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 is continuing 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 has always had a deep-rooted passion for education, which began during her upbringing in a military family in Anchorage, Alaska. 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 13th year at Coastal Empire Montessori, Natasha is deeply committed to Montessori education and is currently enrolled at the Montessori Teacher Education Institute of Atlanta, working towards her certification in Early Childhood Montessori Education. Beyond the classroom, Natasha finds joy in spending quality time with her large and loving family, including her husband, five children, granddaughter, and their cherished dog. She also prioritizes personal fitness, actively incorporating it into her routine alongside enjoying moments with friends and loved ones. Natasha’s holistic approach to life and education reflects her unwavering dedication to fostering a nurturing and enriching environment for young learners.
Jaelyn was raised in Decatur, GA, and graduated from Georgia Southern University with a Bachelor of Science in Child Development and Family Sciences. This is Jaelyn’s second year at CEMCS as a Lead Primary Teacher. She is intrigued by the ways in which the Montessori Philosophy and Method address the needs of the whole child and is completing a course in Early Childhood Montessori Fundamentals with the Center for Guided Montessori Studies this year. Jaelyn is also working on her Master’s in Elementary Education at Georgia Southern University.
Jaelyn loves spending her free time with her friends and family. She also enjoys watching TV shows, listening to music and traveling.
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’s 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 is currently receiving her Elementary Montessori training from the Montessori Teacher Education Institute.
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.
Kaela is from the Georgia coast and pursued her undergraduate degree in Atlanta, earning a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education at Georgia State University. She taught elementary grades in Fulton County Schools for 6 years and has done an exceptional job of taking her experience and applying it to Montessori Education. Kaela is completing her formal training through the Montessori Teacher Education Institute of Atlanta, and spent another several weeks this summer as a student in their Elementary I Teacher preparation program.
Kaela is a lifelong learner and is thrilled to be a member of the CEMCS Family! She moved back to coastal GA, where her family lives, last year and enjoys the hobbies of quality family time, crafting, creating, and spending time outdoors. Kaela and her 10-year-old daughter, Zoe, have a dachshund who loves exploring with them!
Janine was born in Ohio and grew up in Savannah. She graduated from Valdosta State University with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education and earned a Master of Education in Counseling in 2006. One of her greatest passions is teaching, and this year is her 22nd. She has worked for the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System and for 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 7th year here at CEMCS!
Janine loves spending most of her time with family and friends. She has a soon-to-be-15-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.
Sherry is a lifelong learner, as her several degrees attest; she earned a Bachelor’s in Visual Arts from Armstrong University in 2012, a Master’s in Public Administration from South University in 2017 and a Master’s in Professional Communication and Leadership from Armstrong Atlantic State University in 2019. Sherry decided to pursue a teaching career because of her extensive background working with children in summer camp, leisure services and before- and after-school programs, and she has earned her teaching certification through the GTAPP Program. While working as a Kindergarten teacher in the district for the last two years, Sherry has also been pursuing a Doctorate in Teaching Reading from Nova Southeastern University. Her love of the arts and creativity has drawn Sherry to Montessori and she has begun her training with Public Montessori in Action and the Center for Guided Montessori Studies.
Sherry has an interest in photography and takes many photos that she shares with her students' families so that they can share in and enjoy their children’s educational journeys. She also likes to travel with her family and take pictures of all the wonderful places she visits. Sherry has a creative background and loves to pair her creativity with the curriculum to make it fun for all. Sherry likes to read a book and find a way to challenge her students creatively to explore their understanding of what they have learned. Sherry believes that creativity is directly related to learning, especially for literary skills and learning to read. In her free time, Sherry likes to paint, hang out with her family and take care of her plants. Sherry looks forward to getting to know everyone and is excited to be part of the CEMCS family.
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 21 years in Kindergarten through 3rd Grade, being recognized as Teacher of the Year at Pasco Elementary. She earned her ESOL endorsement in 2008, has completed her Montessori Certification with the North American Montessori Center, and is currently earning her Gifted Education Endorsement.
Kylene and her family moved to Savannah in 2015. She and her husband, Brian, have two children - Kaden (16) and Kyla (9). 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.
