How we find the BEST teachers?
At TMA, all teacher candidates are required to send a resume which is reviewed by our administrative team. We then select candidates who have experience working with young children or those who are willing to learn. Our lead teachers must have at least a two-year degree and Montessori and/or Balanced Literacy experience. Our teacher candidates are required to perform a demo lesson so we can observe them in action. We then give the teacher feedback on their lesson and choose the very best. At TMA, before we hire a teacher, we always ask the question “Would we want this person teaching our own children?” If the answer is “YES”, we ask the candidate to join our team.
Join Our
Team!
OUR TEAM
Meredith Young
Lead Teacher
Hi, I'm Meredith and I'm so excited for another school year with TMA! I am the Lead Teacher to our Buttercup students and feel so blessed to continue my passion working with infants and toddlers! I have over two decades of experience, and look forward to watching our Buttercups develop and learn!
I am married to my best friend, Ryan, and mom to my ten year old twins and bonus six year old! My favorite free time activities include working out, going to the beach, boating on the lake, and enjoying quality time with my family. I look forward to getting to know each of you!
Tamara Crockett
Lead Teacher
Hello, my name is Tamara and I can't wait for you to become a part of our Tulip family! I have an associates degree in Early Childhood/ Special Needs and have been working in childcare for 20+
years. I am extremely excited to continue my education this year by getting my Montessori Training.
I am the mother of 4 amazing children; Wyne (21), Wynter (19), Wisdom (18), and Winton (10). I can't forget my fur baby Bella (7). I love spending time with my family, going to sporting events, and reading a good book.
I can't wait to begin this school year and all the adventures we will have together!
Hannah Hoving
Assistant Teacher
Hi, I’m Hannah Hoving! I joined TMA in August 2021 as an assistant teacher in the toddler classrooms. I have over ten years of experience working with young children. Toddlers are by far my favorite age group! A few other things about me is that I am passionate about cooking and spending time with family, especially my two nieces!
Dana Schaeffer
Lead Teacher
Hi! I'm Dana and I am so excited to begin my second year as the lead toddler teacher in the Lily classroom! I have a bachelor of science degree in Psychology and I have 6 years of classroom experience in young toddler and preschool programs. I have worked as both an enrollment coordinator and assistant director as well but found my real love to be in the classroom working directly with the children. I love helping our littlest friends grow, learn, and be encouraged! This year I will also be completing my Montessori certification.
I am married to my best friend, Brandon and we have one daughter, Emma who is beginning her first year at USC this fall. We also share
our home with our sweetheart of a dog, Paisley. My favorite free-time activities are cooking new recipes, going to movies (mostly for the extra buttery popcorn!), and enjoying quiet evenings outdoors. I look forward to getting to know each of you this year!
Rachel Perry
Lead Teacher
My name is Rachel Perry. I was born and raised in upstate New York and relocated to Rock Hill,
SC in June, 2021. I graduated from the State University of New York at Oneonta with a Bachelor's degree in Child and Family Studies. I have been working at Trinity Montessori Academy for over a year as a lead teacher in both toddler and primary classrooms. I love the Montessori Method and instilling independence in my students.
When I am not teaching, I enjoy kayaking, fishing, and spending time with friends, family and my dog, Jaxen. I love working with all the TMA staff and students!
Briana Anthony
Lead Teacher
Hi! I’m Briana. I’m originally from Baltimore, Maryland. I have worked with infants and toddlers for four year. I am a mom of three amazing girls: Justice (6), Brielle (4) and Liyah (1). I love to cook, spend time with my family and go anywhere that has a beach! This is my first year at TMA and I am so excited to be able to experience this journey with you as we watch the Buttercups grow and learn!
Breezlyn Baird
Lead Teacher
Hello! My name is Breezlyn Baird! I have been with TMA since August of 2021 and I am so glad to be apart of the team! A little over a year ago I moved from my hometown in California to SC so I could pursue my teaching degree and be closer to my family! The past year at TMA, I have
enjoyed working in multiple classrooms, but the Sunflower class has become my home! My love for
Montessori has blossomed and I can’t wait to lead the Sunflower class this year as well.
