Ms. Jeannie Buskirk

Founder and Primary Class Teacher

Jeannie Buskirk fell in love with Montessori when she happened upon The Montessori Method in the Austin College library, and in all the years since has not discovered any method of education that addresses human development and the most comprehensive education as well as the Montessori method. After working in several different Montessori schools and having the opportunity to observe a variety of models, she opened Moultrie Montessori in 2008 with ten children in her home. Now she enjoys having a cohort of teachers who are steeped in Montessori philosophy and practice with whom to share her love for this work.

Ms. Jeannie attended Austin College and then received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Spanish from the University of Texas. She studied Montessori Philosophy with the St. Nicholas Training Center and again with London Montessori Center, from which she received a Montessori Certificate. She subsequently earned a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Florida. What she loves most about Montessori is guiding and watching children grow and develop every day, the community of families at Moultrie Montessori School, and the belief that Montessori education can change the world.

Ms. Jeannie has three children and five grandchildren, almost all of whom have attended or currently attend Montessori schools.

Percy

Ms. Jeannie’s Assistant

Percy works as Ms. Jeannie’s assistant in the Primary Class. His jobs are to play hard with children on the playground and to comfort those who are hurt or sad. His favorite games are tag and keep away, which he always wins. He makes Ms. Jeannie laugh every day.

Ms. Caitlin McClusky

Toddler Class Teacher 

Originally from Alabama, Caitlin graduated from New College at the University of Alabama in 2013 with an interdisciplinary degree in environmental studies. 

After working for some time in the environmental non-profit world, Caitlin moved out west where she became a professional adventure nanny. An avid yogi and nature-lover, Caitlin enjoys incorporating mindfulness and nature-based play into her approach with children. Working as a nanny ultimately introduced Caitlin to Montessori education. 

Caitlin’s experience with interdisciplinary methods within higher education laid the foundation for her fascination with the Montessori approach, as both pedagogies believe in the inherent curiosity and capability of the individual student. In both philosophies, a love of learning is not something that needs to be instilled, but already exists within a child’s mind – it simply needs to be given the space and encouragement to bloom in a safe, supportive environment. 

Caitlin arrived at Moultrie Montessori School with nearly ten years of professional childcare experience and a passion for Montessori learning. She was trained in the Montessori method by the wonderful Toni Wright. She has a DCF Childcare Certification and has been trained in Early Literacy. 

Ms. Lisa Glocke

Elementary Class Teacher

Ms. Lisa always wanted to be a teacher and during her high school years she developed a deep interest in working with children with special needs. While researching many teaching methods, she soon realized that Montessori is the only method where every child can truly reach their full potential in all areas of life. She earned her Primary (ages 3-6), Elementary (ages 6-12), and Benincasa Certification to work with children with special needs, at the Association Montessori International Training Center in Dublin, Ireland. She always loved to travel, and after graduation in 994, she left her beautiful country of Ireland and moved to San Diego, California. There, she was Lead Elementary Guide at Scripps Montessori school for twelve years.

Ms. Lisa embraced the military lifestyle when she married her husband, a United States Marine, in 1997, and her family was excited to retire to Florida in 2013. This is ms. Lisa’s sixth year asLead Elementary Guide at Moultrie Montessori School. Her joy in life comes from spending time with her family, and knowing that at Moultrie Montessori School she is fulfilling her true passion for guiding each child to reach their true potential.