Ashby began teaching with us in 2016 and is from Seattle, Washington. She has a Bachelor of Arts in theatre from University of North Carolina at Asheville and her Montessori accreditation is in early childhood education.
Outside of school, Ashby and her partner, Adam, are often found “junkin” (thrifting or antiquing), hanging with their cats, or just playing music to pass time.
GMS: How did you first learn about Greensboro Montessori School?
AP: I first learned about GMS through my friends Sundev Lohr and Peter Baggish while I was a student at Grimsley High School. Both of their mothers, Nancy Hofer and Linda Baggish, worked at GMS at the time (this was in the mid 90's).
GMS: Why do you choose to work at our School?
AP: I choose to work at our school because of the children and the creative environment in which we all learn. The GMS campus is also one of the most beautiful places to work in Greensboro. Exploring the gardens with the children or solo, I feel so fortunate to work in such a beautiful, creative environment.
GMS: What aspect of the Montessori method inspires you the most?
AP: The independence that is offered to all in the Montessori classroom and beyond.
GMS: What do you enjoy learning from our students, and what do you enjoy sharing with them?
AP: I learn something new from the students everyday! I am always practicing grace and courtesy, and appreciate when a child reminds me how to be polite and courteous. It's a friendly reminder that adults make mistakes too!
GMS: What do you enjoy learning from your coworkers, and what are you excited to share with them?
AP: I learn so much from my co-workers from all areas of the school. If I ever have a question or concern there is someone that is there for me, and I hope that they know that I am there for them. I never feel alone at Greensboro Montessori.
GMS: Is there anyone in your family or close circle of friends that you'd like to tell us about? If so, who?
AP: My partner in life, Adam. He is an extremely loving and supportive person.
I am immensely fortunate to have a wonderful family in Greensboro. My mother, Ann, lives nearby as does my father, Craig, and step mother, Donna. My brother, Graham, lives outside of Washington DC where he teaches 5th grade. My other brother, Randy, is a wood worker who lives on a boat in Seattle, WA.
GMS: Tell us something about yourself that we wouldn’t learn from your résumé or CV?
AP: At the age of 10, I decided to become a vegetarian. I have been one, dabbling in veganism, since then.
GMS: What is your favorite memory from childhood?
AP: Some of my earliest memories are of me playing with my brothers and cousins. I loved the big city life of Seattle, and always being able to see large bodies of water wherever you go!
GMS: Do you have any pets? If so, what are they and what are they named?
AP: We live with Maggie the white and black cat who has a crooked tail.
GMS: What hobbies do you enjoy outside of work?
AP: I enjoy playing my guitar and ukulele and singing all my favorite songs loudly. I love walking through neighborhoods throughout town, working in my garden and spending time with friends and family. Adam and I also enjoy "junkin." We find rare and beautiful mid century objects out in the wild, and then sell them at our booth at Grandaddies antiques in Burlington.
GMS: Of all the places you’ve traveled to, what is your favorite destination and why?
AP: My favorite destination is the Pacific West Coast. I have friends and family from San Francisco all the way to Seattle who I love to visit and explore with.
GMS: If you could travel anywhere else, where would it be and why?
AP: I'd like to visit anywhere in Europe: England, France, Norway, or Denmark.
GMS: What is your favorite indulgence?
AP: Finding something great at the thrift store or on the side of the road.
GMS: What is something you don’t get to do often but it still feeds your soul?
AP: Meditate.
GMS: What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
AP: Lemon ice cream from Yum-Yum.
GMS: You’re going out with friends? Do you meet for coffee or cocktails?
AP: My friends and I meet at all sorts of places. I love coffee and tea of all kinds! As for a cocktail, I like a classic gin and tonic.
GMS: Other than Dr. Maria Montessori, who would you like to meet from history and why?
AP: Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. has always been one of my favorite authors. I would love to pick his brain... and so it goes…
GMS: Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
AP: I am beyond honored to be part of the amazing community at GMS.
