Each year there will be students who progress academically, physically, socially and mentally to the point that they would benefit by moving to a level offering more challenging opportunities in keeping with their level of development. Readiness criteria differs from level to level and program placements are not determined solely by academic ability or age.
Each year there will be students who progress academically, physically, socially and mentally to the point that they would benefit by moving to a level offering more challenging opportunities in keeping with their level of development. Readiness criteria differs from level to level and program placements are not determined solely by academic ability or age.
Each year there will be students who progress academically, physically, socially and mentally to the point that they would benefit by moving to a level offering more challenging opportunities in keeping with their level of development. Readiness criteria differs from level to level and program placements are not determined solely by academic ability or age.
Directors & Lead Teachers
Ms. Sharon Suitt - Director and Founder
Ms. Sharon began her teaching career in Buffalo, New York. After relocating to Atlanta, she worked in the Atlanta Public Schools as a teacher, Elementary School principal, media specialist, and a curriculum specialist. 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 thirteenth year in existence.
Fun Fact: In her free time, Ms. Sharon enjoys baking cakes; her three favorite to make and eat are carrot cake, German chocolate, and lemon pound cake.
Ms. Saherah Raheem - Assistant Director
Ms. Saherah has been the Assistant Director of CHI Montessori Academy since her retirement, after 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]."
Fun Fact: Ms. Saherah is a season ticket holder of the Atlanta Hawks [her favorite basketball team]. Her favorite player is , none other than, Ice Trae Young.
Ms. Aliyah Shakirah
Ms. Aliyah is one of the lead teachers for our 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.
Fun fact: In her free time, Ms. Aliyah enjoys reading, gardening and crafting.
Ms. Kalia Raheem
Ms. Kalia is one of the lead teachers for our 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 continued.
Fun fact: Ms. Kalia is the oldest of four and is a mother of two cats.
Ms. Wynelle Scott
Ms. Wynelle is the lead teacher for the Kindergarten classroom 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.
Fun Fact: Ms. Wynelle ventured to the remote island of St. Croix, US Virgin Islands in 1975 to teach kindergarten as her first teaching position.
Mr. Walter Puyol
Mr. Walter is the lead teacher for the Primary 1 classroom here at CHI Montessori. He was born and raised in South America, where he received a four year degree with a focus in early childhood education. After migrating to the United States of America, Mr. Walter studied with the Pan American Montessori Society under Dr. Feland Meadows at Kennesaw University, where he obtained his certification as a Montessori guide with an Early Childhood credential ( 2.5yrs.-6yrs.)
He states his passion as Montessori, and has been teaching the Montessori method for 22 years, recently receiving his Montessori Coach certification from the National Center for Montessori for the Public Sector.
As an educator he loves to open the door for his students to have a bright, happy and peaceful future and strives to apply this philosophy to every minute of life. He believes teaching Montessori is more than just the art of teaching - it is having faith in the students, and trusting that they will become lifelong learners to build the confidence to change the world for generations to come. This is his sixth year teaching at CHI.
Fun fact: Mr. Walter also has certifications as a Portuguese and Italian teacher, and is fluent in Spanish, French and German.
Ms. TaJuana Blakley
Ms. Blakley is the lead teacher for the Primary 3 classroom here at CHI Montessori. TaJuana began with CHI Montessori as a yoga instructor to students, eventually continuing with CHI as an Assistant Teacher, sparking an interest in making teaching in the classroom a career. She received her formal education from Clark Atlanta University graduating with a BA in Mass Media Arts. TaJuana is currently in training at the Pan American Montessori Society for Early Childhood Credentials (2.5-6yrs). Along with teaching, she is the owner of Tiny Yogis, under which she has been teaching yoga to children for over 7 years. She incorporates mindfulness in her daily lessons, which pairs perfectly with the Montessori Method. This is her fourth year teaching at CHI.
Fun Fact: She loves music, reading non-fiction and recently, playing tennis
Ms. Judith Wami
Ms. Judith(Judi) is the lead teacher for the Primary 2 classroom 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 first year teaching at CHI.
Fun Fact: Ms. Judith is the mother of 7 children who have a combined 8 bachelor and master's degrees , a PhD, and another soon-to-be PhD.
Ms. Ashton Fearrington
Ms. Ashton is the lead teacher for the Toddler 2 classroom 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 first year teaching at CHI.
Fun Fact: Ms. Ashton started braiding hair at the age of 10 and is a graduate of Paul Mitchell the School Esani.
Ms. Danielle "Ms. D" Suitt
Ms. Danielle is the lead teacher for the Nido classroom here at CHI Montessori, as well as the lead for the toddler program. 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 17 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 and the main reason she is so passionate about Montessori education and made the choice to make it her life’s work. This is her fourth year teaching at CHI.
Fun fact: Ms. Danielle is originally from Nashville, TN and moved to Atlanta from Chicago five years ago.