Faculty and Staff
 

Kirsten Benson
 Mrs. Benson has worked with children for over 15 years. She has a B.A. in psychology, M.A. in Human Service Agency Management, and a M.S.E. in School and Professional Counseling. Kirsten Benson opened Young Adventure in 1998, followed by Greenbrier Montessori Academy in 2002. In 2003 Mrs. Benson successfully built a new addition at the Greenbrier location and combined both schools.
Mrs. Benson has worked hard to build a school in which the school community is rewarding, as well as, nurturing, loving, and educational. Mrs. Benson values the differences in children and believes all children are a gift from God.

Angel Layher
 Mrs. Layher has worked at Young Adventure/Greenbrier Montessori since 1998. Mrs. Layher has worked with each age group as a lead teacher, as well as being the Assistant Director. She started with the two year olds and after taking one year off she supervised the infant/toddler unit. In 2001 Mrs. Layher finished her Montessori certification thru NAMC and began teaching in the preschool classroom (3-5yrs). As of the 2008-2009 school year Mrs. Layher will be working full time as the Assistant Director.

Claire Pilz
 Claire Pilz is our head elementary teacher. She has a BS in Ed. from the University of MO, Columbia, and is working toward her MS in Ed. at the University of MO, St Louis. After completing her teaching certification, Ms. Pilz trained in Reggio Emilia, Italy learning the "Reggio Approach" which is a child centered Italian curriculum that is very similar to the Montessori Method. While continuing her post graduate education, Ms. Pilz also earned her Montessori certification for Early Elementary education.
Ms. Pilz's teaching background includes working as a lead teacher in both private (Forsyth School in Clayton MO, Churchill School in Ladue, MO) and public schools (Kirkwood Early Childhood).
She is thrilled to have found her niche at Greenbrier, where you can find her surrounded by her children whose class motto is to be a "learner, listener, risk taker, and peace maker."