Experienced. Passionate.
And just as dedicated to your kids as you are.
Pinewoods is fortunate to have a group of educators that care deeply about inspiring children with a love of learning.
Nicole Anselmo, Primary Assistant
Nicole is a mother of two boys. Her oldest son is 5 and the other is 3. They both have attended Pinewoods since 18 months. It is her 5th year assisting in a Montessori classroom.
After completing her BA in Psychology Nicole lived abroad in Switzerland for 3 years working with special needs children at an international school. Her time abroad instilled a love of culture, language and travel. She holds a conversational level of French and would love to add Spanish to the list.
In her free time she enjoys taking her boys to the beach, out for walks and on play dates with friends.
After completing her BA in Psychology Nicole lived abroad in Switzerland for 3 years working with special needs children at an international school. Her time abroad instilled a love of culture, language and travel. She holds a conversational level of French and would love to add Spanish to the list.
In her free time she enjoys taking her boys to the beach, out for walks and on play dates with friends.
Emily Armond, Lower Elementary Teacher
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Emily Armond has a B.S. in biology and a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Georgia. In graduate school she focused on reading and literacy, ESOL, and social justice education. She worked in the public schools in Athens, GA for six years before finding a Montessori school that felt like home. She earned her AMS certificate for lower elementary in 2015 and has taught for 3 years in a Montessori classroom.
In her spare time she loves to run, hike, swim, play in a band, and make puns. Her favorite things to teach are language and kindness. |
Brandi Austin, Primary Teacher
Brandi spent her first year at Pinewoods as the assistant toddler teacher. After completing her B.S. in child development at Meredith College, in December 2014, she was very excited to return as a lead teacher. Brandi has obtained her Montessori certification and this will be her 3rd year as a lead teacher at Pinewoods.
To fulfill Meredith’s child development program requirements, Brandi was placed in dozens of schools providing her with experiences and skills from a variety of settings, though she always knew she wanted to become a Montessori teacher. She completed her student teaching at a public Montessori school.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her daugher, Mia, playing with her dogs Bella and Zeta, reading, scrapbooking, going to the beach, and spending time with her family and friends.
To fulfill Meredith’s child development program requirements, Brandi was placed in dozens of schools providing her with experiences and skills from a variety of settings, though she always knew she wanted to become a Montessori teacher. She completed her student teaching at a public Montessori school.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her daugher, Mia, playing with her dogs Bella and Zeta, reading, scrapbooking, going to the beach, and spending time with her family and friends.
Emily Bray, Office Manager
Emily moved to Hillsborough in 2015, after completing her BA in Anthropology at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Emily has worked in clerical positions at UNC Chapel Hill and UNC Charlotte, in the International Student and Scholar offices. While there, she learned that she very much enjoys working closely with students and parents. After college, she managed a women's clothing boutique.
Emily is a mother of a three year old who is in a primary class at Pinewoods. She is certified in Montessori Fundamentals by the Center for Guided Montessori Studies and has her first credential in Early Childhood Education. Emily is our Office Manager at Pinewoods.
In her spare time, Emily enjoys making stained glass art and spending time outdoors with her son and husband.
Emily is a mother of a three year old who is in a primary class at Pinewoods. She is certified in Montessori Fundamentals by the Center for Guided Montessori Studies and has her first credential in Early Childhood Education. Emily is our Office Manager at Pinewoods.
In her spare time, Emily enjoys making stained glass art and spending time outdoors with her son and husband.
Gabriela Bresciani, Toddler Assistant / Spanish Teacher
Gabriela has a degree in administration and in 2006 was hired to teach Spanish at Cornerstone Montessori School in Colorado. There she met and fell in love with the Montessori method. Gabriela worked for 8 years as a Spanish teacher and assistant teacher for toddlers and primary children. In 2014, she moved to NC and completed her early childhood credentials. Gaby is a mother of two daughters and is a proud new grandmother. When not spending time with her grandson she enjoys exercising and loves to dance. This is Gaby's third year at Pinewoods.
Caroline Carman, Head of School
Caroline is thrilled to serve as interim Head of School of Pinewoods Montessori. She has a Masters in School Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she also obtained her undergraduate degree in elementary education. Following her undergraduate studies, Caroline pursued her AMS Montessori Elementary Certification and taught for one year at a public Montessori school in Wake County. She spent the next six years at The Montessori School of Raleigh teaching lower elementary and interning with the administrative team. Caroline credits her father, a former Montessori Head in the Triangle, for introducing her to Montessori and nurturing her development as a child-centered educator.
Caroline is extremely dedicated and passionate about the Montessori approach and about building strong partnerships and community between parents, children, and school faculty. Caroline looks forward to continuing the strong, warm-hearted leadership that Jennifer has established at Pinewoods and utilizing her teaching and school leadership background in order to bring further growth to the Pinewoods program. Caroline looks forward to getting to know all members of the Pinewoods community.
In her free time, Caroline enjoys doing anything outdoors. She is an avid runner and also enjoys biking, skiing, and hiking. She loves to read, garden, and spend time with her cats, dog, and fiancé.
