Faculty

• Title: Tumbling
• Specialists: Specialist

• Title: Yoga
• Specialists: Specialist

• Title: Assistant
• Village Staff: Village Team

• Title: Guide
• Primary Staff: Primary Team

Andrea Webb joins Charleston Montessori with a background in public school early childhood education and a genuine passion for supporting young children during their most important years of development. Her experience has given her a strong understanding of child development, and she is excited to continue growing as a Montessori educator.

She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Marshall University and holds certifications in Early Childhood Education and Preschool Special Needs. During her 12 years in public education, Andrea has developed a deep understanding of child development and a commitment to helping each child reach their full potential.

This summer, Andrea attended the Virginia Center for Montessori Studies (VCMS) in Richmond, where she completed her Montessori training in the Practical Life and Sensorial curriculum areas as part of her Early Childhood Montessori credential. These foundational areas of the Montessori classroom help children develop independence, coordination, concentration, confidence, and an understanding of the world through purposeful, hands-on experiences.

Andrea will continue her Montessori credentialing throughout the school year while bringing new knowledge and inspiration back to her classroom. She has completed training for lessons in Practical Life and Sensorial, and she will help children build the strong foundation that prepares them for future academic learning. Andrea will be certified at the end of this school year!

• Title: Assistant
• Lower Elementary Staff: Lower Elementary Staff

Growing up along the Coal River, Kat spent much of her childhood exploring the outdoors and developing a deep appreciation for the plants, wildlife, and natural beauty of West Virginia. This lifelong connection to nature inspired her to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Human Ecology with a split minor in Botany and Studio Arts in 2018.

Following college, Kat continued expanding her knowledge through Washington State’s Master Gardener Program and West Virginia’s Master Naturalist Program. Her previous work in educational horticulture allowed her to discover a passion for teaching while leading hands-on workshops that connected people with the natural world.

Since joining Charleston Montessori, Kat has embraced Maria Montessori’s philosophy of education and is committed to fostering children’s curiosity, independence, and respect for the environment. Her positive energy is contagious, and she enjoys weaving Montessori’s principles of stewardship and appreciation for the Earth into everyday learning experiences.

During her first year at Charleston Montessori, Kat partnered with the Lower Elementary students to cultivate, grow, harvest, and maintain a thriving garden filled with vegetables and native wildflowers. If you notice fresh wildflowers displayed throughout the school, there’s a good chance they were grown and lovingly harvested by those students. This school year, Kat is excited to expand these hands-on learning opportunities by introducing enhanced composting practices and hydroponic gardening into the Lower Elementary classroom.

Outside the classroom, Kat loves spending time with animals and taking every opportunity to be outdoors. On warm days, you may even find her floating down a West Virginia river with her cat and the people she loves, making the most of the state’s beautiful natural spaces.

In her time at Charleston Montessori, Kat feels she has grown tremendously—not only as an educator, but also as a person. She looks forward to continuing her Montessori journey while inspiring children to develop a lifelong love of learning and a deep appreciation for the natural world.

“There must be provision for the child to have contact with nature; to understand and appreciate the order, beauty, and harmony of the world.”

— Dr. Maria Montessori

• Title: Physical Education
• Specialists: Specialist

• Title: Art Instructor
• Specialists: Specialist

• Title: Certified Assistant
• Toddler Staff: Toddler Staff

Jessica Lanham is a dedicated member of our Toddler Community who enjoys supporting young children as they develop independence, confidence, and a love of learning during these important early years.

Jessica has earned her Montessori Assistant Certification through the International Montessori Council (IMC), where she studied Montessori philosophy, child development, and best practices for supporting children in an authentic Montessori environment.

Working alongside Stevie, Jessica helps maintain a welcoming and engaging classroom where children are encouraged to explore, make choices, and develop new skills. She assists with daily routines, prepares classroom materials, supports children during meals and outdoor play, and encourages independence through everyday experiences.

Jessica understands that the toddler years are filled with tremendous growth and discovery. She enjoys celebrating children’s accomplishments, encouraging them through new challenges, and helping create a classroom where every child feels welcomed, supported, and valued. She enjoys line-time songs and has a lot of energy.

Her commitment to the Montessori approach and her enthusiasm for working with young children help foster an environment where toddlers can build confidence, develop independence, and experience the joy of learning.