Experienced Teachers & Staff
Our highly qualified educators have many years of experience implementing the Montessori teaching method. We are continually educating ourselves through certifications and continuing education training. As we teach our students to be lifelong learners, we, too, strive to demonstrate our passion for learning.
Honoring
Dr. Maria Montessori
At the heart of Texoma Montessori Academy is the legacy of Dr. Maria Montessori — the pioneering physician, educator, and visionary whose method continues to inspire our work every day.
Her approach, born from deep scientific observation and profound respect for the child, invites students to grow through independence, discovery, and meaningful connection with the world around them.
We are proud to carry forward her mission: to nurture the whole child — body, mind, and spirit — in a prepared environment that fosters curiosity, compassion, and lifelong learning.
For over a century, the Montessori method has thrived across cultures and continents. At Texoma Montessori Academy, we honor Dr. Montessori’s wisdom not just in theory, but in practice — in every classroom, with every child, every day.
OUR FACULTY & STAFF
The core of Heart of Texoma Montessori Academy is our passionate team, who follow a high academic standard to guide our students' academic, creative, and leadership skills. Learn more about each team member below.
Head of School
Michelle Scarbrough
Hello Families, I have over 11 years of experience in Montessori education and hold a bachelor’s degree in Communications, along with an AMI certification in Montessori Core Principles. My Montessori journey began as an after-school teacher, where I quickly fell in love with the method and soon moved into classroom leadership and, later, school leadership. For the past two years, I have served as a curriculum coordinator and director in Montessori schools in the area.
No school, however, has brought me the same joy as The Heart of Texoma Montessori Academy. Each day I am inspired by the dedication of our teachers, the enthusiasm of our students, and the trust of our parents and community. It is a privilege to lead a school that embodies authentic Montessori education and fosters joyful learning.
Degrees & Certifications:
Bachelor of Science in Communications
AMI Montessori Principles Certified
Our Mascot
Echo Nimbus
Echo Nimbus isn’t just any owl—he’s a symbol of wisdom and guidance, quietly watching over our school and students as we navigate the exciting journey of learning and growth. With his big eyes, bright feathers, and a heart full of kindness, he serves as a reminder that we should always embrace our uniqueness and have confidence in ourselves.
.jpg)
Assistant Head of School
Lyndzy White
Hello! I bring 8 years of experience in early childhood education, 3 of those years being Director of a preschool, and in 2021 I discovered the Montessori philosophy—which quickly became my passion and am currently halfway through my Montessori Teaching Certification. I know that even after completing it, my Montessori and Education journey will continue to grow!
I feel incredibly grateful to be part of a school where Montessori is practiced with such grace and to collaborate with a team of educators who are deeply passionate about our school community. I’m excited to see how Heart of Texoma Montessori Academy continues to grow, and I look forward to watching our students become thoughtful, capable, and compassionate members of society!
Degrees & Certifications:
Montessori 3-6 Certified
Tedi Bearden
Primary Teacher
I am Tedi Bearden, the Lead Primary 1 Teacher at Heart of Texoma Montessori Academy. I have two beautiful children and enjoy spending time with them and having fun family adventures. I started my career in 2015 in the Toddler program and later moved to the Primary class after discovering my passion for Montessori Theory. In 2020, I completed my Child Development Associates Certification and am working towards my Montessori certification. I am deeply passionate about the Montessori methodology and love observing children learn and grow into independent individuals who will one day lead the world. I'm fortunate to be a part of a school that values the development of every child.
Degrees & Certifications:
Child Development Associate Certification
Montessori 3-6 Certified
Katie Brinlee
Primary Teacher
Hello everyone, I'm Katie Brinlee. I am the Lead Primary 2 Teacher at Heart of Texoma Montessori Academy. I have been married to my wonderful husband for six years, and we have three amazing boys. I joined Primrose in 2015 and worked as a toddler teacher. In 2017, I began teaching in a Montessori program. I taught as a Pre-Primary teacher for four years and then moved to Primary. I completed my Child Development Associates Certification in 2018, and I'm working towards my Montessori certification. I feel extraordinarily blessed to have the opportunity to teach at Heart of Texoma, where my love for Montessori and children grows daily.
