Directors &
Lead Teachers
Ms. Sharon Suitt - Founder and Head of School
Ms. Sharon began her teaching career in Buffalo, New York. After relocating, she worked in the Atlanta Public Schools as a teacher, media specialist, curriculum specialist, and Elementary School principal. As a mother of 3 daughters, she realized the importance of providing a strong foundation in the early years and enrolled her children in Southwest Montessori. Experiencing the Montessori philosophy as a parent, she developed a great appreciation for the independence, problem-solving skills, and academic rigor provided in the Montessori program.
Later in life, her children encouraged her to start a Montessori school that her grandchildren could attend. In preparation for opening the school, Ms. Sharon enrolled at Kennesaw University, where she studied under Dr. Feland Meadows in the Primary Years Program. Additionally, she received her Infant-Toddler Credential from the Montessori Training Institute (MTEI) in Atlanta.
After retiring from Atlanta Public Schools in 2009, Ms. Sharon and her colleague, Elizabeth Bland, started CHI Montessori in her College Park home. This is CHI’s fifteenth year in existence.
Ms. Danielle Suitt - Academic Director
Ms. Danielle is the Academic Director for the Infant-Toddler program. She is a Montessori Mom of five daughters who became a Montessori educator. In the fall of 2019, she received the American Montessori Society (AMS) Infant-Toddler Montessori teaching credential from the Montessori Teacher Education Institute of Atlanta (MTEI). Her journey to Montessori began over 20 years ago when her two oldest daughters attended a Montessori school, where she spent time as a parent volunteer. She loved the freedom of choice and independence the Montessori method gave her daughters. She witnessed first-hand the benefits of a Montessori foundation. Her life’s work is making Montessori education accessible to all children. This is Ms. Danielle's eighth year at CHI.
Ms. Aliyah Shakirah
Ms. Aliyah is the teacher for our Elementary program. She has Montessori credentials in Primary from the Montessori Teacher Training Institute of Miami, as well as Elementary I and II credentials from Barry University in Miami, Florida. She has also received a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Florida Memorial University and holds a Georgia Educator’s Certificate. Outside of school, Ms. Aliyah is the mother of 7 children, 14 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. The love of children and learning has been the driving force in her life. This is her fourth year teaching at CHI.
Ms. Marie Andrews
Ms. Marie is a Primary teacher. She received a Medical Assistant degree from Tide Water Technical College in Virginia. In 2003, she received a Montessori teaching credential from the North American Montessori Center (NAMC). She has over 20 years of early childhood classroom experience. Ms. Marie chose to be a Montessori teacher because she loves giving children the freedom to find their way toward independence, self-reliance, and motivation. This is her second year teaching at CHI.
Ms. Wynelle Scott
Ms. Wynelle, a Primary teacher, is a native of Atlanta, where she received education in several of its institutions, including Spelman College(‘74) BA in Child Development; Atlanta University(‘75, 79’) MA in Early Childhood Education, and MSLS in Library Science, respectively. Wynelle taught in early education class levels for a few years before becoming a school media specialist at elementary and high school levels. She retired from the Atlanta Public School System in 2009 after 35 years of service. After retirement, Ms. Scott worked in serving nonprofits, substitute teaching, and storytelling under the name “Grandma Sparkles.” Ms. Wynelle loves teaching and touching the lives of young people of all ages. She credits her choice of teaching and library service to her mother, an exemplary educator, and Mrs. Sara B. Davis, her high school librarian, whom she worked with as a Student Library Assistant. Substitute teaching and storytelling led her to CHI eight years ago.
Ms. Judith Wami - Reading and Math Specialist
Ms. Judi was born in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. She received her primary and secondary school education in Nigeria and the UK before moving to the United States over 40 years ago. She studied Early Childhood Education at Santa Monica College and Pacific Oaks College in Southern California, receiving a certification from Santa Monica College. She received her AMS Montessori education and accreditation for the Primary level from the Montessori Teacher Training Center in San Leandro, CA, under Pamela Lanaro and Marge Farmer in 1987. Ms. Judith loves teaching children from 3 to 6 years old and has worked with children in an early child development setting since 1983. She also has medical experience and nursing certifications as an MA and CNA. This is her fourth year teaching at CHI.
Ms. Ashton Fearrington
Ms. Ashton is the lead teacher for the Toddler Program. She is a mom of two girls and a North Carolina native who has called Atlanta home for 12 years. Ashton holds a bachelor’s degree in Family and Consumer Sciences from North Carolina Central University. In 2019, she received her Montessori Infant-Toddler Credential at The MTEI of Atlanta. Before joining CHI, she was a Montessori guide at The Suzuki School. In her spare time, she enjoys crafting, creating floral arrangements and event decor. This is her fourth year teaching at CHI.
Ms. Angela Yancey
Ms. Angela is the lead teacher in the Nido. She has a Human Development and Family Science degree from the University of Missouri (Mizzou). Before joining CHI, she worked with a local nonprofit running various after-school academic and mentorship programs, along with an early learning program for 3-4-year-olds that drew from Montessori principles. She has also worked in many different childcare settings over the years. She has a love for child development and looks forward to continuing to put that into practice with our babies in the Nido. This is Ms. Angela's first year at CHI.
Ms. Fredia Sheffield
Ms. Fredia Sheffield is the Toddler 1 lead teacher. She is a Georgia native and currently lives in Villa Rica. She attended The University of West Georgia in Carrollton, GA. She is currently enrolled in a Montessori teacher training at MTEI of Atlanta. She has one daughter in her senior year at West Point Military Academy. Ms. Fredia began working with toddlers in 2002 when she opened an in-home childcare program to care for her daughter. Her Montessori journey began in 2020 in Carrollton, GA. She joined CHI in 2022. This is Ms. Fredia's first year as a lead teacher.
Ms. Fredia enjoys traveling, dining out, watching documentaries, attending wine tastings, being with my family and friends, and relaxing at home.
