Jamie Laymon is the Head of School at Freedom Montessori. She began her educational career at Coastal Carolina University where she graduated with a degree in Early Childhood / Elementary Education. Jamie continued her education at Winthrop University earning a Masters of Elementary Education in Reading and a Masters in Montessori from Lander University. She is now beginning her Doctoral work in Educational Administration and is excited about the future of Freedom Montessori School. She taught for ten years in Charlotte Mecklenburg, Fort Mill, and Rock Hill before fulfilling her dream of opening her own school. She opened Freedom Montessori in 2005. She was named Rock Hill School District Teacher of the Year in 2003. Jamie has two children Kaycelyn 13, and Cameron 8.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela
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Pamela Brantley is one of our Primary Montessori Teachers. She served on the opening team when Freedom Montessori opened in 2005. Pam took time off to have her children and always stayed abreast with the happenings of FMS and the Montessori world around her. We are thrilled she is back! She has been working in preschool education for over 10 years. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Winthrop University. She has received her Early Childhood Credential and will be continuing her Montessori certification at Lander University in Greenwood S.C. She also has facilitated various child care workshops and trainings for preschool teachers. She has a heart for children and a gift for teaching. She is very passionate about the Montessori philosophy and honors the opportunity to be a part of the Freedom Montessori family. She currently resides in Tega Cay, with her husband, Letron, and their two children, Nate and Jazz.
“When you get; give. We you learn; teach. At our best we are all teachers” – Maya Angelou
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MaLisa Sibley-Boulware has received her Early Childhood Credential, her Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Ashford University, and is completed her training at the North American Montessori Center for a primary credential in Montessori. She resides in Rock Hill, South Carolina with her husband Leon and son, Jaevion. This is Malisa’s third year with FMS and has been working with children for five years enjoying every single moment. In her free time, she enjoys scrapbooking, singing, reading and spending time with family and friends. When it comes to children, Malisa has a great passion for them and loves getting to know each and every child. She hopes to obtain her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education in the near future. Malisa is very ecstatic about her career at Freedom Montessori and can’t wait to see what blessings God has in stored for her!
“While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.” Angela Schwindt
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Mona Letigio has received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and minor in Education at Silliman University, Philippines. Aside from her Bachelor’s degree, she earned graduate credits in Early Childhood Education and Special Education. She was a full pledge Early Childhood teacher for six years in the Philippines before coming to the United States in 2007. Mona served as an instructional special education assistant for more than three years at Central Child Development Center, Rock Hill School District. She is familiar with the Montessori method as it is very prominent in the Philippines and began her Montessori training this summer with NAMC. She is very excited to be a part of encouraging and guiding our young children to grow and flourish as a well developed person. Having to balance life, Mona spares time to relax by being with her family and friends, practicing the guitar, singing, dancing, and swimming, doing arts and crafts, writing poems and children’s books, photography, playing chess and ball games. She lives with her husband Archie and two lovely daughters, Rossie and Riza.
“Knowledge is necessary, but not sufficient. The well educated person is a well developed person who knows how to live a healthy life in every aspect of human existence – a well developed personality.” - Maria Montessori
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Maureen Cherry will be joining Freedom Montessori as our Toddler Montessori Teacher Assistant. She has been working in Early Childhood Education for over ten years. She is enrolled at York Technical College to receive her Associate’s Degree as well as currently working on her Montessori Certification (NAMC) and she is very excited about it. Maureen is a native New Yorker. She relocated to Rock Hill in 2005. Before she came to the Carolina’s she successfully opened her own family preschool and was in business for five years. Her goal is to produce happy, intelligent, well-adjusted children; she realizes that each child has unique talents, learning styles and personalities. She loves traveling, sewing, fine arts, music, and spending time with her family. She lives with her husband Wayne and grandson Chauncey. Maureen knows that everyone has a gift from God and she feels her gift is children.
“If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, he or she learns to find love in the world.” – Parents Anonymous Inc.
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Kelly LeVine serves as a Primary Montessori teaching assistant. She is a native South Carolinian. Kelly was born in Spartanburg, and grew up in Florence, SC. Her parents were very loving and nurturing. Her mother was a teacher, and Father was a State Trooper. She was brought up with a strong moral background and has always had an amazing love for children. She is married and has three sons. She worked with special needs children while living in Florence. She worked as a teacher’s assistant in an orthopedically, handicapped preschool classroom, for 2 years. Her students had spinal bifida and cerebral palsy. She then trained, and served as an autism therapist for 2 years. She was introduced to the Montessori Method of teaching through her oldest son Jacob. He went to Montessori school of Florence from preschool to fifth grade. Her youngest son is now a student at Freedom. She has been fascinated with Montessori way of learning and is currently working on her Montessori certification (NAMC). She loves to spend time with her family and friends. She enjoys reading, gardening, crafting and creating beauty in the world around her.
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.” – Helen Keller
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Madison Altman is joining us as the 2013 Encore Afterschool Director. She is originally from Pawleys Island, SC but now resides in Rock Hill as a sophomore at Winthrop University. Madison has grown up in Pawleys Island and has been spoiled by the coast her whole life. As a past Montessori student herself she is excited about experiencing the philosophy again. During her senior year of high school she was a Teacher Cadet and worked with a third grade class. Madison came to Winthrop as an Elementary Education major, but after much thought decided to switch to Business Administration with a concentration in Economics. She hopes to join the Peace Corp after college and travel for a few years before attending graduate school. Madison loves do-it-yourself crafts, cooking and spending time with her family, sorority sisters, and dogs. She looks forward to a lot of afterschool fun and enriching activities!
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Rebekah Allan - bio coming soon
