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. Our Executive Director is Jaime Yeager, co-founder of MAT. MAT began as a conversation and a dream between two Middle TN Montessorians and is now an active state body active in advocacy, consumer protection, and continuing education. MAT is organized by Committees which engage in the work needed to fulfill our mission. Join now!
MAT Board Members
Jaime Yeager Executive Director, Co-founder, and Conference Chair
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.
Ella Jones President
Ella received a Bachelors of Arts Degree in English Literature from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She also holds a Master's Degree in Montessori Education from Loyola University in Baltimore, Maryland. Ella is AMI Montessori trained at the Primary level and received her training at Montessori Northwest, in Portland, OR. As a Montessori child, Ella has been involved in the world of Montessori for most of her life. Ella has taught at Montessori schools in Maine, Oregon and Tennessee and in 2007, along with her mother, Ruth Jones, opened Mead Montessori School in Knoxville, TN where she is currently Head of School. Ella loves down time with her family which includes husband Jeff, children Arthur (2) and Eva (5), and their dog Nola.
Ella received a Bachelors of Arts Degree in English Literature from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She also holds a Master's Degree in Montessori Education from Loyola University in Baltimore, Maryland. Ella is AMI Montessori trained at the Primary level and received her training at Montessori Northwest, in Portland, OR. As a Montessori child, Ella has been involved in the world of Montessori for most of her life. Ella has taught at Montessori schools in Maine, Oregon and Tennessee and in 2007, along with her mother, Ruth Jones, opened Mead Montessori School in Knoxville, TN where she is currently Head of School. Ella loves down time with her family which includes husband Jeff, children Arthur (2) and Eva (5), and their dog Nola.
Nelson Griffin Vice President
Nelson Griffin is a Primary Guide at the Maria Montessori School in Memphis. He graduated from the International Montessori Training Institute in Atlanta in 2013 with an AMI Primary Diploma and also completed a Masters of Education from Loyola University Maryland. He has a Bachelors Degree in American Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Masters Degree in Southern Studies from the University of Mississippi. Nelson also holds a certificate for teaching Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Level One, a Montessori-based religious education program. He began working with MAT in the spring of 2014 after meeting Jamie Yeager at a workshop. Nelson is a native of Durham, North Carolina, who enjoys spending time at coffee shops and traveling with his wife Miranda.
Nelson Griffin is a Primary Guide at the Maria Montessori School in Memphis. He graduated from the International Montessori Training Institute in Atlanta in 2013 with an AMI Primary Diploma and also completed a Masters of Education from Loyola University Maryland. He has a Bachelors Degree in American Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Masters Degree in Southern Studies from the University of Mississippi. Nelson also holds a certificate for teaching Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Level One, a Montessori-based religious education program. He began working with MAT in the spring of 2014 after meeting Jamie Yeager at a workshop. Nelson is a native of Durham, North Carolina, who enjoys spending time at coffee shops and traveling with his wife Miranda.
Brooks Gerber Co-founder and Communications Chair
Brooks received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts at Sarah Lawrence College. She also holds a Master's Degree in Montessori Education from Loyola University Maryland. Brooks is trained by the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) and has been in the field of Montessori education for 10 years, the last 5 as a Lead Guide. Brooks believes Montessori education is not just a gift to children, but a gift to society. She dedicates her professional life to seeing the movement grow and prosper. Brooks is passionate about the needs of the whole child and enjoys incorporating her love of travel and gardening into her teaching. She calls East Nashville home and lives in a cheerful blue house with her husband, Matt, and son, Reed. In 2013, Brooks co-founded the Montessori Alliance of TN with Jaime Yeager. She is currently a Lead Primary Guide and Curriculum Coordinator at Montessori East in Nashville, TN.
Brooks received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts at Sarah Lawrence College. She also holds a Master's Degree in Montessori Education from Loyola University Maryland. Brooks is trained by the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) and has been in the field of Montessori education for 10 years, the last 5 as a Lead Guide. Brooks believes Montessori education is not just a gift to children, but a gift to society. She dedicates her professional life to seeing the movement grow and prosper. Brooks is passionate about the needs of the whole child and enjoys incorporating her love of travel and gardening into her teaching. She calls East Nashville home and lives in a cheerful blue house with her husband, Matt, and son, Reed. In 2013, Brooks co-founded the Montessori Alliance of TN with Jaime Yeager. She is currently a Lead Primary Guide and Curriculum Coordinator at Montessori East in Nashville, TN.
Dr. Jim Bernstorf Treasurer
Jim's educational background includes a Masters in educational leadership and a Doctorate in educational leadership with a dissertation focused on testing and accountability. Jim is the Headmaster and Executive Director at Montessori Academy in Brentwood, TN. Jim has been married to his wife Brenda for 36 years, has two grown children, and five grandchildren. He loves sailing, boating, gardening, and enjoys playing basketball.
