Primary Program
(3 to 6 years old)
Children between the ages of three and six naturally learn information spontaneously and joyfully. Dr. Maria Montessori called the child’s mind “absorbent,” and compared it to a sponge soaking up water. She also discovered that during these years, there are “sensitive periods” when the child shows an increased interest in certain areas. It is easier for a child to learn during these periods than at any other time in life.
Since education is derived primarily from experiences, our classrooms in the Primary program are “prepared environments” where many things are scaled to the size and needs of the child. The child selects his activities and thus can experience the excitement of learning by his own interest and at his own pace. Since the hand is the main instrument of learning at this age, these activities are manipulative. Many of the materials also have a built-in “control of error,” so that the child learns to rely on his own senses to determine if he has made any mistakes and will work to “fix it” himself.
The teacher’s role in the Primary classroom is to prepare the environment, socially, psychologically, and physically to introduce the children to various activities in the classroom in a sequence which challenges the child, allowing her to move from success to success as she progresses from the simple to the complex, from the rudimentary to the refined, and from outer control to self control. In the Primary program, we prefer the term “directress” to “teacher,” for while the adult serves as a dynamic link to the environment, the child educates himself through his own experiences guided by this seasoned and well trained Montessori professional. The Primary child’s curiosity is kept alive with daily and weekly lessons that awaken his sense of awe at life in general.
Meet our faculty and staff
Candace Kirby
Primary One Guide, Primary Program Lead
Candace Kirby holds a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood with a Montessori Emphasis and a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education with a Montessori Emphasis, both from Lander University. She also holds an Early Childhood credential from the American Montessori Society. She began her teaching career in Greenwood School District 50 where she taught Primary Montessori for 8 years. She has been educating joyful scholars at MSA since 2014.
Courtney Burton
Primary One Assistant
Courtney Burton first joined MSA in the spring of 2024. She is originally from Anderson, SC and shares a deep love for her community. She began her teaching career in Montessori in 2017, where she worked at Upstate Montessori Academy in Greenville, SC for 6 wonderful years, and holds a Primary Directress certificate. Prior to her teaching career, she studied dental assisting and worked in pediatrics. However, her love for teaching eventually led her to pursue a Montessori certificate through the United Montessori Association, solidifying her commitment to education.
Stephanie Beach
Primary Two Guide
Stephanie Beach earned her American Montessori Society credential through Lander University. She also has an Associate Degree in Business/Accounting. She has taught preschool since 2008 and been with MSA since 2013, when she started as the Primary Two Assistant. She accepted the Directress of Primary Two position in 2017.
Angelique Bell
Primary Two Assistant
Lisa Good
Primary Three Guide
Paula Ballentine
Primary Three Assistant
Paula Ballentine is an assistant teacher in Primary Three. The Montessori School of Anderson has been a part of her family’s life for quite a while. She has two sons that attended (years ago) and it is due to her experience as a parent that she chose to apply as a substitute teacher upon retiring from the finance industry in 2004. She has worked in the Infant/Toddler, Primary, and Lower & Upper Elementary classrooms over the years.
Leslie Barrett
Pre-Primary Lead
Mrs. Leslie has been a part of our community since 2015. She has her Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Development and a Center for Guided Montessori Studies Toddler Beginnings training certificate. She has worked in the toddler department since 2015 and brought her toddler knowledge and skills with her to the new Pre-Primary class in 2024. Her two children attended our school since the Infant room. We appreciate her and the value she brings to our school.
Katelyn Patterson
Pre-Primary Lead
Ms. Katelyn Patterson has been a part of the MSA Primary team since 2019. She has over 12 years of experience in elementary and early childcare classrooms. She has her Early Care and Education credentials from Tri-County Technical College. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her fiancé and their 13-year-old son, Bryson.
Avery Stalker
Primary Extended Care
Mrs. Avery has been with MSA for two years now. She looks over the nap room and also does after-school care. She was previously a nanny for 10 years for families all over the world before settling down with her husband in Anderson, SC. She is mainly from Michigan with roots in France. She loves being around kids for she is a kid at heart. Children have a beautiful imagination and an impeccable ability to be creative, something that most adults lose through age. Avery finds at MSA we can truly let kids be kids. She has a world of experiences to share with the students, having been to 16 countries so far with travels to Ireland, Iceland, and Finland, where her husband's family is from, as well as living and spending a lot of time surfing in Australia and Santa Barbara, California. She loves learning about different cultures and immersing herself in them and also enjoys hiking.
Brianna Buchanan
Primary Extended Care
Ms. Brianna has been at Montessori School of Anderson since 2022. She graduated from Pendleton High School and is now working on her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She loves reading, music, and spending time on the lake. Ms. Brianna has worked with children for many years with experience ranging from babysitting to teaching children's church and VBS. She is now a lead in the Primary Extended Day program.
Angela Dunster
I/T-Elementary Substitute, Elementary Extended Care Sub
Melissa Hightower
Preschool Director, Admissions, Office Support
Ms. Melissa Hightower has been at Montessori School of Anderson since 1996. She started her journey working with infants and toddlers. In 2000-2002 she spent 2 summers in New York earning her Montessori Associate Degree for 0-3 Year Olds. In 2013 she became the Director of the Infant/Toddler program, as well as the Director of Admissions.