Our Team
Our teaching staff are highly qualified, highly paid, and backed and trained by our nationally certified in-house Montessori Trainer and Consultant. Our teachers receive continual training both inside their classrooms and in our on-site training room.
Sharon Thomason-Sekyi
Founder
Sharon values the development and human spirit of the whole child—physical, social, emotional, and cognitive. She worked at Aquinas Montessori School in Alexandria VA, an AMI (Association of Montessori International) for over six years, and her children attended Aidan Montessori (Washington DC) and Aquinas Montessori (MT. Vernon) schools. Both of those Montessori schools are AMI accredited, the heart and soul of Montessori. She credits Aquinas Montessori as the inspiration for building the STARS Montessori Group. Sharon worked with Kathleen Futrell, who, in turn, worked with Mario Montessori. The AMI atmosphere and purity of the Montessori principles still exist at Aquinas Montessori School, an inspiration to everyone who is determined to bring this superior way of teaching into preschool classrooms.
Sharon managed and taught in the classroom during the infancy of the Montessori school she started in Washington DC, Capitol Hill, Northeast Stars Montessori). Northeast Stars Montessori DC has been operating for 19 years and has served the Capitol Hill community and thousands of families since 2003. In 2008, the STARS Montessori Group opened another location in the Washington DC metropolitan area. This school is in Old Town Alexandria, VA, just a few miles from the Pentagon. Both Northeast Stars Montessori, DC and ALX -VA have been consistently full and with a wait list for their unique, incredible classrooms.
Southern Stars Montessori Nashville, is the third school developed by the STARS Montessori Group. Sharon will take advantage of all of the AMI, AMS, and NAMC directors she has known for the past 19 years to begin a Montessori training program for teachers and educators in the Nashville area.
Sharon’s education includes a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Nursing (not currently registered). She was formerly a manager in DC law firms for many years and lived on Capitol Hill for decades. Today Sharon oversees the entire operation of the STARS Group including regulatory, operations, marketing, and financial. She often counsels parents on an individual basis when dealing with personal challenges and issues like physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, nutritionists, behavioral therapy and other medical services. She also consults with local preschools regarding management and best practices in preschool business operations. She is available personally for any/all parent comments and questions while attending Southern Stars.
Jennifer Grissom
General Manager
Jennifer joined STARS Montessori Group in 2018. She came to us with many years of business, marketing, and advertising experience with Fortune 500 companies. Jennifer has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in marketing and advertising. While her three teenage children were young, Jennifer worked in child care and was a swim instructor and coach. Jennifer assists Sharon in overseeing the general operations, marketing, and finances of the STARS Montessori Group.
Brenda Wright Sheppard
Administrator/Registrar
Brenda has many years of experience in the education industry and in local law firms as a paralegal and attorney support. She handles all of the registration, communication, and databases of the STARS Montessori Group. Brenda is indispensable because her operating procedures allow the directors and teachers to focus on the classroom, not on the zoning, licensing, and regulation part of the job. Brenda has a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA). Her two children are young adults.
Chynna Jenkins
Director Supervisor/Curriculum Coordinator
Ms. Jenkins has been with STARS Montessori & Education Group for 8 years and has taught in Montessori schools for over 13 years. She is also the Director and Lead Teacher in our Alexandria location. Ms. Jenkins has a Montessori Teaching Diploma from North American Montessori Center. She oversees all curriculum and supervises/assists our directors and teachers with daily lessons.
Bethany Harper Roth
Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Ms. Roth brings a wealth of expertise to the Southern Stars family as our Director of Curriculum and Instruction. Bethany is deeply passionate about early childhood education, and her journey reflects her commitment to creating nurturing and enriching environments for young learners. With a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education and a Masters of Education in Early Childhood and Family Development, and Montessori training from Missouri State University, Bethany is well-prepared to lead our curriculum and instruction efforts. Having spent nearly a decade in the field of education, Mrs. Roth’s experience spans both preschool and kindergarten settings. Her dedication to fostering social, emotional, and cognitive development is further highlighted by her published research. Mrs. Roth’s work reflects her unwavering commitment to staying at the forefront of educational best practices.
