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 1 Co-Lead
Courtney Burton joined the Montessori School of Anderson team in January 2024, initially supporting our Lower Elementary program before stepping into her role as Primary 1 Co-Lead in August 2024. Mrs. Courtney began her professional journey as a certified Dental Assistant, where her love for pediatric care ultimately inspired her transition into early childhood education. She began her Montessori career in 2017 at Upstate Montessori Academy in Greenville, SC, where she taught for six years while earning her United Montessori Association Primary credential. Mrs. Courtney brings depth, warmth, and strong Montessori practice to her classroom.
Stephanie Beach
Primary 2 Lead, Primary Program Lead
Stephanie Beach serves as the Primary Program Lead and Primary 2 Lead Teacher at the Montessori School of Anderson. She earned her American Montessori Society (AMS) Early Childhood Credential through Lander University and holds an Associate Degree in Business and Accounting. Mrs. Stephanie began teaching preschool in 2008 and joined the MSA faculty in 2013 as the Primary 2 Assistant. Demonstrating a deep commitment to Montessori pedagogy and student growth, she stepped into the Primary 2 Lead role in 2017 before being appointed Primary Program Lead in 2025.
Angelique Bell
Primary 2 Assistant
With more than 20 years of dedicated service at the Montessori School of Anderson, Angelique Bell currently serves as the Primary 2 Assistant. Over two decades, she has lent her talents to almost every stage of early development, having also worked in our Infant/Toddler and Lower Elementary programs. Mrs. Angelique’s warmth, extensive hands-on experience, and steady guidance enrich both her students' daily learning and the broader faculty community.
Lisa Good
Primary 3 Lead
Lisa Good joined the Montessori School of Anderson faculty in Fall 2023 as the Primary 3 Lead Teacher. A veteran Montessori educator, Mrs. Lisa earned her Primary Montessori credential in 1987 in Mesa, Arizona, and has guided children across diverse environments for nearly four decades. Her experience includes a decade running her own early childhood program, as well as launching JustMontessori, an online curriculum resource and blog focused on child development and hands-on material design. Mrs. Lisa has a deep heart for all children, but especially those with learning challenges, having previously worked as a tutor for students with Dyslexia. She brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our Primary program.
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
Primary 3 Assistant
A dedicated team member since 2015, Leslie Barrett serves as the Primary 3 Assistant at MSA. Mrs. Leslie earned her Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Development and completed her Toddler Beginnings training through the Center for Guided Montessori Studies (CGMS). Having supported our students across both the Toddler and Pre-Primary levels over the years, Leslie brings a wealth of early childhood experience and deep care to the Primary classroom.
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
Infant Lead
Brianna Buchanan has been a valued member of the Montessori School of Anderson community since 2022. Having attended Anderson University following her graduation from Pendleton High School, Ms. Brianna has long been passionate about working with children in various educational and community settings. She completed her Infant-Toddler Montessori Beginnings training through the Center for Guided Montessori Studies (CGMS) and now leads our Infant environment, fostering a nurturing, independence-building space for our infants.
Angela Dunster
I/T-Elementary Substitute, Elementary Extended Care Sub
Melissa Hightower
Preschool Director, Schoolwide Admissions
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.