About Us
Established in 2013, Montessori Alliance of TN is a not for profit registered as a 501 (c)3. We are governed by a Board of Directors composed of Montessori administrators, teachers, and parents. MAT began as a conversation and a dream between two Middle TN Montessorians, Brooks Gerber and Jaime Yeager, and has been active for ten years. MAT is organized by Committees which engage in the work needed to fulfill our mission. Join now!
MAT Board Members
Jaime Yeager ~ Co-founder ~
Jaime obtained both a B.S. in Early Childhood Education and Child Development as well as a M.Ed. in Special Education from Vanderbilt University. She also holds a Montessori teaching credential from Montessori Educators International (MEI). Jaime has spent 15 years teaching and directing Montessori programs in both Tennessee and Arkansas. Jaime is the Head of School at Amare Montesori in Clarksville, TN and co-founded the Montessori Alliance of TN in 2013 with Brooks Gerber.
Jaime obtained both a B.S. in Early Childhood Education and Child Development as well as a M.Ed. in Special Education from Vanderbilt University. She also holds a Montessori teaching credential from Montessori Educators International (MEI). Jaime has spent 15 years teaching and directing Montessori programs in both Tennessee and Arkansas. Jaime is the Head of School at Amare Montesori in Clarksville, TN and co-founded the Montessori Alliance of TN in 2013 with Brooks Gerber.
Ramona Jones
Ramona is the Head of School/Lead Elementary Teacher of Montessori School of Franklin, a title she has held for the past 2 years after being the Lead Elementary Teacher since 2010. In 2007 she graduated from Sage Graduate School with a Masters Degree in Special Education/Literacy. After taking a job as a summer assistant at a Montessori school, Ramona fell in love with the Montessori philosophy and received an AMS Elementary I Credential in 2010. Ramona is originally from upstate New York, but now lives in Hickman County with her husband and son. One of her greatest joys is being able to see her son flourish in a Montessori environment.
Ramona is the Head of School/Lead Elementary Teacher of Montessori School of Franklin, a title she has held for the past 2 years after being the Lead Elementary Teacher since 2010. In 2007 she graduated from Sage Graduate School with a Masters Degree in Special Education/Literacy. After taking a job as a summer assistant at a Montessori school, Ramona fell in love with the Montessori philosophy and received an AMS Elementary I Credential in 2010. Ramona is originally from upstate New York, but now lives in Hickman County with her husband and son. One of her greatest joys is being able to see her son flourish in a Montessori environment.
Annie Rebori
Antonia (Annie) Rebori is an AMS Early Childhood certified educator. She received her BA in Linguistics with minors in Psychology and French. She holds an MEd with a focus on Montessori studies from St. Catherine University; Annie remains active in this program as a project coach and thesis advisor. Annie is a Lead Guide in the Early Childhood Community at Nature's Way Montessori School in Knoxville, TN where she has worked for nine years. Annie is the owner and administrator of Summer Camp at Nature's Way, a Montessori-based summer program. She is also an Instructional Guide, Field Consultant, and Practicum Advisor for The Center for Guided Montessori Studies.
Antonia (Annie) Rebori is an AMS Early Childhood certified educator. She received her BA in Linguistics with minors in Psychology and French. She holds an MEd with a focus on Montessori studies from St. Catherine University; Annie remains active in this program as a project coach and thesis advisor. Annie is a Lead Guide in the Early Childhood Community at Nature's Way Montessori School in Knoxville, TN where she has worked for nine years. Annie is the owner and administrator of Summer Camp at Nature's Way, a Montessori-based summer program. She is also an Instructional Guide, Field Consultant, and Practicum Advisor for The Center for Guided Montessori Studies.
Charlie Biggs ~ Treasurer ~
Charlie is “semi-retired” educator, nonprofit administrator, and fundraiser. His experience includes 8 years as Director of the Knoxville Montessori School, 7 years as Capital Campaign Coordinator and webmaster at the Highlander Research and Education Center, and 17 years teaching English and American Studies at the City College of New York and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He came to Montessori in 1998 when his daughter joined the Elementary Class at the Knoxville Montessori School, and he has been working to support Montessori education ever since. Charlie joined the MAT Board in 2017, and he is currently Board Secretary and Chair of the Education Committee. His other interests include reading, bike riding, and spending time with his family.
Charlie is “semi-retired” educator, nonprofit administrator, and fundraiser. His experience includes 8 years as Director of the Knoxville Montessori School, 7 years as Capital Campaign Coordinator and webmaster at the Highlander Research and Education Center, and 17 years teaching English and American Studies at the City College of New York and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He came to Montessori in 1998 when his daughter joined the Elementary Class at the Knoxville Montessori School, and he has been working to support Montessori education ever since. Charlie joined the MAT Board in 2017, and he is currently Board Secretary and Chair of the Education Committee. His other interests include reading, bike riding, and spending time with his family.
Elisabeth Gay ~Secretary ~
Elisabeth Gay is dual certified in Lower Elementary and Upper Elementary, and has taught in public and private Montessori schools since 1995 in four states: SC, NC, AL, and TN. She is married with three children age twenty, seventeen, and fourteen. She is originally from Charleston, SC and received her BA from Wofford College as a German and French double major. She has travelled and lived in multiple countries, including study abroad stints in Germany, Switzerland and Austria, and mission work in Ukraine and Honduras. Her hobbies include reading, writing fiction and nonfiction, gardening, cooking, quilting and travel. As a former Montessori student herself, she has always loved the Montessori environment where children explore guided by curiosity.
