ellen graham
CEO + FOUNDER
head of school
Ellen earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts from UNC-Wilmington. She went on to earn her NC Early Childhood Credentials and attended Graduate School at Western Carolina University for Special Education before founding The Garden montessori in pinehurst, nc in 2014. She is also the founder of Kindermusik with Ellen (est. 2011), and wild hearts nature school (est 2018). additionally, ellen has over 20 years of experience in childcare and early education with training in Montessori for Early Childhood, Developmental Play Therapy and Early Intervention.
chelsea ball
LANGUAGE, MATH AND CULTURAL STUDIES SPECIALIST
Chelsea earned her b.a. in education with an add-on in early childhood education and holds a masters in teaching ESL. she worked as an elementary educator with cms for 10 years and has been at the garden since 2022.
erin chmura
practical life and sensorial studies specialist
erin studied theatre and earned her associate of arts at cpcc. she has supported her three children through their montessori journeys from pre-k to high school. erin also spent many years working with and guiding young children alongside her mother, who was a preschool teacher for decades and from whom she has learned a lot. erin has been teaching at the garden since 2022.
OLIVIA SLAHTA
ARTS SPECIALIST
OLIVIA HOLDS A bfa IN ARTS AND DESIGN FROM alFRED UNIVERSITY AND HAS SPENT THE LAST FOUR YEARS WORKING IN EARLY EDUCATION AS A DAY CARE PROVIDER AND LEAD TEACHER. OLIVIA SUPPORTS OUR ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAM bY GUIDING THE CHILDREN THROUGH DAILY PROCESS ART OPPORTUNITIES. olivia has been teaching at the garden since 2023.
mercedes cardenas
spanish education and montessori specialist
spanish summer camp coordinator
mercedes holds a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from INEF Romero Brest Buenos Aires and her Master’s degree in Motor Skill development. she is also a certified Personal Trainer, Youth Fitness Specialist and Health coach and has been teaching young children in an immersive spanish preschool setting for the last 5 years. mercedes is currently completing her montessori training for early chlidhood through the authentic institute of Montessori and has been teaching at the garden since 2023.
lindsay mills
outdoor education and Montessori specialist
Lindsay holds a ba in psychology with a minor in yoga studies and is a registered yoga instructor and health and well-being coach. she has worked as a yoga teacher and has interned with us here at the garden since 2023. lindsay is currently pursuing her primary (early childhood) level montessori training with association montessori internationale and is on track to receive her diploma in 2025.
ellen kelly
assistant teacher
Ellen has been involved in childcare and education for 40 years and comes to our team with all of the wisdom, patience, and love that she has gained in her many years working with children as a cafeteria worker, nanny, after-school enrichment teacher, assistant Montessori teacher, and tutor. Ellen earned her BA from UNCC and completed her student teaching with CMS in 1992. ellen has been teaching at the garden since 2024.