Leadership
Gallagher
Head of School
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With a rich and varied background in education, law, and nonprofit leadership, Gallagher brings a deep commitment to experiential, values-driven learning to her role as Head of School at Mountain Sun Community School. A native of Arkansas, she earned her B.A. in Chemistry from Hendrix College before going on to earn her J.D. from Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon. Her professional path has taken her across the country—from Washington, DC, to Oregon, to Western North Carolina—working in both legal and educational settings.
Gallagher’s passion for education was shaped early on through her work as a summer camp director in the mountains of Western North Carolina, and later through her work with a national civic education nonprofit supporting young people and educators in strengthening democracy. Most recently, she served as Director of Development at Headwaters School in Austin, Texas, where she championed community-centered programming and experiential learning.
Joining Mountain Sun feels like a return to her roots and a true alignment of values—connection to nature, joyful inquiry, and community-centered education. Gallagher is thrilled to be part of this special community alongside her corgi, Frida, who is always ready to make new friends. When not at school, she enjoys baking, swimming, listening to podcasts (and Harry Styles), and soaking up the beauty of the mountains she calls home.
Laurie Kennedy
Assistant Head of School for Faculty
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Miss Laurie has a wide and eclectic “herstory.” She acquired her BSEd in Recreation Resource Management from the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!) and earned her Montessori Primary Teaching Certificate from the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies in Boulder, Colorado. She then founded and served as Lead Guide and Director of Lyons Community Montessori School for 10 years before returning to her roots in Atlanta, Georgia. There, she held positions as Lead Guide, Assistant Director, and Director in several Montessori schools. Miss Laurie later launched her own consulting business after completing Coaches Training through the National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector. She began coaching two public school teachers during the 2025–2026 school year, and she continues to support educators and school leaders as a Field Consultant for the Montessori Teacher Education Institute of Atlanta, and as Vice President and Board Member of Montessori Administrators of Georgia.
Miss Laurie’s more than 40 years of experience in Montessori education—in administration and leadership, and in the classroom—is complemented by her 30 years of study of holistic wellness and herbalism. She acquired an advanced certificate in Western Herbalism from the Rocky Mountain Center for Botanical Studies and is a Certified Yoga Instructor. Inspired in part by her own recovery after a partial knee replacement, she is dedicated to empowering others to live active, balanced, healthy lives. When she is not teaching, consulting, or leading wellness programs, she enjoys gardening, crafting, dancing, practicing yoga, and spending time with her fiancé, two cats, one dog, and four grandchildren.
Now happily calling Brevard, North Carolina, home, Miss Laurie is excited to do what she does best: guiding colleagues using the Montessori Method. She believes that every child is capable, curious, and deserving of an environment that nurtures independence, confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning. What brings Miss Laurie joy is twofold: first, coaching Guides and seeing them mature and exhibit more self-confidence as Montessori teachers; and, second, witnessing the moment a child makes a new discovery and develops a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them. Miss Laurie is honored to join the Mountain Sun Community School, where she can continue to support colleagues as they learn, grow, and discover the wonders of the Montessori Method.
Becca Perry-Hill
Assistant Head of School for Student Experience
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Becca Perry-Hill brings a wealth of experience in education, student support, and community engagement to her role as Assistant Head of School for Student Experience at Mountain Sun Community School. With a Ph.D. in Natural Resource Social Science from Purdue University and a background spanning individualized instruction, team management, and restorative conflict resolution, she is deeply committed to nurturing the whole child and fostering a sense of belonging for MSCS families in a collaborative, relationship-centered environment. Prior to joining the Mountain Sun team full-time, Becca served as a substitute teacher at MSCS and spent nearly a decade with Lumunos (a small nonprofit) as Project and Outreach Manager, where she honed her skills in facilitation, community-building, and workplace well-being. She has also taught Environmental Science and Ethics at the university level and provided individualized academic instruction to diverse K-12 learners through her work with Pacific Preparatory School.
Becca has called Brevard home since 2019, when she and her husband — a ranger at Gorges State Park — put down roots in this community they love. As a Mountain Sun parent, she has watched firsthand as her two children have thrived within the school's culture of curiosity and connection. When she's not at school, you'll find her out on the trails “running”, exploring the outdoors with her kids, or spending time with her horse, Rudy. She is honored to now serve the Mountain Sun community in this new capacity and looks forward to supporting every student's sense of belonging and well-being.
