Caroline was born and raised in Savannah, where she graduated from St. Vincent’s Academy and then from Armstrong State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education. While she was in college, she tutored and babysat for a family, and she then earned a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education with a Reading Endorsement from Armstrong State University as well. Caroline is certified in the Orton Gillingham Reading Approach at the Associate Level, and she has completed her Early Childhood Montessori training with the Montessori Teacher Education Institute of Atlanta.
Caroline enjoys going to the beach, shopping, and organizing. She has a dog named Winnie (Beagle) and loves to spend time with her friends and family. Caroline spends most of her days tutoring and learning new ways to keep her students excited about reading. She is happy to continue on the wonderful Primary Team here at CEMCS!
Natasha was born in Anchorage, Alaska, but spent much of her childhood traveling the world as a proud “military brat.” Her passion for education took root early in life and grew stronger with each new place and experience. Her journey as an educator officially started in 2010, when she began substituting while pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Phoenix. Natasha's dedication to teaching stems from her lifelong aspiration to positively impact young minds, a dream she has cherished since grade school.
Currently in her 14th year at Coastal Empire Montessori, Natasha recently completed her Montessori training with the Montessori Teacher Education Institute of Atlanta. She is a certified Early Childhood Montessori educator and is continuing her professional growth by working toward a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction at Georgia Southern University. Beyond the classroom, Natasha finds joy in spending quality time with her large and loving family, including her husband, five children, granddaughter, and their family dog, Sammy, along with close friends. Her holistic approach to life and education reflects her unwavering commitment to fostering a nurturing and enriching environment for young learners.
Gabby is a Savannah native and a graduate of St. Vincent's Academy. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Georgia Southern University. In addition, Gabby earned her Montessori Early Childhood Diploma from the North American Montessori Center. Earning the NAMC diploma further enriched her understanding of early childhood development and child-centered learning practices.
Gabby has been dedicated to the field of education for the past five years, and she began her teaching career at CEMCS, where she taught for three years. For this school year, she is honored to be returning to a school community that feels like home. Gabby's passion for teaching is rooted in the joy of helping children grow academically, socially, and emotionally. She believes in creating a positive, supportive, and engaging learning environment where every student feels valued and inspired to reach their full potential.
Outside of the classroom, Gabby enjoys spending time with her husband, her daughter Ellie, and their dog Gracie. She also enjoys going on the boat and spending time at the beach. Gabby is looking forward to a successful and enriching school year at CEMCS!
Amy was born in North Carolina and moved to Savannah as a young child. She graduated from Armstrong Atlantic State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education. She has always loved working with children and, ever since high school, has babysat and worked in summer camps. Amy taught in the Savannah-Chatham County School System for several years before leaving to stay at home with her children (and in fact, both of Amy’s siblings are teachers as well!). Amy has completed her Elementary Montessori training from the Montessori Teacher Education Institute and is moving her class to a full Lower Elementary three-year age span this year.
Amy and her two adored children live in Rincon. She loves spending time with her family, two dogs, and friends. She also loves to read, travel and kayak when possible.
Katie graduated from the University of Findlay in Ohio in 2019 with a degree in Early Childhood Education. Her path to teaching began while working as a gymnastics coach and reading tutor after high school and throughout college. These early experiences sparked a deep love for helping others grow in confidence, recognize their strengths, and achieve their goals. She takes a student-centered approach to learning, creating an environment where children feel empowered to explore, question, and take ownership of their learning journey. The Montessori philosophy aligns beautifully with her values as an educator, and she is excited to complete her formal Montessori training. Katie is also pursuing a master’s degree in Reading Education at Georgia Southern University, where she is continuing to explore her passion for literacy and the science of reading.