Kelly was raised in Central Florida and developed a passion for teaching at a young age. She's entering her 15th year of teaching! She earned her Elementary Education degree and Reading and ESOL endorsements at the University of Central Florida. In 2021, she completed her Master of Education degree in Evaluation, Assessment, Research & Learning from Georgia Southern University. She is currently working on her MS in Applied Data Science. Kelly spent her first five years teaching 9th-grade Reading in Deltona, FL; during that time, she earned over 300 hours of in-service training and conducted several trainings for her peers. She has spent her last seven years here at Coastal Empire Montessori Charter School, during which time she earned her Montessori certification. Kelly taught Lower Elementary for six years and is beginning her second year teaching Upper Elementary Math & Science. Kelly has served on the Academic Excellence Committee and is currently part of the school’s Leadership Team. Her students have always valued her sense of humor, enthusiasm and ability to make learning fun!
Kelly relocated to Savannah in 2015 with her three boys and loves living in one of her favorite cities in the US! When she is not doing homework, she loves spending time with her family and friends, golfing, fishing, playing board games, card games and video games, going to the beach, reading (especially non-fiction), and watching documentaries (learning!). She's looking forward to another exciting year here at CEMCS!
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.
Cammeron was born in Columbus, GA, and grew up around the southeast and in Vicenza, Italy, while her father was in the U.S. Army. After his retirement, her family moved back to Columbus, and Cammeron earned her B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Columbus State University, M.S. in Interrelated Special Education from Valdosta State University, and Ed.S. in Early Literacy and Reading from NSU. She is currently working on her EdD in Educational Leadership and Cognitive Disabilities. Twenty years ago, Cammeron entered the field of education with a focus on children with special needs after watching her younger brother overcome obstacles despite his Epilepsy diagnosis and learning deficits. Cammeron’s love of helping children learn and succeed grows with every year. Over the past 15 years, she has enjoyed building and growing ECS departments for two different public schools and is proud of all the wonderful accomplishments of her former students and colleagues. Her 2024-2025 goal is to make children smile and feel loved wherever she goes! Free hugs are endless!
Family and Art time are very important to Cammeron and her family. Her family relocated to Hunter Army Airfield in 2022, where her wonderful husband, Zachary, works on Apache weapons and computer systems. Her daughter, Bayley (16), is dual-enrolled in pre-med courses at Gordon State University and her son, Zachary (8), enjoys all things soccer and art. They paint as a family and support local artists while exploring Savannah and surrounding cities in their free time. Cammeron is a coffee fanatic and enjoys finding local coffee spots during weekend travels. Aside from teaching, Cammeron also competes in professional bodybuilding competitions and helps postpartum mommies reach their health and wellness goals.
Terri was born and raised here in Savannah. She has always loved children and decided to become a teacher early on, earning her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Armstrong State University. While teaching over the course of the last 28 years, she has gone on to also earn a Master of Arts in Professional Counseling from Argosy University and an Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership from Cambridge College. Terri joined the CEMCS staff in 2021.
Terri is the oldest of 4 children and is affectionately known as “Aunt Bunny” to 13 nieces and nephews (including 4 grandnieces and 1 grandnephew)! She enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, traveling, music, and outdoor concerts.
Jana was born and raised in the Wichita, Kansas, area. She earned her Bachelor's degree from Wichita State University. After an adventure living in Quebec for two years, she and her family moved to the Savannah area in 2014. She joined the CEMCS family in 2016 and has worked as a classroom Teaching Assistant, substitute teacher and Specialized Instruction Teaching Assistant throughout that time. She is beginning her second year as a Lead Teacher in Specialized Instruction and she will continue working with our awesome Lower Elementary students.
Jana, her husband, daughter, and two cats live in the Pooler area. She is an avid reader and loves to travel and hike in the mountains.
This is Bethany’s seventh 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 also believes that every child is an artist and is determined to find some aspect of Art – whether it’s a certain medium, style, technique, or subject matter – that excites every student who enters her classroom. As Pablo Picasso said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.”
Bethany and her husband have two sons, the older of whom is starting Pre-K at CEMCS this year! Her hobbies include reading, biking and of course making art!
Tyler hails from Atlanta, where he worked and operated a daycare center, and he has brought his love of working with children here to CEMCS. This is Tyler’s third year working in Montessori, and he loves watching as students learn to be more compassionate, thoughtful and inquisitive through their exploration of their own works. He possesses a Master’s Degree in School Counseling and is excited to be able to put it to good use by being a resource for all members of the CEMCS Family! He is passionate about helping families when they have concerns, need assistance and/or need guidance through the 504 Plan process. Tyler also gives extra time to run two of CEMCS’s clubs – GameChangers and the STEM Club.
