Meet Our Team

Program Director & Lead Primary Guide

Caitlin Thomas

Caitlin Thomas has been with MLC since her beginnings as After Care Support in 2009. Her dedication to the children’s journey was quickly apparent and she was utilized throughout the school: toddler program, primary program, and administration. She promptly fell in love with the vocation and has been in service of the young children in our community ever since. Once in the leadership role, this passion also expanded to uplifting and supporting fellow dedicated early childhood guides. While working, she completed her Bachelor’s in Ceramic Arts degree from UNCA in 2013 and then began her MACTE-accredited Primary Guide Credential from the Center for Guided Montessori Studies. Amidst all of her continuing education, Victoria Robertson - MLC’s initial guiding light and Head of School - announced her retirement and asked Caitlin to take over her position in 2015. Caitlin stepped up to the task and has been the Program Director ever since - continuing MLC’s strong legacy through many challenges and evolutions: the COVID-19 pandemic, and opening a new location at MLC-East to name a few. With her sister, Ella, coming on board in 2022 as a part of the leadership team, she is now eternally grateful to be able to revisit her passion for being in a classroom - starting with a half-day program at MLC-West in Fall 2023. She is very excited to be able to work with the children hands-on again as this is where the love of this important work began! In her free time, Caitlin enjoys spending time at her forested home with her partner Kurt and his son Rowan, as well as knitting, cooking, gaming, biking, yoga, and the chaos of a wild, orange kitten. 

Administrative Director

Ella Blazak

Ella Blazak began her career at MLC in the winter of 2018 as a substitute teacher whilst obtaining her certification in Emergency Medicine. She quickly found joy in working with young children and began full time that fall as an Assistant Guide in the toddler room at MLC-West. Since then she has voraciously educated herself on early childhood development and Montessori philosophy through college coursework, conferences, workshops and more. She became the Lead Toddler Guide for the MLC-East campus when they opened in 2021. Through her avid learning she obtained her Infant/Toddler Credential, her Early Childhood Administration Credential, and is currently obtaining her MACTE-accredited Montessori Leadership Credential from the Center for Guided Montessori Studies. She shifted into an administrative role in the spring of 2022 and has found her life’s calling in guiding teachers to reach their fullest potential while building a sustainable, accessible, and inclusive community for all children and families. When not at school she fills her cup doing Crossfit and other endurance sports, reading, and continuing her education in racial equity, social justice,  and history grounded in truth. She also enjoys spending time with her husband, dog, and cat in Canton and has begun learning the work of homesteading practices that are rooted in Appalachian culture. She finds sincere joy in working with her sister, Caitlin, in the deep and meaningful work of Montessori education.

Operations Manager - MLC East

Mindy Lautner

Mindy Lautner has been with MLC since 2010 working as a Lead Toddler Guide. Mindy will be shifting into the Deputy Director role for MLC-West, as of late 2023. She received her MACTE-accredited Montessori Nido/Toddler credential in 2007

from the Montessori Center of the Rockies in Boulder,

Co. I live in Swannanoa with my husband, Bob, and we enjoy being outdoors and riding our motorcycle together. I also love spending time with my son, Elijah, and my grandson, Weston. 

Lead Toddler Guide - MLC East

Alex Mottershead

Alex Mottershead began in 2022 with MLC as an After Care Support Guide in an internship capacity as she finished her senior year at Warren Wilson College. In Spring of 2023, she graduated with a degree in Business and Education. She will be working at MLC-East as a Lead Toddler Guide in the Caterpillars classroom. She has a sincere enthusiasm for working with children and is uplifted through the joy that comes with the relationships. When she is not at school she is most likely on her horse, Bentley, preparing for their next competition!

