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.
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 grew up in the Washington DC 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 could change the world. Priscilla currently serves as Kindergarten Coordinator and High school Advisor at Montessori Academy. She lives with her husband Ben, her three girls, and three kitties in Murfreesboro, TN.
Priscilla grew up in the Washington DC 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 could change the world. Priscilla currently serves as Kindergarten Coordinator and High school Advisor at Montessori Academy. She lives with her husband Ben, her three girls, and three kitties in Murfreesboro, TN.
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.
Dr. Melinda Harris
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. She has been with Community Montessori School as an administrator for 22 years. Melinda has been married for 33 years to John Harris and they have two children, Will (28) and Rachel (24).
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. She has been with Community Montessori School as an administrator for 22 years. Melinda has been married for 33 years to John Harris and they have two children, Will (28) and Rachel (24).
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.
Reanna Sarieh
Reanna is a doctoral student at Howard Taft University and a graduate of Belmont University’s teaching program. Her credentials include a Master's Degree in Teaching, AMS (American Montessori Society) Certification for ages 3-6, and held a State of Tennessee teaching license for pre-K through 3rd grade until 2018 when she decided to pursue an administrative degree. She also recently completed a certification in Positive Discipline and is now a Certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator and offers yearly workshops for parents. Having completed her undergraduate studies in Cultural Anthropology at MTSU she has a love for the Murfreesboro community and is honored to share the Montessori methods of teaching to the community. Reanna is the Director of Bambini Village Montessori in Murfreesboro, TN.
Reanna is a doctoral student at Howard Taft University and a graduate of Belmont University’s teaching program. Her credentials include a Master's Degree in Teaching, AMS (American Montessori Society) Certification for ages 3-6, and held a State of Tennessee teaching license for pre-K through 3rd grade until 2018 when she decided to pursue an administrative degree. She also recently completed a certification in Positive Discipline and is now a Certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator and offers yearly workshops for parents. Having completed her undergraduate studies in Cultural Anthropology at MTSU she has a love for the Murfreesboro community and is honored to share the Montessori methods of teaching to the community. Reanna is the Director of Bambini Village Montessori in Murfreesboro, TN.
Join the MAT Board!
We are currently accepting applications for new board members. Please send the board application as well as a current resume to info@matenn.org
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