Faculty

• Title: Village After-School Care Staff Member
• Village Staff: Village Staff

Julie Williams serves as a specialist in our Village after-school care program, having become a valued member of the CMS family in 2023 when she sought a Montessori environment for her daughter. Prior to joining CMS, Julie dedicated 5 years to the 863rd Military Police Co. and another 3 years to the 151st Military Police Battalion. Her credentials include a United States Army Military Police School Diploma, along with various military certifications such as Protective Security Detail and Basic Leadership attained at the Noncommissioned Officer School. Julie was honorably discharged in 2020, holding the rank of E-5 Sergeant. Currently enrolled in the University of Charleston ADN-RN accelerated program, Julie is concurrently working towards her Bachelor's in Biology-Specified Biomedical Sciences. Additionally, she holds a diploma in Forestry/Wildlife & Fisheries/Agricultural Studies from the Fayette Institute of Technology. 

Beyond her academic pursuits, Julie is deeply passionate about art and human psychology. She believes that art's interpretive nature allows for timeless expression of the diversity in human perspectives and experiences. Originally from Oak Hill, WV, Julie now resides in Boomer, WV, with her partner, Nicholas, their daughter, and their dog. In her free time, she enjoys creating and being artistic, as she is often baking, painting, or doing photography. Julie looks forward to seeing the students every day with hope that the memories made at CMS are full of love, patience, and lots of laughs. She often says “To be part of CMS, is to have a second family” when describing her work to others. The coworkers, the parents, and the students here will “forever hold space in her heart”. 

• Title: Literacy Specialist
• Specialists: Specialists

Missy McGovern serves as the school-wide literacy specialist, having joined the CMS community in 2022. With over a decade of teaching experience in various roles since 2010, Missy holds bachelor’s degrees in elementary education and special education from Salve Regina University. Her journey in education started as a second-grade and fifth-grade teacher, where she discovered her passion for teaching literacy. Pursuing this passion, she earned a master’s degree in reading from Lesley University and transitioned into literacy leadership roles such as an interventionist, instructional coach, and school-wide consultant.

Currently, Missy is in the process of completing her level 1 Wilson training to become a certified dyslexia practitioner. She is deeply committed to supporting students who are still cultivating their love for reading and equipping teachers with effective tools for literacy instruction. At CMS, her responsibilities include managing the library collection, providing engaging texts to teachers for lessons, conducting assessments for all students K-6 and tracking progress data, leading meetings with lead teachers to formulate targeted instructional action plans for students with specific needs, and heading Reading Teams for students requiring additional instruction in reading and writing. Missy is also a supportive resource for families wanting more information about diverse learners or seeking additional evaluations. 

Originally from New England, where most of her friends and family still reside, Missy loves to create and try various new hobbies, currently including pattern drawing, calligraphy, and needlepoint. She enjoys the beach, plants, yoga, reading, and cherishes time with her partner and two little ones who accompany her to school each day.

• Title: Physical Education Specialist
• Specialists: Specialists

Lacy Anne Hughes serves as our Village Coordinator and Art Specialist. She joined CMS in 2023. Lacy was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and has lived most of her life in Charleston, WV, with her son and daughter. She has a Bachelors Degree in Fine Art and a certificate in American Sign Language. 

Lacy has been a dance instructor for fifteen years. She is also heavily involved the Visual Arts, Yoga, and Mindfulness education. Lacy studied various dance styles such as Ballet, Contemporary, Lyrical, Belly Dance, Musical Theatre, Lyrical, Tap, and Hip-hop in New York, Pittsburg, and Myrtle Beach. Lacy has also been involved in Business Sales and Customer Service for over 10 years. 

In addition, Lacy has also worked with children at both the Boys and Girls Club of Charleston and the Charleston Job Corps Center. She has staged works for the WV Bollywood Benefit Show, Children's Theater of Charleston, George Washington High School's Flag Corps Team, The Boy's and Girl's Club, Danse Elan's Summer Arts Camp, and the WV Culture Center's Arts Camp. 

Lacy has performed professionally with Trielement and Synergy. She was a company member with JADCO Contemporary Dance Company and performed for Charleston's FestivALL, Star Systems National Talent Competition, Dance USA, and DTI (Dance Troupe Incorporated). Lacy is excited to bring her artistic background to CMS via her enthusiasm in the Village Program, and also as the Art specialist!