JoAnn Currie joined GMS in 2016 as a student support specialist with a focus in early childhood intervention. She earned a Bachelor of Science in special education from Appalachian State University and holds special education licenses in mental handicaps, emotional handicaps, and preschool handicaps. JoAnn began her teaching career in 1993, and she deeply enjoys working with our students. When not at work, you can find her exercising her inner artist or enjoying a coffee on her porch.
GMS: How did you first learn about Greensboro Montessori School?
JC: I heard about our School through Brooke Juneau.
GMS: Why do you choose to work at our School?
JC: I love the community and the philosophy of how children should be educated.
GMS: What excites you most about working in the Student Support Center?
JC: Seeing the growth of the students and supporting the teachers and families.
GMS: What aspect of the Montessori method inspires you the most?
JC: The aspect of self-directed exploration.
GMS: What do you enjoy learning from our students, and what do you enjoy sharing with them?
JC: I enjoy learning how they see and interpret the world around them.
GMS: What do you enjoy learning from your coworkers, and what are you excited to share with them?
JC: Since I do not come from a Montessori background I enjoy learning about the various works and their purpose. I enjoy sharing strategies that support students in their work.
GMS: Is anyone else from your family or close circle of friends part of our GMS community?
JC: No family, but Brooke is a close friend, and I have come to consider many of my coworkers as good friends.
GMS: Tell us something about yourself that we wouldn’t learn from your résumé or CV?
JC: I am one of five children, and I have lived in Greensboro my entire life. For much of my adult life, I have enjoyed running and have completed three marathons.
GMS: What is a favorite memory from your own childhood?
JC: Some of my favorite memories involve snowy days when streets were closed to traffic so children could sled.
GMS: What hobbies do you enjoy outside of work?
JC: Painting and making jewelry.
GMS: Of all the places you’ve traveled to, what is your favorite destination and why?
JC: Ireland. It is a beautiful and peaceful country and relatives on my mothers side come from Ireland.
GMS: What is something you don’t get to do often, but it still feeds your soul?
JC: Going to the beach.
GMS: You're craving a snack. Do you go for salty or sweet?
JC: Salty.
GMS: If you’re going out with friends, what is your favorite drink to have?
JC: White wine.
Anna Betina is our Toddler division coordinator and Half-Day Toddler lead teacher. She began teaching in 2009 and joined our School in 2017.
A native of Ukraine, Anna is fluent in Ukrainian, Russian, Bulgarian, and English. She holds a master’s degree in psychology and childhood psychology and a doctorate in pedagogical and age psychology from her native country of Ukraine. She also holds her Infant & Toddler (birth to age 3) Montessori teaching credential.
Anna and her husband have a daughter who is in fourth grade at GMS. Outside of the classroom, Anna loves live music and also a quiet nap.
GMS: Why did you choose to work at Greensboro Montessori School?
AB: I did my research based on Montessori theory and fell in love with the method here.
GMS: What excites you most about working in your division?
AB: It excites me to see children as capable human beings, and it gives me huge feedback, which inspires me as a teacher.
GMS: What aspect of the Montessori method inspires you the most?
AB: A toddler's sensitive periods and how to prepare the environment that facilitates those effortless windows of learning.
GMS: What do you enjoy learning from our students, and what do you enjoy sharing with them?
AB: How to be patient and see the child. I love sharing my positive attitude to problem solving.
GMS: What do you enjoy learning from your coworkers, and what are you excited to share with them?
AB: Learning how to listen. Recently, we started sharing articles and podcasts across our division on how to support children in a fast-changing world and how to support this in the classroom. It was very exciting and inspiring.
GMS: Tell us something about yourself that we wouldn’t learn from your résumé or CV?
AB: I used to be a ballerina, and during my teenage identity crisis, I switched to wrestling for 3 years.
GMS: Where did you grow up, and do you mind sharing one favorite memory from childhood?
