Our Staff:
School Director - Kate Garrett: Ms. Kate is entering her fifth year as Director of CBA. She holds a Master's Degree in Education Policy and has worked in the education field since 2002. Ms. Kate loves working with teachers and families, building a partnership that allows children to experience the joy of Montessori. At home, Ms. Kate enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, pets, friends and family.
Assistant Director - Destiny Rodriguez: Ms. Destiny is one of the cornerstones of the Academy, having run the front office for more than ten years! She holds Associate’s Degree in Applied Science and is highly experienced in Business and Administrative work. Ms. Destiny is a jack of all trades, always ready to help a parent, student, or teacher with whatever they might need. She has two children, both of whom have attended the Covered Bridge Schools.
Owner - Barbara Moffitt: Mrs. Moffitt has dedicated over 40 years in the Montessori field after having spent 5 years teaching in the public school system. She received her B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Missouri and completed her certification in Language Learning Disabilities at West Texas University. While doing her post-graduate work, she earned her Montessori Early Childhood Certification in 1970 and attended 6-9 year old Elementary Training in Connecticut and California.
She and her husband own and operate two other private Montessori schools, as well as, the Academy. Mrs. Moffitt was the founder of Atlanta Montessori Teacher Education, AMTE, and offered Montessori teacher training for 30 years. She has served as the Vice-President of MACTE, the premiere Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education and was selected for the Who's Who among America's teachers. She is an accomplished author, with several books published on the Montessori Method, including I Can Do It Myself, currently in its 2nd printing. In addition to having been editor and publisher of The Reporter, an acclaimed magazine outlining developments in Montessori education, she regularly counsels, lectures, speaks and acts as a consultant here in the U.S. and abroad.
Our Teachers:
Early Childhood Level:
Teacher- Maggie Wertz: Ms. Maggie leads an Early Childhood classroom with Montessori certification in Early Childhood education. Ms. Maggie is a graduate of Vanderbilt University and has a daughter who attends CBA. She is a tireless and dedicated teacher, taking time every week to lead Study Skills workshops with Ms. Mary and sponsor the school’s Daisy Troop.
Assistant -Carolyne Britt: Ms. Carolyne comes to the Early Childhood classroom by way of the Upper Elementary class. She has a Bachelor's degree in Art Therapy and runs her own sewing and craft company in her spare time. Ms. Carolyne's son attends CBA and is in Ms. Shannon's class.
Teacher-Shannon Bennett: Ms. Shannon has taught Montessori Early Childhood for 18 years! She recently moved to the area and is in her second year of teaching at CBA. Ms. Shannon is known for her quiet, yet easygoing and loving nature. She, too, has a son in the Early Childhood program at CBA.
Assistant-LaQuetta Darby: Ms. LaQuetta is also in her second year of teaching with us. She has a degree in Business Education and has worked in schools or with children since 2004. Ms. LaQuetta has not only been a teacher, but a camp counselor and basketball coach, as well. She has a teenage son.
Elementary Level:
Teacher - Aimee Burman: Ms. Aimee holds multiple degrees, including her Early Childhood Montessori Certification, a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary English Education, and a Master’s Degree in Secondary English Education. Ms. Aimee brings a depth of experience to the Elementary program, having taught English and Language Arts for ten years in the Indiana public school system. Her son, Chase, attends the elementary program at CBA.
Teacher- Megan Perkins: Ms. Megan is in her first year of teaching at CBA, and fifth year of teaching overall. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Early and Elementary Education and a Master's degree in Reading Curriculum and Instruction. As if she is not busy enough, she has four children ranging from newborn to age 7! Ms. Megan is a much-welcomed addition to our teaching staff.
Teacher and Curriculum Coordinator - Mary Gilbert: Ms. Mary is working on her 25th year in the Montessori Community. She has four children of her own, including a grown daughter who is also a Montessori teacher. Ms. Mary has an undergraduate degree in Fine Arts and a Master’s degree in Montessori Integrated Studies. She has served in leadership roles for a variety of Montessori associations, including AMTE, MACTE, AMS, IAME.
Specialty Teachers:
Physical Education (Elementary) - Rodney Zimmerman: Mr. Z, as he is affectionately called by our students, has an impressive resume: he gradated from the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, and went on to attend the University of California (UCLA) on a Basketball scholarship. He played professional basketball for the Detroit Pistons and in Europe for several years. Ms. Currently runs Conditioned Minds, an organization dedicated to helping students build motivation, athletic skills, and self-confidence.
Art (Elementary) - Shannon Mulkey: Ms. Shannon is incredibly talented in a variety of artistic ways. She teaches art at CBA, the High Museum of Art, the Mable House Arts Center and Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD Atlanta campus). Ms. Shannon also coordinates the biannual Indie Craft and Design show, Ice-Atlanta, in addition to maintaining her own clothing line, Patina.
Music Teacher - Debbie Henderson: Ms. Debbie, a Chicago native, has over twenty years’ experience working with children. In addition to being a musician and music teacher, Ms. Debbie also holds an elementary Montessori teaching certification. She has a daughter and two grandchildren and is known for her positive attitude and her ability to be a team player.
After-school Teacher and Coordinator - Carmen Severino: Ms. Carmen is known to all as a vibrant and dedicated teacher. She is well-versed in Montessori philosophy and child development and has taught here for 12 years. Ms. Carmen is known for her patience in helping students gain independence and emotional maturity. She has four children and five grandchildren, as well as an “exceptional” husband!
After-school Teacher - Bharti Desai: Ms. Bharti is in her sixth year as an after-school teacher at CBA and is known for her kindness and loving nature. Many students beg to be permitted to stay in her class after a long day at school. She has two grown children; her son works as a lawyer, her daughter as a teacher in the prestigious Teach for America program.
