Ms. Heather was born in New Jersey and migrated down south after living in New York City. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance from Rutgers University and has been a ballet teacher for twenty years. Ms. Heather worked as a teaching artist/ arts educator with a nonprofit arts organization while living in New York. She found her passion here for little ones during teaching residencies at many schools throughout the tri state area. Heather received her Montessori Teacher Certification in 2019 and has been a teacher in the preschool classroom since 2018. She is also a certified yoga instructor, nature lover, and enjoys planting veggies in her garden. Heather loves her role in guiding children towards finding their independence in the classroom and enjoys seeing their growth and confidence build each day. Ms. Heather resides in Covington with her husband Ryan, daughter Harper, chicken Zebra, and cat Dr. Honeydew.
Meet the Team - Main Campus
"One test of the correctness of educational procedure is the happiness of the child." -Maria Montessori
Ms. Mandy brings a wealth of experience, warmth, and joy to the Preschool classroom at Kinder Haus Montessori. Before joining the teaching team, she had a successful career as a Pediatric Dental Assistant—an experience that deepened her connection with children and affirmed her calling to work with young learners.
Mandy’s love for children is truly at the heart of who she is. She began teaching Sunday School at just 14 years old and quickly became the go-to babysitter in her community—well into adulthood. Today, she is a proud mother of four, and a guiding presence for the students in her classroom, along with countless nieces, nephews, and cousins.
For Ms. Mandy, spending time with children brings a sense of completeness and pure joy. Her nurturing spirit and lifelong dedication to support young minds make her a treasured part of the Kinder Haus family.
Shawntel is a dedicated teacher in our two-year-old classroom with 13 years of experience in childcare. She holds a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and is passionate about creating a loving, playful, and structured environment where children feel safe, supported, and excited to learn. Shawntel believes that patience, kindness, and consistency are essential in helping toddlers grow, develop, and thrive.
Outside of the classroom, Shawntel enjoys spending time with her animals at home, which include a turkey, a pet pig, chickens, and four dogs- keeping life both fun and busy! In her free time, she loves hanging out with her son, going mud riding, and doing arts and crafts. These interests reflect her creativity, energy, and strong family values, all of which she brings into her classroom each day.
Mrs. Lindsey is a dedicated preschool teacher with nearly ten years of experience in education. She is a proud wife and mother of three children, Ava, Charlotte, and Blake.
Mrs. Lindsey’s passion for preschool education comes from her belief that the early years are some of the most important in a child’s development. She loves helping young learners build confidence, develop independence, and discover the joy of learning through play and exploration. For Mrs. Lindsey, preschool is about more than academics; it's about creating a nurturing environment where children feel safe, valued, and excited to grow. She considers it a privilege to be part of such an important stage in each child’s journey and strives to make a positive impact on every student she teaches.
Originally from Louisiana, Mrs. Lindsey spent many years in Mississippi, where she and her husband raised their family. Recently, they returned to Louisiana and have enjoyed reconnecting with the area. Mrs. Lindsey especially loves introducing her children to the rich culture, traditions, and strong sense of community that make Louisiana such a special place to call home.
Outside of school, Mrs. Lindsey enjoys painting, spending quality time with her family, and making memories with their corgi, Murphy.
Ms. Mariah is proud to be part of the Kinder Haus family and serves as a member of the Primary classroom team. She brings 10 years of experience teaching public pre-K and is a graduate of Southeastern, where she earned degrees in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education. She also holds a Master’s degree in Special Education.
Outside of the classroom, Ms. Mariah enjoys baking cookies, participating in Zumba, and planning her next cosplay for an upcoming convention. She is passionate about showing every student love, patience, acceptance, and a genuine enthusiasm for learning. Ms. Mariah lives in Covington with her son and their cat, Princess Leia.
Ms. Ashley brings seven years of experience teaching in the public school system, where she has taught Kindergarten, 3rd grade, and 4th grade. She offers a confident presence, strong classroom leadership, and a deep understanding of child development - all of which are wonderful assets to our program.
Ms. Ashley is passionate about supporting students academically, socially, and emotionally. She shares, “I hope to be able to shape the minds of all these amazing kids into productive citizens.” Her commitment to helping children grow into capable, confident learners is evident in both her teaching style and her dedication to the classroom community.
Outside of school, Ms. Ashley loves penguins and enjoys spending time outdoors with her 18-year-old son. They especially love going to the beach and fishing together. We know the children will enjoy getting to know her and the interests and enthusiasm she brings to our community.