In my free time, I love spending time with my nieces and nephew. We love to swim, play, and chase the dogs! I enjoy cooking and traveling to new places in the area. I can’t wait to see
what the next year holds!
Linda Mullikin
Lead Teacher
My name is Linda and I will be the lead TK teacher at Trinity Montessori Academy. I have been teaching Early childhood classes in public schools for over 30 years. I began teaching kindergarten and first grade, but most of my experience has been teaching 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old Montessori classes. My passion for Montessori started in 2000 as I began my training. I love watching children reach their highest potential while gaining confidence and independence. I graduated from Winthrop with a degree in Early Childhood Education. I have also earned National Board and Montessori certifications.
I enjoy spending time with my husband, daughter and other family and friends. We like to go boating and fishing at the beach and hiking in the mountains. We also enjoy walking and playing with our dog Zoey.
Mallory Harman
Teacher
Hi! My name is Mallory Harman and I have been teaching at Trinity Montessori since February of 2021. I obtained my bachelor's degree in English, minor in educational studies, and certification in gifted education from Winthrop University in 2021. While at Trinity, I discovered my passion for teaching and watching the students progress linguistically within a Montessori setting. With over 5 years of teaching experience, I am thrilled to share my passion with the after school students!
Outside of the classroom, I love hiking at the nearby mountain ranges, going to concerts, and spending time with my family, friends, and two cats. I look forward to getting to know each of you this year!
Shae-Lynn Watts
Lead Teacher
Hello! I'm Shae-Lynn and I have been part of the TMA family since May 2021. I am originally from Walhalla, SC, and received my bachelor's degree in Psychology from Winthrop University. I have 2 dogs, Rocky and Zeze, and love being outdoors and going to National Parks. I am excited for the new school year and can't wait to meet my new students.
Hannah Eagler
Lead Teacher
Hi! My name is Hannah Eagler and I am so excited to be leading the Lilac classroom! I am originally from Buffalo, New York. Go Bills! I am enrolled at the University of North Carolina in Charlotte studying to receive my Master's Degree in Developmental Psychology, while minoring in Early Developmental Education. I am also currently taking classes for my Primary Montessori Certification.
In my free time, I enjoy swimming at the lake, hanging out with friends, hiking, and walking my three dogs! I started in the Tulip classroom at TMA in 2021, and I am so excited to continue my journey in the Lilac classroom!
Danielle Kaelin
Lead Teacher
I’m Danielle Kaelin and I am super excited to be joining TMA as a lead teacher! My bachelor's degree is from The University of Florida, in Sociology and I am Montessori Certified in Early Childhood Education. I have worked with children for 23 years and I am happy to join Trinity and can’t wait to meet my new little friends!
I have two children, Cole (10) who loves playing sports and Sarah Kate (8) who loves riding horses. They both went to Montessori school in their early childhood education. My favorite free-time activities are cooking, doing art/crafts with my kids, hiking on trails, relaxing at the pool and of course watching a great movie.
I’m eager to guide the children through the Montessori approach, watch them learn and develop in their own styles!
Noel Ackerson
After School Teacher
Hello! My name is Noel Ackerson, and I am excited to be a part of the Trinity Montessori Academy team! As a new addition, I will bring with me loads of enthusiasm and energy... combined with a learning philosophy that mirrors the Montessori Approach. A learning process that is joyful, hands-on, and filled with encouragement sets the stage for developing a lifelong love of learning.
I have a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and spent much of my early career as a bond broker and financial analyst. After starting a family, I began doing volunteer work at schools and discovered that I have a calling for nurturing young minds. My direct teaching experience includes working at Bridges Charter School as a Homeschool Educator and numerous hours volunteering at Aspen Elementary school. In addition, I taught Fitness Play, and Magic Mixtures (a science/math/exploration class) at the Conejo Valley Park District in Thousand Oaks, California.
