Experienced. Passionate.
And just as dedicated to your kids as you are.
Pinewoods is fortunate to have a group of educators and administrators who care deeply
about inspiring children with a love of learning.
about inspiring children with a love of learning.
Heather Amistadi, Director of Business Operations and Development
Heather Amistadi holds dual undergraduate degrees in Economics and Political Science from Duke University, a Juris Doctor degree for the University of Richmond, and is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Adult Education from East Carolina University. Prior to her Montessori career, she spent almost ten years as an attorney the corporate setting, most recently as Vice President of Marketing. Her roots as a Montessori child drew her away from the legal field to pursue her passion for education by becoming a Montessori teacher, and she spent years in the classroom teaching both lower and upper elementary. Heather completed her Montessori training at the Center for Montessori Education—NC and holds an EI-II Certification. She continues to serve as a presenter for CMTE-NC at both the lower and upper elementary level, in addition to consulting and presenting professional development programs for private and public Montessori schools.
In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, participating in multiple sports, and gardening. Heather has a tremendous passion for education and enjoys using her diverse career skills to serve students and families in many different ways.
In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, participating in multiple sports, and gardening. Heather has a tremendous passion for education and enjoys using her diverse career skills to serve students and families in many different ways.
Emily Armond, Lower Elementary Teacher
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 has been a Montessori educator for 8 years and at Pinewoods for 6 years. She is excited to be a member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.
In her spare time she loves to run, hike, embroider, play with her cats, and make puns. Her favorite things to teach are science and kindness.
Gabby Aureoles, Primary Teacher
This is Gabby's first year at pinewood Montessori. Although she is new to Pinewoods, she is no stranger to the Montessori method. She fell in love with the Montessori philosophy several years ago while working as a substitute. She has her Montessori certification through CGMS and has been a lead teacher for 7 years. Gabby recently worked with a family group in a Spanish Immersion setting. She hopes to nurture students' natural desire to learn!
In her spare time Gabby enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She also enjoys taking her dog, Russell, out for walks.
Brandi Austin, Primary Teacher
Brandi joined Pinewoods in 2013 as an assistant toddler teacher, and instantly fell in love with the Montessori philosophy. After completing her student teaching requirement at Sterling Montessori, for her B.S. in child development from Meredith College, she returned to Pinewoods as a lead primary teacher. Upon her return, Brandi completed a self-directed internship, obtaining her Montessori certification from The Center for Guided Montessori Studies. This will be her ninth year at Pinewoods.
Brandi is also the proud parent of a Pinewoods Montessori Kindergartener.
In her free time, she enjoys reading, traveling, crafting and spending time with her husband, daughter, and two dogs.
Emily Bray, Operations Manager & Elementary Art Teacher
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. This is Emily’s sixth year at Pinewoods.
Emily is the mother of a seven year old boy who is in the Lower Elementary 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 has studied Art History in college and abroad in Greece and Turkey. She has experience in Graphic Design and she is a stained glass artist. In previous years, Emily has taught Elementary Art during our school year, and she has taught Art themed Summer Camps at Pinewoods. She is beyond thrilled to teach Elementary Art this year.
In her spare time, Emily enjoys spending time outdoors with her son and husband.
Emily is the mother of a seven year old boy who is in the Lower Elementary 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 has studied Art History in college and abroad in Greece and Turkey. She has experience in Graphic Design and she is a stained glass artist. In previous years, Emily has taught Elementary Art during our school year, and she has taught Art themed Summer Camps at Pinewoods. She is beyond thrilled to teach Elementary Art this year.
In her spare time, Emily enjoys spending time outdoors with her son and husband.
Gabriela Bresciani, Toddler Assistant Teacher & Primary 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 9 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. These past two summers, Gabriela worked toward her infant/toddler Montessori training at the Center for Montessori Teacher Education in Charlotte, NC.
Gaby is a mother of two daughters and is a proud grandmother. When not spending time with her grandson and granddaughter she enjoys exercising and loves to dance. This is Gaby's seventh year at Pinewoods.
