Faculty
“I have come to believe that a great teacher is a great artist and that there are as few as there are any other great artists. Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit.”
~ John Steinbeck
~
TODDLER (18 MONTH – 3 YEAR OLD PROGRAM)
Rebecca Bellonci has been the lead toddler teacher at Mountain Pathways since 2007. She had previously served as Educational Director at the school after teaching three years in the 3-6 program at Montessori de Terra Linda in San Rafael, California. She earned her Association Montessori Internationale diploma in California for the 3-6 level, and has taught Spanish and physical education at the 3-6 and 6-9 level. She is currently working toward her certification in Montessori toddler education. She graduated from the University of California at San Diego with a B.A. in psychology.
Jana Greer returned this summer to the toddler classroom after being away for a stint in the ski industry. Jana adds to the fun, love, laughter and learning of our youngest students through songs, stories and interactive guidance.
2-4 YEAR-OLD PROGRAM
Beth Smoot been teaching in the 3-6 program at Mountain Pathways since 2004. She began her Montessori career over 20 years ago in the 6-9 year old program at Statesville Montessori School, and held a variety of positions in both 6-9 and 3-6, as well as Extended Day programs, there. Beth completed her Associate Credential in Early Childhood Education through the NC Center for Montessori Teacher Education in June of 2000, and holds Montessori certification at the 6-9 age level as well.
Kelly Thomas received her elementary education degree from Southern Utah University with a concentration in math and just moved to Boone this summer. Kelly has worked with elementary and middle schoolers and is looking forward to her expansion into the earlier ages as Beth’s assistant.
3-6 YEAR-OLD PROGRAM
Sara Drum began working at MPMS in 1999(!) after graduating from ASU with a BS in Psychology and a concentration in Child Development. During her freshman and sophomore years at ASU, she was also a student in “Watauga College”, a program which focused on interdisciplinary studies. Throughout her Junior and senior year, she worked and participated in internships at the ASU Child Development Center and Lucy Brock. She received her Montessori Training in 2000-2001 at the Center for Montessori Teacher Education in Raleigh, NC.
Kelly Boone starts her second year at Mountain Pathways in 2011. She becomes the assistant in the large 3-6 classroom after spending last year teaching in the After School program. She graduated from Appalachian with a degree in anthropology, and has worked in childcare since 2007.
Allison Butler has a degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in psychology from ASU. She has taught in schools both public and charter as well as in a science museum. Allison will be helping in the 3-6 and working in the Mountain Pathways afterschool program.
Dane Hilton has worked in various capacities with children while completing his degree in psychology. Most recently Dane worked with the S.O.A.R. outdoor program with MP veteran assistant Amber Pearson. Dane will be working with Allison in the afterschool program as well as helping with the toddlers and nappers.
LOWER ELEMENTARY (6-9 YEAR OLD PROGRAM)
Justin Hackler has been teaching in Mountain Pathways’ Lower Elementary (6-9 year-old) program since 2004. He earned his lower elementary Montessori certification in 2006 from the Institute of Advanced Montessori Studies. Justin graduated from Appalachian State in 1999 with a degree in Psychology and is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Appropriate Technology. Prior to joining our staff, Justin worked for several years in the North Carolina public school system and related programs with at-risk youth. He feels that children should be outside everyday to explore the environment around them.
Emily Wells earned her Elementary Education degree in December 2010 at Appalachian and has taught in schools in both Watauga and Avery counties. Her background in Diversity Studies and Psychology will be a positive addition to the 6-9 class as Emily starts her first year this August.
UPPER ELEMENTARY (9-12 YEAR OLD PROGRAM)
Kristy Weston is the upper elementary (9-12 year-olds) teacher at Mountain Pathways. Originally from a small, rural farming community of Stanley, North Carolina, Kristy attended North Carolina State University to pursue a degree in Landscape Horticulture. After graduation she traveled overseas and lived in Naples, Italy. With a mother and grandmother who were both teachers, Kristy serendipitously ended up assisting at a Montessori school at an international military base called AFSOUTH. It was there that she realized that she truly liked teaching and loved the students.
She has been teaching Montessori for almost eight years now and continues to discover, learn, and grow along with her students. “The love of learning is an infectious idea that permeates our days both inside and outside the classroom,” says Kristy. “Teaching at Mountain Pathways has been such an enriching and positive experience. I am looking forward to the continuance of watching children grow, learn, and become amazing people because of who they are and what we do.” Kristy is assisted in the 9-12 class by Matt Alexander who also supervises summer and afterschool programs at MPMS as well as working in the main office.