Caroline is extremely dedicated and passionate about the Montessori approach and about building strong partnerships and community between parents, children, and school faculty. Caroline looks forward to continuing the strong, warm-hearted leadership that Jennifer has established at Pinewoods and utilizing her teaching and school leadership background in order to bring further growth to the Pinewoods program. Caroline looks forward to getting to know all members of the Pinewoods community.
In her free time, Caroline enjoys doing anything outdoors. She is an avid runner and also enjoys biking, skiing, and hiking. She loves to read, garden, and spend time with her cats, dog, and fiancé.
Elizabeth Fish, Primary Assistant
Elizabeth Fish has fully embraced Maria Montessori philosophy and is currently an internship student of Early Childhood Teacher Certification program at Center for Guided Montessori Studies. She joins us from Garden Montessori School in Wesley Chapel Florida where she has been an extended care teacher and assistant teacher for the both toddler and primary students for 3 years. Elizabeth enjoys watching kids learn at their own pace and guiding them through their discoveries. She is the mother of a 6 year old boy has been attending Pinewoods since August 2016. Her educational background includes African Studies and her Haitian background brings unique perspective when working with children. Elizabeth's loves traveling, and in her free time she enjoys yoga, hiking, learning to play guitar and hanging out with her friends and family.
Joy Langley-Parsons, Toddler Teacher
Joy Langley-Parsons is the Toddler teacher at Pinewoods. Joy worked at Pinewoods for 5 years as a substitute teacher before entering training for Montessori toddler certification and doing a self-directed internship at Pinewoods from 2011-2012. Joy has been the lead teacher of the toddler classroom for 6 years.
Joy received her Infant/Toddler Montessori certification in June 2012 and is continuing to work towards a degree in Early Childhood Education. In her spare time, Joy enjoys reading, exercising, and spending time with family and friends.
Joy received her Infant/Toddler Montessori certification in June 2012 and is continuing to work towards a degree in Early Childhood Education. In her spare time, Joy enjoys reading, exercising, and spending time with family and friends.
Brittany Miller, Primary Teacher
This is Brittany's third year at Pinewoods. She is excited to be teaching in a primary classroom. She has a bachelors degree in psychology with a concentration in child development from UNC Chapel Hill, obtained her NC Early Childhood credential in 2013, and has her AMS Early Childhood Montessori certification.
Brittany has been working with children since the age of twelve in a variety of settings ranging from camp counselor to gymnastics instructor, but always knew she wanted to be a Montessori teacher.
In her free time Brittany enjoys reading, spending time with her cat Sebastian, and traveling with her husband.
Brittany has been working with children since the age of twelve in a variety of settings ranging from camp counselor to gymnastics instructor, but always knew she wanted to be a Montessori teacher.
In her free time Brittany enjoys reading, spending time with her cat Sebastian, and traveling with her husband.
Brittany Palacioz, Lower Elementary Teacher
Brittany Palacioz was born and raised on the Outer Banks and completed her undergraduate education at UNC Chapel Hill. After college, she interned at Pinewoods to earn her AMS Lower Elementary credential and stayed on to teach with Jo Ann for the next two years.
She returned to Pinewoods after completing her Master of Arts in Teaching at Meredith College. Brittany loves the ownership of their education and understanding of the world around them that children gain from learning in the Montessori classroom. Her favorite subjects to teach are Math and History. This is Brittany's 7th year at Pinewoods.
Brittany currently lives in Chapel Hill. During her free time, she enjoyes cooking, reading, heading to the beach, and running with her dog, Buxton.
She returned to Pinewoods after completing her Master of Arts in Teaching at Meredith College. Brittany loves the ownership of their education and understanding of the world around them that children gain from learning in the Montessori classroom. Her favorite subjects to teach are Math and History. This is Brittany's 7th year at Pinewoods.
Brittany currently lives in Chapel Hill. During her free time, she enjoyes cooking, reading, heading to the beach, and running with her dog, Buxton.
Jo Ann Rubin, Upper Elementary Teacher
Jo Ann Rubin has been with Pinewoods for sixteen 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.
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.
Jennifer Sewell, Music Teacher
This will be Jennifer's 14th year at Pinewoods. She was a primary teacher for 12 years and served as Head of School at Pinewoods for 8 years. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Music from Meredith College, Early Childhood Administration Credential 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 believes in classroom environments that are not only stimulating but also teach peace and respect. Working with children with unique occupational therapy needs is a special interest of hers. In addition to being Head of School, Jennifer provides music for all of our students – primary through elementary. Jennifer enjoys spending time with her daughter, Autumn, as well as cooking, decorating and volunteer work.
Jennifer is committed to the traditional Montessori philosophy and believes in classroom environments that are not only stimulating but also teach peace and respect. Working with children with unique occupational therapy needs is a special interest of hers. In addition to being Head of School, Jennifer provides music for all of our students – primary through elementary. Jennifer enjoys spending time with her daughter, Autumn, as well as cooking, decorating and volunteer work.
Lindsay Ungewitter, Primary Teacher
This is Lindsay's eighth 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 is the proud mother of three. Her son Edward, is entering his 5th year at Pinewoods and Lindsay is very proud to have him in the Montessori setting.