Ella Brewer-Jensen, Primary Assistant Teacher
Ella was born and raised in Chapel Hill. She has a B.S. in physics from Davidson College, and has spent the last two years teaching high school science and math in Vermont and Spain. She loves working with the Primary age group and is very excited to gain experience in the Montessori Method, which aligns well with her preferred teaching approach of hands-on and child-led learning.During her free time Ella enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking and camping, singing in choir, cooking and baking, spending time with family and friends, and playing with her cat.
Milica Conn, Toddler Assistant Teacher
Milica worked as an assistant teacher in both a Montessori school and more recently, at a Waldorf inspired homeschool co-op. Milica studied music in high school and college, and taught music theory in her native country, Serbia. She played in an accordion orchestra while attending music school. She has fond memories of her travels throughout Europe, performing with a female choir.
Milica is excited about joining Pinewoods Montessori school this year.
In her free time, she likes to bake and go on hikes with her husband, two children and their little shih-tzu dog.
Milica is excited about joining Pinewoods Montessori school this year.
In her free time, she likes to bake and go on hikes with her husband, two children and their little shih-tzu dog.
Bamborough Kelly, Primary Assistant Teacher
Bamborough joined the Pinewoods after-school program in August 2019. She is pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education from NC Central University. Prior to joining the Pinewoods team, Bamborough was an teacher assistant at The Expedition School for two years, while tutoring in the afternoons in Chapel Hill and Durham. In the five years before working at Expedition, Bamborough taught at The Little School at Duke in Durham, NC. She is mom to five grown children whom she home-schooled for 7 years. During her time at Pinewoods, she has become more familiar with the Montessori approach to education and has gained an ever greater appreciation for the philosophies reflected in the curriculum and classroom environment. This is Bamborough's third year at Pinewoods.
In her spare time she enjoys listening to music, especially live music with friends. She loves spending time with family and in nature to reflect and replenish. A favorite pastime is thrift-store shopping.
In her spare time she enjoys listening to music, especially live music with friends. She loves spending time with family and in nature to reflect and replenish. A favorite pastime is thrift-store shopping.
Joy Langley-Parsons, Toddler Teacher
Joy Langley-Parsons has been teaching in the toddler classroom at Pinewoods for 10 years and started the program when it began at the school. 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 her Infant/Toddler Montessori certification, an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education, and is currently enrolled at the University of Georgia focusing on classes for Developmental Teaching for Students With Special Needs.
In her spare time, Joy enjoys exercising and spending time with her family and friends as well as her two boxers Abby and Josie.
Joy has her Infant/Toddler Montessori certification, an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education, and is currently enrolled at the University of Georgia focusing on classes for Developmental Teaching for Students With Special Needs.
In her spare time, Joy enjoys exercising and spending time with her family and friends as well as her two boxers Abby and Josie.
Gabisu Menendez, Primary Assistant Teacher
This is Gabisu's third year at Pinewoods. Gabisu joined the Pinewoods team after working at another preschool in Hillsborough. She spent the 2015-2016 school year substitute teaching at Pinewoods and has taught as both a toddler and primary assistant teacher. She has experience working with toddler and preschool ages as well as infants. Her son started at Pinewoods in the toddler classroom and is now in elementary.
Gabisu's daughter was born at the end of May 2018. She is now enrolled in the toddler program. Her mother also teaches at Pinewoods. In her spare time, Gabisu enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
Heather Murphy, Primary Teacher
Heather started her teaching career in Japan as an English language teacher, then worked in international student welfare and English as a Second Language (ESL) education in London for 5 years. After moving to North Carolina, she initiated a Global Education program and taught International Business at Johnston Community College.
After her children were born, Heather learned all she could about child development, brain science and positive parenting and is an avid supporter of child-led learning and the Montessori method. She led Tinkergarten nature play classes for several years and enjoys bringing out children's innate creativity, collaboration and problem-solving skills.
This is Heather's fourth year at Pinewoods, and she is currently completing the Early Childhood certificate program with The Center for Guided Montessori Studies. When she isn't in the classroom, Heather spends time with her family, enjoys hiking, gardening and travel. She is proud to have her children at Pinewoods- Heather's daughter is in primary and her son is in lower elementary.
After her children were born, Heather learned all she could about child development, brain science and positive parenting and is an avid supporter of child-led learning and the Montessori method. She led Tinkergarten nature play classes for several years and enjoys bringing out children's innate creativity, collaboration and problem-solving skills.
