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Dr. Dana Hill

Head of School

Dr. Hill joined the MSA community in 2001 as a parent of a toddler. Since that time, she has served as Parent Panel Coordinator, VP of the Board of Trustees, Support Services Coordinator, High School Director, and Administrator. She holds a B.S. degree from Presbyterian College with a double major in sociology and psychology. She also completed an M.A. and Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Georgia. In 2012, she received her AMS credential in Montessori School Management from the Center for Montessori Education in New York. She currently serves on the boards of the South Carolina Montessori Alliance and the South Carolina Independent School Association.

Amber Lockhart

Admissions Director (Lower Elementary through High School), College Guidance

Mrs. Lockhart joined MSA as the Director of Admissions (Primary - Grade 12) and Director of College Guidance in 2018. She graduated from Clemson University in 2015 with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and spent the three subsequent years in healthcare as a social worker. After spending much of her childhood as a student at MSA, she is grateful for the opportunity to now be a member of the faculty.

Jaime Emery

Business/Administrative Office Assistant

Mrs. Emery joined us in 2006. She holds an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science with a major in Administrative Office Technology. She is married with one son.

Molly Moorhead

Educational Coordinator

Ms. Molly Moorhead is the Educational Coordinator at the Montessori School of Anderson. Outside of MSA, Molly has worked as a Curriculum Coordinator, Educational Director, Instructional Guide (CGMS - Center for Guided Montessori Studies), Field Consultant (CGMS), Summer Instructor (CGMS), and presenter at AIMS (Association of Independent Maryland Schools), SCMA (South Carolina Montessori Alliance), MEPI (Montessori Educational Programs International - 2020 conference), and the IMC (International Montessori Council).

Karen Holt

Founder

Ms. Holt began her professional life in nursing, then earned a degree in Human Growth and Development from Lesley University. She is one of the school’s original founders and is part of the heartbeat of our school.

Melissa Hightower

Director of DSS Licensed Programs, Admissions Director (Infant through Primary)

Ms. Hightower joined the faculty at the Montessori School of Anderson in 1996. She earned the Montessori Infant/Toddler Associate credential in 2002 from the Center for Montessori Teacher Education (CMTE) in New York. From 2017-2019, Ms. Hightower led Infant/Toddler professional development workshops for the Center for Guided Montessori Studies (CGMS). She has served as the Director of DSS Licensed Programs (including Early Arrival, Stay Late, and Summer Camp) at MSA since 2013 and is the Admissions Director for the Infant/Toddler and Primary programs.

Susanna Merriman

Nurse/Safety Coordinator

After graduating with an RN from Clemson University in 1981, Mrs. Merriman began her career as an emergency room nurse. In addition to her current services at MSA, Suzi is an After-hours Triage Nurse (Pediatrics) with AnMed Health. She developed the Health Services program at MSA, and is the Safety/Security coordinator for our campus. In 2012 she was presented with the Palmetto Gold Award for Excellence in Nursing for the state of South Carolina, and she received the AnMed Health's Virginia Gilmer Extraordinary Woman in Healthcare Community Service Award in March 2019. She is an ASHI CPR instructor and SC Concussion Trainer. She serves on the SC Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Board of Trustees and is a state and national advocate for cancer patients.

Matt Dabney

Technology Coordinator

Mr. Dabney graduated from Clemson University with a BS and MS degree in Computer Science. As a graduate assistant, he was a member of the systems staff that manages the computers in the computer science building at Clemson. He has taught several summer programming and technology camps. He serves as the technology and testing coordinator at MSA.

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