Audrionna is a dedicated educator with a strong academic background and a passion for literacy education. With over a decade of experience teaching kindergarten, Audrionna has honed her skills and expertise in early childhood education. Her educational journey includes 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 integrates her academic knowledge with hands-on teaching experience. In her role as an Early Intervention Program Teacher for grades K-3, she provided targeted reading instruction and actively supported students' literacy development. Audrionna's extensive background in kindergarten education, alongside her unwavering dedication to academic excellence and professional growth, underscores her as a committed educator with a profound enthusiasm for early childhood learning.
Audrionna Bellinger is also a loving wife and mother to an active toddler boy. Outside of her professional endeavors, Audrionna finds joy in spending quality time with her family, cherishing moments filled with laughter and love. She has a passion for reading, immersing herself in the world of literature to unwind and expand her knowledge. In her leisure time, Audrionna indulges in 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 can enjoy thrilling adventures and serene moments with her loved ones.
Leslie was born and raised in Savannah, where she received her education in the public school system of Chatham County. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Social Science from Ashford University and her Master of Social Work from Walden University. This is Leslie’s 9th year at CEMCS as the MTSS Coordinator, and prior to this position, she worked for over ten years in helping autistic children transition into the inclusion setting. Leslie loves the quote, “We believe all children can achieve.”
Leslie enjoys spending time with her family. She has two boys, and she and her husband, James, love doing activities and traveling together as a family whenever they can.
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, and a Master of Education in Middle Grades Education from Armstrong Atlantic State University. Additionally, she was a part of the innovative CharterLeader Program, a residency-based Educational Specialist Degree program at Kennesaw State University, designed to develop charter leaders and strengthen the charter school sector in Georgia. 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 13th 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 involved with the Montessori for Social Justice movement and is proud to collaborate with her charter-school colleagues here in Savannah in order to advocate for local children, families, teachers, and staff. Stephanie also teaches the Gifted Resource class here at CEMCS because she misses teaching and loves working directly with students!
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, going to the gym, teaching herself Spanish (her 3rd language), watching sports and documentaries, and traveling anywhere that’s interesting to explore. She has become an empty-nester this year, as both of her sons now live in Atlanta in order 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.”
Born and raised in Rochester, NY, Lindsay has also called Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Florida home. She is excited to join the CEMCS family and begin her next chapter in Savannah. 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. in History and Education from Colgate University, where she also played ice hockey. While acting as a Graduate Assistant for Elmira College Women's Ice Hockey, Lindsay earned her M.A. in Education and later, an MS.Ed in TESOL from Wilkes University. Currently, Lindsay is completing her Ed.D in Montessori Studies at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, focusing on Early Childhood multilingual learners. Lindsay comes to CEMCS from Millhopper Montessori School in Gainesville, FL, where she served as Assistant Director/ Curriculum Coordinator. She holds a MACTE-accredited Elementary I credential.
Lindsay lives 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 higher education with brief stints in the financial services industry. She has two degrees from Savannah State University – a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Computer Information Systems. She also has a Master of Arts from Liberty University. Most recently, Sheri completed the University System of Georgia’s Executive Leadership Institute conducted by Leaders’ Lyceum in Atlanta. Prior to joining the team at CEMCS, Sheri served as Executive Director for SSU Foundation and as Executive Director for University Advancement and Philanthropic Operations. She has served in various other roles over her 20-year career in education: Accountant, Accounts Payable Supervisor, Financial Systems Analyst, Business Compliance Coordinator, and Director of Advancement Services, to name a few. 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 was born and raised in 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.
Jenn was born and raised in Melbourne, FL. After high school graduation, she married and lived all over the US for the next 15 years. In 2010, she relocated to beautiful Savannah and joined the school staff as the Administrative Assistant. Jenn returned to school to further her education; she graduated with a Health Care Assistant Certification with endorsements as both Certified Nursing Assistant and Patient Care Technician from Savannah Technical College. This will be Jenn's 13th year at CEMCS!
Jenn has 3 adult children and spending her free time with them and their various activities and families. She enjoys reading, relaxing and traveling. Jenn is always looking for more ways to grow both personally and professionally and is excited to see where life takes her 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 12th year at CEMCS, Twilia loves the challenge of making the Main Office run smoothly!
