Meet Our Faculty
The role of the Montessori teacher
is to help match each child with the work appropriate for them, adjusting as needed for every individual as they master concepts and look for challenges. The Montessori teacher is a role model, an educational resource, an observer and environmental engineer. Hilltop teachers are truly caretakers of the educational and emotional growth of their students, while bringing their own individual flavor to their classic Montessori classrooms. As an accredited, authentic Montessori program, all of our lead teachers meet the high standards of AMS Montessori certification, which is internationally recognized.
At HMS, the average years of teaching experience for our faculty is 12. The average teacher-student ratio is 1:10. Our retention rate over the last five years averages 90%. The average age of our faculty is 45 and the average years spent teaching at HMS is 8.
73% of our faculty have advanced degrees beyond a college degree. Three have Orton-Gillingham Associate level certification. Our Head of School has been employed at HMS since 1998 and has been the head for 16 years.
“The training of the teacher is something far more than learning ideas. It includes the training of character.
It is a preparation of the spirit.”Maria Montessori
Toddler Program (ages 18 mos – 3 yrs)
- Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education
- Masters in Deaf Education
- Orton-Gillingham Associate level certification
- AMS (American Montessori Society) Toddler and Preschool certification
- Educating students since 1988, Employed at HMS since 2000
- Bachelor of Science in Education, AMS Montessori certified 3-6
- Educating children since 1998, Employed at HMS since 2016
- Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and English
- AMS (American Montessori Society) Infant and Toddler certification
- Educating students since 2011, Employed at HMS since 2011
- 6 years experience working with children
- Employed at HMS since 2021
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Primary Program (ages 3-6 yrs)
- Bachelor of Arts in Biology
- AMS (American Montessori Society) certification for ages 3-6 students
- Educating children since 1991, Employed at HMS since 1996
- Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
- American Montessori Society Certified For Infant and Toddler
- Educating children since 2007, Employed at HMS since 2017
- Bachelor of Arts in English and Communication
- Center for Guided Montessori Intern
- HMS Alumna
- Masters in Education
- AMS certified in Montessori 3-6, primary
- Educating children since 2003, Employed at HMS since 2005
- Associate's degree/education
- Educating children since 2011, Employed at Hilltop since 2010
- Montessori assistant trained
- Bachelor of Science in Psychology
- Orton-Gillingham Associate level certification
- AMS (American Montessori Society) certification for ages 3-6 students
- Educating children since 2004, Employed at HMS since 2007
- Kennesaw State University- Early Childhood Education, Montessori assistant trained
- Educating children since 2012, Employed at HMS since 2013
- Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education
- AMS (American Montessori Society) certification, 3-6 students
- Educating children since 2011, Employed at HMS since 2012
- CMTE/NY Center for Montessori Education graduate
- Masters in Education
- Montessori assistant trained, significant preschool and toddler experience
- Educating students since 1997, Employed at HMS since 2015
- Bachelor of Science in Education
- American Montessori Society certification, 3-6
- Teaching since 2011, Employed at HMS since 2014
- Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts
- UAB Masters Coursework
- Educating children since 1992, at Hilltop on/off since 1998
Lower Elementary Program (ages 6-9)
- Masters in Education
- Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
- AMS (American Montessori Society) certification for ages 6-9
- Educating children since 1998, Employed at HMS since 1999
- Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
- Educating children since 2011, Employed at HMS since 2014
- American Montessori Society 6-9 certified
- Bachelor of Arts in English
- Orton-Gillingham Associate level certification
- AMS (American Montessori Society) certification for ages 6-9
- Educating children since 2003, Employed at HMS since 2006
- Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
- Montessori alumni student
- Montessori assistant trained
- Educating children since 2009, Employed at HMS since 2010
Upper Elementary Program (ages 9-12)
- Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education
- CMTE/NY (Center for Montessori Teacher Education, New York) graduate
- AMS (American Montessori Society) certification for ages 9-12
- Educating children since 2004, Employed at HMS since 2009
- Bachelor of Science in Special Education
- Educating children since 2009, Employed at HMS since 2014
- Montessori assistant trained
- Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance Private Music Instructor since 2000
- Educating children since 2011, Employed at HMS since 2021
Middle School Program (grades 7-8)
- Masters of Education
- Working with Children since 1994
- Employed at HMS since 2021
Spanish Program
- Native Speaker
- Bachelor's Degree
- Elementary/Middle school Spanish immersion teacher
- Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education Certification 3-6
- Employed at HMS since 2021
- Native Speaker
- Bachelor's Degree
- Early Childhood Spanish immersion teacher
- Employed at HMS since 2020
Music, Fine Arts and Physical Wellness
- Master of Arts in Vocal Performance
- Bachelor of Music Education, Choral
- Employed at HMS since 2021
- Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts
- Employed at HMS since 1998
- Bachelors Degree
- Employed at HMS since 2020
Kitchen
- Bachelor of Arts in Business/International Trade and Foreign Language
- Hilltop Farm to Fork Kitchen Manager and Founder, Employed at HMS since 2015
- Working at HMS since 2016
- Food service experience since 2015
Administration
- 16 years experience in office management
- Employed at Hilltop since 2002
- Bachelor of Business Administration and Finance
- Employed at Hilltop since 2003
- 15 years Financial, Business, and Management Experience
- Master of School Administration
- AMS Montessori Certification, Primary
- 20 years plus experience in Montessori education and administration