Faculty & Staff

Michelle D’Antonio is a graduate of West Liberty University with an undergraduate degree in elementary education with a minor in math education. She received her masters in educational psychology from the University of Oklahoma and her principal certification from California University of Pennsylvania. She has also received her administrator credentials from the American Montessori Society. She taught autistic students in New Jersey for a year and then taught elementary school for 4 years for the Department of Defense Schools in Panama. After moving to Maryland, she taught public school for 2 years. She next became a Psychology Professor for Central Texas College and has taught education courses for Shippensburg University. Ms. D’Antonio joined Montessori Academy of Chambersburg in August 2000 where she started the middle school program. She has been responsible for the creation of the Academy’s curriculum as well as spear-heading the Middle States Accreditation process. Ms. D’Antonio resides locally with her 3 boys, Tyler, Zachary and Nicholas.

Ann Marie Simonetti attended Shippensburg University where she was a graduate assistant in the Teacher Education Department, and graduated with a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She obtained a Pennsylvania Instructional I Teaching Certificate for K-6 through the post baccalaureate program at Wilson College. Her Bachelor’s of Science degree is from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in the field of Hospitality Management. She is currently studying with the Center for Guided Montessori Studies. Her three daughters attend Montessori Academy of Chambersburg, and all participate in dance and gymnastics. Ann Marie is a dance fitness instructor and enjoys sharing her passion for fitness with others and pairing it with philanthropic endeavors.

Tracy Bryan is a graduate of Hagerstown Junior College with a degree in Paralegal Studies. Ms. Bryan was employed 14 years as a paralegal prior to joining the Montessori Academy of Chambersburg in July 2011. She resides in Hagerstown, Maryland with her husband, Ryan, and daughter, Taylor. Her hobbies include reading, knitting and spending time with her family and several cats and dogs.

You may already know Jan Aughinbaugh if you go to Ragged Edge Swim Club. Jan has been the manager for over 20 years. She also taught in the Aquatics Department at the YMCA until 2006. Married with a grown son and daughter and one grandson, Jan enjoys reading, knitting, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and her cocker spaniel,  Rocky B.

Kimberly Frohm is a Licensed Practical Nurse with the Chambersburg Area School District. She graduated from the Nursing Program at the Franklin County Career & Technology Center in February of 1998, with an Outstanding Honor Achievement Award in Clinical Practice. Ms. Frohm enjoys spending time with her family. She likes to do scrapbooking and enjoys camping. She lives in Shippensburg with her husband, Tony, and has two sons and four grandchildren.

Denise McLucas became interested in Montessori when her son started out as one of the first five students of the Montessori School. By the time her youngest child entered the Toddler program, she was the Assistant in Children’s House B, where she worked for three years. After that, she took her Infant and Toddler training in Princeton, NJ. She has been the Toddler Directress since 1999. Ms. McLucas lives in Chambersburg with her husband, Dennis. When she’s not at school she enjoys knitting, reading, scrapbooking, church and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Cathy Davidson joined the Montessori family of Chambersburg in 2002. Before she came to the Academy, she worked in childcare for seventeen years in Pennsylvania and South Carolina. She attended school in West Virginia. Currently she resides in the town of Shippensburg with her husband, Tim, and two sons, Russ and Ethan. She has a house rabbit and a very large puppy. Her family is very active in area sports.

Kim Kulla has many years experience teaching at the Children’s House level. She completed her Montessori Training at Montgomery Montessori Institute in Rockville, MD. Ms. Kulla hopes that her classroom is a prepared environment that will allow each child to enhance their natural love of learning. Ms. Kulla lives in Waynesboro with her husband, two of her four children, and five dogs. She has two granddaughters and two grandsons.

Diane Jones was born and raised in Schuylkill County, PA and graduated from Moravian College in Bethlehem with degrees in Psychology and Business. She has 14 years working in both Toddler and Children’s House Montessori classrooms. Ms. Jones enjoys preparing the environment and work for the students. She especially likes the art and practical life areas. Ms. Jones and her husband, Bob, have lived in Chambersburg since May, 1989. They have 3 daughters who all attended The Montessori School.

Stephanie Miller graduated from Shippensburg University with a degree in Elementary Education and Early Childhood. She taught at the preschool level for 3 years in Martinsburg, WV, before joining Montessori Academy. Ms. Miller lives in Shippensburg with her husband, Zachary, and her 2 children, Ryan and Madison.

Alison Gilbert is a graduate of Kutztown University with an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education. She taught at Magic Years Kindergarten and Pre-School before moving to South Carolina to teach in the Columbia School District. She joined Montessori Academy of Chambersburg in May 2006. Ms. Gilbert moved from South Carolina to return to her home town of Chambersburg.

Stephanie Whitlock graduated from High Point High School in Beltsville, MD. She provided daycare in her home for 10 years. She helped design a cooperative pre-school with her church and participated in it for 6 years. She has spent many hours as a volunteer in her children’s classrooms. She resides in Fayetteville with her sons, Sean and Nicholas, and her daughter, Sofia. Ms. Whitlock joined Montessori Academy of Chambersburg in August 2006.

Camille Smith began working as a parent volunteer when her son started in the Toddler class in 1998. She became the Academy’s first art teacher in 2004. In 2010, she attended Montessori training, and became an Upper Elementary teacher. Ms. Smith received her undergraduate degree in English from West Virginia Wesleyan College, a Master of Arts in Education and Training from the University of Maryland–Baltimore County, and a Master of Science in Counseling from Shippensburg University. She received her Montessori Upper Elementary certification from the American Montessori Society, and holds a Pennsylvania teaching certificate for Kindergarten through eighth grade, as well. Her son, Sam, attended Montessori Academy from toddler class through middle school, and now attends Virginia Tech. She lives in Waynesboro, PA, with her spouse, Robin, and various cats and dogs.