AB: I grew up in Ukraine. My favorite memory is playing outside with my friends without adult supervision. Also, going to camps each summer without parents for six weeks.
GMS: Do you have any pets? If so, what are they and what are they named?
AB: I have a Black Pomeranian named Mia.
GMS: Of all the places you’ve traveled to, what is your favorite destination and why?
AB: Italy because there is a lot of history and nature to explore.
GMS: If you could travel anywhere else, where would it be and why?
AB: Japan because I’ve never been there and would really love to experience the culture.
GMS: What is something you don’t get to do often but it still feeds your soul?
AB: Visiting my family in Europe.
GMS: What is your favorite snack?
AB: My favorites are seaweed and dried fruits.
GMS: You’re going out with friends? Do you meet for coffee or cocktails? What is your favorite drink from those selections?
AB: I like to drink coffee or tea, or a virgin cocktail.
GMS: Other than Dr. Maria Montessori, who would you like to meet from history and why?
AB: J. Lacan because I would love to understand his theory firsthand.
Katie Jones is a Lower Elementary teacher and has been teaching since 2001. She joined our team in 2014 and has always had a passion for both Montessori education and special education. She has a Bachelor of Science in psychology and a Master of Arts in special education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She also holds her Montessori teaching credential in Elementary I (ages 6 to 9).
Katie grew up in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and she and her husband, Matt, have a daughter, Willa, who is a member of the GMS class of '22 and currently a senior in the International Baccalaureate program at Page high school.
GMS: How did you first learn about Greensboro Montessori School?
KJ: We wanted a Montessori education for our daughter. She joined GMS when she was 4 years old. We absolutely fell in love with the school and the community. I decided to leave my teaching career with Guilford County Schools to come to work at GMS.
GMS: Why do you choose to work at our School?
KJ: The close knit community and the wonderful teachers.
GMS: What excites you most about working in your division?
KJ: The 6-to-9 age group is my favorite. I love the child’s sense of wonder and awe, their excitement, and getting to see those lightbulb moments ... I really enjoy teaching reading as well.
GMS: What aspect of the Montessori method inspires you the most?
KJ: The peace curriculum and focus on individuality, plus the hands on materials.
GMS: What do you enjoy learning from your coworkers, and what are you excited to share with them?
KJ: I enjoy observing various teaching styles and gathering their wisdom.
GMS: Tell us something about yourself that we wouldn’t learn from your résumé or CV?
KJ: I love True Crime. I collect nature. My home is my cozy nest and sanctuary, and my passion is to make it beautiful and homey.
GMS: Do you have any pets? If so, what are they and what are they named?
KJ: We have two dogs, Dusty Jones and Chloe Bell Jones and one cat, Oliver Wendell Jones.
GMS: What hobbies do you enjoy outside of work?
KJ: Gardening, hiking, nature, swimming, and reading.
GMS: Of all the places you’ve traveled to, what is your favorite destination and why?
KJ: Two weeks in Maui, Hawaii. It was my first trip with my husband. It had breathtaking scenery.
GMS: If you could travel anywhere else, where would it be and why?
KJ: Italy because of the food, beauty, culture, and art.
GMS: What is your favorite indulgence?
KJ: Affogato (vanilla ice cream, caramel, and warm espresso) and a massage.
GMS: What is something you don’t get to do often but it still feeds your soul?
KJ: A full day of antique shopping and lunch with my mama.
GMS: What are your favorite snacks?
KJ: Nachos.
GMS: Other than Dr. Maria Montessori, who would you like to meet from history and why?
KJ: Anne Frank. We need to learn from history.
Isabelle Bangham joined our School in 1996 as a Primary teacher. She has her Bachelor’s Degree in educational studies from the University of Nice, France and her Montessori teaching credential is in early childhood (ages 2 ½ to 6). Isabelle is originally from Nice and quickly found GMS when she moved to Greensboro.
Isabelle currently works in the Primary 4 classroom with her co-lead teacher, Jackie Shannon. Primary 3 teacher Carmen Romero is also a good friend of Isabelle and has been at GMS for over 30 years.
