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About Our School

We offer an educational experience for children and a supportive community for families following the principles of Dr. Maria Montessori. Intentionally small, our micro-community provides a nurturing experience for children as they transition into the world of learning. Our school is designed for children as if school were their home to foster their independence and their innate desire to learn. Classrooms feature bright peaceful environments and inspiring natural materials that follow traditional Montessori methods. Children are able to follow their interests with teachers as their guides. They learn core subjects, develop mindfulness and compassion, and establish the skills they need as a foundation for a life of discovery.

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Our Teacher Leaders & Team

Our Board

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Katie Anderson

Katie is the current head of school and co-founding teacher-leader of Hawthorn Montessori.

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Bianca Gragg

Bianca is a Xicana LCSWA, parent of a child at Hawthorn since 2022, founder of Semillas Counseling and a Hawthorn board member since 2022.

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Chad Storck

Chad's daughter attended Hawthorn for three academic years beginning in 2020.  Upon her graduation, Chad wanted to continue supporting the Hawthorn school community and is doing so through his role on the Board.

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Stephanie Powell

Stephanie (she/her/hers) is a current Hawthorn Montessori parent. She has nearly 19 years of non-profit leadership experience at the local, regional, and national level. Stephanie is Board Source Certified Board Consultant and is the Director of Finance and Operations for the Dogwood Alliance. As a parent, she loves the independence, self-awareness, and confidence that Montessori education fosters in children.

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Jeana Olszewski

Jeana Olszewski is founding Teacher-Leader of Azalea Montessori School in Norwood, Ohio, which opened as a primary school in 2019. She has led the growth of Azalea to include a lower and upper elementary. She serves as a part-time Operations Guide for the Wildflower Foundation and supports the growth of new Wildflower Schools across the country. She also serves on the board of Good Shepherd Montessori in Cincinnati as well as Hollyhock Montessori opening in Arkansas. 

Hawthorn Montessori School

89 Old Candler Town Rd

Candler, NC 28715

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Hawthorn Montessori School is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.  Serving families in the greater Asheville area. 

Hawthorn Montessori School is a non-profit organization and does not discriminate by race, color, national or ethnic origin, creed, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, or status with regard to public assistance. Furthermore, Hawthorn Montessori School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletics and other school-administered programs.

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