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 is the proud mother of three. Her son Edward, is entering his 5th year at Pinewoods and Lindsay is very proud to have him in the Montessori setting.
Starr Williams, Primary Assistant
Starr moved to North Carolina in 2007 from New Jersey. She has twelve years of experience working with children in a preschool setting. She obtained her North Carolina Early Childhood Credentials in 2012.
Starr is excited to be joining the Pinewoods Montessori School staff. Starr was attracted to the Montessori approach because it allows children to work at their own pace. In addition, the children foster and develop a love of learning in the classroom.
In her free time Starr enjoys relaxing at home, photography, and spending time with friends.
Starr is excited to be joining the Pinewoods Montessori School staff. Starr was attracted to the Montessori approach because it allows children to work at their own pace. In addition, the children foster and develop a love of learning in the classroom.
In her free time Starr enjoys relaxing at home, photography, and spending time with friends.
Board of Directors 2017-2018
Cory FoyPresident, Board of Directors
Cory is the parent of a lower elementary and an upper elementary student at Pinewoods. He is currently Director of Corporate Training at The Iron Yard in Durham, NC. Cory and his wife believe strongly in the value of a Montessori education. Devaunt LeClaireTreasurer, Board of Directors
Devaunt and his family had a goal of living very close to a great school that the kids could progress through and, after visiting many schools around the Triangle, moved to Hillsborough in 2014 mainly because of Pinewoods Montessori School. The LeClaire family currently has a son in the Upper Elementary class and a daughter in the Toddler class (with one more daughter in the pipeline!). Devaunt is a U.S. Marine Officer, having served on Active Duty as an AV-8B Harrier Pilot for 12 years, followed by three years in the Reserves. Since leaving Active Duty, Devaunt co-founded Simple Kneads Gluten-free, a dedicated manufacturer of gluten-free bakery items for the Retail and Food Service markets. He is also an MBA Candidate at Duke University, Class of 2017. Josh WoodbeckMarketing Chair, Board of Directors
Josh Woodbeck has been a proud Pinewoods parent since 2013. When Josh and his wife, Stephanie, toured the school and observed the elementary school kids measuring the distance from the Earth to the sun with toilet paper while bragging about the books they had written on invisibility and space travel, they knew they had found a special place. His daughters, Alice (5) and Neko (3), both started in Miss Joy’s toddler class, and have continued to thrive in their primary classes. Alice is very excited to move into lower elementary in the fall. Josh feels strongly that Pinewoods’ approach to education is setting his children up for a lifetime of success in whatever they choose to pursue, and would like to serve on the board to help support the school’s ongoing excellence. Josh and his family live in Hillsborough, where he enjoys playing hockey at the Sportsplex, running and strolling on the Riverwalk, and trying to keep up with the kids all over town. He works as a sales executive for a global IT services provider in RTP. Kerry PlunketVice-chair, Board of Directors
Kerry Plunket is the mother of two Pinewoods students, Teddy (5) and James (3), and has been part of the Pinewoods community since 2013. She believes that Pinewoods Montessori is providing her sons with a great sense of independence and a love for learning while respecting their individual learning styles and interests. When she isn’t parenting, she works as the Director of Human Resources for a technical recruiting and staffing firm. Kerry hopes to apply her business skills and experience to assist Pinewoods in fulfilling its mission and in fostering its sense of community. In addition to enjoying time with her husband, Bob, their boys and two rescue dogs, Kerry likes to prepare (and eat) vegetarian cuisine, read, and travel |
Camille TewellSecretary, Board of Directors
Camille Tewell has been a Pinewoods parent since 2011. Her three children have benefited greatly from their continued relationship with the school and its dedicated staff. Camille works as a freelance museum educator with the North Carolina Museum of Art. She enjoys writing, fiber arts, hiking, reading, and time with family. Nicole AnselmoBoard member
Nicole Anselmo is very thankful to be part of the Pinewoods community. She has been an assistant for 5 years at Pinewoods and is currently assisting in Ms. Brandi's class. Being around children has always been important to her. Prior to coming to Pinewoods she lived and worked in Switzerland for three years nannying and working at a French speaking school specializing in autism. Her two sons, Luca and Xavier are also enrolled in Pinewoods. The Montessori approach to education is something she is passionate about and has helped her boys tremendously both academically and socially. Masha PaschalBoard member
Masha Paschal is the mother of Coleman (8) , who has been attending Pinewoods since 2014. She feels that Pinewoods Montessori is not just a good school that allows children to excel academically and develop a strong sense of independence & responsibility, but also a unique community that provides great support to its members - small and big. Through the last 3 years she has supported her son’s class by being a reading parent, volunteering for field trips and helping with special events. In 2017 she decided to take the next step and joined the school's board as she believes it is important for parents to be involved and vested in order for the school to succeed further. Masha moved to the United States from Russia 20 years ago and has lived most of this time in central NC. She has worked as an IT Project Manager for over 15 years and is currently holding a Senior Project Manager position at IBM Watson Healthcare. Masha hopes that her project management skills can be leveraged for Pinewoods' benefit especially as the school is undergoing an expansion. |