Degrees & Certifications:
Child Development Associate Certification
Montessori 3-6 Certification (In progress)
Addison Cunningham
Primary Assistant Teacher
Hi! I am Mrs. Addison. I am so thankful to be a part of such an incredible team as the primary 1 assistant teacher. With a background in psychology and multiple education certifications, I am passionate about fostering a nurturing environment where children are accepted for who they are and inspired to explore their unique gifts. I believe in the power of creativity and art as essential tools for self-expression and learning. My approach emphasizes individualized learning and encourages curiosity, allowing each child to thrive and discover their true potential. My goal is to create my own art classroom, where individualized learning and artistic exploration come together, allowing each child to thrive and discover their true potential.
Degrees & Certifications
Montessori 3-6 Certification (In progress)
Samantha Ellett
Upper Elementary Teacher
I am the Upper Elementary teacher at Heart of Texoma Montessori, Samantha Ellett. I hold my Early Intervention and Child Development degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. I was introduced to the Montessori Method 20 years ago and quickly came to love this style of education. Over the last 20 years, I received my Montessori Infant and Toddler, Primary, Lower, and Upper Elementary certifications. My love of learning and self-discovery has led me to become the full-time Lead Upper Elementary Montessori teacher. I am honored to be a part of The Heart of Texoma Montessori Academy, where we build a nurturing academic environment that meets the individual child's needs.
Degrees & Certifications:
Associate Degree & Bachelor of Science
in Early Intervention & Child Development
North American Montessori Center (NAMC)
Upper Elementary Certification
NAMA Lower Elementary Certification
NAMA Primary Certification
NAMA Infant/Toddler Certification
Child Development Certificate
Shannon Drussel
Pre-Primary Teacher
Hello, my name is Ms. Shannon; I am the Primary 3 lead teacher at Heart of Texoma. I have been with my wonderful husband for 9 years, and we have two children together, a boy and a girl. I began early childcare classes at Kiamichi Technology Center at the age of 15, followed by early education classes at the college level. I have 13 years of childcare experience working at a childcare center and my own in-home program. When I was introduced to the Montessori teaching method, I immediately knew it was the program I had to participate in. I have always believed I could do more to help the growth of young minds, and everything this program stands for is what nurtures that growth. I am extremely excited to be a part of Heart of Texoma's team.
Degrees & Certifications:
Child Development Associate Certification
Montessori 3-6 Certified
.jpg)
Sarah Giles
Lower Elementary Teacher
I am Sarah Giles, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work at Heart of Texoma Montessori Academy as the Lead Lower Elementary Teacher. I have 21 years of experience as a Montessori teacher, working with primary and lower elementary age groups. I hold certifications for each level. Additionally, I am GLOBE certified and have received training in Love and Logic. I am incredibly passionate about Montessori Theory and firmly believe in its teaching philosophy. I am grateful to be teaching in an environment that values respect for children, recognizes each child's unique qualities, and nurtures their desire for knowledge, learn from their mistakes, and progress at their own pace.
Degrees & Certifications:
North American Montessori Center (NAMC)
Teaching Diploma Lower Elementary
North American Montessori Academy
(NAMA) Infant/Toddler Teacher Certificate
NAMA Montessori Primary Certificate
NAMA Lower Elementary Certification
Child Development Associate Certification
.jpg)
Precious Holley
Toddler Teacher
Hello! My name is Precious Holley, and I have been working in early childhood education for nearly six years. I earned my degree while living in Florida and have had the opportunity to teach a range of age groups from infants through Pre-K. Through these experiences, I discovered that the pre-primary age holds a special place in my heart.
I am passionate about creating a nurturing, engaging environment where young children feel safe, supported, and excited to learn. I love helping students build confidence, develop independence, and grow socially and emotionally during these important early years.
I am grateful to be part of the Heart of Texoma Montessori Academy community and look forward to getting to know each child and supporting their growth throughout the year.
Degrees & Certifications:
Associate’s Degree in Child Development
.jpg)
Gracie Wolff
Toddler Assistant Teacher
Hi! My name is Gracie, and I am so excited to be joining the Pre-Primary classroom as an Assistant Teacher at Heart of Texoma Montessori Academy!