Administrative Staff
Susanne Walker
Office Manager
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Susanne grew up in Florida, and while she still loves the beach and ocean air, was attracted to the western NC mountains after she became involved in a camp and retreat center in Highlands during high school. Throughout her college years (Susanne earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Western Carolina University) and then the next several, Susanne lived and worked at the center in Highlands, spending much time working in Youth and Outdoor Adventure programming-exploring and leading trips along the trails, cliffs, and rivers of the national forests in the area. She eventually moved into the finance and management departments and spent the next many years gaining valuable knowledge and experience of the business and administrative workings of a non-profit organization. Susanne and her family moved to Brevard in 2012 and she joined the Mountain Sun staff in 2014.
Griffin Pollock
Executive Assistant & Scheduler
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Griffin grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina and started coming to summer camp in Brevard from the age of 8. An appreciation for the natural environments of Maine took him to College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, where he received a BA in Human Ecology. After graduating, Griffin would work in a handful of museums and historical societies on the Maine Coast. Throughout this time in New England, Griffin would stay tethered to Brevard by working at Camp High Rocks, and eventually moved to Brevard in 2021, working at the Outdoor Academy as a U.S. History teacher. He is now excited to join the Mountain Sun community, and looks forward to helping the excellent team of people at Mountain Sun. During his free time, Griffin enjoys playing and listening to music, reading a book, and exploring Western NC.
Kayla Leed McEwen
Communications Coordinator
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We are excited to welcome Kayla Leed McEwen back to Mountain Sun Community School as our Communications Coordinator. Kayla is no stranger to our school, having dedicated seven years to our community before taking a three-year hiatus to launch her own business, Kayla Leed Creative. With over a decade of experience in marketing for nonprofits, Kayla brings a wealth of expertise and a deep understanding of how to effectively engage and communicate with our school community.
Kayla is passionate about crafting compelling narratives and fostering meaningful connections between the school, parents, and students. Her creative vision and strategic approach will play a key role in enhancing our communications and keeping everyone informed and engaged.
Outside of her professional life, Kayla is a devoted mother to her two daughters, Hali and Isla, and a loving pet parent to her two dogs, Bodhi and Zoey. She shares her life with her husband, Callum, and together they enjoy exploring new places and making lasting memories. Kayla’s love for paddling, traveling to the ocean, and gardening adds a vibrant touch to her personal life, reflecting her adventurous spirit and appreciation for nature.
Primary Faculty & Staff
Tracy Cubbison
Owl Class Lead Teacher
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Tracy holds a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Clemson University and has worked in many different educational settings. Tracy began her work as a behavioral therapist for children with autism and also taught 4th grade in a traditional classroom. While living in the San Francisco Bay Area, Tracy became involved in the field of parent education, working as a teacher at a parent participation nursery school and facilitating parenting workshops. Tracy was first introduced to Montessori education when her older son began Kindergarten at a public Montessori school. She instantly fell in love with the hands-on materials, freedom of movement, respect for the child and the environment, and the desire to promote peace in the classroom and beyond. She spent three years as an assistant at Heartwoood Montessori School in Cary, NC and is excited to continue her Montessori journey at Mountain Sun. She has completed a graduate certificate in Family Life Education and Coaching from NC State to pursue her passion of supporting young children and their families. When she is not in the classroom, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and two sons or curling up with a good book. And if you chat with her long enough, she will probably tell you of her adventures of living in Amman, Jordan, homeschooling and traveling the country for 7 months, or her dreams about her next travel destination.
Jade Day-Burdett
Owl Class Assistant Teacher
Owl Class Support
Lisa Moussalli
Otter Class Lead Teacher
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Lisa Moussalli grew up near Philadelphia. She earned her BA in Latin American Studies from the University of Pittsburgh and holds a Montessori Early Childhood Assistant Teacher Credential from the Center for Guided Montessori Studies. She worked in a service-learning program in the Peruvian Andes, an early childhood literacy organization in Pittsburgh, and an anti-poverty nonprofit in New York City before shifting gears for several years to help run her family’s farm and homeschool her children. Lisa, her husband, Ali, and their two children moved to Transylvania County in 2018. Before joining the staff at Mountain Sun, Lisa supported young children and their families throughout the county in her work as a community playgroups facilitator at the Family Place, was part of GetSet Transylvania’s Early Education Committee, and served on the Mountain Sun Board of Trustees. She is passionate about supporting parents and other primary caregivers in understanding and meeting their children’s attachment needs as a facilitator in the Circle of Security parenting program. She also co-chairs the Mountain Sun Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee. She is a lover of books, forests, cities, coffee, and slowing down.