Outside the classroom, Katie volunteers with Adult Community Education (ACE), supporting adult learners in reaching their academic and professional goals. In her free time, she enjoys reading, sewing, playing guitar, spending time at the beach, and walking her dog, Jolene. Katie grew up moving around the East Coast and Midwest but has called Savannah home for nearly six years and feels deeply connected to its vibrant community and coastal charm. One of her favorite things about living in Savannah is spending Saturday mornings at the Forsyth Farmers Market. Katie is thrilled to join the Coastal Empire Montessori community and looks forward to guiding her students as they grow into independent, inquisitive, and empowered learners.
Jenna is originally from Dublin, GA, and holds a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education from North Georgia College and State University. She has also earned a Reading Endorsement. Jenna joined the CEMCS staff last year as a teaching assistant and quickly stepped into a lead teacher role when the opportunity arose. Jenna will be continuing her Montessori training this year and is looking forward to starting the year with her students on Day 1!
Jenna lives in Pooler with her fiancé, Scott, and her daughter Frances, a CEMCS 1st Grader. In her spare time, she enjoys sewing, crocheting and growing flowers.
Janine grew up in Savannah and graduated from Valdosta State University with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education. She also earned a Master of Education in Counseling. One of her greatest passions is teaching, and this year is her 23rd. She has worked for the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System and Richmond County School System in a variety of grade levels throughout the years. Janine has completed her Gifted Education certification and Montessori Certification through the North American Montessori Center, and she is currently gaining additional MACTE-accredited training with the Montessori Teacher Education Institute. This will be her 8th year here at CEMCS!
Janine loves spending most of her time with family and friends. She has a soon-to-be-16-year-old daughter whom she adores. She enjoys traveling, reading, shopping, going to the beach, and most of all having fun with her daughter. She also enjoys working with children and is looking forward to a prosperous school year.
Kylene was born and raised in Tampa, Florida. She graduated from the University of South Florida, where she earned her Bachelor degree in Communication and Science Disorders. She worked for four years in speech therapy for public elementary school students. During this time, Kylene earned her Master degree in Early Childhood Education from Nova Southeastern University. She has taught for 22 years in Kindergarten through 3rd Grade, being recognized as Teacher of the Year at Pasco Elementary. She earned her ESOL endorsement in 2008 and is Montessori-credentialed through the North American Montessori Center.
Kylene and her family moved to Savannah in 2015. She and her husband, Brian, have two children - Kaden (17) and Kyla (10). In her spare time, Kylene enjoys spending time with her family, outdoor activities, reading, shopping, and learning yoga. Her favorite quotations from Maria Montessori are "Believe in the child” and "... the teacher's task is to first nourish and assist, to watch, encourage, guide, induce, rather than interfere, prescribe, or restrict." Kylene loves teaching Montessori and observing her students grow into confident and independent learners.
Pinya’s professional career has been in service to the community in non-profit organizations and education. Her last experience with Big Brothers Big Sisters led her to become an elementary school teacher. Both from Armstrong Atlantic State University, she possesses a Bachelor of Arts in Theater and a Master in Elementary Education. This will be her tenth year of teaching and during this tenure, she has become gifted certified, gained experience working with special needs students and has become proficient with the use of technology in the classroom.
Pinya was born and raised in Georgia in an immigrant family. She was the first of her family to be born outside of Finland and is married to Thomas, who is half Finnish. She has strong compassion for students who live in immigrant homes. If you ask her about what it is like to grow up with immigrant parents, she will say “sometimes it feels like you are living between two worlds.”
The care of Pinya and Thomas’s two dogs, three cats, fish, chameleon, and flock of chickens keep both busy in their spare time. Pinya is a proud self-proclaimed nerd and likes to spend her down time gardening, playing video and tabletop games, reading, and crafting.