Alicia Runkle is a graduate of Shippensburg University with her undergraduate degree and teaching certification in Elementary and Early Childhood Education and a minor in Reading. Also, Mrs. Runkle received her Upper Elementary (9-12) Montessori training and certification from the Center for Montessori Teacher Education in New York. She has worked in a daycare center and tutors in reading, writing, and math. In her free time, she enjoys singing, attending Hershey Bear hockey games, and spending time with her husband and family. Mrs. Runkle joined Montessori Academy in March 2012.

Liz Cleary is a graduate from Shippensburg University, with an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education. Ms. Cleary is a member of National Council for History Education and Kappa Delta Pi, an International Honor Society in Education. Since graduating college, she has taught a variety of grade levels in various local school districts. She joined Montessori Academy in November 2006.

Diana Reinert graduated from Olivet Nazarene University with a degree in both Church Music and Elementary Education. Raised in Southern Africa, she and her husband have lived in Chambersburg since 1991. She taught fourth grade at Cumberland Valley Christian School and music theory at Wilson College. She is on the faculty at Cumberland Valley School of Music as a private instructor, accompanist for Cumberbunds Children’s Choir, and violinist with the CVSM Community String Orchestra. In addition, she serves as Worship Music Director for West Side Brethren in Christ Church. Mrs. Reinert first became acquainted with Montessori in 2000 when her two children attended Children’s House, coming on staff in 2012. She has a passion for passing on the joy of music to the next generation.

Jacqueline Fisher Ms. Fisher is a 2006 graduate of Penn State University with a degree in Elementary Education. Ms. Fisher holds a Pa teaching certificate in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, and Secondary Science and Mathematics Education. In her free time, she enjoys photography, camping, being outdoors, and planning events. Ms. Fisher lives in Fayetteville with her husband, Jason, and her two children, Dilynn and Alyssa.

Marisabel Ellis is a native of San Juan, Puerto Rico. She completed high school at the age of fourteen and then graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BA in English as Second Language and a minor in Educational Technology from American University of Puerto Rico.  Ms. Ellis has taught classes at all levels, from elementary through technical and vocational college, and was the ESL instructor and Dean of Discipline at the International Baseball Academy High School. She came to the US where she met her husband Michael. They have four children, to include a high school freshman, a seventh grader, a fourth grader and a very spoiled one year old. Mrs. Ellis joined the Montessori Academy in August 2014, and resides with her family in Greencastle, PA.

Art Instructor, Nicole Troup, lives with her husband and two children in Greencastle, PA. She graduated from Pennsylvania College of Art and Design with a Bachelor of Arts degree and has been teaching art education to children/youth/adults for eight years. Since her passion is in art and teaching, she loves to instill the joy and value of creativity in others especially children and youth.

Aside from her teaching career, Nicole is also a commissioned portrait artist, creating portraits of pets and people for local clients. Some of her clients include doctors, pet owners and Summit Health of Franklin County, who recently commissioned her to paint their retiring CEO, Norman Epstein. She also recently finished painting the portrait of former Pennsylvania Governor, Tom Corbett, which will be showcased in her future solo art exhibit, called The Faces of Pennsylvania.

Nicole’s work has been showcased in a number of exhibitions in Maryland and Pennsylvania such as Mercersburg Academy, Mansion House Art Gallery, Pennsylvania College of Art Design, Kaleidoscope Gallery, Washington County Arts Council and the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, among others.

Cindy Maritza Rodriguez considers herself both Latina and American since she was born in the United States and was raised to be proud of her Guatemalan heritage. She is bilingual, as she grew up speaking two languages; Spanish as her first language and English as her second language. Cindy obtained her Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Care and Education from Harrisburg Area Community College. In addition to being an Assistant Teacher in Children’s House A here at Montessori Academy, she works at the YMCA aftercare program as a counselor. She also works with the Lincoln Intermediate Unit, during their summer program as a teacher’s assistant and as a translator in their office. Cindy enjoys working with children of all ages and will continue to educate the future generation with knowledge at Montessori Academy of Chambersburg Pennsylvania.

Sarah Durden has been teaching for 9 years, but is new to the Montessori method. She holds a Bachelors in Early Childhood Education with a Pennsylvania Instructional I Teaching certification for birth to 3rd grade. She also holds a Masters in Special Education and is currently studying with the Barrie Center of Advanced Montessori Studies. Sarah is a mom of 7 kids and enjoys coaching soccer with her husband Bobby. She is an art instructor and enjoys sharing a passion for art and creativity. Her hobbies are photography, drawing, reading, writing and being outside.

Bethany Smith is currently the Assistant Teacher in the Toddler B classroom. She was previously heavily involved with the school as a MAPO volunteer and substitute teacher. She has also worked in customer service and healthcare for many years and loves working with people and children. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, spending time with her husband Nathan, and her three children.

Jessica Doubell attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where she obtained a B.F.A. in theater and stage management. She went on to work in professional theater for 15 years. She then pursued a certification in secondary education, specifically secondary English. She is currently going to Wilson College and working on her master’s in humanities. She has been a substitute teacher for the last year in both Pennsylvania and Maryland. Her daughter is currently attending Montessori and her son will start in the fall. Jessica works closely with the Chambersburg Community Theater, and most recently stage managed Jesus Christ Superstar. Jessica enjoys volunteering in her community and hopes to instill that love in her children.