Meet The Staff
Taibat Adeniyi
Lead Primary Teacher
Taibat Adeniyi, born and raised in Nigeria, followed her journey to The Gambia after marriage. She earned her National Certificate of Education at Kwara State, Nigeria, and taught 2nd grade for 10 years in The Gambia. In 2001, Taibat and her family moved to the U.S., where she began substitute teaching at St. Andrews Montessori in 2014. Falling in love with the Montessori method, she completed her 3-6 yr Montessori training in 2021, receiving certification from Montessori Educational Programs International (MEPI). Ms. Taibat, who became a U.S. citizen in the same year, enjoys reading, dancing, and cooking a variety of African foods.
Tiffany Brennan
Office Administrator
Tiffany Brennan is a native of Monroe County, having graduated from Mary Persons High School in 1999. She is married to her high school sweetheart, with whom she has 2 beautiful children. She currently resides in Monroe County. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, going to church, reading, and being in the mountains.
Elena Buck
Auxiliary Support Instructor
With a BA in Religious Studies, Ms. Elena comes to us with a background in special needs adults and children as well as being a clergy wife. She has 12 years of experience working closely with children on the autism spectrum in the classroom as well as acting as a liaison between parents, teachers, and daycare providers as a behavioral health therapeutic staff support. She supports her husband’s priesthood ministry at St. Innocent Orthodox Church, which is what brought her to Macon in the first place. At St. Andrews, Ms. Elena currently serves as auxiliary support instructor and has been with us about 7 yrs.
Jeanette Davis
Lower Elementary Co-Teacher
Ms. Jeanette is a co-teacher for our Lower Elementary class, bringing 23 years of experience with St. Andrews. She earned her assistant's certificate from the Institute for Guided Studies and has served in various roles, including assistant in the primary 3-6 yr. classroom, directing summer reading camps, providing after-school tutorial services, and co-teaching for 10 years in the Lower Elementary. Born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, Ms. Jeanette graduated from Saint Theressa's Girl's College and worked for 20 years in pharmaceutical sales before immigrating to the US in 1991. With a deep love for all things Disney and extensive travels throughout Europe, Ms. Jeanette also enjoys watching old movies in her spare time and cherishing moments with her daughter.
Randi Ferina
Assistant Toddler Teacher
Randi Ferina, one of the assistant teachers in our Toddler classroom, discovered her love for working with children at St. Andrews Montessori School while still in high school. Starting as a volunteer to earn community service hours, Randi continued her involvement by volunteering and substitute teaching even when not "needed." In 2017, she completed the Foundations of Montessori Philosophy and Educational Theory training course to achieve a Montessori Teacher's Paraprofessional certificate from the Institute of Guided Studies. Married with four beautiful girls and one son, Randi's passion for the school, its teachers, and students shines through, and she looks forward to a wonderful year working side by side with the little ones.
Sarah Fripp
Lead Primary Teacher
Sarah Fripp, a Montana native who grew up in Wisconsin, found her home in Georgia 17 years ago. Initially moving to be near her sister, she ended up meeting her lovely husband and settling in Georgia. With two children, Miles (11) and Emily (9), who are also St. Andrews students, Sarah and her family cherish camping with friends and exploring new destinations. Notable adventures include trips to Alaska and bore rafting in the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia. Ms. Sarah, an "8 on the enneagram personality test," embraces all things "hippy and crunchy," connecting with nature, peace, and well-being. She enjoys making kombucha, beet kvass, elderberry syrup, and crafting her own tinctures.
Beth Holloway
Assistant Primary Teacher
Ms. Beth grew up in Macon, GA. She received a B.A. degree in Music and German from Mercer University and an M.Div degree from Emory University. Prior to coming to St. Andrews Montessori, Ms. Beth served as an instructional parapro for the Jones County school system. She has also spent about 5 years in children’s ministry and is currently an active member of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church.
Ms. Beth has just recently come on board as an assistant teacher in our primary classroom under the direction of Ms. Taibat. She lives with her husband in Jones County and enjoys reading, crafting, baking, playing organ, and piano.
Melody Green
Lead Toddler Teacher
Melody Green, our current lead teacher in the Toddler classroom, embarked on a diverse journey before discovering her passion for the Montessori Method. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2013, Melody explored fields such as interior and graphic design, environmental studies, organic farming, commercial salmon fishing, and teaching nature studies in the Midwest and the Pacific Northwest. After attending The Montessori Institute in Denver, Colorado, where she received an AMI Assistants to Infancy (0-3) diploma, Melody returned to Washington to teach toddlers and lead Montessori parent-infant classes. In 2020, Melody and her husband moved to Georgia, and they are expecting their second child this February. Apart from her role as a Montessori teacher, Melody also works as a birth and postpartum doula, advocating for families during their first years of life. For leisure, Melody enjoys hiking, gardening, foraging, cooking, and designing cozy spaces.
