Our Faculty & Staff

Administrative Team

October (Tobee) Labbe
**Interim Head of School**
Mrs. Labbe joined the SPMA family this year after relocating to the island from Maine in 2023. She graduated from Clark University in 1992 and received her Master’s Degree in social work from Boston College in 1995. She worked as a child and family therapist in a school based program for 15 years. Tobee fell in love with the Montessori philosophy after her two children attended Montessori school. She received her AMS certification in 2009 and was the owner and teacher of a Montessori Primary School for 14 years. In her free time, she loves being with her family, biking, golfing, and going to the beach.

Marie Lorenzo
**Office Manager**
Mrs. Lorenzo moved to Bluffton from Fairfax, Virginia with her husband in 2016. She graduated with a B.S. in Psychology from George Mason University and has been at SPMA since 2018. She loves to spend her free time on the boat with her husband, their daughter Stella, and their dog!

Laura Alice Henderson
**Director of Community Engagement**
Meet Laura Alice Henderson, the dynamic new Director of Community Engagement at Sea Pines Montessori Academy. Recently relocated from the Greater Atlanta area with her husband Blake and their children, Colette and Lewis, who are proud students of SPMA, Laura Alice brings over a decade of expertise in private education.
Her career has spanned various pivotal roles from Admissions to Community Engagement and Development, all the way to Fundraising. Known affectionately as "LA" by her friends, Laura Alice warmly invites the SPMA community to connect with her. With her passion for education and deep commitment to fostering strong community ties, she looks forward to making a positive impact and building lasting relationships within the SPMA family.

Sarah Gale

Business Manager

Meet Sarah Duggan Gale, the new Business Manager at Sea Pines Montessori Academy. Sarah brings a wealth of experience and a deep connection to the school community, having been part of SPMA with her family since 2017. She is joined by her husband Jeff, and their children Ellie (9), Jimmy (7), Henry (6), and Declan (3).

Sarah is eager to support and engage with SPMA families, encouraging open communication and welcoming any questions. Her enthusiasm promises a year filled with excitement and growth for the entire school community.

Pre-Primary Team

Cherie Dellinger

Light Purple Lead Teacher

Mrs. Dellinger is from Ohio and moved to Hilton Head Island in 1999. She holds her Infant Toddler Director Training from MEPI and is currently finishing her Primary Training. She worked at SPMA from 2007-2011 as an assistant teacher in Pre-Primary and Primary. She has two sons who attended SPMA. In her free time, she enjoys going to the beach, traveling with her children, and watching her oldest son play lacrosse.

Ann Ward

Light Purple Room Assistant Teacher

Ann Ward moved to the island with her husband in 2022. Ann holds a Bachelor of Arts in English with a concentration in Economics from the University of Virginia. When not at SPMA, Ann enjoys hiking, fishing, and visiting her sons in Colorado. She stays busy at home with remodeling projects and outdoor adventures in the beautiful low country.

Kerry McKinney

Light Green Room - Lead Teacher

Ms. McKinney was born and raised in Charleston, SC and moved to Hilton Head Island in 1997. She has been at SPMA since 2006. Ms. McKinney is passionate about working with young children and embracing their individualities. Ms. McKinney has her Bachelors of Science in Psychology with a concentration in Child Development. She also holds her Preschool/Kindergarten Montessori Teacher Training from North American Montessori Training Center and her Infant Toddler Director Training from Montessori Educational Programs International. In her free time, Ms. McKinney loves to go camping, kayaking, biking, and playing at the beach with her family.

Alissa Lazor

Light Green Room Assistant Teacher

Mrs. Lazor is from Sabah, Malaysia (Island of Borneo) and lived in Sicily, Italy for 8 years before moving to the United States in 2012. Prior to SPMA, she was teaching at a traditional pre-school for three years and one year with a Reggio Emilia inspired school.

During her free time, she enjoys the outdoors, gardening, yoga and traveling with her husband and their two children.

