Cidney Carlton
Toddler Community Assistant

Cidney is a valuable addition to our team, offering patience, compassion, and a calming presence in the fast-paced world of young explorers. With a CNA certification and over five years of experience in childcare, she has a solid background in child development and health. Cidney plays a key role in helping toddlers navigate their big emotions, build first friendships, and master the essential skill of putting their shoes on the right feet.

When she’s not in the classroom, Cidney loves exploring her creative side through writing, painting, and photography, passions she often brings into her work to inspire and connect with her students. You might also find her hiking nature trails or chasing waterfalls, as she has a deep love for the outdoors. Nature is a true passion of hers, second only to her little ones, of course!

Dixita Shah
Primary Guide

Dixita is originally from India and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2010, and her AMI Primary Diploma in 2011. Working with children has always been her passion. After completing the AMI training Dixita taught in India, Australia, and Albuquerque, NM, before arriving at Montessori In Town in 2021.

Dixita’s global perspective and depth of experience are tremendous assets in the classroom. She believes there is nothing more rewarding than teaching and being a part of a child’s learning journey. Dixita appreciates the outdoors and relishes the time spent with her family and friends. Dixita’s son also attends MIT.

Lindsay Rauen
Primary Guide

Lindsay is from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Arts. She studied Fine Arts in Italy and Botany in Costa Rica. Lindsay was working on her second degree in teaching 1st - 8th grade when she had the opportunity to observe a public Montessori school. She loved what she saw, researched Montessori, and enrolled in an AMI Primary Montessori training.

Lindsay has been working with children in various roles for 20 years. She has worked in public schools as a Montessori guide and as an art teacher. Lindsay, who has two boys who attend MIT, joined our school in 2022. She enjoys spending time with her family, camping, hiking, cooking, and listening to live music.

Sherry White
Primary Classroom Assistant

Sherry hails from the small town of Camilla, Georgia, and has been dedicated to working with K-12 students since 2012. Over the years, she gained valuable experience as a substitute teacher with Atlanta Public Schools. Outside of work, Sherry enjoys blogging, exploring new cities, shopping, walking, attending church, dining out, and cherishing time with her family. She lives by the motto, "Be the change you want to see."

Lala Ahmed
Remote Elementary Guide

Lala holds both AMI primary and elementary training, a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of Karachi, Pakistan, and a Masters in Education from Loyola College, Baltimore, MD. She has served on the board of directors for peace organizations, Women's Action for New Directions and South Asians for Unity. Throughout her adult life Lala has been committed to promoting peace through education. She is married and a mother of two grown children.

Lala had worked as a primary guide in the Atlanta since 2007. She joined MIT in 2011 after completing her elementary training. She created a thriving lower elementary classroom that speaks to the imagination of the child and sets them up for a lifelong voyage of learning and discovery.

Sasha Fani
Lower Elementary Guide

Sasha grew up in sunny England with a multicultural background—his father is Iranian and his mother is Italian-Scottish. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Construction Project Management, he discovered your true passion for education. In 2017, he trained as a Montessori teacher in San Diego and has since taught in diverse settings across both the U.S. and the U.K.

His early years of teaching were spent guiding 6-12-year-olds in a Montessori classroom in Arizona, followed by a year at a progressive school in San Francisco. In 2021, you returned to England, where you worked as a special needs teacher, supporting children with learning differences like Autism, ADHD, and Dyslexia. He’s deeply committed to nurturing each child’s potential, helping them build confidence, independence, and joy in learning. His ultimate goal is to contribute to a better world through meaningful, heart-led education.

Outside of the classroom, he’s a lifelong foodie, a passion that started with working weekends in his family’s pizzeria. He loves to cook, is an avid skier, and is a loyal fan of football (the English kind!)

Rosa Ayala
Spanish Teacher

Rosa is originally from Puerto Rico. She was a theater major and loves the arts. She utilizes her performing skills to engage children. Teaching her language and culture has been more than a job for Rose–it is her passion and mission.

Rosa has been working in Montessori schools for the past eight years, first with the Toddler community and then as a Spanish guide. She joined the MIT community in 2021.

Rosa enjoys exercising regularly because it brings her peace and purpose.

Ellen Barneycastle
Elementary P.E.

Bio Coming Soon

Carmen Draper
Maintenance

Carmen is a highly skilled craftsman whose skills across the construction industry - electric, plumbing, carpentry, and finishing have been invaluable to the renovation of the three buildings that now comprise Montessori In Town. Carmen had thirty-five years of experience in construction before coming to Montessori In Town.

Carmen ensures that the three buildings are all well maintained and everything is in good working order.

Krisann Clark
Administrative Assistant

After Krisann’s first child was born, she started a tutorial service to encourage reading and writing for children and families in her community. Around this time she read an article about Montessori that resonated with her, she continued to read and learn about Montessori. Krisann taught elementary and middle schoolers, substituted in K-12 classrooms, tutored K-college students, and mentored middle and high school students, incorporating Montessori principles as much as possible. Krisann has been a substitute at Montessori In Town for eight years.

Krisann enjoys reading and writing, walking outdoors, and spending time with family and friends.