Yailene was raised in Perry, in the heart of Georgia, where she graduated high school with honors, and then attended college at Armstrong State University, which later became Georgia Southern. Throughout her time in college, she helped many peers with mathematics, by serving as a tutor both inside and outside the classroom and eventually working at a local tutoring facility. This work showed Yailene how much she loved to help people in general, and help them understand math, and this is where she developed her passion for teaching. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics, with a Minor in Economics, in 2022 and began teaching. She has always dreamed of being a part of the beginning of a child's math journey and cannot wait to impact kids and change their love for math and science at CEMCS.
When Yailene is not teaching, she is on her way to the ocean, hanging out with her husband and two dogs, or binge watching her favorite Netflix show. She is a family-oriented individual and spends her free time calling to catch up with family, friends, or going to the gym. She loves what she does, what she can do, and how she can help you.
LaJeana is a proud Savannah native who graduated from St. Vincent’s Academy and Armstrong Atlantic State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education. She went onto complete the graduate program at Armstrong College of Education, earning a Master of Education in Adult Education. While she was in college, she worked as a substitute teacher at Georgetown Elementary and White Bluff Elementary; she also worked as a paraprofessional at Jacob G. Smith and White Bluff Elementary.
LaJeana enjoys walking in parks, taking hikes, spending time with family and friends, and cooking. She has a son named Joey who lives in Atlanta with her sweet grandpuppy Prince. She loves my boys, who bring her so much joy. I am excited about coming back home and working with the team at CEMCS.
Pam comes to CEMCS after an 18-year career in the Long County School System and time working as a substitute teacher. She has a wealth of experience, having taught Pre-K, 3rd grade all subjects, and 5th grade Science. She has also worked in special education as a co-teacher for 5th grade Language Arts and Math and as a Resource Room teacher for Pre-K - 9th grade. Pam possesses a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and Master's degree in Middle School Science.
Pam loves to draw and paint as a hobby. She has two children – a 16-year-old daughter and a 26-year-old son – and she looks forward to adding her colleagues to her small family. Pam joins the CEMCS team after having subbed here for several months in the Specialized Instruction Department last year, and she was attracted by the kindness and support that was shown to her. She feels that she has found her new family and home and is very excited to start serving students as a permanent staff member this year.
This is Bethany’s eighth year teaching at CEMCS. She graduated summa cum laude from Armstrong State University with a Bachelor of Science in Art Education in 2016. Following graduation, she also earned a certification in Early Childhood Education. Bethany firmly believes that studying Art, and the artistic process itself, can teach children important life skills such as problem-solving, decision-making, empathy, collaboration, and of course, self-expression. She is determined to create a studio environment where students are encouraged to learn from one another, free to make mistakes, explore their own interests, and find joy in the creative process.
Bethany and her husband have two sons, the older of whom is entering Kindergarten at CEMCS this year! Her hobbies include reading, biking and of course making art!
In his 20th year of working with children – from a daycare, to a high school, to a traditional elementary school, and finally to a Montessori elementary school, Tyler is excited to continue this work. It is his fourth year at CEMCS, where he has the opportunity to see students grow to be more compassionate, thoughtful, and inquisitive through their exploration of their own work and time with each other. He is excited to use his Master's degree in Counseling to help be a resource for the students and families at CEMCS. This year, he is the Georgia School Counselor Association's Liaison for Charter and Independent Schools. He is here to provide assistance, resources, and guidance to families, as well as aid families in the process of determining if a 504 Plan is right for their child. He also runs three different clubs at CEMCS: GameChangers, STEM Club, and Chess Club.
Audrionna Bellinger is a dedicated educator with a robust academic background and a deep passion for literacy education. With over a decade of experience teaching kindergarten, Audrionna has refined her expertise in early childhood education. Her academic credentials include a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education, a Master of Education in Early Childhood Education, and an Education Specialist in Advanced Educational Studies. Currently pursuing a Doctorate of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Literacy, Audrionna seamlessly blends her academic knowledge with practical teaching experience.