GMS: How did you first learn about Greensboro Montessori School?
IB: Through a neighbor after my family and I moved back from France to Greensboro, NC.
GMS: Why do you choose to work at our School?
IB: GMS is a very special school where teachers respect their students, and because I believe in Maria Montessori's principles. I have had my two daughters here and they have learned a lot in a safe and wonderful environment who taught them skills that they would not have learned elsewhere.
GMS: What excites you most about working in the Primary division?
IB: I love the fact that each day is a new day and that we can start all over again to help our students the best we can! I also love creating an environment where my students feel loved and appreciated, where they can enjoy learning and have fun!
GMS: What aspect of the Montessori method inspires you the most?
IB: "Following the child", also being respectful and trusting the child.
GMS: What do you enjoy learning from our students, and what do you enjoy sharing with them?
IB: I enjoy seeing their beautiful smiles, their love of learning, their curiosity, and their spirits. I enjoy learning from them their learning style, the way they see others and life, but above all, I love their enthusiasm for everything that they discover and explore every day! I enjoy sharing my gratitude for life, wisdom, kindness, embracing differences, the ability to accept people who are different, empathy, compassion, appreciation of beautiful things, love of traveling, and the French language.
GMS: Is there anyone in your family or close circle of friends that you'd like to tell us about? If so, who?
IB: Yes, my good friend Carmen Romero is a Primary teacher and works next door! I worked with her at the beginning of my career at GMS and we are very close. She was also my children's Primary teacher. Our oldest daughters are very good friends and now have children who are about the same age, so they do a lot of things together! It makes us very happy to know that they are doing life together as parents and can help each other! I have been part of GMS for almost 30 years (and counting), so I know a lot of staff and teachers here. I am blessed to be part of this wonderful community of teachers and students, and I feel good to be a part of this big family!
GMS: Tell us something about yourself that we wouldn’t learn from your résumé or CV?
IB: Nine years ago I became a grandmother of a sweet little baby girl, and five years ago, another angel came along, so I feel very blessed and my heart is very happy to be able to spend time with them and teach them everything that I know! When times are rough, they are always there to remind my husband and I that we have so much to look forward to and so much love to give every day! They are the apples of my eyes!
GMS: Where did you grow up, and do you mind sharing one favorite memory from childhood?
IB: I grew up in Nice on the French Riviera in the South of France. I have fond memories of the beach and different places where my brother and I went with our parents. One of my favorite childhood memories is going to Spain (Eastern part of Spain) with my family. We used to leave in the afternoon and my brother and I would sleep in the car. We would get there late at night, but everything was open and we loved going to eat at the "Bodegas"! We would stay in nice hotels and it was just great! Both of my parents have Spanish origins! My great grand-father was from the island of Mallorca.
GMS: What hobbies do you enjoy outside of work?
IB: I enjoy practicing yoga in class, swimming in the summer with my grand-daughters, going on walks, gardening and cooking when I have the time! I also love organizing parties! In the winter, I like to have Tea at the O'Henry in Greensboro!
GMS: What is your favorite indulgence?
IB: I love chocolate, crepes, french pastries. I love traveling! I also love flowers!
GMS: What is something you don’t get to do often but it still feeds your soul?
IB: Having a facial, or a massage, but the first one is definitely so relaxing and good for my soul!
GMS: Other than Dr. Maria Montessori, who would you like to meet from history and why?
IB: I have always loved and respected Maya Angelou as a poet, writer, actress, director, producer, and Professor and I had the pleasure to see her at one of our AMS conferences in NYC years ago! I love her words of wisdom and quotes.
GMS: Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
IB: I miss my family in France and wish they were closer! I wish it was not so far away! I also enjoy living here in the U.S.A and wish I could have both worlds! I have many blessings in my life including my husband of almost 43 years, and my daughters, son-in-laws, and my lovely grand-daughters!