Vicky Lorenzo

Light Green Room Assistant Teacher

Primary Team

Lauren Kelley

Red Room - Co-Lead Teacher

Mrs. Kelley is from New Jersey and moved to Hilton Head Island in 1989. She graduated from East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania. This is her 20th year at SPMA teaching Primary. She has a daughter who attended SPMA until she was in Kindergarten. In her free time, she loves to practice yoga, go to the beach, read, and bake.

Meg O'Brien

Red Room - Co-Lead Teacher

Ms. O'Brien is from New Jersey and attended William Paterson University. She has been Montessori trained since 1980. She worked at Montessori Gardens School for 7 years and this will be her 31st year at SPMA. She has a daughter who attended SPMA from age 2 through Kindergarten. She loves to cook, garden, and spend time with her two grandsons.

Ashley Schilling

Blue Room - Co-Lead Teacher

Ashley Schilling is from Chapin, South Carolina. She graduated from Presbyterian College in 2010, and soon after, moved to HHI with her husband whose hometown is the island. Ashley went on to receive a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education when she became a believer of the Montessori method of education. Ashley is MEPI Certified through the Institute of Guided Studies as an Early Childhood Montessori Director and has taught at Sea Pines Montessori Academy for 7 years. In her free time, Ashley enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, Liam, and Scarlett, interior design, and exercise.

Kira Stroh

Extended Day Room Teacher & CREW

Mrs. Stroh is from New Jersey but moved down to Hilton Head Island 12 years ago. She is currently studying for her BS in Early Childhood Education. She has been with SPMA for 3 years in the blue room. She also has three children attending SPMA. In her spare time she loves to spend time outdoors with her family, go on weekend beach trips, read and catch up on good TV shows.

Shannon Tonger

Blue Room - Assistant Teacher

Mrs. Tonger is originally from Western New York, where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education at SUNY Fredonia in 2009. Shortly after, she relocated to Hilton Head Island. It wasn't until her first son was born that she was introduced to Maria Montessori. She fell in love with this philosophy and started her Montessori Early Childhood Certification with the Authentic Institute of Montessori. While her three children keep her busy, Mrs. Tonger enjoys working out, sunrises on the beach, being with friends, camping, and traveling with her husband and children.

Elementary Team

Priscilla Kelly Barton

Mudpuppies - Lead Teacher

Mrs. Barton grew up on Hilton Head and attended Sea Pines Montessori as a child. She has been teaching at SPMA for 14 years in the Lower Elementary. She had previously worked as a summer camp aid for 7 years through her high school and college years. PK graduated from Belmont Abbey College with a degree in Elementary Education. She finished her Lower Elementary Montessori Certification in the summer of 2009. PK enjoys coaching travel volleyball and spending time with her family. Her son Hudson is in the Light Green Room at SPMA.

Siobhra Sullivan
**Mudpuppies - Assistant Teacher**
Siobhra (pronounced Sheefra) Sullivan is from Middletown, New Jersey. She attended The Catholic University of America and Monmouth University. She moved to Hilton Head in 2020 with her husband. She has 2 daughters working in New York City but visit Hilton Head often. She enjoys biking, golf, pickle ball and walks on the beach.

Greg Bednarsh

Manatees - Lead Teacher

Born in Bolivia. Raised in New York City. BFA from North Carolina. Almost a decade of experience in education. Throughout my life and career I have had many mentors that have sparked and ignited my passion for teaching and storytelling. A passion that drives curiosity, that sees things differently, that allows for all voices to be heard. If I can be even a fraction of the kind of inspirations I have had, even to a single child, then I believe I have accomplished a truly wonderful thing. Igniting that spark is at the foundation of education, and I am on a journey to help everyone find theirs.

Beth McCune

Moonshells - Lead Teacher

Mrs. McCune joined the SPMA family in 2009 after relocating to the island. Before pursuing her Montessori training, Mrs. McCune was a Special Education teacher in Charleston, SC. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education with a major in K-12 Exceptional Student Education from the University of North Florida. In 2015 she received her Elementary I Montessori certification. She, her husband, and 11 year old twin daughters enjoy spending time outdoors enjoying the beautiful Lowcountry.

