Jennifer Sewell has taught at Pinewoods for seven years.  She has a Bachelor’s degree and, in addition to her full Montessori credential in Early Childhood Education, is a certified Kindermusik teacher.  

Jennifer is committed to the traditional Montessori philosophy and has created a classroom environment that is not only stimulating and fun but teaches peace and respect.  Working with children with unique occupational therapy needs is a special interest of hers.  In addition to teaching one of our primary classes, Jennifer provides music for all of our students – primary through elementary. 

Jennifer  also teaches our extended-day program for kindergarten age students.  As a new MOM, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, Autumn.  She also enjoys cooking and decorating and doing volunteer work.

This is Lindsay's third year at Pinewoods.  She has a bachelors, degree in education and earned her Montessori early childhood credential in 2007 from the Center for Montessori Teacher Education in Apex, North Carolina.  

Lindsay worked in a public Montessori school teaching Pre-kindergarten and Kindergarten before moving to Efland.  She and her husband live on the farm where he works.  Her love of animals, the outdoors and gardening make this an ideal living situation for them both.  She is often called upon to help with farm chores and activities and so strives to bring her connection with nature and her compassion for all living things into the classroom Lindsay and her husband are expecting their first child this winter.

JoAnn Rubin has been with Pinewoods for twelve years.  She has a Master’s degree and her full Montessori teaching credential in Early Childhood and both Lower and Upper elementary.  JoAnn is a talented teacher loved by children and parents alike.  She is dedicated to each student in her class and is gifted at providing individualized instruction based on the unique learning style of each.  

Her students have consistently achieved well above average in reading, writing, and math.  Her classroom is rich with literature, science, geography, history, geometry, and art activities.  

In her free time, JoAnn enjoys spending time with her family, gardening and going to tag sales.

Brittany received a BA in Anthropology from UNC and subsequently earned her AMS Junior Elementary Certification from the North Carolina Center for Montessori Teacher Education in Apex, NC.   Brittany supplements the curriculum by teaching Spanish to elementary students in the afternoons.  She loves to cook, run and dance.  She and her husband live in Chapel Hill.

Mary McKown earned degrees from West Virginia University and the University of North Carolina, Greensboro.  She completed her Montessori certification for primary (3-6 years) and elementary (6-12 years) through AMI, Washington, DC and AMS, San Diego, California.  A native West Virginian, Mary has been passionate about Montessori education for 39 years – first as a mother, then as a teacher and school director.  She has taught at the primary, junior and advanced elementary levels.  Mary has also worked as a Montessori teacher trainer, having instructed in all areas of the elementary (6-9) curriculum.  When not involved with Montessori matters, she enjoys family time with her four grandchildren, also cooking and taking slow runs.