Kedra Hauser

Director

Owner and Director of The Frost Montessori School of Albemarle. Kedra purchased Frost Montessori School in 2006 from the original founder. Her three sons completed the 3 year Children’s House cycle. She firmly believes the Montessori foundation for education is irreplaceable and better than any other preschool program available. Kedra has a Bachelor degree in Early Childhood Education from James Madison University and taught fourth grade for twelve years. She has completed graduate work at The University of Virginia. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, vacations, exercising, watching her children play sports, socializing, and reading a good book.

Carey Kalagher

Assistant Director

Carey graduated from Belmont Abbey College and taught Pre-Kindergarten for 16 years. She is married and has 3 daughters and enjoys the beach, walking, swimming, biking and spending time with her family and friends.

Ashley Reece

Lead Teacher Children's House I

Ashley has taught on two continents for fifteen years, ten of which have been at Frost. She has a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the University of South Carolina and obtained her Montessori certification from the Princeton Center for Teacher Education in Princeton, New Jersey. She also holds a Master of Arts in Montessori Education from St. Catherine University in St. Paul Minnesota. In her free time, Ashley enjoys country living as well as sewing, knitting, and crafts. She lives in Gordonsville with her husband, her twin sons, her dog “Honza”, her turtle and chickens.

Alyssa Marlowe

Lead Teacher Children's House II

Alyssa Marlowe was born and raised in Blacksburg, VA. She received her degree in Education from Radford University in December 2010 and her Montessori certification for Early Childhood from the Maitland Montessori Teacher Education Program in June 2016. This is her third year at Frost. Alyssa enjoys crocheting, “DIY” art and home projects, movies, and all things Disney. She loves spending time with her family and friends and being a great cat mom to her orange tabby, Mufasa.

Juliet Lunka

Lead Teacher Children's House III

Juliet has been at Frost for 14 years; she has been the Lead Teacher in Children’s House III for the past 10 years. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from William and Mary and a Montessori certification from Virginia Center for Montessori Studies. She is also a certified STEP (Systematic Training for Effective Parenting) teacher. Juliet is passionate about traveling, hiking, soccer, kiteboarding, and volunteering at the CASPCA. Her favorite thing to do is go on adventures with her husband and beagle, Cassie. 

Kat Ditta

Lead Teacher Toddler Class

Katrina Ditta participated in the AMS toddler training program at The West End Montessori School. Additionally, she continues her studies at Piedmont Virginia Community College in pursuit of an Education degree. She coaches varsity girls’ soccer at Fluvanna County High School. Kat’s love for for children started while volunteering for her hometown’s youth soccer program. Her experience with various age groups sparked her interest in helping children learn and grow. In her free time she enjoys participating in various adult sport leagues with friends, watching football, spending time with her boyfriend, and traveling.

Tessa Amell

Full Day Director

Tessa Amell has a bachelor's degree from Colorado College and has worked in both private and public schools for the last 11 years, most recently in Hawaii. She is thrilled to be a part of the Frost family and is looking forward to learning, exploring and laughing alongside your children every single day. In her free time you can either find her on the trails or at the library.

Annelise Riedel

Teacher Assistant Children's House I

Annelise graduated from the University of Mary Washington in 2013 with a BA in English and spent two years in Alabama, working with individuals with developmental disabilities through the Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC). She has enjoyed working with children at a summer camp in Stafford and is excited to be working with the children for her second year at Frost. In her free time, Annelise enjoys reading, cooking, crafting, and going on hikes with her four brothers.

Kirsten Shanks

Teacher Assistant Children's House II

Kirsten Shanks is a native of Culpeper, Virginia. She has multiple years of experience in both public and private school classrooms. She prefers and respects the Montessori School philosophy. She is a graduate of Full Sail University with a Bachelor’s degree in Game Art Design. She enjoys drawing and designing, reading, spending time with her family and watching the New York Giants play football. She is excited to be part of the Frost staff.

Elizabeth "Bizzy" Hyatt

Teacher Assistant

Elizabeth Hyatt is from Richmond, Virginia and graduated from Trinity Episcopal.  She works in the toddler classroom. She really enjoys the Montessori Philosophy and sees herself continuing to work with children moving forward. In her free time she enjoys reading, time spent with her sister and playing video games. She recently adopted a kitten named Pigeon.