Lead Primary Guide - MLC West

Beth Mayberry

Beth Mayberry joins us this year as a Primary Educator for the new Black Bears Classroom.  Previously, she was a founding lead educator for five years at Asheville Primary School, a public Montessori school.  After Asheville Primary’s closure, she and a group of teachers and families sought a way to continue Montessori education for children affected by the closure, through a Montessori Homeschool Collective in downtown Asheville.  She has been a Montessori Primary Educator for four years, and she was a Montessori Lower Elementary Educator for two years.  She has both Lower and Upper Elementary Montessori Certification (1st-6th grade), and a state public elementary and preschool teaching license.  She is two courses shy of completing her Montessori Primary Certification.
She began her education career in Washington, DC, as a bilingual instructional assistant at a Spanish-immersion and project-based learning public charter school focusing on sustainability.  Previously, she worked for a decade with international non-profit organizations on education, health, and early childhood development programs in Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe.  She was a Peace Corps youth development volunteer in Honduras and Ecuador.  Her educational experience includes a Bachelor’s Degree in International Economics and Social Work from Texas Christian University (TCU) and a Master’s Degree in International Education Policy from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.  
She believes in the importance of nature connection, place-based learning, community connection, social justice, and art in education.  She values the holistic development of a child, including supporting their social-emotional, spiritual, and academic needs.  She believes that children can develop intrinsic motivation, independence, and persistence through self-chosen work that is meaningful to them.  She also thinks that social-emotional skills are developed through supporting children’s organic interactions with peers and adults.   
She speaks Spanish fluently and hopes to include Spanish lessons.  She also enjoys gardening (both native plants and vegetables), and enjoys integrating gardening with children’s work.  In her free time, she enjoys backpacking, hiking, trail running, reading, singing, foraging, cooking, and playing guitar.  She lives with her husband, Jensen, in West Asheville.

Lead Primary Guide - MLC East

Britni Toolan

Britni Toolan moved to Asheville 6 years ago with my husband, Sam. They have three children, Liam, Rhylan, and Talulah. Rhylan attends MLC and loves his teachers, friends, and learning. Talulah eagerly waits for her first day at MLC to come this January! In her free time, Britni enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, sewing, hiking, camping, going on adventures with her family, and has recently taken up beekeeping! She has always enjoyed working with children; this has shown up in her life through babysitting, being a camp counselor, and as a teacher. She continues to be fascinated by the energy, curiosity, and immense growth and development that takes place in these early formative years. In order to learn more, she went to school to learn about early childhood development and graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Psychology from George Mason University. While earning her degree, she began working as a preschool teacher in a traditional school setting; she also had the opportunity to observe in a friend’s Montessori classroom and fell in love with the experience and the method of teaching. She went back to school and graduated with her Masters of Education and AMI Primary Diploma from Loyola University in 2015. Since then, she has enjoyed working as a Montessori teacher (or “guide”) and using Montessori principles in her own home with her children. Now, she is thrilled to be a part of the MLC community and have the opportunity to be a guide to your child over the next few years!

Lead Toddler Guide - MLC West

Emily Carroll

Emily Carroll has been with MLC since 2022 as a Lead Toddler Guide. She has her Nido/Infant MACTE-accredited Montessori Credential from The Prepared Montessorian Institute and has used her knowledge to create a safe and nurturing learning environment in MLC-West’s toddler program. She is an avid learner and is regularly taking coursework and workshops to increase her knowledge of how to best serve our children. She enjoys spending time with her partner, Vance, and their dog, Brewski, and has a degree in Culinary Arts with a focus on baking.

Primary Support Guide - MLC West

Emily Rowland

Emily Rowland graduated from Western Carolina University in 2021 with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Theatre and has been working with children of all ages over the last 7 years. Her favorite part about working with children is watching them flourish and accomplish goals throughout their time growing as tiny human beings. Her teaching philosophy is to help children feel confident and competent in their own capabilities while also implementing a consideration for others around them. She will be leading a dance and movement curriculum at the MLC-West campus this year while supporting the Otters & Hedgehogs classrooms. She finds joy in plants, flowers, movement and yoga, and swimming in the ocean!

Assistant Primary Guide - MLC East

Emma Golabek

Emma Golabek has 2 boys, who have both attended MLC West. She grew up in Mitchell County and has lived in Asheville for the past 10 years. During her time in Asheville, she has worked as a full-time nanny until her second son was born. She went to Appalachian State University and received a Bachelor's Degree in Interior Design. She currently is taking Early Childhood Education courses from Haywood Community College and will begin her Montessori Assistant Teacher Credential in the near future. She enjoys cooking, gardening, and crafting in her free time.