Julia Pharr
Otter Class Assistant Teacher
Otter Class Support
Lower Elementary Faculty
Morgan Sprinkle
Chipmunk Class Lead Teacher
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Morgan has always known that she wanted to be a teacher. She counts herself lucky to have taught a variety of grades, in several types of schools, both in the US and in rural Thailand where she spent two years as a Peace Corps volunteer. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Appalachian State University where she fell in love with both the mountains of western North Carolina and her husband Daniel. Together, they live with their two sons in a house surrounded by trees.
She enjoys creating beautiful things for people, eating cheese, cooking for her family, taking photographs, making items out of wood, working outside with her husband and watching her boys grow. She feels fortunate to have her family all together, every day, at a school that is so full of love.
Chris Webb
Chipmunk Class Assistant Teacher
Jeff Smith
Acorn Class Lead Teacher
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Jeff was born and raised in Southern California, where he received a BS in Communications from California State University, Los Angeles. Although highly successful as an executive in the television industry, he made a dramatic career change to pursue his true calling, teaching. Upon receiving his teaching credential from Chapman University, Jeff has taught for over two decades in California, Maryland, and North Carolina. A colleague once said, “Jeff cares for each child’s development as a learner and community member. Students connect and respond to him. It cannot be overstated how important it has been for boys and girls to have had a strong male presence in the elementary classroom.” Jeff is very excited to be a member of the Mountain Sun community.
He and his wife Maureen fell in love with the Brevard area after vacationing here for a number of years, so they decided to make the mountains of Western North Carolina their home. They are the proud parents of two adult sons, Hayden and Matthew. In addition to teaching, Jeff loves reading, fly fishing, paddleboarding, chocolate chip cookies, and all things baseball (especially the Dodgers!).
Naomi Penner
Acorn Class Assistant Teacher
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Originally from Louisville, KY, Naomi has long felt at home in the mountains of WNC having spent many summers visiting her grandparents in the region. She fell in love with Brevard after discovering Rockbrook Camp, where she has delightfully devoted the past seven summers as an assistant director, weaving specialist, and cabin counselor. She holds a B.A. in Comedy Writing & Performing from Columbia College Chicago.
In Louisville, Naomi worked in the after-school program at Walden School, volunteered and taught children’s weaving classes at The Little Loomhouse, and served two years as an AmeriCorps VISTA at Louisville Girls Leadership, helping to build curriculum and facilitate student development sessions. Naomi finds joy in quiet morning walks by the river, exploring new places, reading with a cup of tea, and capturing the beauty of this area through nature photography. Naomi is grateful to be a part of the Mountain Sun community and looks forward to the year ahead with excitement and heart.
Upper Elementary Faculty
Kim Skeen
Monarch Class Lead Teacher
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Kim Skeen is a dedicated educator with over 25 years of experience working with children in diverse educational settings. Kim received her certification in Upper Elementary Montessori Education through the Center for Guided Montessori Studies and holds a Bachelor of Science in Experiential Education from Appalachian State University.
For the past 15 years, she has been at MSCS, where she currently leads the Upper Elementary Monarch Class. Kim’s contributions to MSCS include founding its Art and Outdoor Education programs, reflecting her passion for connecting children to the natural world, fostering creativity and nurturing a lifelong love of learning. Her background and experience in wilderness and environmental education further enrich her approach, inspiring students to explore and engage with their environment.
Outside the classroom, Kim enjoys mountain biking, pottery, traveling, and spending quality time with her family. She is proud to share a special connection with MSCS, as her two daughters, Lillian (class of ‘21) and Cedar Ann (class of ‘14) are both alumni.