Gena Howell
Administrator - Treasurer
Gena Howell, our Montessori Administrator and Treasurer, resides in Monroe County and holds an Associates Degree and teaching certificate in Early Childhood Education. Additionally, she boasts an Associate Degree in Cabinetry and a Montessori Assistant Certificate from the Institute for Guided Studies. With over 20 years in the educational field as a librarian, tutor, and special education instructor, Gena served 5 years as the lead Upper Elementary teacher at St. Andrews Montessori. Beyond her educational endeavors, Gena owned her own travel agency, visited all 50 states of the US, and explored the world. A mother of 2 grown sons and a proud St. Andrews alumni parent, Gena's passions extend to sewing, crocheting, painting, and clay sculpting.
Paitan Joseph
Assistant Primary Teacher
Paitan Joseph was born in Kenner, LA, and is a graduate of Jones County High School in Gray, GA, Ms. Paitan has been an assistant teacher at St. Andrews for five years. Holding a Montessori Assistant certificate from the Institute of Guided Studies (IGS), she is not only an animal lover sharing her home with a leopard gecko, a chinchilla, and a Boston Terrier but also a passionate anime enthusiast. When not playing video games or hanging out at Hello Boba Café, Ms. Paitan enjoys attending Momocon in full costume. Her greatest travel experience was visiting Jamaica.
Karen Mangham
Head of School
Karen Mangham, our School Director, was raised in Dooly County, Georgia. She is a graduate of Mercer University (Macon, GA) and George Peabody College for Teachers (Nashville, TN). Holding two Montessori Certificates from MEPI (3-6 yr. and 6-9 yr.), Karen is not only an accomplished educator but also a proud mother of 3 children and grandmother to 6. Recognized as Teacher of the Year in 1978 in Butts County, GA, she pioneered as the first magnet school kindergarten teacher in the state at Alexander II Magnet School from 1979-1983. Co-founding the first Montessori School in Bibb County in 1986, Karen has twice served on the Board of Directors for Montessori Educational Programs International (MEPI). With an impressive 46 years of teaching experience, she also holds the title of Dog-Mom to a pug named Mooshu. Karen finds joy in hiking, nature adventures, photography, collecting antiques, enjoying 60's music, and hosting summer "Grandma Camp" with a special touch of decorating her Christmas tree with pig ornaments.
Melinda Murphree
Assistant Toddler Teacher
Melinda Murphree, one of the assistant teachers in our Toddler classroom, has been an integral part of St. Andrew's Montessori for 11 years. She received her Paraprofessional certificate from the Institute of Guided Studies in 2013 and has a rich background, including facilitating The Nurturing Parenting Program for Families of Youth/Adolescents with a mental health diagnosis and working in Therapeutic Foster Care for Troubled Youth and Children. Melinda, a proud mother of four children, finds joy in nature, hiking, gardening, photography, and exploring new places.
Chhabi Rahman
Lead Lower Elementary Teacher
Chhabi Rahman, our new lead Elementary teacher in the Lower class, brings a wealth of experience after serving 8 years in our primary 3-6 class. Born in Bangladesh and raised in London, England, Chhabi graduated from Queen Mary College, University of London, with a BSc degree in Biochemistry and earned an MSc degree in Biotechnology from Imperial College of Science Technology and Medicine. She obtained her Montessori 3-6 year certification from MEPI in 2018. Outside the classroom, Ms. Chhabi enjoys photography, reading, crafts, and cooking with her son, Zarif. As a mother of three, she is excited to contribute to the growth and development of our students.
Ellen Wilson
Music Instructor
Ellen Wilson is a native of Reading, PA. She earned a BA degree in music from Muhlenberg College in 1973 and a Master of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music (University of Rochester) in 1976. Since coming to Macon in 1979, she has been certified by Kindermusik and Musikgarten, and taught Kindermusik for many years. Her oldest child was in the first class at St. Andrews Montessori Preschool, and she has been active with the school since its beginning. She began teaching full-time here in 1994, and received Montessori primary certification in 1997. Since she retired from full-time teaching in 2017, she has taught music classes at St. Andrews, and does a considerable amount of substituting in the primary and lower elementary classes.
Hannah Hammond
Assistant Primary Teacher
Hannah Hammond is an alumna of Montessori, having attended Montessori of Macon from three years old until thirteen, and is beyond excited to be joining the Primary 1 team as an assistant at St Andrews! She has spent the past 10 years assisting in various Montessori classrooms between Macon, Atlanta, and as far as Golden, Colorado, with most of her focus on primary and toddler environments. In her free time, she enjoys hiking/traveling, making music, knitting, reading, and spending time with her menagerie of animals! She can’t wait to learn and grow with your children throughout this year and many more to come.
Meagan Bishop
Assistant Primary Teacher
Meagan Bishop, a proud native of Macon, GA, has dedicated her career to working with children of various ages and disabilities. Her experience as a paraprofessional in a school setting and as a full-time nanny reflects her passion for fostering the growth and development of young minds. Beyond her role in education, Meagan is also a skilled natural light photographer, owning and operating M + H Photography since 2011. Her love for the outdoors, appreciation for live music, and collection of vintage cameras showcase her diverse interests. Alongside her professional endeavors, Meagan cherishes the role of motherhood. Currently, she serves as a teacher’s aide/floater and substitute at St. Andrews Montessori, contributing her expertise and enthusiasm to the school community.