As a parent to be, Jodi came to a community information session at Montessori In Town. She knew right away, “This was something I needed to be a part of.”  She felt inspired, and the path into Montessori Education has been clear and steady ever since. Jodi moved into Montessori education in 2008, she began by substituting in local Montessori schools and later assisted in in an Upper Elementary for three years. She went on to complete her AMI Elementary Montessori training in Atlanta in 2013. She will be completing her Orton Gillingham training in December 2020. She loves to attend workshops, AMI refresher courses as well as the EAA Summer Conference when she can.

In her spare time, Jodi enjoys cooking, yoga, house projects, and spending time with my family especially her daughter, Penny.

Gina White
Elementary Aftercare

Gina Jordan White
Elementary Aftercare

Gina was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. She has a BFA in photography. Gina became interested in Montessori when she worked at a Montessori In Town summer camp in 2010. Since then Gina has worked with children at Montessori In Town as an after-school arts and craft coordinator. She also offers art instruction for Primary and Elementary children after school as part of the enrichment offering. Gina loves photography (her photographs are on the website), taking pictures, and playing her ukulele when she has time.

Katie Bryant
Lower Elementary Assistant

Katie Bryant
Lower Elementary Assistant

Katie was born and raised in Atlanta. Before she came to Montessori In Town in 2017 she worked mental health therapy for children and adolescents. Katie has a master’s degree in social work. She also has a white fluffy dog named Nonny.

 

Lala Ahmed
Upper Elementary Guide

Lala Ahmed
Remote Elementary Guide

Lala holds both AMI primary and elementary training, a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of Karachi, Pakistan, and a Masters in Education from Loyola College, Baltimore, MD. She has served on the board of directors for peace organizations, Women's Action for New Directions and South Asians for Unity. Throughout her adult life Lala has been committed to promoting peace through education. She is married and a mother of two grown children.

Lala had worked as a primary guide in the Atlanta since 2007. She joined MIT in 2011 after completing her elementary training. She created a thriving lower elementary classroom that speaks to the imagination of the child and sets them up for a lifelong voyage of learning and discovery.

Sasha Fani
Lower Elementary Guide

Sasha Fani
Lower Elementary Guide

Sasha grew up in sunny England with a multicultural background—his father is Iranian and his mother is Italian-Scottish. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Construction Project Management, he discovered your true passion for education. In 2017, he trained as a Montessori teacher in San Diego and has since taught in diverse settings across both the U.S. and the U.K.

His early years of teaching were spent guiding 6-12-year-olds in a Montessori classroom in Arizona, followed by a year at a progressive school in San Francisco. In 2021, you returned to England, where you worked as a special needs teacher, supporting children with learning differences like Autism, ADHD, and Dyslexia. He’s deeply committed to nurturing each child’s potential, helping them build confidence, independence, and joy in learning. His ultimate goal is to contribute to a better world through meaningful, heart-led education.

Outside of the classroom, he’s a lifelong foodie, a passion that started with working weekends in his family’s pizzeria. He loves to cook, is an avid skier, and is a loyal fan of football (the English kind!)

 

SPECIALTY STAFF

Rosa Ayala
Spanish Teacher

Rosa Ayala
Spanish Teacher

Rosa is originally from Puerto Rico. She was a theater major and loves the arts. She utilizes her performing skills to engage children. Teaching her language and culture has been more than a job for Rose–it is her passion and mission.

Rosa has been working in Montessori schools for the past eight years, first with the Toddler community and then as a Spanish guide. She joined the MIT community in 2021.

Rosa enjoys exercising regularly because it brings her peace and purpose.

Stephanie Barnes
Pedagogical Specialist

Stephanie Barnes
Pedagogical Specialist

Stephanie Barnes has over 20 years of experience in Montessori education, working as a guide, coach, and mother of two children who attended Montessori from age 2.5 to 12. She is passionate about the Montessori method, having seen children from diverse backgrounds, learning styles, and temperaments thrive in this environment. Her goal is to educate both children and parents about the benefits and joys of Montessori education.

 

Ellen Barneycastle
Elementary P.E.

Bio Coming Soon

SUPPORT STAFF

Carmen Draper
Maintenance

Carmen Draper
Maintenance

Carmen is a highly skilled craftsman whose skills across the construction industry - electric, plumbing, carpentry, and finishing have been invaluable to the renovation of the three buildings that now comprise Montessori In Town. Carmen had thirty-five years of experience in construction before coming to Montessori In Town.

Carmen ensures that the three buildings are all well maintained and everything is in good working order.

Krisann Clark
Substitute Staff

Krisann Clark
Administrative Assistant

After Krisann’s first child was born, she started a tutorial service to encourage reading and writing for children and families in her community. Around this time she read an article about Montessori that resonated with her, she continued to read and learn about Montessori. Krisann taught elementary and middle schoolers, substituted in K-12 classrooms, tutored K-college students, and mentored middle and high school students, incorporating Montessori principles as much as possible. Krisann has been a substitute at Montessori In Town for eight years.

Krisann enjoys reading and writing, walking outdoors, and spending time with family and friends.