This is Heather's fourth year at Pinewoods, and she is currently completing the Early Childhood certificate program with The Center for Guided Montessori Studies. When she isn't in the classroom, Heather spends time with her family, enjoys hiking, gardening and travel. She is proud to have her children at Pinewoods- Heather's daughter is in primary and her son is in lower elementary.
Brittany Palacioz, Lower Elementary Teacher
Brittany 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. She returned to Pinewoods after completing her Master of Arts in Teaching at Meredith College. Brittany loves Montessori’s cosmic curriculum and how the philosophy allows children ownership of their education. Her favorite subjects to teach are Math and History. This is Brittany's 11th year at Pinewoods.
Brittany currently lives in Durham with her husband and daughter. During her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, and going to the beach.
Jo Ann Rubin, Upper Elementary Teacher
Jo Ann Rubin has been with Pinewoods for twenty-three 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 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.
Maria Saavedra, Toddler Teacher
Maria loves being a part of the Pinewoods community. She has been teaching in a Montessori environment for ten years. She started off as a substitute teacher, during that time
she discovered her love and passion for children and the Montessori
method. She has her Infant and Toddler Montessori certification. Prior
to joining the Pinewoods team, Maria taught at another Montessori school
in Burlington. She also worked as a nanny for several years. This is Maria's third year at Pinewoods.
Maria was born in California but has lived in North Carolina most of her life. Currently Maria and her husband live in Burlington. They have two children: Warren and Emilia. During their free time, they enjoy going
camping, hiking and fishing.
Maria loves being a part of the Pinewoods community. She has been teaching in a Montessori environment for ten years. She started off as a substitute teacher, during that time
she discovered her love and passion for children and the Montessori
method. She has her Infant and Toddler Montessori certification. Prior
to joining the Pinewoods team, Maria taught at another Montessori school
in Burlington. She also worked as a nanny for several years. This is Maria's third year at Pinewoods.
Maria was born in California but has lived in North Carolina most of her life. Currently Maria and her husband live in Burlington. They have two children: Warren and Emilia. During their free time, they enjoy going
camping, hiking and fishing.
Kelly Saxon, Lower Elementary Teacher
Kelly Saxon studied elementary education at Appalachian State University and holds both an AMS lower elementary certification and a state teaching license. Her first 8 years of teaching experience were at a local Montessori charter school, where she fell in love with Maria Montessori's methods. In 2019, after a few years at home with her 3 young children, she returned to the classroom at a STEM school. Kelly has a passion for hands-on learning, nurturing intrinsic motivation, and promoting peace. She hopes to nurture students' natural curiosities to develop lifelong learners.
In her free time, Kelly enjoys spending the day at cyclo-cross races with her family or curling up with a good book.
Rohina Sediqui, Upper Elementary Assistant Teacher/Floating Teacher
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Rohina Sediqui has a B.S. in Biology from the University of Richmond. After teaching as an elementary school teacher in Kabul for over 5 years, she recently received her Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Boston College. She visited the states as an exchange student and has been awarded multiple prestigious scholarships, including the Fulbright. She is excited to continue her passion for being part of children’s healthy development and growth at Pinewoods. She sees child education as a key ingredient to a more peaceful world.
Rohina loves reading books for all ages and hopes to write Dari books for children in the near future. She enjoys animated movies, hiking, paddleboarding, taking care of her plants, and crocheting. Rohina's position allows for some inherent flexibility; however, she will spend her time primarily in the Upper Elementary classroom. Rohina's respectful, reflective, and peaceful nature will serve your children well as we transition into being a fully in-person program for the remainder of this school year and beyond. |
Sita Shepard, After School Teacher
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Sita Shepard had the good fortune to attend Montessori preschool in
1965. In fact, her mother had her own Montessori school right across the street from their home. It was only natural that Sita followed in her mother’s footsteps. She now has Early Childhood credentials in both Montessori and conventional education. She has been an assistant and lead for classrooms up to 3rd grade. Sita also has an associate’s degree in horticulture, experience with animal husbandry, and organic gardening. She enjoys sharing her experience with children of all ages. Now that her own 3 children are grown she has more time for gardening, swimming and other hobbies. |
Karen (KJ) Smith, Primary Teacher
Karen Smith (aka Ms. KJ) is a passionate Montessori educator that has worked professionally with children and animals for the past 20 years. Her work has taken place in a wide variety of settings, from zoos and sanctuaries to Montessori schools and therapeutic programs for children with physical and learning differences. For many years, she specialized in primate and mammalian communication and behavior, working with chimpanzees, lemurs, gibbons, tigers, sharks, and more. She was introduced to the Montessori philosophy in 2017, and now holds a BS in Early Childhood Education with a concentration in Montessori as well as her AMS certification in Montessori Early Childhood. She enjoys bringing her knowledge of the animal kingdom into the classroom and sharing her love for the natural world with children.
