Teachers

Kaylie Dienelt Reed is a dedicated teacher, trained in the Montessori tradition. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Dartmouth College with a degree in Psychology and Brain Sciences.  She has taught as a lead teacher in a Level 1 Montessori classroom (ages 5-7) and has completed a 3-6 American Montessori Society (AMS) overview course and the Elementary I and II (ages 6-12) AMS certification courses and testing.  Kaylie also has studied Art at the Santa Reparata International School of Art in Florence and French at the American School in Switzerland, as well as participated in wilderness training at the National Outdoor Leadership School in Patagonia, Chile.

Project Teacher - Anna Blabey

Anna Blabey completed her Master's in Education at the University of Texas and has trained for teacher certification with the Texas Teachers Alternative Certification Program. She received her Bachelor's from Hamilton College, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a major in Spanish and a minor in Psychology.  She has a background in experiential education, having facilitated challenge courses and outdoor education trips which emphasize learning through experiences, and has worked with students from elementary through high school.  Anna had the opportunity to live all around the world as she grew up. She was born in Malaysia and has lived in the Ivory Coast, Chile, and Spain, as well as upstate New York, southern California, and northern Virginia. 

History Teacher - Laura Sandefer

In addition to being the Head of School, Laura Sandefer teaches history.  Raised by a science teacher and minister, Laura lived on both coasts and in between as a child, then landed at Vanderbilt University for her undergraduate studies in the College of Arts and Science.  Yearning to follow her heart into the world of teaching, Laura went back to Vanderbilt and received her Master of Education from Peabody College. This led her to work in arts education at the Oklahoma Arts Institute.  Her greatest hero is her beloved late mother who was a Master Teacher as none other. Her wisest mentor is her father who sent her off to college with two words of advice: "Be curious."

Art Teacher - Zoey Upshaw