Jennifer Muller

Moonshells - Assistant Teacher

After many years of vacationing on Hilton Head with my husband and three children, I have recently moved from the Hudson Valley in Upstate New York and can finally call this island home. I have two boys, one in college this year and the other is in his senior year of High School in New York. My daughter will be joining me in October to attend 10th grade. I have been in public and private Pre-K-12 schools in New York for over 25 years as a School Psychologist and special education chairperson where I worked with students and collaborated with teachers, professionals and parents to support the academic and social emotional growth of those students. I have also taught graduate classes at Pace University for teachers preparing for NYS certification. I am excited to be a member of Sea Pines Montessori Academy and to be able to spend many months outdoors, without snow, to walk my dog and be active with my family. I enjoy bike riding, running races and practicing yoga as well as baking and attending my children’s sporting events.

Specialty Faculty and Staff

Bibiana Osorio

Spanish Teacher

Bibiana Osorio is from Colombia, South America. She has taught in diverse schools and methodologies both, in South America and in the United States. She joined the SPMA family in 2016 and she teaches the Spanish language and culture to all grade levels in school. In her free time Ms. Bibi likes walking, playing tennis, traveling with her son's soccer team and she loves watching videos of dances from around the world.

Taylor Kent

Music Teacher

Taylor Kent was born in the mountains of Virginia, where she lived with her family until they moved to Hilton Head when she was 10. Taylor attended Hilton Head Preparatory School before returning to Virginia to complete her Bachelors from Ferrum College. A music lover from a very young age, Taylor began to write her own songs and perform publicly at the age of 5. She has since been lucky to sing and play across the lowcountry for years with her instrument of choice, the guitar. Taylor has been teaching music in various forms since 2013. When she is not performing, Taylor is an avid yogi and enjoys spending time by the water. She is thrilled to be a part of the Montessori team, and is ever looking forward to spreading and sharing her love of music.

Lukas O’Grady

Physical Education Teacher

Lukas grew up and was educated here in Hilton Head and is an avid soccer player. He attended and played soccer for both USC Upstate and Merrimack College where he received his B.S. in Health Science. He is currently finishing his M.B.A. in Healthcare Management. He has coached and refereed youth athletic programs for over 9 years. He continues to play and coach local youth athletic programs.

Debi West

Art Teacher

Debi is a Nationally Board Certified with 25 years of teaching experience in K-12 art education, arts integration, curriculum writing and project-based learning. I am beyond excited to share my knowledge because when we work together, the ultimate winners are our children – our most priceless asset!

I want to bring my innovative teaching and leadership styles and experiences to teachers, students, districts, art education associations and universities across the nation because I know first hand that:

Hands-on Learning = Authentic Retention!

Lauren Singer

School Nurse

Lauren Singer grew up in Tega Cay, South Carolina and moved to the area in 2006 where she graduated from the University of South Carolina Beaufort and received dual baccalaureate degrees in Nursing and Human Services. She currently has eight years of experience in Emergency Medicine as a Registered Nurse and is trained in both adult and pediatric trauma. She is very grateful for the knowledge she has gained at bedside as it has helped shape her role in caring for our students at SPMA. Her passions include cooking, photography, and exploring new places.

Stacey Howe

Suzuki Violin Teacher

Mrs. Howe recently moved to Hilton Head from Lexington, KY. She graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1986. She had Suzuki Violin Teacher training at the Louisville Suzuki Institute, American Suzuki Institute in Stephens Point, WI, and ongoing teacher training with Craig Timmerman in Lexington. She taught Suzuki Violin for over 25 years and has also played in the Lexington Philharmonic since 1984. Stacey also recently got married and is excited to join the SPMA staff. In her spare time she loves to ride bikes, go to the beach and recently started playing pickle ball.