In her free time, KJ enjoys spending time with her partner, Sarryn, and their daughter, Ella, who is a Pinewoods Lower Elementary student. KJ can also be found gardening, or listening to music with her dog, Fern, or her two cats, four goats, two pigs, and thirty chickens.
In her free time, KJ enjoys spending time with her partner, Sarryn, and their daughter, Ella, who is a Pinewoods Lower Elementary student. KJ can also be found gardening, or listening to music with her dog, Fern, or her two cats, four goats, two pigs, and thirty chickens.
Lindsay Ungewitter, Assistant Head of School
This is Lindsay's 12th 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.
Lindsay has worked in Montessori Primary classrooms since 2006, serving the last eleven years as a Primary lead teacher at Pinewoods. She welcomes the opportunity to partner with more children and families in her new administrative role.
Lindsay is also a Pinewoods parent, her oldest child, Eddie started at Pinewoods as a Toddler and is now in Upper Elementary. Her son Devon is a Primary student. In her spare time Lindsay enjoys traveling, hiking, reading and gardening.
Lisa Walton, Primary Assistant Teacher
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Lisa has always loved children and follows in the footsteps of her mother, who ran a daycare while Lisa was growing up. She is excited for this opportunity to pursue her passion. Lisa has studied Early Childhood Education at Alamance Community College. She has served as a volunteer with Orange County schools, assisting the guidance department at East Chapel Hill High School. Lisa has also served elementary aged children as an afterschool group leader. Lisa is the mother of 2 children and 3 grandchildren. In her spare time she enjoys gardening and reading. |
Jessica White Winger, Head of School
Jessica is honored and excited to be the Head of School role at Pinewoods after two years as Assistant Head of School. She is a proud parent of two children, both enrolled at Pinewoods. She moved from the San Francisco area back to her home state of North Carolina in 2019 along with her husband and their two children (Theo, 8 and Nellie, 5). Her family includes two cats (Sophie and Gus) and four guppies (Sunshine, Cardinal, Goldie, and Blue Sparkle).
Jessica came to Pinewoods with a background in teaching and administration in a variety of educational environments including public school, private school, a non-profit agency, and Head Start and Early Head Start programs. She has a B.A. in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an M.A. in Education with a focus on Early Childhood Special Education from San Francisco State University, along with a teaching credential. Prior to her cross-country move, Jessica served as Assistant Director of The Little School in San Francisco, a well-loved relationship-based, inclusive school that Theo and Nellie also attended. She feels deeply connected to the tenets of Montessori education that Pinewoods embraces so well, and enjoys deepening her Montessori knowledge through trainings and in partnership with the wonderful Pinewoods teachers and staff.
In her spare time, Jessica enjoys being outside, cooking and baking, reading, metalsmithing, and spending time with friends and family.
Jessica came to Pinewoods with a background in teaching and administration in a variety of educational environments including public school, private school, a non-profit agency, and Head Start and Early Head Start programs. She has a B.A. in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an M.A. in Education with a focus on Early Childhood Special Education from San Francisco State University, along with a teaching credential. Prior to her cross-country move, Jessica served as Assistant Director of The Little School in San Francisco, a well-loved relationship-based, inclusive school that Theo and Nellie also attended. She feels deeply connected to the tenets of Montessori education that Pinewoods embraces so well, and enjoys deepening her Montessori knowledge through trainings and in partnership with the wonderful Pinewoods teachers and staff.
In her spare time, Jessica enjoys being outside, cooking and baking, reading, metalsmithing, and spending time with friends and family.
