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 before joining us at The garden and in her role here, she SUPPORTS THE STUDENTS’ LANGAUGE, MATH AND CULTURAL STUDIES.
erin chmura
practical life and sensorial studies specialist
erin studied theatre and earned her associate of arts at cpcc. she is a mother of one of our students and two other children whom she has supported through montessori from pre-k to now middle and 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. she supports our practical life and sensorial studies here at the garden.
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.
mercedes cardenas
spanish education specialist
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.
lindsay mills
outdoor education 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 will begin her primary (early childhood) level montessori training with association montessori internationale in june 2024.