Elisabeth Gay is dual certified in Lower Elementary and Upper Elementary, and has taught in public and private Montessori schools since 1995 in four states: SC, NC, AL, and TN. She is married with three children age twenty, seventeen, and fourteen. She is originally from Charleston, SC and received her BA from Wofford College as a German and French double major. She has travelled and lived in multiple countries, including study abroad stints in Germany, Switzerland and Austria, and mission work in Ukraine and Honduras. Her hobbies include reading, writing fiction and nonfiction, gardening, cooking, quilting and travel. As a former Montessori student herself, she has always loved the Montessori environment where children explore guided by curiosity.
Santina Campbell ~ President ~
Santina lives in Memphis, TN with her husband and son and is currently an Elementary guide at The Maria Montessori School. She received her AMI Elementary training from The Washington Montessori Institute in Washington, D.C. She also holds a Bachelor degree in Early Childhood Education from Spring Hill College and a Masters degree in Elementary Education from Loyola College of Maryland. She began her Montessori journey at two years of age when her mother enrolled her in The First Montessori of the Mid-South. She has remained connected to the Montessori community throughout her life and is proud to call herself a Montessori guide, student and parent.
Santina lives in Memphis, TN with her husband and son and is currently an Elementary guide at The Maria Montessori School. She received her AMI Elementary training from The Washington Montessori Institute in Washington, D.C. She also holds a Bachelor degree in Early Childhood Education from Spring Hill College and a Masters degree in Elementary Education from Loyola College of Maryland. She began her Montessori journey at two years of age when her mother enrolled her in The First Montessori of the Mid-South. She has remained connected to the Montessori community throughout her life and is proud to call herself a Montessori guide, student and parent.
Dr. Melinda Harris ~ Vice President ~
Melinda Harris, Ed.D., is Principal at Community Montessori School in Jackson, TN. Melinda is a West Tennessee native having lived in Chester County through high school. She attended Lambuth College for undergraduate and Vanderbilt University for graduate school. She started her teaching career at Montessori Academy in Brentwood, TN in 1990 and remained there until moving back to Jackson in 1995. She then became the Curriculum Coordinator at Parkview Montessori Magnet School (now Community Montessori) in 1997 and later became the principal in 2006. Melinda received her doctorate in Educational Leadership from Union University in 2014. Melinda lives with her husband, John, and has two adult children, Will and Rachel.
Melinda Harris, Ed.D., is Principal at Community Montessori School in Jackson, TN. Melinda is a West Tennessee native having lived in Chester County through high school. She attended Lambuth College for undergraduate and Vanderbilt University for graduate school. She started her teaching career at Montessori Academy in Brentwood, TN in 1990 and remained there until moving back to Jackson in 1995. She then became the Curriculum Coordinator at Parkview Montessori Magnet School (now Community Montessori) in 1997 and later became the principal in 2006. Melinda received her doctorate in Educational Leadership from Union University in 2014. Melinda lives with her husband, John, and has two adult children, Will and Rachel.
Priscilla Hicks ~ Webmaster ~
Priscilla grew up in the Washington D.C. area but has called Tennessee home for the past 20 years. She holds an AMS Primary Credential from Belmont University and an AMI Adolescent Credential from the North American Montessori Teachers' Association. Additionally, she is a certified teacher coordinator for the Montessori Model United Nations program. From 2013 to 2018 Priscilla brought Montessori education to the homeschool community in Rutherford County by creating a homeschool hybrid program, Prana Montessori. She is passionate about Montessori education for all ages and especially Maria Montessori's belief that the peaceful education of children can change the world. Currently, Priscilla is a high school teacher at Montessori Academy. She lives with her husband Ben, her three daughters, and three kitties in Murfreesboro, TN.
Priscilla grew up in the Washington D.C. area but has called Tennessee home for the past 20 years. She holds an AMS Primary Credential from Belmont University and an AMI Adolescent Credential from the North American Montessori Teachers' Association. Additionally, she is a certified teacher coordinator for the Montessori Model United Nations program. From 2013 to 2018 Priscilla brought Montessori education to the homeschool community in Rutherford County by creating a homeschool hybrid program, Prana Montessori. She is passionate about Montessori education for all ages and especially Maria Montessori's belief that the peaceful education of children can change the world. Currently, Priscilla is a high school teacher at Montessori Academy. She lives with her husband Ben, her three daughters, and three kitties in Murfreesboro, TN.
Sarah Edwards
Sarah is a Primary guide, Director of Education, and co-founder of Midtown Montessori School in Memphis, TN. She graduated from The Montessori Training Center of St.Louis with an AMI Primary diploma studying under the late Dr. Annette Haines and has been teaching in Montessori for the past 13 years. She also has a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Memphis. Sarah is guided daily by the quote, “The greatest gifts we can give our children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence”. She truly enjoys experiencing joy, love, and wonder that occurs in the Montessori environment. Sarah enjoys her downtime taking care of her plants and being with her husband, Jacob, and sons, Oliver and Arlo.
Sarah is a Primary guide, Director of Education, and co-founder of Midtown Montessori School in Memphis, TN. She graduated from The Montessori Training Center of St.Louis with an AMI Primary diploma studying under the late Dr. Annette Haines and has been teaching in Montessori for the past 13 years. She also has a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Memphis. Sarah is guided daily by the quote, “The greatest gifts we can give our children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence”. She truly enjoys experiencing joy, love, and wonder that occurs in the Montessori environment. Sarah enjoys her downtime taking care of her plants and being with her husband, Jacob, and sons, Oliver and Arlo.
Join the MAT Board!
Please send the board application as well as a current resume to info@matenn.org Thank you!