Our Team

Jody Mell is the assistant teacher in Toddler Community C, having joined the Montessori Academy community in 2021. Ms. Mell came to Montessori with 17 years of experience as a teacher of two-year-olds in a local child care facility. Ms .Mell is the mother of three grown children and a proud grandmother. She loves animals, going to the beach on family vacations and playing volleyball.

Madison Platter has been the lead teacher in Toddler B teacher since 2022 and has been a part of the Montessori Academy community since 2020. She graduated from Northampton Community College with an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education. She completed Montessori training for the Infant/Toddler level through North American Montessori Center. Before joining Montessori Academy, she previously served as the Lead Teacher in a Young Toddler classroom at another preschool. Mrs. Platter got married in May 2021 and lives with her husband and their dog, Baxter, in McConnellsburg. On the weekends, she loves to spend time with her family, bake, read, and watch the Pittsburgh Penguins. Mrs. Platter is very excited to be a part of the Academy and to make an impact with her students.

Bella Simpson joined the Montessori Academy team after graduating from Fannett-Metal High School and the Franklin County Career & Technology Center. During her senior year, she completed an internship at Montessori Academy, where she gained valuable experience in both the Toddler Community and Children's House classrooms.

While completing her internship, Miss Simpson earned her Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential, demonstrating her commitment to early childhood education and child development. She is passionate about creating a warm, engaging environment where children feel supported as they learn and grow.

Outside of school, Miss Simpson enjoys spending time outdoors, camping, and being with family and friends. She is excited to be part of the Montessori Academy community and looks forward to building meaningful relationships with students and their families.

Sarah Durden holds a Bachelors in Early Childhood Education with a Pennsylvania Instructional I Teaching certification for birth to 3rd grade, as well as a Masters in Special Education and certification as a Reading Specialist. Mrs. Durden is a mom of 7 kids and enjoys coaching soccer with her husband. She is an art instructor and enjoys sharing a passion for art and creativity. Her hobbies are photography, drawing, reading, writing and being outside.

Deanna Kniss is the assistant in Children's House A and joined the Montessori Academy team in 2022. In addition to her role as an assistant teacher during the school year, Miss Kniss also helps with Montessori Academy's after school program and summer program. Her favorite thing about Montessori is watching the students succeed. In her free time, Miss Kniss loves playing with her dog Otis, playing tennis, and just having fun with friends and family.

Cathy Davidson is a co-teacher in Children's House B. She joined the Montessori Academy family as a teacher 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 and two sons, Russ and Ethan. She has a house rabbit and a very large puppy. Her family is very active in area sports.

Kira Durden is a co-teacher in Children's House B and has been a part of the Montessori Academy teaching team since 2023. Miss Durden graduated from Waynesburg University with a bachelor's degree in early childhood education and is a certified teacher for students ages PreK through grade 4. She has previously served at Montessori Academy as a teacher in the Toddler Community during the 23/24 school year, as well as seasonally in the summer program. She loves spending time with her dog, Dutchess, playing cards with family, and working on crafting projects. Miss Durden is very excited to be working as a teacher at Montessori Academy.

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. Mrs. Kulla hopes that her classroom is a prepared environment that will allow each child to enhance their natural love of learning. Mrs. Kulla lives in Waynesboro with her husband, two of her four children, and five dogs. She has two granddaughters and two grandsons.

Laiken Welsh is a graduate of Wilson College, where she earned her bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. She is a certified PreK–4 teacher who brings curiosity, warmth, and a joyful spirit to every classroom moment.

Since joining Montessori Academy of Chambersburg in 2024, Miss Welsh has cherished supporting each child's unique journey of discovery, imagination, and growth. Outside of the classroom, she delights in spending time with her grandparents and caring for her four guinea pigs and her cat, whose playful personalities inspire her every day.

Ms. Birkhimer is a graduate of the University of Valley Forge, where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education (PreK–4). She holds a Pennsylvania Instructional I teaching certification and brings over 12 years of teaching experience to Montessori Academy. Her background includes teaching 3rd grade, Kindergarten, and Preschool in China, as well as Kindergarten locally in Chambersburg.

Olivia has always had a deep passion for education and feels grateful for the opportunity to guide and support children as they learn and grow. She is dedicated to fostering a nurturing and engaging classroom environment where each child can thrive.

Outside of the classroom, Olivia enjoys traveling, thrifting, hiking, scrapbooking, cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers, and spending time with her two nephews.

Miss Mart has joined Lower Elementary 110, bringing her experience in education as a previous teacher and director of early childhood programming and college level studies in the field of elementary education.

Katie moved back to her home state of Pennsylvania from Utah to be closer to her family - a central part of her life. She enjoys baking, exploring new foods, and traveling both domestically and abroad. Outside of time with family and friends, Katie finds joy in quiet moments - reading in libraries, spending time in nature, and enjoying the peaceful rhythm of life's simple pleasures. She is also an animal and plant enthusiast who loves cozy sweaters and calm spaces.

Mrs. Schindler has been part of the Montessori Academy community since 2022, beginning in Children's House before moving into Lower Elementary. She is a MACTE-accredited Montessori Lower Elementary I teacher, certified through the Center for Guided Montessori Studies in 2026, and holds a Pennsylvania Instructional I Teaching Certificate for PreK–4th grade. She also earned an Associate's degree in Education from Hagerstown Community College and a Bachelor's degree from Kaplan University.

Mrs. Schindler is passionate about guiding elementary students to think deeply, ask questions, and explore the world around them. Outside of school, she enjoys sewing, knitting, crocheting, and spending time with her family.

