Administration
Caroline Russell, Executive Director
Caroline Russell was raised in Alexandria, Virginia and attended the University of Virginia where she graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1995 with a B.A. in both French and Political and Social Thought. After college, she earned a Master’s degree in International Studies from the University of Cambridge, England. Caroline began her career promoting non-profit institutions of learning while working at the World Affairs Council in Richmond. Upon moving to the Rockbridge Area in 1998, she was appointed to a position in the Washington and Lee Development Office where she worked for six years and specialized in corporate and foundation grants, capital gifts, and stewardship.
Caroline has deep ties to Woods Creek Montessori as a parent and a board officer, serving as Board President in 2004-2005. During this time, the Board oversaw an expansion in program facilities and staff, and developed a long range strategic plan. Before her position at Woods Creek, Caroline was a volunteer language arts enrichment teacher at Waddell Elementary where she taught a Great Books program. She lives in Lexington with her family: husband Chris, who serves as Circuit Court Judge, and three children: two college age daughters at Wake Forest University and Dartmouth College, and a son in high school, each of whom attended the toddler and primary classrooms at WCM.
Amy Holston, Assistant Director
A native of Tidewater, Virginia, Amy received her M.Ed. in Higher Education and Student Affairs from the University of South Carolina and her B.A. from Dickinson College. Throughout her career, she has worked in many capacities in gifted education, specifically as the Director of Student Activities at both The Georgia Academy of Mathematics, Engineering, and Sciences, and the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy. More recently, she worked for Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, developing and managing summer programs for gifted students. Since this time, she has been busy raising two children, Kate and Ben (who was a Woods Creek Montessori student). Her husband, Ryan, is a professor at VMI. While at home, Amy also developed a small cake business, and has been an active member of Grace Episcopal Church where she served on the Vestry and in various other roles. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, walking, and gardening.
Teachers
Amanda McKemy, Pre-Toddler
Amanda McKemy was born and raised here in Rockbridge County. After being a Lead Teacher of infant children at another preschool for about seven years, she pursued her RIE (Resources For Infant Educators) certification in Florida during 2008. Following that certification, she has worked here at WCM as the Lead Teacher of infants and pre-toddlers.
Amanda truly has a passion for working with young children, teaching/caring for them and helping them to begin to grow into the unique individuals that they are. She often says that she has learned so much from the children themselves since her teaching began in 2001.
Amanda lives here in Lexington with her husband, Eddy. They have one son and two beautiful grandchildren. In her free time, Amanda enjoys traveling, hiking, cooking, and spending time with her family.
MaKenna Newell, Pre-Toddler
MaKenna was born and raised in Rockbridge County and graduated from Mary Baldwin University. There she earned her Bachelor’s of Arts in History
and minored in education. She hopes to continue her education to better help teach and inspire every child she has the pleasure of caring for.
Before she started at WCM she was the After School Coordinator at Natural Bridge Elementary School for 2 years, while also subbing. She eventually
hopes to go on to teaching middle school or high school history.
MaKenna still resides in Rockbridge County with her boyfriend Ben and their two boys, Luca and Maverick. In her free time she enjoys being crafty, reading, and spending quality time with her family.
Rhonda Ackerman is a native of Lexington. She is a graduate of Southern Seminary and Mary Baldwin University. She completed her coursework in Sociology/Social work. She has continued her education in studying pre-k education, foundations and resiliency in infants and toddlers, conscious discipline, and safety care behavioral training.
Rhonda is returning to Lexington after working in York, Pennsylvania at York Country Day School which has a curriculum built on the belief of kindness, honesty, responsibility, and respect.
Rhonda may be a familiar face in Lexington. She has worked over 20 years in education and child care at Lexington City Schools, Yellow Brick Road Early Learning Center, Lexington Presbyterian Church, and the YMCA.
Rhonda will be residing in Lexington with her husband Paul. They have three adult children and daughter-in-law, Jake (Kate), Luke, and Emily. In her free time, she is an avid reader and enjoys knitting and crochet.
Emily Newcomb, Toddler
Ms. Emily moved to Lexington in 2017 and loved it so much she decided to put down roots. Before joining our team, she worked as an assistant toddler teacher at an early learning center, where she developed a passion for helping young children grow through curiosity, routine, and play.
Ms. Emily holds a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and has completed extensive training in early childhood development. Prior to entering the classroom, she spent eight years as the Activities Director at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park, where she created fun, enriching experiences for children and families—something she now brings into her teaching every day.
Ms. Emily lives in Kerrs Creek on a small farm with her boyfriend and their son, Sawyer, who is a current student at WCM. Her love for children, both at work and at home, shines through in everything she does.
Farishte Irani, Primary I
Farishte Irani was born and raised in Silver Spring, Maryland, and holds a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Maryland. She and her family moved to Virginia in the summer of 2010 from New Hampshire, where she spent eight years at Mont Blanc Montessori Academy in many roles—including Lead Primary Teacher, Elementary Teacher, and Middle/High School Teacher.