Jim's educational background includes a Masters in educational leadership and a Doctorate in educational leadership with a dissertation focused on testing and accountability. Jim is the Headmaster and Executive Director at Montessori Academy in Brentwood, TN. Jim has been married to his wife Brenda for 36 years, has two grown children, and five grandchildren. He loves sailing, boating, gardening, and enjoys playing basketball.
Charlie Biggs Secretary and Education Chair
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.
Priscilla Hicks Webmaster and Administrative Assistant
Priscilla holds an AMS Primary Credential from Belmont University, as well as an AMI Adolescent Credential from NAMTA/AMI. For 5 years Priscilla was the Director and Lead teacher at Prana Montessori, a homeschool hybrid program in Smyrna, TN. She has three daughters (ages 16, 14, and 13). Her children were her motivation to bring Montessori to the homeschool community. Although Prana Montessori has closed, Priscilla continues to homeschool her children and tutor. Priscilla lives in Murfreesboro with her husband Ben, her 3 girls, and 3 kitties.
Priscilla holds an AMS Primary Credential from Belmont University, as well as an AMI Adolescent Credential from NAMTA/AMI. For 5 years Priscilla was the Director and Lead teacher at Prana Montessori, a homeschool hybrid program in Smyrna, TN. She has three daughters (ages 16, 14, and 13). Her children were her motivation to bring Montessori to the homeschool community. Although Prana Montessori has closed, Priscilla continues to homeschool her children and tutor. Priscilla lives in Murfreesboro with her husband Ben, her 3 girls, and 3 kitties.
Santina Campbell
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.
Bobbe Spink
Bobbe has been involved in the Montessori community since 1973 when she founded her first school. She has taught at the 3-6, 6-9, and 9-12 levels holding her diplomas from the St Nicholas Training Center, London, England. Bobbe has also been a head of school for the past 42 years and a trainer for the St Nicholas Center for about a decade. As a mother of 3 children who attended Montessori through 6th grade, she is enjoying her 3 grandchildren who are or will be Montessori preschoolers. Helping to support exemplary Montessori for the future, in Tennessee and elsewhere, is now her passion!
Bobbe has been involved in the Montessori community since 1973 when she founded her first school. She has taught at the 3-6, 6-9, and 9-12 levels holding her diplomas from the St Nicholas Training Center, London, England. Bobbe has also been a head of school for the past 42 years and a trainer for the St Nicholas Center for about a decade. As a mother of 3 children who attended Montessori through 6th grade, she is enjoying her 3 grandchildren who are or will be Montessori preschoolers. Helping to support exemplary Montessori for the future, in Tennessee and elsewhere, is now her passion!
Sandra Ramkissoon
Sandra was born in Trinidad, West Indies and raised in Columbus, Georgia and North Carolina. She is the second youngest of nine siblings. She attended Lee University in Cleveland, TN. She holds her B.A. in Elementary Education and a B.S. in Health Care Administration. Sandra also holds a Master’s in Special Education from Grand Canyon University and her 6-9 AMS Montessori Certification. Sandra has two sons, 29-year-old Ryan, who is married to her lovely daughter-in-law Brianna, and 26-year old Austin. Both boys live in Gastonia, NC. Sandra’s hobbies include walking, outdoor activities, and spending time with family and friends.
Sandra is currently the Elementary and Middle School Director at The Montessori School in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She began her career in education in Fort Washington, Maryland, where she worked at a private school. She has served in various capacities including the following: Director of Community Group Home, working with individuals with intellectual disabilities, Head of School, Assistant Principal of a Middle/High School, Montessori Trainer, Director of Exceptional Student Services, and classroom teacher. Sandra has over 30 years of experience in education.
Sandra was born in Trinidad, West Indies and raised in Columbus, Georgia and North Carolina. She is the second youngest of nine siblings. She attended Lee University in Cleveland, TN. She holds her B.A. in Elementary Education and a B.S. in Health Care Administration. Sandra also holds a Master’s in Special Education from Grand Canyon University and her 6-9 AMS Montessori Certification. Sandra has two sons, 29-year-old Ryan, who is married to her lovely daughter-in-law Brianna, and 26-year old Austin. Both boys live in Gastonia, NC. Sandra’s hobbies include walking, outdoor activities, and spending time with family and friends.
Sandra is currently the Elementary and Middle School Director at The Montessori School in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She began her career in education in Fort Washington, Maryland, where she worked at a private school. She has served in various capacities including the following: Director of Community Group Home, working with individuals with intellectual disabilities, Head of School, Assistant Principal of a Middle/High School, Montessori Trainer, Director of Exceptional Student Services, and classroom teacher. Sandra has over 30 years of experience in education.