Montessori Country Day has passionate Montessori-certified teachers in all of our primary classrooms. We also have dedicated toddler teachers that have many years of experience and may have Montessori certification, college degree or both. All of the teachers undergo continual early education classes each year.

Teachers are selected not just for their professional abilities, but for their genuine concern, respect and joy with children.

Montessori Country Day is committed to providing our children the social, emotional, and intellectual needs in accordance with the Montessori philosophy.

Tina Specht

Director

I am excited to begin the next chapter of my educational career at Montessori Country Day. Last year I retired after 25 years in public education, teaching elementary school children and then being in elementary school administration for 14 years. This allowed me to purchase Montessori Country Day and work with outstanding teachers who care for children and enjoy watching them learn and grow as much as I do. I began my teaching career with three and four year old’s so in a sense, I am returning to my roots.

When I’m not at school, I enjoy spending time with my family. I have three adult children and four grandchildren. I am an avid fan of any sport that my grandchildren play so I spend a great deal of time on the sidelines cheering them on. Away from the sporting venue, I like to hike, bike, sew, and read, but my favorite hobby is learning how to do DIY projects around my house.

Megan Specht

Primary/Assistant Director

I have been in education for more than 16 years, and specifically in Montessori for 14 years. As a mom of 2 and through my early childhood education experience, I fell in love with the Montessori Method which led me on this career path. I received my American Montessori Society certification at the Montessori Teacher Training Institute in Clemson, SC in 2013.

I feel extremely blessed to have found something I believe in and am passionate about. Watching children grow and blossom in independence and self-confidence through the Montessori Method is wonderful to observe.

I previously worked at Montessori Country Day Arden for over 6 years and did my Montessori internship in Hendersonville for a year before returning to Hendersonville campus in 2019. I look forward to watching the children learn and grow in this beautiful environment. In 2023 my mom Tina and I were fortunate enough to be in the position to purchase MCD from Maggie Whitmire who founded the school and have been running the school together ever since!

For the majority of my life, I grew up in Asheville, NC and feel lucky to call these beautiful mountains home. I spend most of my free time raising my two children, Jayden and Payten. On the weekends you can always find me at one of their various sporting events.

Erin Carter

Pre-Primary

2016-06-24 15.02.23

From the stage to the classroom, Erin loves to engage imaginations.

She earned her associate’s degree in Drama from Blue Ridge Community College and has her Early Childhood Credential. She still enjoys acting in plays. (You can bet her students always have an awesome dress-up area!)

Erin is working toward a degree in Early Childhood Education. When she’s not teaching or learning, she loves to spend time with her daughter, Rose, “the most important person” in her life. She is also very close with her mother and father.

Erin appreciates how Montessori encourages a great independence and sense of achievement:

“I’ve been told that I talk with children like they are little people. Well, I do because they are.“

“Montessori is the philosophy that best fits the way I view early education.”

Michelle Bennison

Primary

Michelle Bennison

Whether she’s caring for children in our primary classroom or tending her garden and chickens, Michelle knows love is the key to success.

Before coming to Montessori, Michelle had heard from a former coworker that it was a cold, unloving method of teaching.

“Boy, was she wrong!! Maggie and the teachers here changed my mind.

“MCD is the most loving, caring school I have ever worked in.

“I love the Montessori method and its focus on the individual child and hands-on learning–so much so that I am now in the process of Montessori teacher training.”

Michelle is thrilled to have completed her Montessori training & internship. She received her certification in 2019 from The Center for Guided Montessori Studies, accredited by MACTE.

Michelle’s Montessori training builds on her previous studies in elementary education and early education at Blue Ridge Community College, Haywood CC, and Mars Hill.

Outside of MCD, Michelle enjoys spending time with her husband of 20 plus years, Tim, and their two boys, TJ and Matthew. They have a dog, two cats, and ten chickens. For fun, she likes to work in her garden, read, sew, crochet and do embroidery.

Faith Jost

Primary Teacher

I grew up in the South Fork of Long Island in New York and came to North Carolina for college in 1996 and never moved back. At Guilford College I double majored in Elementary Education (K-6) and Psychology. I taught at Foust Elementary School for five years and when that county decided to open a new public Montessori school, I jumped at the chance! I taught an older primary classroom for two years while doing my Montessori training on-site.

After teaching elementary school for seven years, I moved on to a private preschool that was just about to open. It was a small school of only three classrooms and I was honored to be there from the very start. I taught there for five years – with most of my days in the “Travelers” classroom (ages 1 1/2 – 3 years).