Before coming here, I worked for nine months at an ABA company as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), where I supported young children in building communication, social, and developmental skills. That experience strengthened my love for early childhood education and gave me a strong foundation in patience, positive guidance, and individualized support for each child.
I am passionate about creating a calm, encouraging environment where children feel safe, confident, and excited to learn. I believe every child is capable, unique, and deserving of understanding and consistency.
I look forward to supporting each child’s independence, concentration, and love of learning while helping cultivate a respectful, prepared environment where they can grow!
Kelly Blacklock
Admin Support & Physical Education Instructor
I love working with Montessori children—their strength, independence, and curiosity inspire me every day. I believe deeply in experiential learning, where children learn through discovery rather than memorization.
My teaching journey began as a Red Cross swimming instructor, then continued with over 12 years at Camp JOLT, where I taught outdoor education and earned certifications in Archery, Ropes Course, Sailing, Lifeguarding, Love and Logic, and GLOBE. Seeking a more meaningful approach to learning, I discovered Montessori and began training with the Dallas Montessori Teacher Education Program (DMTEP).
I am thrilled to continue guiding students at Heart of Texoma Montessori.
Degrees & Certifications:
-
B.A. in English Literature
-
Elementary Certification (DMTEP) – In progress
Rowena Davis
Pre-Primary Assistant Teacher
Hello!
I’m a compassionate educator originally from the Philippines, now living in Texas with my husband, Daniel, and our son, Drayden. Being a wife and mother has shaped my approach to teaching—I value patience, understanding, and celebrating every small achievement. In my free time, I love singing and watching movies.
I earned my Bachelor of Secondary Education degree from the University of the Visayas – Toledo City Campus and became a licensed teacher. Over the past eight years, I’ve taught in a variety of settings, including private schools in the Philippines, as an ESL teacher in Vietnam, and teaching English online to students in China. These experiences have allowed me to connect with learners from many different backgrounds and cultures.
Teaching has always been my passion, and I’m grateful to be part of Heart of Texoma Montessori Academy, where I can continue helping students grow in confidence and develop a love for learning every day.
Degrees & Certifications:
-
Bachelor of Secondary Education
-
Licensed Professional Teacher (LPT), Philippines
-
TESOL CERTIFICATION ( Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
Breeland Lawson
Primary Assistant Teacher
Hello! My name is Breeland, and I’m excited to be part of the Heart of Texoma Montessori Academy community! I have over four years of international teaching experience with children from early childhood through elementary school. I have served as a Homeroom Teacher for Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten, where I supported both their learning and daily care while creating a warm and nurturing classroom environment. I have also taught ESL to elementary students in a private school setting.
I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences from the University of North Texas and have been TEFL/TESOL certified since 2019. I especially enjoy working with young children and helping them grow in confidence, independence, and their love of learning. I’m looking forward to getting to know the children and families at Heart of Texoma!
Degrees & Certifications:
-
B.A. (Bachelor of Arts) in Biological Sciences – University of North Texas
-
TEFL Certification (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) – 2019
-
TESOL Certification (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) – 2019
Kassidy Outland
Elementary Assistant Teacher
Hello! I am Mrs. Kassidy, and I am so excited to be joining the Lower and Upper Elementary classrooms as an assistant teacher!
I hold a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and am certified through the state of Texas to teach Early Childhood through 6th grade. I have 12 years of teaching experience in the public education system and am passionate about creating a nurturing and engaging environment where every child can grow and thrive.
My husband and I have two beautiful boys, ages 8 and 5, who also attend Heart of Texoma Montessori Academy. As a family, we absolutely love the Montessori approach to education and strongly believe in nurturing the whole child—academically, socially, emotionally, and independently.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to be part of the Heart of Texoma Montessori Academy community and look forward to getting to know your children and families!
Degrees & Certifications:
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
EC-6 Generalist Certification
ELL Supplemental Certification
Individualized Experience
Heart of Texoma offers each student a tailored lesson plan to fit their personal needs. Information is shared through MRX Reimagined software, keeping families connected and informed. Learners are supported wherever they are on their path of progression through the curriculum.
Family & Community Lead
Heart of Texoma Montessori Academy is owned and operated by a Board of Trustees who were inspired by the benefits of Montessori and is dedicated to providing an elite college preparatory program that implements best practices for all students and staff.