Middle/High School

Tavious teaches Middle School at Phoenix Montessori Academy. His subjects are Language, Social Studies, and P.E. Tavious has a bachelor's in CIS, and this is my third year in education. He has mentored and counseled children of all ages in the past, where he discovered a strong passion for working with children. Tavious loves spending time with his two sons and his wife making lifetime memories together!

Lauren earned her B.S. in Mathematics in 2011 from Sweet Briar College. She was first introduced to Phoenix Montessori in 2004 when her sister, Nicole, began as a student. Lauren joined the PMA staff in 2012 as the high school math teacher and after school teacher. In July 2015, Lauren received her American Montessori Society (AMS) Secondary I/II credential from the Houston Montessori Center (HMC). Lauren received her MEd in Montessori Integrative Learning from Endicott College in May 2016.  As a Middle School Co-Lead Teacher, Lauren continues to build the program and offer unique experiences both in and out of the classroom. Lauren is also certified as the Teacher Coordinator for the Montessori Model United Nations program. Outside of school, Lauren enjoys traveling, swimming, and spending time with her husband, Greg and dog, Moxie.

Ray has been involved in Montessori for since 2000 and holds certifications from the American Montessori Society. In addition to his teaching duties, Ray is also a teacher trainer for the Center for Montessori Teacher Education of North Carolina, The Center for Guided Montessori Studies, The Global Montessori Educators Institute and The Montessori Institute of Poland located in Warsaw, Poland. Ray received his Masters of Science degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Mathematical Physics and his Ph.D in Physics from the Warsaw University of Technology in Warsaw, Poland. Ray is a member of the American Montessori Society, The International Montessori Council, The Polish Montessori Council, The American Physical Society, The American Association for the Advancement of Science, The Institute of Physics (London), and is a voting member of the North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

Amy graduated from Taylor University in Upland, IN with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with a concentration in Social Studies. She began her career in adult education for corporate America before teaching in both private and charter schools since 2002.  She has gained experience in education through administration, as well as classroom teaching. Amy enjoys interacting with students in the classroom with energy and passion for the whole child to learn in an interactive atmosphere.

Amy and her husband Joe are “empty-nesters” as their two children are attending college. They enjoy watching athletic events, spending time with family and relaxing with a good book.

Montessori Quote “ Joy, feeling one’s own value, being appreciated and loved by others, feeling useful and capable of production are all factors of enormous value for the human soul.”  - Maria Montessori

Kendall Wilson has been a member of the Phoenix teaching community since 2024, where she teaches at the high school level. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from North Carolina State University and an MBA from Appalachian State University. Before entering education, Kendall spent 15 years working as a compliance manager, an experience that shaped her strong appreciation for systems thinking, responsibility, and real-world problem-solving.

In the classroom, Kendall is passionate about guiding adolescents as they develop independence, critical thinking skills, and confidence in their ability to navigate complex challenges. She values creating a supportive learning environment where curiosity, reflection, and growth are encouraged.

Kendall lives with her husband, Joseph, their two children, Henry and Annabelle—both Phoenix students—and their dog, Sally Jo. Outside of school, she enjoys traveling, reading, practicing yoga, and spending time with her family.