Assistant Pre-Primary Guide & After Care- MLC West

Janie Elliott

Janie grew up in Richmond, VA where she developed a love for teaching and art. She recently graduated from Warren Wilson College where she studied art and expressive art therapy. She has always loved working with children and is excited to utilize her skills in the classroom.  She is passionate about creative learning and helping guide students as they learn and grow. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, bookbinding, and reading.

Administrative Director in Training & Lead Toddler Guide - MLC West

Jenna Atwood

Jenna Atwood has been at MLC since 2022 as one of our Lead Toddler Guides. Her son, Lennox, attends MLC and she has enjoyed combining her love of teaching with the experience of being a mother! 

From 2018-2022 she took a hiatus from education to work in the mental health field. This was a new and challenging endeavor it helped her grow in her patience and empathy. It was an opportunity that allowed her to learn so much about people and their resilience, and how to really be present.

Before 2018, she spent many years working with children of all ages in preschool classrooms, elementary school, and individual babysitting. She worked at Discovery Montessori as the Lead Teacher of their 2-3 toddler room and it was her first introduction to the Montessori method. She loves the independence that children gain through the prepared environment. 

She lives in Canton with her husband, son, and two dogs. They enjoy the outdoors, going out to eat, and getting together with family & friends. She practices mindfulness and is a self-care enthusiast. She loves singing, dancing, yoga, pilates, tattoos, coffee, music, vegan food, chocolate, plants, and things that smell good!

Lead Primary Guide - MLC West

Kate Fisher

Kate came to MLC from a Montessori home school collective where her favorite thing was cooking lunch, cooking with the kids, and exploring downtown Asheville.
Pre Asheville Kate worked with kids at the North Carolina School for the Performing Arts, opened a bed and breakfast in Kentucky, worked with at-risk youth through a revolutionary improvisational theatre company in Washington DC, taught high school students through a non-partisan civic education group in DC, and started the first parent cooperative daycare in the state of Virginia.
Since moving to Asheville in 1995, Kate directed the afterschool program and taught in the preschool and kindergarten classes at Carolina Day School, taught writing and language through the Asheville Art Museum in the Literacy through Art Program, was the Garden Coordinator and outdoor educator at Isaac Dickson Elementary for 6 years, coached track and cross country at Asheville Middle School for 7 years, then spent 6 years immersed in the Speech and Debate team at Asheville High and logging hours in concession stands to support student-athletes.
When not running all over the place with kids, Kate likes to be in the middle of Lake Jocassee with her paddleboard, or taming her out-of-control garden. Her other special calling is working for the Board of Elections to facilitate early voting.

Lead Primary Guide - MLC West

Kelly Lynch

Kelly Lynch has been with MLC since the spring of 2016, when she started as an After Care Support, moved into the Toddler room, and has now been a Lead Primary Guide for many years. She is a life-long learner who has avidly continued to increase her knowledge and understanding of children to help foster their success. She has her Early Childhood Credential from AB-Tech and is currently obtaining her Primary Montessori Certificate from the North American Montessori Center. She has two daughters and enjoys spending her time with her family, photography, kayaking, camping, and spending time on the lake.

Her classroom is inviting, calming, and safe. It is important to her to incorporate these qualities in her classroom to help each child grow and flourish at their own pace. Independence, communication, and individual growth are qualities that everyone needs to succeed in life. Her goal is to reach each child individually and find creative ways to help foster their best selves.

Primary Support Guide - MLC West

Kimmie Tedder

I graduated from Western Carolina University in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. I have been working with children since I was a teenager and have always loved supporting children’s emotional, physical, and social growth. I enjoy being able to establish a connection with children by showing them empathy and understanding. 

Outside of teaching, I love to read, enjoy nature, cook, and paint just about anything!

