Faculty

TODDLER (18 MONTH - 3 YEAR OLD PROGRAM)

Jana Greer is grateful to be a part of Mountain Pathways as a parent and teacher. With a Montessori Accreditation in Birth-3 Year Olds, you will you often find her singing in the classroom with the students or encouraging parents to help their child become independent. Jana is also active in the High Country Community leading a children’s church choir, singing, acting and directing. Fun fact-Jana moonlights as Dorothy at The Land of Oz.

Sarah Cook did her 5 week internship at Mountain Pathways last semester and loved it so she came back to work in the Toddler room with Jana. She graduated from Appalachian State University in May with a Child Development: Birth through Kindergarten degree and was on the Colorguard in the Marching band for all 4 years. Sarah is from Suwanee, Georgia and enjoys working with kids and hanging out with friends.

2-4 YEAR-OLD PROGRAM

Beth Reavis been teaching in the preschool 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.

Annie Green joined the MPS faculty in 2013 while completing her American Montessori Society (AMS) training at the Center for Montessori Teacher Education in Raleigh, NC. Annie graduated from High Point University in 2013 with a degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Music. Last year Annie enjoyed working in the 3-6 classroom with Ellen and will be working with Beth in the 2-4 classroom for her second year at Mountain Pathways. In her spare time, she enjoys taking amazing pictures (that you can often see on our Facebook page), painting, and playing the ukulele!….

3-6 YEAR-OLD PROGRAM

Sara Drum (on maternity leave through 2014) 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.

Ellen Lewis has led the 3-6 program since the fall of 2013. Ellen holds a Master’s degree in 3-6 Montessori Education from Loyola University and AMI certification. She also taught Montessori for four years in Atlanta before moving to Boone. Her children Ariail and Oliver attend MPS as well.

Ann Vodicka just graduated from Appalachian Sate with a degree in Child Development (birth-kindergarten). Ann is from Raleigh, NC and has two sisters and one brother. Ann also enjoys being at home in Raleigh, playing cards with her family and seven cats and dog Sammy.

Jeffrey Link is a Montana native who has a wide variety of experiences working with youth and is excited to be apart of Mountain Pathways Montessori School. Jeffrey has been a Youth Development assistant at the Boys and Girls club, and taught environmental education with the inner city youth through the United States Forest Service. He has a B.S in Elementary Education and a minor in Early Childhood Development. Jeffrey hopes to become a certified Elementary Montessori teacher in the next few years! Jeffrey enjoys gardening, hiking, and the great outdoors.

Katie Williams once worked with Rebecca and Jana in the toddler room as well as several public school classrooms since her graduation from Appalachian State with a degree in Elementary Education. Katie spent last year as the 3-6 assistant with Sara, and has become well-versed in Montessori philosophy. Her daughter Adalynn is in the toddler classroom.

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.

Amber Pearson returns to Mountain Pathways’ 6-9 program after two years away in New England. Amber served as the 6-9 assistant with Mr. Justin from 2009-2011, and was a favorite of the elementary children. She has been taking care of children for families while she has been gone, and is very excited to get back into the classroom. Amber will also be guiding our beforeschool program this year.

UPPER ELEMENTARY (9-12 YEAR OLD PROGRAM)

Kristy Hackler is the upper elementary (9-12 year-olds) teacher at Mountain Pathways. Originally from the 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 over ten 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.”

Emily Shack has been in Boone since 1997. She attended Appalachian State University and now has 3 children with her husband David. She has spent the last 5 years involved in childhood education and is in the 9-12 year-old room assisting Mrs. Kristy this year. She and her children are excited to join the Mountain Pathways family.

What our parents say ...

We try to teach our children to question things and to think for themselves, and prefer they be in an environment where this is not only allowed, but encouraged.