Sal Lettes
Monarch Class Assistant Teacher
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Sal is from Atlanta, Georgia, but they grow up exploring the forests of Western North Carolina each summer at Eagle’s Nest Camp. Sal studied Economics at Brown University and then moved to Chapel Hill, NC, to work at Lead for America, a nonprofit focused on empowering the next generation of leaders to serve their own communities. Sal then moved to Washington, DC to work at ICF (which really doesn’t stand for anything!), doing transportation planning for government agencies and learning how an individual’s community influences their access to resources. Their love of community led them back to North Carolina to spend a summer working at Eagle’s Nest Camp, and then a school year working at the Outdoor Academy. Sal is so excited to return to the Monarch class this year and to be a part of the Mountain Sun community! In their free time, Sal loves playing guitar, writing, and exploring Pisgah Forest.
Amanda Mosser
Racoon Class Lead Teacher
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Formerly the owner of Highland Books, Amanda and her family recently moved back to Brevard after some time in Atlanta. Amanda received her degree in Elementary Education from Appalachian State and taught for 4 years in 3rd and 5th grades. Amanda has also been a Girl Scout leader for 7 years, leading trips and coordinating events. Amanda was an active volunteer at MSCS when her daughter Josie attended Pre-K in the Owl Class. She is extremely excited to educate children in an experiential learning environment.
Allison Nergart
Racoon Class Assistant Teacher
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Allison graduated from Guilford College with B.A. in Environmental Studies and Religious Studies in 2006. After graduation she worked for several years as an outdoor educator for Haw River State Park in the Piedmont of NC. While working with students from K-8th in an all outdoor setting she furthered her teaching skills by attaining an NC Middle Grades Science Teaching License in 2010. She has worked for several years as a middle school science teacher in Guilford County, and as a Nature Play facilitator at the NC Carolina Zoo before moving to WNC in 2013. She and her husband moved to WNC to be in the mountains and start a family. After having two kids, Allison went back to work as a preschool teacher and worked two years as a teacher assistant for Pisgah Collective, an all outdoor Montessouri inspired program that teaches 18 months-6 year olds. Allison loves to spend time with her kids hiking, running, biking and generally exploring our beautiful backyard mountains. Outside of raising her family and teaching, Allison is an avid gardener and is slowly transforming her yard to a native plant haven for pollinators, and let's be real, rabbits.
Middle School Faculty
Nicholas Mihalas
Coyote Class Lead Teacher
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Growing up in Wisconsin's spring creeks and forests, Nicholas has lived in Western North Carolina since 2013. An Alumnus of Brevard Senior High School, he studied Outdoor Education at Appalachian State University where he was a founding member of the Mountaineer's Timbersports team. Again, he finds himself in the comforting mountains near Brevard, NC where he enjoys fishing, hiking, painting, and board games. Now leading the Coyote class, Nicholas is currently working with The Center for Guided Montessori Studies to get his Montessori Secondary Education Certification. When not with the Coyotes you'll find him on the river or up the mountain enjoying all the natural world has to offer.
Coyote Class Assistant Teacher
Specialists & Support
Brigid Cameron
Learning Support Specialist
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Brigid, originally from Texas, earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from the University of Texas and her Master’s Degree in Education with an emphasis in Special Education, Gifted, and Creative Education. She holds a North Carolina K–6 teaching license, a Montessori teaching certificate for lower elementary, and training in Orton-Gillingham phonics, all of which deepen her ability to support diverse learners.
Brigid has been part of the Mountain Sun Community School family since 2010. Both of her children, now grown, are proud MSCS graduates, and she treasures the deep roots her family has in this community.
In her role as Learning Support, Brigid partners with individual students and their families on their unique learning journeys, while also supporting MSCS staff in finding new and innovative ways to guide, motivate, and inspire students. She draws on her many years of experience working with children in both classrooms and natural settings, as well as her time as a lead teacher in both public and private schools.
Outside of school, Brigid continues to nurture her love of camp life each summer at Camp Illahee. She lives in Brevard with her family and enjoys spending as much time outdoors as possible. Above all, Brigid blends her love of children with her passion for teaching and learning to help create a rich, welcoming, and supportive environment for all.