• Title: Physical Education Specialist
• Specialists: Specialists

• Title: Literacy Specialist
• Specialists: Specialists

Amy Nee serves as a literacy specialist, having been a member of the CMS staff since 2023. Amy holds a bachelor's degree in Creative Writing from the University of Central Florida. More recently, she completed her Montessori Lower Elementary Assistant Certificate through Trillium Montessori. 

Amy brings a wealth of community outreach work and life experience to her role, including active involvement in social justice activism. Her journey includes volunteering in Adult Learning and Child Development programs and working at a residential drug recovery program for women as an admissions coordinator and instructor in Kentucky. She went on to serve meals and share housing with under-resourced men and women as part of social justice communities in Chicago, New York City and Baltimore. This work included managing donations and preparing food as well as taking on roles such as groundskeeper, organic gardener, and facilitator of non-violent conflict resolution trainings.

Amy's discovery of Montessori felt like a revelation, aligning with many practices and principles she holds dear, and integrating them into a holistic, child-friendly, scientifically grounded learning environment. She is thrilled to share this educational community with all three of her children, who are students in Primary, Lower Elementary, and Upper Elementary. Amy resides in South Charleston with her husband, who is a teacher at Charleston Catholic High School, their children, two dogs, two cats, and a frog.

• Title: Lead Guide: Upper Elementary Classroom
• Upper Elementary Staff: Upper Elementary Staff

Juli Taylor is the lead guide in our Upper Elementary classroom, bringing a wealth of Montessori experience accumulated over 10 years as a teacher, parent, and school administrator. She became a valued member of our school community in 2022, driven by the desire to provide her children with a Montessori environment. Juli holds a Master's degree in School Counseling from Marshall University and bachelor's degrees in Philosophy, Psychology, and History from Concord University. She is passionate about meshing her knowledge of mental health and inclusion in her classroom. 

Juli holds an AMS 3-6 Early Childhood Montessori certification from Crescent Ridge Academy (formerly known as the Greater Cincinnati Center for Montessori Education - GCCME) and is currently actively pursuing her AMS Elementary 9-12 certification with the Montessori Elementary Teacher Training Collaborative (METTC) in Lexington, MA. Additionally, Juli is a certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator and takes delight in leading our Positive Discipline Family Night workshops at CMS.

Juli is native to the Kanawha Valley and is a twin parent of two Lower Elementary students. She and her husband Cody are high school sweethearts and self proclaimed nerds. During her free time, Juli finds joy in reading fantasy novels, caring for her house plants, being a sports mom, and engaging in activities such as video games, board games, and Dungeons & Dragons.

• Title: Assistant: Lower Elementary Classroom
• Lower Elementary Staff: Lower Elementary Staff

Zoey Bonwell serves as the assistant teacher in the Lower Elementary classroom, bringing with her 2 years of valuable experience in Montessori classrooms. Notably, Zoey is also a CMS alumna, adding a special connection to the school. She holds certifications in Positive Discipline and Elementary Assistant Teaching.

Zoey's passion for learning extends to her favorite subjects, psychology, and natural sciences. She was born and raised in West Virginia, and currently shares her home with her cat, Mr. Cat. In Zoey’s free time, she enjoys cooking, writing, and photography. 

• Title: Lead Guide: Lower Elementary Classroom
• Lower Elementary Staff: Lower Elementary Staff

Natalya Hanshaw assumes the role of lead guide in the Lower Elementary classroom, bringing her Jamaican heritage and a profound passion for fine arts. She became a part of the CMS community in 2022. Natalya earned her bachelor's degree in Music Performance from Alcorn State University in Mississippi, during which she showcased her talents nationally and internationally in renowned competitions and conferences.

Following her undergraduate studies, Natalya pursued a Master's degree in Music Performance and Pedagogy from Marshall University. Concurrently, she held a position as an Adjunct Instructor of music. Intrigued by Montessori principles, Natalya obtained certification as a Montessori assistant and continues her educational journey by working towards her AMS Montessori Elementary 6-12 certification at the Montessori Elementary Teacher Training Collaborative (METTC) in Lexington, MA. 

Recently married to a native West Virginian, Isaac, Natalya enjoys shared activities like playing video games, watching competition shows, and indulging in retail therapy for non-essential items. Additionally in her free time, she finds solace in reading and, perhaps most importantly, in getting some well-deserved sleep.