Cassella Slater is the Financial Officer, Elementary Classroom Lead Guide, and pedagogical director of the Upper School. While teaching agriculture in Ghana for a year, she unexpectedly fell in love with teaching and the adolescent age. She has a B.S. in Animal and Poultry Sciences from Virginia Tech, and completed her NAMTA/AMI Adolescent Training in Chihuahua, Mexico. She earned her AMI 6-12 Diploma from the Montessori Training Center of Minnesota. She has also earned her Masters of Education from St. Catherine's University.

Addie is the epitome of a team player. In our MMS faculty, she supports in all levels...wherever there is need with love and attention to detail. All ages of children connect with her, immediately! Watching her build relationships with all children, families and each faculty member is a joy.

Alejandra has been working with MMS since 2019. She has been an amazing addition to our staff and loves working with the children each and every day. Alejandra speaks solely Spanish throughout the day so the children have an immersive experience with two languages. The children love being around her positive and happy energy.

Teresa is the Teacher’s Assistant. She is the proud mother of three grown children and cherishes every opportunity to spend time with them. She first started her professional journey as a teacher assistant when her daughter started going to school when she was young. After spending some time working in the medical field, Teresa returned to childcare and is delighted to be supporting our youngest learners. She loves being around babies, watching them grow, develop confidence, and discover their independence. A native of Clarke County, Teresa has truly enjoyed being part of the Middleburg Montessori community.

Cassandra has more than 18 years of experience working with children in both childcare and educational settings. She is passionate about nurturing and guiding children as they grow in confidence and independence. Cassandra joined Middleburg Montessori School in November 2025 as an assistant teacher and has enjoyed being part of the school community ever since. Outside of the classroom, Cassandra enjoys cooking and gardening at home, and she loves sharing those interests with the children at Middleburg Montessori School through meaningful, hands-on experiences.

Victoria Owens is a Teacher Assistant. She has nearly four years of childcare experience, she enjoys working with children during this exciting stage of development, when they are learning new skills, gaining independence, and building confidence in everyday tasks. At Middleburg Montessori School, Victoria is dedicated to supporting each child’s individual growth and development while helping create a nurturing and encouraging learning environment.

Kaitlyn Lehan has earned her AMI 3-6 Diploma at MINT, and a B.S. in Family and Consumer Sciences with a concentration in Child Development from Bridgewater College. She loves working with children and helping to foster their development each and everyday. She wants to make known that learning is a joyful and exciting experience we get to take part in everyday.

Lupita Gutierrez has energy that is unmatched. Lupita has earned her AMI 0-3 and 6-12 Assistant Certificate. She makes the each day engaging and exciting for the children. With a smile always on, the children love her! In the upper school and extended day environments, she speaks solely Spanish, allowing our children to be immersed in the Spanish language throughout their day.

Lilly has been a teacher’s assistant on and off for about 10 years now. She primarily works in our Nido, where she enjoys watching the kids grow and discover new things. Lilly is excited that her and her young daughter have been welcomed back to Middleburg Montessori School after some time away.

Saydie joined Middleburg Montessori School in March 2026 and brings more than two years of childcare experience to the community. Although she briefly explored a position in a dental office, she quickly realized her true passion was working with children and supporting their growth and development. In her free time, Saydie enjoys running, and her energetic personality is reflected in her work at school. She loves spending time outdoors and staying active with the children, helping create engaging and joyful learning experiences each day.

Donavi is an Assistant for the Young Children's Community. She has a deep passion for Montessori Teachings and its respectful, child-centered approach to learning. She is inspired by the potential within each child and feels honored to play a role in guiding their unique developmental journeys. Supporting children as they unfold into confident, capable individuals is the heart of Donavi's work. She strives to assist in creating a peaceful, engaging, and thoughtfully prepared environment where each child feels seen, supported, and empowered to reach their fullest potential.

Hannah is Middleburg Montessori alumnus after attending for a total of seven years. She has since graduated from the University of Kentucky with a B.S. in Digital Media and Design. Now she has returned to Middleburg Montessori as our social media marketing manager!