Upper School

India brings a wealth of experience and expertise to Phoenix Montessori Academy, with a distinguished career in Montessori education spanning nearly three decades. She has been an integral part of the Montessori community since 1995 and has served as Head of School since 2004.

India is a seasoned educator and trainer, specializing in Montessori Elementary I and II (math and philosophy) as well as Montessori Secondary I. Her commitment to Montessori education is reflected in her comprehensive academic background. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Belmont Abbey College, where she graduated cum laude from the honors program. Furthering her dedication to Montessori pedagogy, India achieved certification in Montessori Elementary I & II (grades 1-3 and 4-6) and Montessori Secondary I (grades 7-8).

Her academic journey continued at Endicott College, where she completed a master’s program and earned a Master’s degree in Education, with a specialization in Montessori and Integrated Learning. Currently, India is advancing her educational expertise as a doctoral student at The University of Wisconsin River Falls.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, India is a devoted spouse, parent, and grandparent. Her passion for education and her commitment to nurturing the growth and development of both students and teachers make her an invaluable leader at Phoenix Montessori Academy.

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!

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.

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

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

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 25 years 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.

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.

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