Meet The Staff
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.
Randi Ferina
Lead Toddler Teacher (Blossoms Class)
Randi Ferina 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. Beginning in June 2026, Randi is pursuing a full AMS Infant-Toddler Montessori Certification through the Montessori Teacher Education Institute of Atlanta. 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.
Melody Green
Lead Toddler Teacher (Sprouts Class)
Melody Green, the lead teacher in the Sprouts 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 have two wonderful children. 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 Smith
Assistant Primary Teacher (Blue Class)
Paitan Joseph Smith 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 8 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. In September 2026, Paitan married the love of her life, Tim Smith.
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), and currently serves on the School Accreditation Commission for MEPI. With an impressive 50 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 (Blossoms Class)
Melinda Murphree, one of the assistant teachers in our Toddler classroom, has been an integral part of St. Andrew's Montessori for 13 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/homesteading, photography, and exploring new places.
Hannah Hammond
Lead Primary Teacher (Green Class)
Hannah Hammond is an alumna of Montessori, having attended Montessori of Macon from three years old until thirteen, and is entering her second year as Lead Primary Guide in the Green Classroom at St. Andrews. She has spent the past 12 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. Hannah most recently obtained her Early Childhood credential through the Montessori Teacher Education Institute of Atlanta in 2026. 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.
Megan Bishop
Assistant Primary Teacher (Green Class)
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 an assistant Primary teacher in the Green room, contributing her expertise and enthusiasm to the school community.
Zach Hammond
Elementary Assistant Teacher
Mr. Zach is an elementary assistant teacher in our 6-12 year old classroom. Originally from Montgomery, Alabama, Zach Hammond moved to Atlanta for college, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in history from Georgia State University in 2013. He has since worked as a substitute teacher at St. Andrews and in public schools in the greater Atlanta area. Zach moved to Macon 3 years ago with his wife Hannah (who is a Montessori educator as well) and their four fur babies. He enjoys reading, playing board games, watching sports, being in nature, and traveling in his spare time.
Lisa Weems
Lead Primary Teacher (Blue Class)
Hello. My name is Lisa Weems (Ms. Lisa) and I am so happy to be joining the St. Andrews Montessori family. I hold AMI diplomas at both the Primary (3-6 yr) and the Assistants to Infancy (0-3 yr) levels from MNW, an Administrators Certificate from the Montessori Institute of Prague, and an Orientation to Adolescent Studies Certificate from AMI/NAMTA/Great Works in Denver. I also earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from Marylhurst University.
I have spent 18 years working directly in Montessori classrooms with children ages 2–12, along with 12 years in administration. Originally from Miami, I now live south of Atlanta with my husband, near our two adult sons, my daughter-in-love and my grandson. Our oldest son and his wife reside in Ferndale, WA. During the summer, you can often find me in Portland, Oregon, as I am the course assistant to the Assistants to Infancy (birth-3) training program, where I support adult learners in their goal of becoming a certified Montessori guide at the infant/toddler level.
I am deeply passionate about sharing knowledge, supporting others, and nurturing an enduring love for children. On a more personal note, my first car was a white 4-door Volkswagen Rabbit with a manual transmission and a sunroof. I’ve always preferred dogs over cats and the coast over the mountains. One of my favorite books is Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen. When I’m not in the classroom supporting children, studying, or working with adult learners, I enjoy crafting, quilting, reading historical fiction, and traveling with my family.
I look forward to meeting and working with everyone, and am excited for the year ahead.
Jake DeLange
Lead Elementary Teacher
Jake DeLange was trained at the Primary level in Orlando, Florida, and at the Lower Elementary Level in Cary, NC, where he received an AMS Lower Elementary Credential. He taught in both levels at Montessori of Macon for a decade, and moved from middle Georgia to Tokyo, Japan, where he taught kindergarten and elementary students for another 12 years. His favorite classroom activities pertain to reading, geography, art and music. He loves to entertain and participate in musical activities with the children using his ukulele.
Cierra Brooks
Assistant Toddler Teacher (Sprouts Class)
Cierra was raised in Crawford County, GA, and graduated from Classical Conversations in 2026. She is currently attending Central Georgia Technical College, pursuing a degree in early childhood education. Cierra has worked with kids since she was a young teenager through her church and the 4-H program in Crawford County. When Cierra is not working, she likes to read, hang out with her friends and family, and travel. She will be joining Ms. Melody in the Toddler Sprouts classroom in the 2026-2027 school year.