Since joining Woods Creek Montessori in 2011, Farishte has continued to deepen her commitment to the Montessori philosophy. She has completed the American Montessori Society’s Early Childhood Reading Certificate Program, strengthening her ability to support young learners in their journey toward literacy.
In addition to her classroom work, Farishte enjoys mentoring new and aspiring Montessori teachers. Over the years, she has supported and collaborated with educators both at Woods Creek Montessori and through her ongoing involvement with Washington & Lee University.
Farishte is passionate about creating a peaceful, nurturing environment that encourages independence, curiosity, and a love of learning. She firmly believes that every child is a natural learner when given the freedom to explore within a thoughtfully prepared environment.
Now that her own children, Kaizad and Parizad, are young adults, Farishte continues to find deep fulfillment in guiding the next generation of learners. She lives in Lexington with her husband, Afshad, a professor at Washington & Lee University, and their sweet Sheepadoodle, Zeeba.
Katie Thompson, Primary I
Katie Thompson was born and raised in Lexington, Virginia. She has a Bachelors Degree in Biological Sciences from Virginia Tech and a Bachelors Degree in Nursing from Shenandoah University. She previously practiced as a full-time Registered Nurse prior to starting her family and continues to work PRN for Virginia Military Institute.
She worked at Woods Creek Montessori (WCM) as an Assistant Teacher and School Nurse during the 2021-2022 school year. She has thoroughly enjoyed being a Stay-at-Home Mom with her children for the past three years and is equally excited to return to our WCM family.
Her greatest loves are her husband, Bennett, and their three children, Charlie Kate (6), Emma (3) and Henry (2). Together, they enjoy the outdoors and long walks with their German Shorthair Pointer, Bo. Katie loves being a mom, cooking and gardening. Her passion is her family and she looks forward to WCM becoming an extension of that.
Janice Black, Primary II
Janice was raised in Rockbridge County, Virginia, and is a graduate of Mary Baldwin College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, graduating Cum Laude in 1993. She is a licensed educator, certified to teach Pre-K through 4th grade. Janice began her teaching career with Lexington City Schools in 1994 and dedicated 31 years to teaching first grade at Waddell Elementary School, retiring in May 2025.
In addition to her work in public education, she has served as the summer camp director at Woods Creek Montessori for three consecutive summers. Her experiences at WCM have deepened her passion for working with young children and provided her with valuable insight into the Montessori philosophy of education. As a lifelong learner, Janice is enthusiastic about continuing her journey in early childhood education. She is committed to nurturing children’s natural curiosity and helping them explore the world around them and their unique interests.
Janice resides in Lexington with her two daughters, Brinsley and Miah. She enjoys outdoor activities including hiking, biking, and kayaking, and has recently developed a passion for gardening and travel.
Haven Purcell, Primary II
Haven grew up in Dumas, Texas, where she developed a heart for serving others at a young age. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Her background in psychology has shaped her understanding of child development and her passion for supporting each child’s individual growth.
Haven has volunteered for many years with the Panhandle Children’s Foundation and Camp Agape, working closely with individuals with special needs. Through these experiences, she learned the importance of patience, encouragement, and meeting children where they are. She is especially drawn to the Montessori philosophy because of its emphasis on independence and fostering confidence in young learners.
She looks forward to relocating to Lexington, Virginia in May 2026 and becoming part of the community. In her free time, Haven enjoys reading, playing golf, and spending time with her dog, Tucker.
Melody Cluff, Music Specialist
Melody Cluff has taught music and provided music programs in elementary classrooms as a volunteer in San Diego, CA, Knoxville, TN, and here in our local schools for more than 25 years. While living in Knoxville, she founded and directed “Sunshine Singers,” a singing group for children grades K-5, which performed throughout the Knoxville area for several years. Teaching music, tutoring, and reading aloud to children has been a way of life for her. She continues to lead children’s and youth choirs in church settings. Melody loves living in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley and enjoys spending time with her husband, an English professor at Southern Virginia University, their five children, and their four grandchildren. Melody has a deep love and respect for all children and is excited about working and learning with them at Woods Creek Montessori.
Betty Anderson, After School Manager
Betty Anderson was born in Sedalia Missouri, moved about in the Midwest before her family settled in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. After graduating from Michigan State University with a degree in Horticulture, she received her Teaching Certification (in many fields including Vocational Agriculture) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has taught and tutored mathematics in several schools as well as with private clients. As a Girl Scout volunteer she does Outdoor Training- teaching leaders to take Scouts hiking, camping and backpacking. She has helped lead Girl Scouts on trips to Mexico, Switzerland, Germany, Ireland, and The Isle of Man. One highlight in 2015 was leading Girl Scouts on an overnight camping trip on the south lawn of the White House. She lives in Rockbridge County with her husband Michael, a Professor at W&L. They have two adult sons and one granddaughter.