Amanda Piacun joined the team at Kinder Haus Montessori in 2025. A Louisiana native, Amanda brings more than 16 years of experience teaching Pre-Kindergarten and a deep passion for early childhood education.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Loyola University New Orleans and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Southeastern Louisiana University. Amanda is also certified as an Early Interventionist and has earned her Birth to Three Montessori Certification through the North American Montessori Center.
Amanda is dedicated to supporting young children during their most important years of development and creating nurturing, engaging learning environments where they can thrive. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys Zumba, Les Mills fitness classes, cooking, football, and crafting.
Amanda is excited to share her experience, enthusiasm, and love of learning with the children and families of Kinder Haus Montessori.
Ms. Amber is a creative, caring, and down-to-earth individual based in Robert, Louisiana. She enjoys spending time outdoors, being around animals, and engaging in a wide variety of crafts. Amber draws inspiration from nature and loves transforming it into fun and beautiful creations—whether through art, home projects, or activities with children. Animals have always played a significant role in her life, offering comfort and joy as part of her daily routine.
Amber holds a Technical Degree in Childcare and Development of Young Children. With over a decade of experience in the childcare field, she has had the privilege of nurturing and guiding young children, particularly during their formative preschool years. Her professional background has instilled in her a deep sense of patience, creativity, and a commitment to supporting both children and their families in a way that is engaging, supportive, and reliable.
At her core, Amber values family, community, and kindness. She brings positivity and dedication to everything she does, and she enjoys sharing her creativity and compassion through her work, her hobbies, and her relationships with others.
Laela has been working in childcare for the past four years and brings a genuine love for supporting children as they grow and discover the world around them. She values creating a calm, respectful environment where children feel encouraged to explore, build independence, and learn alongside one another. Laela finds great joy in observing each child’s individual development while fostering a strong sense of community and cooperation.
Through her work with children, Laela has developed patience, responsibility, and a deep appreciation for being a steady, caring presence in their daily lives. Looking ahead, she hopes to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist and serve in the military, continuing her passion for caring for others and making a meaningful, positive impact.
Jennifer relocated to Mandeville from Biloxi, Mississippi, in 2007. She holds two Master’s degrees in Psychology—one from The University of Southern Mississippi and another from William Carey University. Additionally, she completed graduate-level coursework in Education to earn an Alternate Route Teaching Certification in English Language Arts. While attending graduate school, she also taught ninth-grade English and Literature.
Jennifer has extensive experience in the mental health field, having served as a child and adolescent therapist in both Louisiana and Mississippi. She worked as a Specialized Crisis Counselor for the Mississippi Department of Mental Health in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and later as a psychoeducational examiner in charter schools throughout the New Orleans area.
In her free time, Jennifer enjoys cooking, reading, and spending time outdoors. She lives in Mandeville with her 10-year-old son, Jennings, and their dog, Sailor.
Cindy absolutely loves being around children. She spends as much time as possible with her adorable 2 1/2 year old granddaughter Josie. Josie enjoys going to a Montessori school in Baton Rouge, where she is always learning new things, singing new songs and telling stories of her day. Ms. Cindy was born in Baton Rouge and now lives in Madisonville. She has a Bachelor's degree from Louisiana State University, where most of her courses were in Psychology and Sociology.
When not spending time with her Granddaughter, her interests include, gardening, arts and crafts, taking walks and visiting with friends and family.
Ali has been part of the Kinder Haus community since February 2020. She began in Primary aftercare and soon started substituting in various classrooms. She then spent several years as the lead teacher in the Bridge Room, where she applied her Montessori training through NAMC for ages 3–6. Ali continues to support the children and teachers of Kinder Haus by subbing as needed and assisting with Montessori training for staff.
Ali comes from a large, close-knit family, and from an early age she was naturally drawn to caring for the younger children around her. This lifelong instinct to nurture and guide others is what inspired her to pursue a career in teaching.
Independent from a young age, Ali immediately connected with the Montessori philosophy. She loves being part of an environment that encourages children to build independence and confidence, and she finds great joy in watching each child discover how capable they truly are.
When she isn’t working, Ali is most likely traveling. She also enjoys swimming, live music, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Bethany Brown started working at Kinder Haus in 2016 as the assistant life guard. She was immediately intrigued by the Montessori philosophy. She began working as a floater, going between all the classrooms and learning from the teachers. After finding her happy place in the Primary classroom, she decided to get Montessori certified for ages 3 to 6. She focused on areas of Practical Life and Culture in the classroom. When off the clock, you can find her having fun with her two sons, playing video games, or binging Star Trek.
