Ramona (Smeltzer) Jones

Head of school

Ramona is from upstate NY, near Albany. She moved to Franklin the summer of 2010 to work at MSF. Ramona has her Elementary Montessori certification; and is a TN state licensed teacher with a Masters in Literacy and Special Education.  She wanted to become a Montessori teacher to help children learn. She struggled in school herself, so she got a Masters in Special Education.
Fun Facts: In her spare time she love to hike & explore state parks. She also enjoy reading thrillers or personal narratives are her favorite. 
Why Montessori? “Montessori looks at every child as an individual and looks at what each child’s needs are.  Montessori is a way to reach every child.”

Evangeline Tubb

Elementary GUIDE

Bio Coming Soon!

Bunmi Anifowoshe

Lead Primary GUIDE

Ms. Bunmi is from Nigeria and has been with MSF for 12 years. She has an Association Montessori International (AMI) Certification as well as a BSC in Microbiology.  
Fun Facts: She loves cooking, spending time with her husband and two daughters. She is passionate about treasuring relationships.
Why Montessori? “Montessori is not a trend, it is a philosophy and it works. The method is consistent and the materials are beautiful; the materials are the same in any Montessori classroom around the world.”

Kristina Gray-Counts

Primary Assistant

Kristina is originally from San Francisco, CA and has a BA degree from MTSU. She has been at MSF for 17 years, three years as a parent and 13 years as a primary assistant. Both of Kristina’s children attended MSF, Patrick age 19 and Elizabeth who is 15.  
Fun Facts: Kristina is loves animals; she loves to do volunteer work and is passionate about children’s issues.
Why Montessori? “I am a big advocate of childhood. I love the fact that we teach children how to be a community.  We teach them how to respect others, our environment and themselves. As a Montessori parent I saw how it helped my children have a strong work ethic that comes from within.  It helped them to be compassionate towards others and our world.”

Lesa Prichard

CO-LEAD PRIMARY GUIDE

Lesa is originally from Rhode Island and recently moved to Franklin from Atlanta, GA.  She has her Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education from Middle Tennessee State University.  Lesa has her American Montessori Society certification from the Montessori Teacher Education Institute of Atlanta.  She is a certified Positive Discipline Instructor and is trained in the Orton-Gillingham reading program.  

Fun Facts:  She enjoys going to concerts and is a huge music fan with a large vinyl record collection.  She loves spending time with her husband, her family and especially her two grandchildren.  Lesa loves the outdoors, especially the beach!  She enjoys exploring nature, insects and animals.

Why Montessori?  The authentic teaching method of Maria Montessori gets children excited about learning.  Students learn something new every day in the most beautiful and comfortable environment.  The Montessori method is an extension of home and not only creates a strong educational foundation, but also builds good character and strong life skills.  The Montessori method of teaching exceeds educators’ expectations by authentically meeting each child where they are in their learning.  It truly is an amazing way to teach! 

Michelle Baker

CO-LEAD PRIMARY GUIDE

Michelle has a Bachelors degree in Child Development and a Masters in Education Curriculum and Instruction. She also has a Early Childhood Montessori Certification.

Fun fact: I think teaching at a male Federal prison is kind of a fun fact.

Why Montessori? While subbing in a Montessori classroom a child dropped the trinomial cube and I was trying to put it together to no avail. After five minutes of struggling, a three year old child who constantly needed me to tie his shoes walked over and put the puzzle together in seconds. This left me shocked and amazed. I began to notice these montessori children had something that children from other programs didn’t have. They were independent thinkers with a love for learning. I knew I had to become a Montessori teacher.

I began that journey over thirty years ago. Over that time I wandered into other teaching opportunities, teaching child development classes at a jr college and even a male federal prison! But I always worked in the classroom with the children, because that is my joyful place and where I still learn so much. In 2000 I began teaching at Montessori Western Teacher Training Program teaching teachers the Montessori philosophy, child development and language arts, mentoring the next generation of Montessori primary and lower elementary teachers. All these experiences have given me so many opportunities to meet and observe teachers and children in different Montessori environments. It is wonderful to be a part of the Montessori of Franklin staff and I am most grateful my daughter is able to develop her love of learning from such amazing teachers.

Shaun Petty

Elementary Assistant

Born in Henderson, NV, has live in Franklin since she was 12 years old. Shaun has been at MSF for 18 years.  
Fun Facts: She enjoys gardening, cooking, getting together with family and friends, spending time with her nephews, and loves to play games. If I were rich I would build MSF an awesome school.
Why Montessori? “Independence of the children to be who they are and work at their own pace. I believe in the Montessori method.  I see so much growth in the children. I love working with the staff and the parents at MSF. It feels like a second family.”

Patty Del Castillo

Primary Assistant and Spanish Teacher

Patty is from Peru and has been at MSF for seven years. She has her Tennessee Early Childhood Training Alliance (TECTA) and has completed 16 early childhood certifications. She enjoy working as an assistant teacher at Montessori, because it is a very established school. Children are able to learn not only great education but also values for life. Kids have the liberty to choose, and are mentored to their potential. Learning is fun at Montessori.
Fun Facts: She likes to shop, go to movies, out to dinner with family and friends, travel, read, go to concerts, and cook.  Patty’s favorite place to travel to is Europe, Italy and Austria.  She has four children and a grandchild. Family is very important to Patty.
Why Montessori?  â€œI like to see the Montessori method, where the children are free to do the work in the classroom environment. The children have liberty of enjoying the environment that we have created for them.”