Lead Pre-Primary Guide - MLC West

Lindsay Harrison

Lindsay is an experienced educator with a passion for early childhood development. Having worked at MLC East during the spring semester, she brings five years of dedicated teaching experience to the table. Certified by the North American Montessori Center for ages 0-3, Lindsay possesses a deep understanding of the Montessori approach and its impact on young learners. Outside the classroom, she cherishes precious moments with her six-year-old daughter, which further fuels her commitment to nurturing a supportive learning environment. Her creative flair shines through in the classroom as she enjoys crafting engaging educational materials tailored to the needs of her students.

Toddler Support Guide - MLC East

Lora Kowalski

Lora is thrilled to be back home in the mountains, and back in the classroom, after 12 years in Chicago.

She brings 10 years of experience as a private nanny & 5 years experience as a teacher’s assistant for Asheville City Schools, where she even drove a school bus!

She is thrilled to be joining MLC in 2024 as a support guide. 

Lora graduated from ECU in 2004 with a BFA in acting & a minor in dance. 

She is a working SAG member & is often found in some type of theatre, either performing onstage or working backstage providing arts accessibility access via live captions for the d/Deaf community. 

In her free time, Lora honors her own inner child with dog-sitting & shelter volunteering, taking modern dance classes, singing, hiking to waterfalls, eating vegan food, reading, thrifting, & caring for her many house plants. 

Primary Support Guide - MLC West

Laura Schlecht

Laura is originally from Atlanta, GA, and later moved to Boone, NC to attend Appalachian State. Before earning a bachelor's degree in Psychology with a concentration in human services. Laura enjoyed working in local daycare settings and interning at a non-profit children's museum in Boone. After graduating from Appalachian State, she moved to Asheville in May of 2024.

Laura is passionate about trauma-informed childcare and is a big supporter of Social-Emotional Learning. She is so excited to embrace the world of Montessori and work alongside the Black Bears! In Laura's spare time, she enjoys going to the movies, going hiking with friends, and hanging out with her cat, Ziggy!

Primary Support Guide - MLC East

Maggie Frelinghuysen

Maggie earned her B.A. from Sewanee: The University of the South and her M.A. from Middlebury’s Bread Loaf School of English. She has spent the past eight years teaching American Studies at a boarding school, living as a hall parent in a dormitory, and coaching volleyball. After watching her toddler enjoy his first year at MLC so much, she decided to dive into Montessori learning and is thrilled to join the MLC East community. In her downtime she enjoys spending time in the outdoors, eating yummy foods, and going to art museums and galleries.

Primary Support Guide - MLC West

Raquel Leal

Raquel is originally from Chicago, Illinois where she grew up in a south suburb called Evergreen Park. Raquel loves the outdoors and loves motivating people to connect with nature. Ever since she graduated from Western Illinois University with a Bachelor's Degree in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration, she has worked in a variety of outdoor educational industries including therapeutic recreation, adventure recreation and environmental education. She has a passion for helping others regardless of their background or ability levels. She has a wide range of experience from working at adaptable summer camps with individuals with special needs, to canoeing on the Mississippi River with folks in wheelchairs and even hiking on wild Alaskan trails! She worked for a Wilderness Therapy company in North Georgia from 2020 to 2022, providing trauma-informed behavioral healthcare to at-risk youth. After that, she decided to move back to Haines, Alaska where she worked as a canoe and kayak instructor, secretary, before working at a non-for-profit PreSchool for almost two years. Her child-like spirit was what led her into this field and continues to inspire her! She will be starting her newest passion this year with Montessori and couldn’t be more thrilled to keep her positive attitude, playful energy, and love for the outdoors inclusion with your kids!

