All of our teachers are experienced, dedicated, and Montessori-certified.
Your primary concern is is the safety, well-being and educational progress of your child. Therefore when you entrust us with your child, we ensure that he or she is given the absolute best care and teaching we can provide. That is why teachers are our most important asset. The teachers are the heart of our school.
We recognize first and foremost that the teachers are responsible for your child. Hence, we take great pride in the low turnover of our teachers, most of whom have been with us for more than ten years. And, importantly, our teachers are all Montessori-certified, so you can be confident of their abilities and competence. We invite you to take a few minutes to introduce yourself to our staff. Of course, if you have any questions, or if you’d like to meet our teachers in person, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
“The hands are the instruments of man’s intelligence.”
—Maria Montessori
Sharon Bryant
Director, AMS Certified Teacher
Sharon grew up in Central Virginia. She studied at Longwood College where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education specializing in Art. She did additional studies at Madison College and Virginia Commonwealth University and received a Virginia Collegiate Professional Teaching Certificate for grades K-12. Sharon taught Elementary Art in New Kent County, Virginia for three years before changing career paths to work in the Graphic Art and Publications division of Tenneco Corporation.
Sharon relocated to Cary, NC in 1984 and continued to work in the Graphic Arts/Advertising Industry until founding Meyers & Associates in 1990, a communications firm that specialized in the development of Continuing Education Programs for the Medical Community.
In 1991 Sharon met and married her husband Gil and they were blessed with their daughter Leigh in 1993. When Leigh turned two years old she was enrolled in a Montessori School and Sharon fell in love with the Montessori Method. She had a vision to open a school in the Apex area so after selling Meyers & Associates in 2001 she went back to school and became American Montessori Society Certified for ages 3 to 6 in 2002. Sharon has 15 years teaching experience, with 12 of those years in the Montessori Children’s House.
Sharon founded Peace Montessori in 2003 with one classroom for ages 3 to 6. The school has since expanded to offer four different programs for ages 2 to 12.
Sharon enjoys life with her husband and daughter as well as three dogs, turtles, fish and a horse. She likes biking, trail walking, and reading.
Angela Carawan
AMS Elementary I, NAMTE 3-6 Certified Teacher
Angela grew up in the small town of Walnut Cove, NC. While attending NC State she played saxophone in the marching band and concert band. She worked as a Resident Advisor, pre-kindergarten teacher, and at IBM. After graduating in 1998 she continued at IBM until the birth of her oldest child in 2001.
When her son was 3, Angela discovered Montessori, per a friend’s recommendation. She toured Peace Montessori and fell in love with the method, respect and structured freedom of the program. In 2010 Angela received her AMS Elementary I certification and completed 3-6 Certification in 2013. This is her seventh year at Peace Montessori.
Angela enjoys spending time with her husband, two children and their cat, Meezer. She also enjoys reading, cooking, church and going for walks
“It is the spirit of the child that can determine the course of human progress and lead it perhaps even to a higher form of civilization.”
—Maria Montessori
Kathy Corbett
AMS Certified Teacher, Children’s House B
Kathy grew up in Ohio and studied at Youngstown State University and Long Medical Institute. She worked in the Respiratory Therapy field before leaving the work place to raise her children.
In 1996 Kathy’s career course changed. She began working as an assistant in a Montessori Classroom where she mentored under a well experienced and devoted Montessorian. She fell in love with the teachings of Montessori and the method. She later went on to receive her AMS certification. Kathy has worked at Peace Montessori since 2005, when she and her family relocated to North Carolina.
Kathy is married with two grown children. She enjoys golfing, hiking and spending time with her family.
Malin Katsarou
Assistant Teacher, Children’s House C
Malin was born in Sweden, 1970. She worked as a teacher’s assistant, personal assistant for a child with autism, and with before and after care for lower elementary grades before starting her own family. She has been married to her husband Georgios who was born in Greece, since 1991 and they have 3 grown children together.
They moved to NC in early 2001 and when their youngest daughter started at Peace in 2004, Malin came to work there too. She and her family became US citizens in 2012.
Malin enjoys hiking, cooking, reading and traveling.
“Imitation is the first instinct of the awakening mind.”
—Maria Montessori
Barbara McBrayer
Art Instructor & Aftercare Program Coordinator
Barbara joined Peace Montessori in October 2014 as the Art Instructor and Aftercare Program Coordinator. She moved to Cary, North Carolina with her late husband and two daughters in 1977. Barbara has lived here since except for a three-year move to Richmond, Virginia. She enjoys spending time with her grandsons and seeing them as they grow into fine young men.