Pegge Johns 
Director

While volunteering at her son's preschool, Pegge discovered how enjoyable it was to work with young children in a classroom setting. Soon afterwards, Pegge left her position in the Accounting field and pursued a career as an Educator. She completed a degree in Early Childhood Education and acquired American Montessori Society Certification for ages three to six.  Pegge has taught in preschool, kindergarten and Montessori classrooms.

Originally from Pennsylvania, Pegge's family relocated to North Carolina in 2003 for the warmer climate.  

Operating a Montessori School in Apex begins yet another chapter in life.  Pegge still loves teaching and the adventure each day brings as when beginning over 30 years ago.

Shenithia Griffin
Co-Lead Teacher - Toddler Class

Being introduced to Montessori at a young age, Shenithia was fortunate to attend a Montessori School beginning at 18 months through 5 years old. Fast forward to college, she returned to that same school where she was offered an internship. Eventually, she was hired full time working as a toddler teacher, a position she held for 21 years! During that time, Shenithia received her American Montessori Society Infant/ Toddler Certification.

Shenithia admires how the Montessori Philosophy is dedicated to individual growth and independence allowing children to learn at their own pace.
Shenithia is a native of Apex ~born and raised and has watched all the changes in this area through her lifetime. She now resides in Fuquay Varina with her husband Joe and their two children Joseph (9) and Shania (6). On weekends you will find her cheering on her son at basketball games and spending time with family.

Yarilis Garces
Children's House

Born and raised in Cuba, Yarilis recalls one of her favorite childhood memories, "playing teacher." Years later, Yailis received her teaching degree in Cuba. When an employment opportunity arose, she moved to Portugal. While there, she continued her education and received her Master's Degree in Education while teaching High School Grammar and Literature. She moved to North Carolina in 2014 and she is proud to consider it "home".

Yarilis has been working in Montessori schools for the past three years and has fallen in love with the "practical application and logic" built into the Montessori philosophy.
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Along with Ronald, Yarilis lives in Garner. Her free time is spent on their current home remodel and enjoying a favorite past-time: watching movies.

Stacey Bartley 
Co-Lead Teacher - Toddler Class

Stacey discovered the Montessori philosophy when she enrolled her daughter in a Montessori class. Knowing this was an extraordinary way for children to learn, Stacey served as an Assistant in a Toddler classroom and completed the AMS training for Infant/Toddler certification. 

Stacey joined the Center for Montessori Teacher Education, teaching in the Toddler training program. Following a move to Dubai, where she continued to teach in early education programs, Stacey and her family returned to the United States, where she resumed her position at CMTE as an instructor and Toddler Coordinator before joining the staff at MCLS.

Stacey is passionate about working with young children and witnessing the success of the Montessori method.  In her free time, she enjoys hiking and kayaking with her husband, Jeff. ​

Tina Liao
Lead Teacher - Children's House

Tina started her teaching career in Taiwan in 2011 as a teacher for after-school programs. The following year, Tina studied abroad in Australia and received her Early Childhood Development certificate. She then moved to America where she had the opportunity to learn more about different teaching methodologies in Early Childhood Development. While living in California, Tina obtained her American Montessori Society Associate Early Childhood Teaching Credential.
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Tina loves how the Montessori teaching curriculum is centered around each child's unique abilities and focuses on developing strengths. With over 6 years experience working with children, she feels the most important thing is to provide a safe, calm, and effective learning environment for each child. Tina loves seeing the glow in children’s eyes when they learn new and exciting things!

​Recently moving to North Carolina from California where she met and married her husband, Tina is eager to explore and settle into this wonderful area!

Tiffany Hayman
Lead Teacher - Children's House

Tiffany attended college in Massachusetts where she received her Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and Psychology.  She then moved to Orlando, Florida where she married her husband and taught in prekindergarten programs in several public elementary schools. Upon moving to North Carolina, she received her Montessori credential for 3-6 year olds and became lead teacher at a local Montessori charter school.  Through this experience, she fell in love with the individualized curriculum and concrete, hands-on materials that a Montessori education has to offer.  
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​Following a leave from teaching after the addition of two daughters to their family, Tiffany joined the MCLS staff. She loves working with all the sweet children while having the opportunity to help each child with her/his daily growth and development. 
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                                                  Tanya Dillard
Lead Teacher - Children's House
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Tanya first became acquainted with the Montessori philisophy after her own children attended a Montessori school. She was intreged to learn more and began her own Montessori journey. After working with children ages one to five, she realized her true passion was working with children ages three to six, which lead her to seek becoming a certified Early Childhood A. M. S. Teacher. 
Bringing her years of lead teacher experience with her, Tanya shares her love of
teaching each and every day!

Additionally, Tanya's spare time is shared with her three grown children and husband Kevin.
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