After the preschool I was a private nanny for three years until just recently moving to Asheville to be closer to my family who has settled in NC.

Five years later, in 2020, I moved back to North Carolina to pursue a career in Early Education. Early Childhood Education is a passion of mine because not only am I able to connect with children in the classroom, I can also encourage them and foster their independence as individuals. Watching children learn and grow is the most rewarding part of being a teacher. I believe that the teacher is also a student, because she is required to learn about and invest in her pupils. This way she can mold her teaching methods to suit the individuals in her classroom. I think learning should be an enjoyable process so that everyone involved can
create positive memories and develop a life-long passion for learning.


When I am not in the classroom, I spend my free time doing a great number of different things. Some of my hobbies include drawing, painting and printmaking. I am continuing my studies in Mandarin Chinese and am practicing Chinese calligraphy. I love listening to music, traveling, hiking and camping with my wonderful partner and our dog. I am very thrilled to be teaching your children and working along with the staff here at Montessori Country Day! Let’s take this fun learning journey together.

Kassandra Bartlett

Pre-Primary Teacher

Hi, I’m Kassandra ad I am a Pre-Primary teacher! I recently graduated from Blue Ridge Community College with a degree in Early Childhood Education. In addition to my associate’s degree, I have also earned my Early Childhood Credential, Infants and Toddlers Certificate, and a Preschool Certificate. My goal is to continue on to get a bachelor’s degree in Montessori Education.

I have lived in Hendersonville for 15 years and have been teaching for 5 years. I live with my husband, Jordan, and daughter, Lily (5 years old). Together we enjoy playing games, searching for rocks in the river, and going on walks. In my spare time I also enjoy gardening and art. I love keeping myself busy with creative projects, I believe creativity to be a huge part of growth and development. Teaching is my passion and I love making a difference in the lives of our tiny humans.

Amber Smith

Toddler Teacher

Hello! My name is Amber, and I’m excited to be new to North Carolina, having recently moved from Florida. I will be graduating with my B.S. in Early Childhood Education from the University of Central Florida in May. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of homeschooling for three years, working in classrooms, and gaining experience with children since I was 16. Through my studies and hands-on experiences, I’ve explored various educational approaches, and I’ve found that Montessori teaching truly resonates with me. Outside of the classroom, I enjoy reading, spending time on the water, and making memories with family and friends.

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Charlene Scarlata

Toddler Teacher

I have been working with children in the educational capacity since I was 17 years old and caring for children from the time I was a preteen. I have six children of my own, my first four I homeschooled. I taught as a kindergarten teacher in a private classical school for 6 years. I am now enjoying this new role as a toddler room teacher and I’m looking forward to seeing the children learn and grow in a Montessori environment.

In my spare time I have enjoyed decorating and spending time with friends and family. I have lived in Hendersonville for 19 years and love being able to call Hendersonville my home.

Alanna Shivone

Substitute Teacher

Hi, I’m Alanna and I first found my love of childcare working at an adventure camp for kids in 2015. This sowed the seeds of team building and fostering connection in a learning environment. I have nannied and even taught snowboard lessons for children! I am so very excited to bring my experience to this position and learn from my team members and students alike.

Juniper Kotsias

Afterschool Teacher- Primary & Art Teacher

Hi! I am a professional working artist in the Hendersonville area with a passion for nature and teaching. I began my journey in childcare at Kanuga Conferences in 2018 and subsequently served as the Summer Arts and Crafts Director for several summers since. I earned my Bachelor’s of Arts in Printmaking in 2022 and was searching for a job where I could truly make a difference in the lives of children. I have found that here at MCD. I love getting to see thew whimsy and creativity of the children here every day.

When I’m not teaching or making art, I am usually spending time outside with a book, my cats, or my wife, Ms. Emma!

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Emma Nash

Floater/Office Support Staff/Afterschool Teacher- Pre-Primary

Hello! I grew up in Chattanooga, TN and moved to the WNC area for college. After earning my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, I decided to make the North Carolina mountains my home. While I’ve always been passionate about education as a necessity and human right, I am a late comer to childcare. I started my work in childcare in a summer camp setting in 2024 and feel so honored to join the team at MCD. I love seeing the children work, grow, and thrive together.

When I am not at school you can find me reading novels, writing my own fiction, cooking, or petting one of the four cats I share with my wife, Ms. Juniper!

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