My Name is Karen Brooks Speed. I prefer to be called Ms. Kay.  I am a former retired teacher of 33 years in The Charleston County School System.. I am delighted to be back doing what I enjoy doing in life. (Teaching). I am the wife of Mr. Larry D. Speed and the mother of three wonderful children, Madison, Larren and Kaelyn Speed. I also have a granddaughter who is the apple of my eyes.  When I am not teaching, I enjoy playing the organ for my church and also playing the bass guitar in my reggae band.It is my belief that music should play an essential part of everyone's life in order to shape them into a positively good human being.

Some facts about me:

Hello, my name is Sheleta Wright, I'm from the great city of Wadmalaw Island. I am an assistant teacher at Frierson Montessori School. I am a graduate of Ashford University. I currently have a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education. I also have a degree in Medical Assistant.  In my spare time, I  enjoy spending time with my husband and three boys. Also, I enjoy shopping, cooking, and watching football. 

My name is Traci Rhoden and I am the resource teacher here at Frierson. This is my 5th year at Frierson and my 22nd year of teaching. I have two grown daughters and two dogs. My husband and I live on James Island and we both love to travel. I also love reading and photography. 

My name is Jakki Deas.I am the Student Concern Specialist.I have worked in mental health for 30 plus years.I’m a global citizen that enjoys new experiences.I look forward to working with the students at Frierson.

I am Melissa Reese. I am starting my 12th year of teaching. I went to Penn State as an undergraduate and graduate student. After moving to Charleston, I completed my Primary Montessori training and have been a Montessori teacher for 6 years.  I was CCSD's Teacher of the Year Runner Up in 2019. Ms. Hyams (formerly)Bearden is my amazing teaching assistant. We have been together for 5 years. I am looking forward to helping our Montessori program grow. 

Tameka L. Smalls-Robinson, M.A.

Tameka L. Smalls-Robinson currently teaches Primary Monterssori.  She enjoys being a mother, educating young children, meeting new people, planning events, traveling to new places, learning about different cultures and, most importantly, spending time with her family. Tameka is very excited to share that this is her 5^th year at Frierson and looking forward to being with Primary Montessori students and their families.

Tameka grew up in the small town of Huger, South Carolina. She graduated from Hanahan High School in 1997.  Upon graduating from high school, she attended Clark Atlanta University where she majored in Elementary Education and graduated in 2001.  Upon graduating, she decided that she wanted to further her education. She attended graduate school 2 weeks after completing her undergrad degree.

She attended Gallaudet University in Washington, DC (School for the Deaf) and studied Family-Centered Early Education for 1½ years.  Which was a total culture shock for her.  She stayed on campus, which allowed her to become fluent in American Sign Language. While attending Gallaudet University, the majority of her professors were deaf, which was an experience. She was also doing grad school in a foreign language.  After studying at Gallaudet for 1 1/2 years, she decided that she wanted to change majors, so she transferred to Manhattan College in Riverdale, New York and began studying Counseling Psychology, in which she graduated within 1 year.

After completion of graduate school, she worked in many facets of education: 4^th grade teacher, kindergarten teacher, literacy coach, education coordinator, director for Early Head Start/Head Start, a center coordinator and an early intervention. She also lived in many cities (Raleigh, Atlanta, Washington DC, and New York City).

Tameka currently resides back in her hometown, Huger, SC with her husband, son and other family members nearby.

I  have taught Kindergarten, 1st grade, and was the Early Childhood lead teacher for the Gifted and Talented Department.  I decided to become Montessori trained because it is a philosophy I truly believe in and am excited to be part of the Frierson team.  I am committed to providing your family with a loving and developmentally sound foundation for a lifetime of learning.  Thank you for sharing your precious children with us!  
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Hello!  My name is Louise Faythe Prince.  I go by my middle name, Faythe.  I am the new Lower Elementary Montessori teacher at Frierson Elementary.  I moved to the Charleston area this summer from the upstate and I live on John's Island.  I have a Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education from the University of South Carolina and a Master's in Elementary Education from Lander University.  I also hold Lower Elementary Montessori endorsement from Lander University and an Adolescent Montessori endorsement from Athen's Montessori Institute.  I have taught middle and high school sciences and have 13 years experience in lower elementary and adolescent Montessori.  I have taught 20 years, with the last 13 years teaching in Laurens 55 School District in Laurens, S.C.  I have three children.  My oldest two, Jessica and Jacob are grown and live in Laurens, S.C. My youngest, Kaitlyn, is 18 and she will be a student at College of Charleston this fall.  I enjoy reading, scrapbooking, swimming, yoga, and walking.  I love to travel.  One of my favorite trips was a school tour of Ireland, London, and Paris.  I am looking forward to the new school year and to working with students and parents.  Everyone at Frierson has been so welcoming!  My goal is to provide a safe, peaceful, and fun learning environment for your child.  I am always just an email away, so reach out to me whenever needed.

​My name is Crystal Blue. I’ve been a part of Edith L. Frierson for over ten years. I grew up here, in Charleston, South Carolina. I’m a graduate of South Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. I received my Master of Science in Early Childhood Studies from Walden University. I’ve taught grades fourth, third, second, and child development (CD). I’m a wife, a mother of three children, and a small business owner. I’m looking forward to another great year here at Frierson!

Hello! My name is Nadezhda "Hope" Ivanova. I received my undergraduate degree from Charleston Southern University (CSU) with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. I received my master's degree from CSU with a Master's of Education in Elementary Administration and Supervision. I'm currently working on my doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from CSU. I'm originally from Sofia, Bulgaria, raised in North Macedonia, and moved to the U.S. in 2013. 

Hi, I'm Lynn Kramer.  This is my eighth year as a teacher librarian.  I have worked in elementary, middle and high school. 

I also have experience working as a reference librarian and children's librarian in the public library. 

I look forward  to working with the students, community and staff of Frierson. 

Hi! My name is Taylor Bensinger and this is my 3rd year as the Art and PE teacher at Frierson Montessori.  I am a Charleston Southern University graduate and a native to the Lowcountry.  I love sports, cycling, and fitness, but I also love arts and crafts.  I am so lucky to get to share both of my passions with your children!  I believe Art and PE are so important to a well-rounded education because they allow for self-expression, creativity, and physical/mental/emotional growth.  I look forward to being a part of this community and the great things that will be happening at Frierson Montessori Elementary.

My name is Samantha Kurtz and I am honored to serve as the Reading Coach at Frierson Elementary School. I have a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and a Masters Degree in Education with a focus in Literacy. I have worked in Charleston County School District for 8 years, the past three being here at Frierson. I am an avid reader and passionate about the students, staff, and community I have the privilege of serving every day. I am looking forward to another great school year here at Frierson Elementary School!