Lower Elementary

Kali is originally from Clover, South Carolina, where she grew up. Kali first had an interest in early childhood when she was in High School. After she graduated, she worked as a private nanny. Starting in 2020 Kali worked at Charlotte Montessori school as a Children’s House Assistant Teacher for a year and a half. Then she worked at Guidepost Montessori School as a Nido/Toddler Lead Teacher for another year and a half. Kali is now a Nido/Toddler certified teacher through the MACTE program and works as the Lower Elementary Assistant Teacher.

Originally from New Hampshire, Faith moved to Charlotte, NC to attend Johnson & Wales University where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel Management with a concentration in Hospitality Sales and Meeting Management. Throughout high school she participated in several programs which allowed her the opportunity to work with primary and elementary age students.

Faith joined the PMA staff in 2009. She began working as an intern and assistant teacher in the LE classroom while attending the Center for Montessori Teacher Education, North Carolina (CMTE/NC). After completing the teacher training program in the summer of 2014, she received her American Montessori Society (AMS) Lower Elementary credential. Faith has been lead teacher in the Lower Elementary classroom at PMA for over 10 years.

“Love is more than the electricity which lightens our darkness, more than the etheric waves that transmit our voices across space, more than any of the energies that man has discovered and learned to use. Of all things love is the most potent.”
~ Maria Montessori, The Absorbent Mind

Katie has been teaching Lower Elementary at Phoenix Montessori Academy since 2021. She was originally introduced to the Montessori Method when she was in the high school where she fell in love with the dignity and respect the Montessori philosophy provides for each student while providing a high-quality education. Katie graduated from the Belmont Abbey College Honors Program and Hintemeyer Leadership Program in 2019 with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Theology. In 2020, Katie received her Montessori training from the Center for Montessori Teacher Education – North Carolina. She currently resides in Belmont with her husband and son.

"The greatest gifts we can give our children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence.” – Dr. Maria Montessori

Ms. MaKenna is a Lower Elementary teacher and a proud graduate of Appalachian State University. She is beyond excited to begin her teaching journey.

Ms. MaKenna knew she wanted to become a teacher when she was in 5th grade because she was inspired by her own teacher and wanted to make that same kind of impact on her students. She has a strong passion for teaching math and science and loves helping young learners build confidence as they explore, question, and grow.

In addition to teaching, Ms. MaKenna also serves as a camp director, where she works with students of all ages to create fun, engaging, and meaningful experiences. She loves being involved in youth sports and enjoys reading in her free time.

Ms. Ady (Adriana McCormack) was born in Mexico City, where she got a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and completed postgraduate studies in National Security and History of Mexico. While residing in Mexico, she worked for institutions like the Mexican Secretary of State, the Treasury Secretary, and the Mexican Mail Service. In Atlanta, she worked as the Director Assistant to the Mexican American Business Chamber and collaborated with the Mexican Consulate in Atlanta and the Cultural Mexican Center. In Charlotte, she worked for the Family Outreach and Counseling Center and diverse companies translating documents. She also worked as a pre-K teacher at the Presbyterian bilingual school La Escuelita San Marcos in Huntersville, and for the last 24 years, she has taught different levels of Spanish, either in a private or public space like the North Mecklenburg Library. 

Today, she teaches Spanish at PMA, where she enjoys LE, UE, MS, and HS.  Ms. Ady likes to interact with people, create art, play piano, and enjoy learning new languages and reading the Bible, history, and science. She lives in Huntersville with her husband, Bruce, her two young adult daughters, and Charly, her dog.