Faculty & Staff

Dedicated to authentic Montessori education, the faculty and staff at Tuckahoe Montessori School (TMS) are highly trained, talented, and committed lifelong learners.

TMS is proud to say our average teacher-to-student ratio is 1:6.

For more information about our exceptional staff,
please see our biographies below.

Administrative Staff

  • Amanda Edmondson

    HEAD OF SCHOOL

    TMS has been a staple in Amanda’s life since she was ten years old as she watched her mother guide the first students at TMS. Her deepened understanding of the pedagogy came when she watched her own children become inquisitive learners as they progressed through TMS to the elementary level. Amanda has a Master’s in Nonprofit Management and treasures her role sharing the wonder of the Montessori method with the Richmond community. With a lifelong commitment to her own learning, it is her passion to create an environment which inspires young minds.

  • Carrie Stevens

    CURRICULUM DIRECTOR

    An educator for over two decades, Carrie holds Master’s Degrees in Curriculum & Instruction and School Administration & Supervision. Carrie earned her Primary Montessori Certification from The American Montessori Society in 2004. She is in her element when working with TMS families at the intersection of home & school while also supporting the faculty in the authentic implementation of Montessori.

  • Megan Lopez

    EVENT COORDINATOR

    Megan has been a part of the TMS community since 2016, first as a parent before becoming an assistant in the Toddler classroom in 2021. She loves how Montessori focuses on the individual child, encouraging a love of learning and self awareness. Outside the classroom, Megan loves traveling and eating with her husband and son.

Toddler Staff

Honeycrisp

  • Jamie Perry

    TODDLER LEAD

    Jamie is a lifelong learner who is eager to share Dr. Maria Montessori’s philosophy with the greater Richmond community and beyond. She recently completed her Infant Toddler Montessori credential. Outside of her academic pursuits, Jamie enjoys reading, cooking, painting, and visiting museums.

  • Jenny Lopez

    TODDLER ASSISTANT/ INTERN

    Jenny began her Toddler training at the Virginia Center for Montessori Studies in the Summer of 2025. She has a long history of working within Montessori environments as well as having her children attend Montessori school.

  • Jornee Honesty

    TODDLER ASSISTANT

    Jornee joins TMS in 2023. She loves that Montessori allows students to learn at their own pace and embraces differences in cultures and backgrounds. Her special interests include painting, drawing, practicing piano, and cooking. She is always excited to try new foods and see the toddlers explore food firsts!

Toddler Staff

Evercrisp

  • Teresa Drake

    TODDLER LEAD

    Teresa joined TMS in 2012 with seven years experience in Montessori education. Watching children become independent and confident in their own abilities is one of her greatest pleasures. When she is not with her toddlers at school, she enjoys going on vacation, puzzling, and cooking with her family of four.

  • Megan Lopez

    TODDLER ASSISTANT

    Megan has been a part of the TMS community since 2016, first as a parent before becoming an assistant in the Toddler classroom in 2021. She loves how Montessori focuses on the individual child, encouraging a love of learning and self awareness. Outside the classroom, Megan loves traveling and eating with her husband and son.

Primary Staff

Fuji

  • Holly Horne

    PRIMARY LEAD

    Holly began working at a Montessori school in Alexandria, Virginia, in 2001. Within weeks, she knew she found her calling. She has been working at TMS since 2008 and adores her classroom cohort. She holds a Bachelor’s degree and Early Childhood Montessori Credential. Holly enjoys traveling, spending time with her husband, and listening to all genres of music.

  • Taylor Pillsbury

    PRIMARY LEAD

    Taylor joined TMS in 2015 as a high school intern. She found Montessori to be the way she wished she learned in school and was hooked. During her tenure at TMS, she has completed her Montessori Primary certification. When not in the classroom, Taylor can be found in front of a stage enjoying her favorite band or walking in the park with her dog.

  • Christina Yamine

    PRIMARY ASSISTANT/INTERN

    Christina joined the TMS team in 2025, bringing with her five years of experience teaching English as a second language to international students and over 10 years of experience in nannying and childcare. Coupled with a degree in Developmental Psychology, Christina is beginning her Montessori training at VCMS. When she’s not in the classroom, Christina is a dedicated artist and crafter. She can often be found creating new works of art or spending quality time with her family and her pets.

Gala

  • Catie Niemoller

    PRIMARY LEAD

    Catie has over sixteen years experience as a Montessori educator, starting her journey in Seattle, WA before settling down in Richmond, VA. She is trained in both Early Childhood and Lower Elementary Montessori and recently finished her Virginia Master Naturalist certification. Connecting children to their community and their natural environment has always been important to her. She spends her days outside of school with her family, hiking by the river, or volunteering for various organizations.

  • Beth Greenburg-Knox

    PRIMARY ASSISTANT

    Beth worked at Wild Fern Montessori for three years before coming to TMS. One of her favorite things about Montessori is seeing a child take pride in themselves and their work. When she’s not in school, she enjoys spending time with family out in nature, at home baking, or going on adventures.