In her recent role as a Literacy Coach for one year, Audrionna has worked closely with educators to enhance literacy instruction and foster professional development. Previously, as an Early Intervention Program Teacher for grades K-3, she provided targeted reading instruction and supported students’ literacy development. Audrionna’s extensive experience in kindergarten education, combined with her commitment to academic excellence and professional growth, establishes her as a devoted educator with a profound enthusiasm for early childhood learning.
Audrionna is also a loving mother to a preschool boy. Outside of her professional endeavors, she cherishes quality time with her family, filled with laughter and love. Audrionna has a passion for reading, immersing herself in literature to unwind and expand her knowledge. In her leisure time, she enjoys creative pursuits such as painting, allowing her artistic side to flourish. She also finds relaxation and excitement in visits to water parks, amusement parks, and the beach, where she enjoys thrilling adventures and serene moments with her loved ones.
Leslie is a proud Savannah native, and she is a graduate of the Chatham County public school system. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science from Ashford University and a Master of Social Work from Walden University. Now in her 10th year at CEMCS, Leslie serves as the MTSS Coordinator. Prior to this role, she spent over a decade supporting autistic children in their transition to inclusive classroom environments. One of Leslie’s favorite quotes is, “We believe all children can achieve.”
Outside of work, Leslie enjoys quality time with her family. She and her husband are parents to three boys, and they love traveling and enjoying family activities whenever possible.
Stephanie is a social scientist and educator who has had careers in both law enforcement and education. She possesses the following degrees: a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and French from Bucknell University, a Master of Arts in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin - Madison, a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Suffolk University, a Master of Education in Middle Grades Education from Armstrong Atlantic State University, and (almost!) an Education Specialist degree from Kennesaw State University. Stephanie is certified to teach Early Childhood Education, Middle Grades Education, Special Education, and Gifted Education, as well as being certified in Performance-Based Educational Leadership. Before becoming an educator and teaching middle-grades Mathematics for the SCCPSS for several years, Stephanie served as Deputy Director of the Office of Research and Evaluation at the Boston Police Department, where she did crime, intelligence and statistical analysis. Public school-educated herself, she is a strong believer in the value of public schooling and the idea that all families should have access to positive educational alternatives for their children.
Stephanie’s association with CEMCS began when she enrolled her boys, Sam and Ben, when the school opened back in 2008. She has been here ever since – as a parent, a CEMCO Board Trustee and Officer, then as Director of Operations. She is now serving in her 14th year as the school’s Executive Director. She has always believed in the power of the mission and vision of the CEMCO Founding Board and remains intensely committed to the school’s success and longevity. Being a part of the growth of so many students over the years – including her own children – continually deepens her conviction that CEM’s commitment to holistic education serves children and families faithfully.
Stephanie ongoingly participates in professional development, mostly focused on public Montessori and leadership training. In addition, she serves on various committees and leadership groups and engages in educational reform initiatives designed to increase equity. She is a strong proponent for charter schools and is proud to collaborate with her charter-school colleagues here in Savannah to advocate for local children, families, teachers, and staff.
Stephanie is a transplanted Yankee who has lived in many areas of the United States, as well as in France. She continues to pursue finding the right work-home life balance by enjoying family time in Savannah, Atlanta & Asheville, completing her graduate studies, going to the gym, teaching herself Spanish (her 3rd language), watching sports and documentaries, and traveling anywhere that’s interesting to explore. She enjoys being an empty nester most of the time, as both of her sons now live in Atlanta to attend Georgia State University, and she is abundantly proud of the way her boys continue to grow into outstanding men. Stephanie sees the lasting, positive impacts of their Montessori education in so many facets of their lives, and she is honored to partner with all CEMCS families to “Educate the Whole Child for the World.”
Entering her second year as principal at CEMCS, Lindsay is a life-long learner with a passion for education and helping others, especially children, meet their full potential. She earned her B.A. from Colgate University and also holds two MS.Ed degrees. Lindsay completed her Ed.D in Montessori Studies at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, focusing on Early Childhood multilingual learners. She also holds a MACTE-accredited Elementary I credential.