Alicia Runkle is the lead teacher in the Upper Elementary community. She has been a part of the Montessori Academy team since 2012. Mrs. Runkle is a graduate of Shippensburg University, with a teaching certification in Elementary and Early Childhood Education and a minor in Reading. She also holds a Montessori teaching certification in Upper Elementary through the Center for Montessori Teacher Education New York. In her free time, she enjoys singing, attending Hershey Bear hockey games, and spending time with her husband, son, and family.

Stephanie Whitlock graduated from High Point High School in Beltsville, MD. Mrs. Whitlock joined Montessori Academy of Chambersburg in August 2006. In addition to her role as the assistant teacher for Upper Elementary, Mrs. Whitlock serves as our librarian. Prior to joining Montessori Academy, Mrs. Whitlock had 16 years of experience in child care and preschool, including helping to design a cooperative preschool with her church. She has three adult children: her sons Sean and Nicholas, and her daughter, Sofia and has two grandchildren. Mrs. Whitlock and her husband Jerry live in Fayetteville. In her free time, Mrs. Whitlock enjoys antiquing and papercrafting.

Kim Walter is a graduate of Messiah College where she received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and minor in Human Development and Family Science. She also holds Certificates in PA Elementary k-6/Mid-level Mathematics, 7-9/PA Private School Nursery-Kindergarten. Mrs. Walter started co-teaching 5th-8th grade at Montessori in 2004. Then she spent a year in Greencastle-Antrim School District and 9 years in the banking industry before returning to Montessori in 2017. Mrs. Walter resides in Chambersburg with her husband and two children, Seth and Ethan, who are former students of Montessori Academy. Outside of school Mrs. Walter enjoys singing, spending time with family, working with children, youth and music departments at church.

Kristin Byers is currently an Assistant Teacher in the Middle School class and the instructor of middle school science and history. Mrs. Byers is a Shippensburg University graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in geography. She and her husband, Sam, live on a rural homestead outside of Newburg, PA, where they garden and raise a variety of animals. They have four grown sons and two beautiful grandchildren. Outside of school, Mrs. Byers is the violinist for Blythe Spirits, a harp and string ensemble that performs for special events in the surrounding area.

In addition to her primary role as an Assistant Teacher in the Lower Elementary classroom, Mrs. Victoria Shuman brings her creativity and passion for the arts to the broader school community as Montessori Academy's Artist in Residence. She finds great joy in nurturing students' artistic expression and incorporating visual arts into the Montessori learning experience. Mrs. Shuman's dual role allows her to support both the academic and creative development of our students, enriching the school environment with imagination, color, and inspiration.

Miss Allee is a graduate of Immaculata University, where she earned her bachelor's degree in Music Education. She is passionate about creating joyful, engaging musical experiences that allow children to explore music in a way that feels natural, creative, and fun. Her approach is especially inspired by Orff Schulwerk, a child-centered method of music education that encourages students to learn through movement, rhythm, singing, speech, play, and hands-on exploration with instruments.

Through the Orff approach, Miss Allee enjoys giving children opportunities to be active participants in their musical learning. Rather than simply learning about music, students are encouraged to experience it by moving to a beat, discovering rhythm, creating patterns, experimenting with instruments, and developing their own musical ideas. She loves watching children build confidence and creativity as they discover that they can be musicians and creators themselves.

Dr. Henson is a graduate of Slippery Rock University where she obtained a B.S. degree in Elementary Education. She also holds a Master's Degree from Shenandoah University, an Administrator and Supervisory Certification from Hood College, and a Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership from Frostburg State. Before joining the Montessori Academy, she has had experiences as a classroom teacher, central office supervisory positions, and most recently completed her years of service with Washington County Public Schools as an Elementary School Principal.

Dr. Henson and her husband own and operate a small ice cream shop called "Leota's", located in Marion, PA. Although it's a sweet part-time job, she is still deeply passionate about supporting, inspiring, and empowering children. She is excited about continuing that work at the Academy.

In addition to her primary role as Assistant Teacher in Upper Elementary, Mrs. Stephanie Whitlock also enjoys the opportunity to serve the wider school community as Montessori Academy's Library Specialist.

Michelle Martin-Fritz joined the Montessori Academy as a Floating Assistant Teacher and After School Program Staff in January 2025. Mrs. Fritz received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, minor in Early Childhood, and a Master's degree in Elementary Education from Shippensburg University. She taught in the Chambersburg Area School District for 35 years, retiring in May 2022. Mrs. Fritz currently lives in Needmore, PA with her husband and two dogs, Bryce and Harper. Michelle has two adult daughters and one grandson. In her free time, she enjoys reading, visiting farmers' markets, and vacationing with her family.

Student Services

Nurse: Lori Kendall

Lori Kendall serves as the School Nurse at Montessori Academy, bringing more than three decades of experience in the healthcare field. She began her career in 1989 as a Certified Nursing Assistant, earned her Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) credentials, and graduated from Franklin County Vo-Tech in 1995. At home, Nurse Lori enjoys a lively household with four Shih Tzus, an Old English Bulldog, a Maine Coon kitten, another large cat, and several large birds. She is married and the proud mother of a daughter with Down Syndrome, a son, a stepson, and a stepdaughter, and she treasures her role as grandmother to two grandchildren. In her free time, she enjoys reading and crocheting.

Lincoln Intermediate Unit #12

Montessori Academy is fortunate to receive services from our location education agency, Lincoln Intermediate #12 (LIU). Through the LIU, we are entitled to the following student services:

• Psychological Testing and Equitable Participation
• School Counselor
• Remedial Reading / Math
• Speech and Language