After Care Support Guide - MLC East

Regina Loveday

 Regina Loveday is from Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It is a town which is overwhelmingly tourist oriented, to say the least. She was part of a family owned business in the hospitality industry, hotels In particular. It was there Regina learned the importance of customer service and how to implement it with a sincere attitude. It is a skill you can take anywhere and could be of use in many situations. She graduated from Hiwassee College in 1982. She Majored in music, with a Minor in English. Regina moved to Asheville, NC in 2001, and she couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. Growing up surrounded by the Great Smoky Mountains, moving to Asheville was a natural progression to live in the ‘Land of the Sky’ situated in the amazing Blue Ridge Mountain Range. Regina‘s passion includes Jazz & Contemporary Christian music. She is a vocal artist and has performed within many venues in Asheville. To name a few would be Tessa’s Jazz club, The Grape Escape Wine bar, The Grove Park Inn, and Isis Music Hall. Her band, Tongue and Groove, played mostly jazz and root music. It was truly a wonderful experience. Regina is now very excited and honored to be a part of the Montessori Learning Center in East Asheville. It is a program centered around empowering each and every child to feel safe and free to excel in their true Interests and natural talents. Thank you, to Maria Montessori, for having a clear vision of how to honor children and Implement the practice of doing so.

Lead Pre-Primary Support Guide - MLC East

Sasha Skau

Sasha spent 10 years teaching in Montessori elementary classrooms in Flagstaff, AZ and the Bay Area of California. She completed her Montessori elementary training in 2015 and a Masters in Montessori education in 2017. After her daughter was born in 2020, she moved to Asheville with her family in 2021 and her son was born in 2022. Becoming a mother taught her so much about children and child development and she dived into the world of infant-toddler Montessori. She is currently completing her practicum year for the Montessori infant-toddler credential. One of her favorite aspects of working with children is seeing the incredible amount of growth they go through, and at the 0-3 age this happens so quickly! When she gets a moment to herself she enjoys being outside, true crime stories, and petting her cats. 

Lead Primary Guide - MLC West

Sarah McClure

Sarah Harris McClure has been with MLC since 2012 and has done it all! She started in After Care Support and has now been a Lead Primary Guide for many years. She attended East Tennessee State University and received a

degree in Human Services and Development in 2011. She is currently obtaining her Primary Montessori Certificate from the North American Montessori Center. 

She is passionate about teaching children and helping them to learn, grow, and become awesome and independent individuals. She strives to create a kind, safe, and calm environment where each child can learn in their own individual way in order to reach their best level of independence and success. 

She loves Broadway and musical theater, house plants, is trained in Classical and Opera vocal performance, as well as teaching arts and crafts.

Lead Primary Guide - MLC East

Sarah Roosa-Collins

Sarah Roosa-Collins has been with MLC-East since its beginning in 2021 and has loved being a part of this wonderful teaching community at MLC!

She is a 1999 graduate of Warren Wilson College with a degree in Global Studies. After college, she worked for a year with students in Asheville City Schools through the AmeriCorps Program and Children First in Asheville. She then moved back to her hometown of Louisville, KY where she began assisting at a Montessori school and where she fell in love with Montessori education. In 2003 she received the American Montessori Society Early Childhood Credential for teaching ages 3-6. After teaching in Louisville for several years, her family relocated to the Atlanta area and she was a lead teacher in a Montessori school before her husband’s job change brought her family to Asheville in 2013. She has enjoyed teaching in this area for several years before taking a several-year hiatus from Montessori to work at my boys’ public charter school. She then returned to teaching Montessori. She lives in Black Mountain with her husband Chris, their three teenagers Madeleine, William, and Nolan, and their three cats and two dogs. In her free time, she enjoys baking, gardening, hiking with her dogs, and traveling whenever she is able.

Lead Pre-Primary Guide - MLC East

Talia Claudio

Talia Claudio has worked with MLC since 2021. They have their Primary Montessori Certification from the North American Montessori Center and their Early Childhood Credential. They began at MLC as a Support Guide in the Toddler Room and found a passion for working with the youngest children in our population. They led the Pre-Primary classroom in 2022, and will now be the Lead Guide in the Fireflies room with ages 2.5-4.5 years old. In their spare time they enjoy ceramic art, hiking, and gardening.

Primary Support Guide - MLC East

Zoë Peterman

Zoë joined the Honeybees in 2024 as a classroom support guide. She is a recent graduate of the fine arts and has extensive experience teaching many art forms to children, but she specializes in ceramics. Guiding children in their creative endeavors has fueled a passion for fostering creativity and learning in young minds. Additionally, she brings a love for arts and crafts, nature, and animals and is excited to incorporate them into daily activities. She looks forward to meeting your children and contributing to their growth and development.