Laura Pyles
All School Support
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Laura is a passionate educator and comes to Mountain Sun with over two decades of experience in environmental and nature-based education in and out of the classroom. Most recently, she was an assistant teacher at Red Fox Community School in Vermont where she previously served as a classroom volunteer and a founding board member, working with teachers and other local families to establish a new school rooted in the Progressive Education model. Laura has a BS in Environmental Studies from Lesley University's Audubon Expedition Institute. Laura's diverse teaching experience includes running a nature day camp for elementary students, starting a forest preschool collective with local families, leading a crew of teenagers to raise sheep and vegetables on an organic farm, and homeschooling her own children on a cross-country road trip. Laura's family is thrilled to find a school home for their three children at Mountain Sun. When Laura is not at school she enjoys growing food and flowers, hiking, crafting, swimming and playing outside with her family on the Eagle’s Nest campus where they reside.
Ashlyn Tripp
All School Support
Enrichments
Chadwick Young
Outdoor Education Teacher
Clare Desmelik
Spanish & Yoga Teacher
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Clare Desmelik teaches Spanish, as well as Yoga and Mindfulness. She values the importance of starting language learning at an early age, as she, herself began taking Spanish in Kindergarten. While at the University of Georgia, she enjoyed studying abroad in Costa Rica and Spain, and after graduating she continued traveling to other Spanish speaking countries in Central America. The immersion was where she realized that all of the practice truly paid off. While working with the hispanic population at the Teton Literacy Program, she realized she wanted to become a teacher. Clare moved back to Asheville and attended UNCA, where she earned a degree in Spanish, and a NC Teaching Certificate for Spanish in K-12. She has been teaching Spanish in Brevard since 2007.
Clare is also enthusiastic about yoga and mindfulness. She has been teaching yoga since 2016 around Brevard and Asheville and believes in the power of the pause, as well as the benefits of taking deep breaths and a deep stretch. She threads mindfulness tools into lessons to help ground, center and calm students.
Clare is married to a regional singer-songwriter and they have two boys. Their family is personally affected by childhood brain cancer, leading their drive to be advocates for this disease. They find reprieve and joy in sports, being in nature, and playing with their golden retriever. She is honored to be able to teach two of her passions in the beautiful setting of Mountain Sun Community School.
Nicole Mihalas
Art Teacher
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Nicole is a native of Charleston, SC. She majored in Studio Art with a minor in Art History at the College of Charleston. She brings a wealth of knowledge in both the fine arts as well as the mission and ethos of Mountain Sun Community School.
Nicole is a previous MSCS parent with years of experience leading local nonprofit boards including here at Mountain Sun Community School. Coldwater conservation and community are her areas of focus.
A graduate goldsmith by profession, she followed her passion for many years working with antique and vintage jewelry. She brings a deep tradition of history and love for all things art.
Nicole has been fortunate enough to travel extensively domestically and abroad, but landed in the Brevard area in 2014 where she settled down with her husband Mike and three children, Nicholas, Zoe, and Xan, who graduated from MSCS in 2020.
Outside of school Nicole still has a wanderlust to travel. On her days off you will often find her, Mike and their sweet Boykin
Spaniel, Ghillie, hitting the road in their Sprinter van. Nicole is a bit of a magpie while Mike loves fly fishing. You’d often find them along the river, him chasing trout, and her, gathering funky heart shaped rocks or colorful sea shells as they travel.
Nicole feels so fortunate to share her passion for art with MSCS students. She deeply believes that art makes you present, and is an integral part of a holistic education. It creates an observer of detail, texture, and color around you. It gives the learner freedom to explore without asking for answers.
Rick Hastings
Music Teacher & Facilities Manager
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Rick joined Mountain Sun Community School in 2008 as the first Early Morning Care parent volunteer. Since then, he has held many roles at Mountain Sun, including facilities coordinator, board member, music teacher, fundraiser, and general person around to help. Rick is very happy to reprise his role as Music Teacher for all the students (pre-K through 8th grade), and also as Facilities Manager. He was a founding member of the West Virginia University Classical Guitar Ensemble while studying Jazz and Classical Guitar with Scott Elliot at WVU, and plays guitar, ukulele, piano and a few other instruments. Rick loves playing and singing and learning with youth of all ages. He is also glad to be of use to the community and model taking care of our school as the Facilities Manager. A proud parent to four Mountain Sun Community School graduates (Stro and Mary Ella Hastings, Rynn and Izzie Clark), Rick is married to Tina Leonard, a founding teacher at the school and current School Support Specialist. They have a couple of dogs, Betty and Charlie.