Lindsay lives in Savannah with her two young children, Sammy and Analise, and their Boxer, Blaze. She enjoys spending time with them, exploring, playing games, and watching movies. She enjoys watching and participating in sports, reading, and all things historical. Her family and her faith keep her grounded while her passion and her purpose keep her reaching for the stars.
Sheri has spent most of her career in education with brief stints in the financial services industry. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Computer Information Systems from Savannah State University, as well as a Master of Arts from Liberty University. She has completed the University System of Georgia’s Executive Leadership Institute conducted by Leaders’ Lyceum in Atlanta. Sheri has served in various other roles over her 22-year career in education, covering the areas of student accounts and cashiering, procurement, accounting, and development, and the positions of Accountant II, Director of Accounts Payable, Financial Systems Analyst, Business Compliance Coordinator, Director of Advancement Services, and Foundation Executive Director. Sheri is a strong believer in the power of education, and she is invested in serving the mission of organizations shaping the minds and impacting the lives of the next generation.
Sheri is a native of Savannah, Georgia, and is a proud graduate of SCCPSS. She is also a proud wife and mother of two beautiful daughters. Sheri is a lover of family, people, and purpose and is a positive and faith-filled person who seeks to add value to those around her and any organizations she joins. She enjoys writing, reading, learning new things, and traveling with loved ones. In every area of her life, she seeks to serve others, laugh often, and to be as productive, purposeful and impactful as possible.
Wanda was born and raised in Savannah and attended Valdosta State University. She has over 15 years of experience in Education Management, including facilities and operational management, and has spent most of her career overseeing the operational needs of educational institutions. Wanda has even designed and built educational facilities from the ground up. In the early days of her career, she taught Middle School Math and Science, along with coaching softball, basketball and soccer.
Wanda lives in Thunderbolt with her wife, Mary, and their 4 fur pups (all rescues and under 20 pounds). She is the proud mom of Joshua, US Navy Chief Petty Officer stationed in Washington, and daughter, Kala, special education teacher in North Carolina. The loves of her life are her two grandchildren, Emerie and JJ. She is a member of the Bonaventure Historical Society and likes to spend her spare time working in her yard/gardens (or "digging in the dirt" as she calls it). Wanda and Mary are also avid shell collectors and love to shell hunt all over the eastern seaboard.
With a welcoming smile and a can-do spirit, Jenn has been a cornerstone of the CEMCS community since 2010. Originally from Melbourne, Florida, Jenn spent 15 years living across the U.S. before falling in love with Savannah and finding her home at our school. Jenn brings both heart and hustle to everything she does. From front office support to behind-the-scenes logistics, she keeps the school running smoothly and steps in wherever she’s needed most. Always eager to grow, Jenn returned to school and earned her Health Care Assistant Certification from Savannah Technical College, with endorsements as a Certified Nursing Assistant and Patient Care Technician. Now celebrating her 15th year at CEMCS, Jenn is known for her flexibility, warmth, and tireless dedication to the students, families, and staff she supports.
When she’s not at school, you’ll find Jenn spending time with her three adult children and their families, reading a great book, relaxing, or planning her next travel adventure. She’s always looking forward, always learning, and always ready for what’s next.
Twilia was born and raised in Ridgeway, SC. She worked as a paraprofessional at the elementary school where her mother worked and then joined the US Army. This is where she met her husband, William, who continued his path with the US Air Force, eventually bringing them to Savannah. Twilia gained years of administrative experience working as an accountant at a car dealership, and she transitioned that over to CEMCS in 2013. Twilia's education includes studying Criminal Justice at Midlands Technical College in SC and Central Texas College in VA, and now she enjoys spending most of her free time with family, including her young grandchildren. Now entering her 13th year at CEMCS, Twilia loves the challenge of making the Main Office run smoothly!