Sharde’ Burkhead
Assistant Director/Teacher
Ms. Burkhead boasts an impressive background with over 10 years of experience in education and childcare. She holds a doctorate in professional leadership from Trevecca Nazarene University (TNU), showcasing her commitment to leadership in the educational field. Her extensive academic journey also includes a master’s degree in organizational leadership, also from TNU, and a bachelor’s degree in science in public relations and corporate communications from Belmont University.
Cassidy Simons
Teacher
Ms. Cassidy joins us from Webster, MA with multiple years of early childhood experience. Holding an Early Education & Care Teaching Certificate and a PreK-12 Educational License, she is well-equipped to serve our younger stars in the classroom. Ms. Cassidy has over 5 years of experience as a toddler teacher, elementary education assistant, and educational trainer for the Boys & Girls Club and the Child Development Center on Cannon AFB in New Mexico. Her greatest passion is creating a safe and nurturing environment where kids can be their creative selves!
Jessi Wilson
Toddler Teacher/Float
Ms. Jessi joins the Southern Stars family as a Teacher/Float. She is excited to support lead teacher/assistant director Ms. Sharde in the Twinkling Stars classroom.
Lauren Foster
Assistant Teacher
Ms. Alexander is a teaching assistant here at Southern Stars. She joins our staff with a bachelor’s in business administration, course work in international studies, course work in human growth and development, and experience as a substitute teacher from 2008-2011. She has over 8 years of collected experience with children. Ms. Alexander loves helping children cultivate a passion for learning as she has had since she was a child.
Jada Bee
Assistant Teacher
Miss Bee, a dedicated teacher at Southern Stars, possesses over a decade of invaluable childcare experience, coupled with 8 years of committed volunteer work with children. Currently pursuing a degree in early childhood education, and a Montessori Certification through NAMC she strives to ignite creativity within the classroom and cultivate an environment where young learners can freely explore and express themselves. Miss Bee's genuine passion for teaching and her profound understanding of childhood development make her a valuable asset, aligning seamlessly with our mission to provide top-tier education at Southern Stars.
Katie Butalid
Afternoon Playtime Assistant
Ms. Butalid has a degree in Songwriting and Music Business from Belmont University. She joyously participated in numerous youth camps and choirs growing up, which inspired her to serve in leadership roles for those same camps and choirs as soon as she became eligible. Ms. Butalid has 2 years of childcare experience. Music and creativity have always played a huge role in Ms. Butalid's life, and she enjoys sharing her passion for the arts with her students.
Vonta Marable
Assistant Teacher/Float
Ms. Vonta joins the Southern Stars teaching family as a Teaching Assistant/Float. She has multiple years of childcare experience and is always willing to step in and support our teachers as needed! She enjoys cultivating deep interactions with young children, and loves supporting each child's learning according to their own unique needs.
Makiyah Worsley-McKnight
Afternoon Playtime Assistant
Ms. Makiyah joins the Southern Stars family as an After Care Playtime Assistant. She is currently a Belmont student pursuing her Bachelor's degree and is excited to directly apply her studies to her work and interaction with young children! Drawing from her multiple years of experience as a camp counselor, she is excited to plan games, activities, and other programs for our young stars!
Chloe Neal
Teacher Assistant and Executive Assistant
Chloe has over 6 years of experience with child care as a private nanny. Her caring and nurturing approach, coupled with her hands-on support, make her an incredible asset in our classrooms. Additionally, Chloe has worked with Southern Stars for the past 2 years as an executive assistant. Her detailed knowledge of both the classroom and business allow her to provide the best for our students and parents.
Sabrina Ramirez
Assistant Teacher
Sabrina Ramirez is one of our devoted Teacher Assistants, brings a wealth of experience and dedication to fostering an enriching educational environment. She has completed course work in early childhood education. With 4 years of Montessori experience and a keen understanding of creating a supportive learning space, Ms. Ramirez plays a vital role in assisting our teaching staff. As an experienced Montessori teacher, Ms. Ramirez leverages her passion for early childhood education to enhance the classroom experience for our students. Her caring and nurturing approach, coupled with her hands-on support, greatly contribute to our mission of providing the best for our students and parents.
Jamie Arthur
Head Chef
Ms. Arthur has spent many years developing her skill set as a culinary expert. She has prepared meals for 3 US Presidents and is thrilled to be the head chef over all meals served at Southern Stars. Jamie ensures that the children are consistently served nutritious and balanced meals while at the school. We are delighted to have her on staff here at Southern Stars.