Picture credit: John Elkins Photography and Emily Bray
Interdisciplinary and Support Staff
Emily Bray - Elementary Art Teacher
Emily Bray (also our Operations Manager at Pinewoods) has studied Art History in college and abroad in Greece and Turkey. She has experience in Graphic Design and she is a stained glass artist. In previous years, Emily has taught Elementary Art during our school year, and she has taught Art themed Summer Camps at Pinewoods. She is beyond thrilled to teach Elementary Art this year.
Katie Crane - Elementary Spanish Teacher & Substitute Teacher
Katie Crane has a B.A. in International Studies from UNC-Chapel Hill and subsequently received her K-12 teaching certification in Spanish. She spent over a decade teaching Spanish at the high school level and chairing the World Language Department at the school. After moving to Hillsborough in 2018, Katie was delighted to find Pinewoods for her daughter who was then in Kindergarten. She started substitute teaching that year and began learning about and loving the Montessori method. Katie has served in a variety of roles at Pinewoods, most recently as a long term substitute in the lower elementary program. She has a passion for learning and teaching language, and is excited to work with the upper and lower elementary students. Her older daughter is now a third grader at Pinewoods and her younger daughter is in the toddler program.
Outside of school, Katie enjoys reading, learning languages, spending time with family and friends, and is looking forward to traveling internationally again when it is safe to do so.
Jeanetta Hopkins - Music Teacher
Jeanetta Hopkins, pianist and music educator, earned her Bachelor of Music Education from Jackson State University. After receiving her degree she began a career as a music specialist with the Memphis City School district. During her tenure in the classroom, Jeanetta taught elementary general music, middle school piano, and middle and high school vocal arts before eventually relocating to Durham, NC. After serving in the public school system, Jeanetta chose the entrepreneurial path and opened the Bull City Music School with locations in Durham and Hillsborough. Although Jeanetta is an educator at heart, she is also a performer, having accompanied many church choirs and solo performers playing the violin, viola and organ. Jeanetta currently serves as the director of Bull City Music School, managing talent development of teachers and students, community partnerships and the growing class offerings.
Caroline Jerger - Physical Education Teacher
Caroline Jerger is thrilled to bring her passion for play and sports to Pinewoods Montessori in 2020. After graduating from UNC Wilmington with a degree in Psychology, Caroline began working for Playworks, a program offered through Americorps that provides structured recess for elementary-aged children. She quickly realized how the power of play can positively impact not only a child’s physical health, but his or her emotional and social health as well. In 2016, Caroline started Amazing Athletes of Raleigh, a fast-paced educational sports program that teaches 10 different sports, various motor skills, and the importance of nutrition. She enjoys sharing aspects of the program through Pinewood’s P.E. classes and hopes to create a fun and memorable experience for each child.
Stephanie Woodbeck - Music and Movement Teacher
Stephanie Woodbeck is the owner and director of Monarch Movement Company, a Hillsborough dance and movement studio for the whole family. She has been a dancer since birth and a teacher for nearly 20 years. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Choreography and Performance from UNC-Greensboro and an Associates Degree in Massage Therapy and Eastern Studies from the Swedish Institute of College of Health Sciences. She is certified to teach yoga, pilates, and progressing ballet technique, and has trained in teaching the Brain Dance Method. Stephanie has worked as a professional dancer and choreographer throughout the country, allowing her to work with incredible artists and performers.
Stephanie is the proud mother of two daughters who both attended Pinewoods for their toddler and primary years. She is thrilled to be part of the Pinewoods community!
Stephanie Woodbeck is the owner and director of Monarch Movement Company, a Hillsborough dance and movement studio for the whole family. She has been a dancer since birth and a teacher for nearly 20 years. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Choreography and Performance from UNC-Greensboro and an Associates Degree in Massage Therapy and Eastern Studies from the Swedish Institute of College of Health Sciences. She is certified to teach yoga, pilates, and progressing ballet technique, and has trained in teaching the Brain Dance Method. Stephanie has worked as a professional dancer and choreographer throughout the country, allowing her to work with incredible artists and performers.
Stephanie is the proud mother of two daughters who both attended Pinewoods for their toddler and primary years. She is thrilled to be part of the Pinewoods community!
Picture credit: Emily Bray and Stephanie Woodbeck