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 along with her colleague, Elizabeth Bland, started CHI Montessori in her College Park home. This is CHI’s fourteenth year in existence.
Mr. Walter Puyol - Academic Director
Mr. Walter is the Academic Director for Primary here at CHI Montessori. Mr. Walter has been in education since 1986. He studied Montessori Philosophy and Curriculum with the Pan-American Montessori Society (PAMS) under Dr. Feland Meadows at Kennesaw State University. He received his Montessori Coach certification from the National Center for Montessori for the Public Sector. Mr. Walter also has diplomas from Cambridge and The University of Michigan in foreign language.
Mr. Walter's role as Academic Director is to observe and follow each Primary child's development in order to create individualized lesson plans that foster independence and support the child's academic, social, and emotional development.
As an educational coach Mr. Walter facilitates collaborative discussions that lead to best practices that support the learning process for all students and teachers. This is his sixth year teaching at CHI.
Ms. Danielle Suitt - Academic Director
Ms. Danielle is the Academic Director for the Infant-Toddler program here at CHI Montessori. Currently she is the lead teacher in the Nido classroom. In Fall of 2019, she received the American Montessori Society Infant-Toddler Credential from the Montessori Teacher Education Institute of Atlanta (MTEI). Her introduction to Montessori began 19 years ago when she sent her two oldest daughters to a Montessori school, where she spent a lot of time volunteering. She loved the freedom of choice and independence that the Montessori method gave them. The self-confidence they developed in those early years is still evident today. She has witnessed the benefits of a Montessori foundation first-hand and that the reason she is so passionate about Montessori education and has made it her life’s work. This is her sixth year teaching at CHI.
Ms. Aliyah Shakirah
Ms. Aliyah is the teacher for our Upper Elementary program here at CHI Montessori. She has Montessori Credentials in Primary from 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 1 great grandchild. The love of children and learning has been the driving force in her life. This is her third year teaching at CHI.
Ms. Kalia Raheem
Ms. Kalia is the teacher for our Lower Elementary program here at CHI Montessori. She first started with CHI in 2014, while studying criminal justice for undergrad and spent 2 years teaching alongside Ms. Sharon, which compelled her to switch her major to education. In 2021, she graduated from Georgia State University with a degree in middle grades education, with a focus on math and science. This is her third year teaching at CHI.
Ms. Wynelle Scott
Ms. Wynelle is a Primary teacher here at CHI Montessori.
She is a native of Atlanta where she received education in several of its institutions including Spelman College(‘74) with a BA in Child Development; Atlanta University(‘75, 79’) with a MA in Early Childhood Education, and a MSLS in Library Science, respectively. Wynelle taught in early education class levels for a few years before becoming a school media specialist on 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, who was an exemplary educator and Mrs. Sara B. Davis, her high school librarian who she worked with as a Student Library Assistant. Substitute teaching and storytelling led her to CHI six years ago.
Ms. Judith Wami
Ms. Judi is a Primary teacher here at CHI Montessori. She was born in Port Harcourt, Nigeria . She received her primary and secondary school education both 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 certification for Primary level from 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 third year teaching at CHI.
Ms. Ashton Fearrington
Ms. Ashton is the lead teacher for Toddler here at CHI Montessori. 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. Prior to 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 third year teaching at CHI.
Ms. Saherah Raheem - School/Community Liaison
Ms. Saherah became the Assistant Director of CHI Montessori Academy after her retirement from teaching in the public school system for 30 years. In the summer of 2014, she took the Pan-American Montessori Society (PAMS) Primary course at Kennesaw State University, under Dr. Feland Meadows, as well as Lower Elementary training from the North American Montessori Center (NAMC). As a lifelong educator she saw the importance of independence in preparing children for life vs. readying students for the next grade. She states, "It has been a personal pleasure of mine to have had several of my grandchildren attend CHI Montessori over the years, while watching them grow up to become independent and confident young [people]."