  • Rachel Boddy

    PRIMARY ASSISTANT

    Rachel fell in love with Montessori when she was a Primary student herself. She holds a Montessori credential at the Lower and Upper Elementary levels, but has found her true calling to be in the primary classroom. She loves working with the Primary students on the fundamentals of mathematics with the concrete Montessori materials.

Golden Delicious

  • Amanda Lheritier

    PRIMARY LEAD

    Amanda joined TMS in 2019 and has been a Montessori educator for the past ten years. She is an alumna of James Madison University and L’Ecole Ferrandi, Paris. Amanda received her AMS Early Childhood (3-6) certification from the Virginia Center for Montessori Studies. In addition to her professional teaching experience, Amanda has years of international experience as a classically trained French chef.

  • PRIMARY ASSISTANT

    Jessica Oquendo

    PRIMARY ASSISTANT

    Jessica received her Montessori certification from the Adrian Montessori Teacher Education Institute (ADMTEI) in Michigan. She later moved to New York City, where she gained valuable experience teaching at Morningside Montessori.

    Jessica recently relocated to Virginia and is thrilled to join the team. She is passionate about the Montessori philosophy and is dedicated to creating a calm, supportive, and enriching environment where children can grow with confidence and independence. 

  • Jen Perkins

    PRIMARY ASSISTANT

    Jen joined the TMS community in 2021 with an eagerness to share her more than 20 years of experience in Montessori education. She has a passion for early childhood education and believes that each child has the unique and inherent ability to change the trajectory of the future. She completed her Early Childhood Montessori Certification with the Virginia Center for Montessori Education.

Elementary Staff

Empire Leads

  • Sarah Kiesler

    ELEMENTARY PROGRAM COORDINATOR/ LOWER ELEMENTARY LEAD

    After a ten year adventure teaching in Richmond Public Schools, Sarah joined the TMS faculty and earned her dual certification in Lower and Upper Elementary Montessori education. Sarah holds a Masters in Literary Specialist. Growing up with a Master Naturalist mother, Sarah’s love of learning transcends literacy into explorations of the environment and natural world. Parenting two children, she continuously challenges herself to discover how her knowledge of child development and Montessori pedagogy apply to the daily life of our families.

  • Lilly Moran

    UPPER ELEMENTARY LEAD

    Lilly has been a Montessori teacher for nine years. Her favorite part of the Elementary curriculum is the cosmic geographical studies. Outside the classroom, she uses this knowledge on her competitive trivia team, where she specializes in geography. She enjoys being outdoors, camping, kayaking, and exploring Virginia’s local waterways.

  • Marissa Henderson

    LOWER ELEMENTARY LEAD GUIDE

    Marissa was instantly attracted to Montessori education when she began as an assistant and witnessed first-hand the alignment with how she felt children should be treated. Marissa is in her fourth year in a Montessori classroom and is finishing her Lower Elementary Montessori certification. She has also taught enrichment programs based on her interests in photography and art- and continues to explore both of these hobbies. Marissa is new to the area but loves going for walks with her dog in her free time to explore the city. One of her favorite things about Montessori pedagogy is the promotion of building connections, and she looks forward to doing so this year and beyond! 

Empire Assistants & Specials Team

  • Shanya Greene

    ELEMENTARY ASSISTANT

    Shanya joined TMS in 2025 after working with Richmond Public Schools for just over a year. She began her teaching journey in 2019 at a preschool, where she developed a strong interest in Montessori education. Shanya enjoys creating engaging learning environments and values connection both inside and outside the classroom. In her free time, she loves cooking and baking for family and friends, traveling, and spending time with her dog.

  • Lindsay Spadora

    ELEMENTARY ASSISTANT

    Lindsay was introduced to Montessori education when her children started in the TMS Toddler program. Inspired by their experience, she became an elementary Montessori substitute teacher in 2024. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys spending time and adventuring with her family and their two 11-year-old German Shorthaired Pointers.

  • Kelly Crosswell

    ELEMENTARY ADMINSITRATIVE ASSISTANT

    Kelly joins TMS in 2024 for her fourth year teaching in a Montessori classroom, and she is currently earning her Lower Elementary Montessori certification. With a background in renewable energy, Kelly values that the Montessori principles foster environmental awareness and curiosity among young students. Outside the classroom, Kelly can be found at a local park with her three kids, on a walk with her dogs, or baking something sweet.

  • Francesca Chabrier

    ELEMENTARY WRITING TEACHER

    Francesca joined TMS in 2021, after spending three years as a TMS parent. Originally from NYC, Francesca previously worked as both an advertising copywriter and college teacher. Her two children are both proud and happy TMS students. When she’s not at school, she can be found reading, cooking, and trying to feed the entire neighborhood.

Support & Specialty Staff

  • Mina Adibpour

    PERMANENT SUB

  • Sarah Patel

    OUTDOR CLASSROOM

  • Iyana Burton

    AFTERNOON FLOATER/NAP

Interested in working here?

TMS is proud to offer a positive and welcoming environment. If you are interested in learning more about a faculty or staff position at TMS, please contact us.