ADMINISTRATION
INSTRUCTORS
“The secret of good teaching is to regard the child’s intelligence as a fertile field in which seeds may be sown, to grow under the heat of flaming imagination.” Maria Montessori
Erica Newman – Primary Montessori Guide
Having spent a total of 12 years of her childhood in Central America, Erica considers VA her home, now for the last 27 years. Erica has a B.A. in Communication Disorders from Longwood College. Prior to becoming a Montessori Guide for the a primary class with World Community Montessori, she worked with adults and children with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Erica also enjoyed being a stay-at-home wife, daughter and mom to her two littles. Erica began her experience with World Community Montessori as a parent and is thrilled to contribute to the school community now, also, as a guide. One of Erica’s favorite honors of being a Montessori Guide is watching and supporting the children to keep working on something they feel determined to learn and seeing their faces light up when they master it!
Luka Mingazova – Lower Elementary Montessori Guide and Assistant Head
Luka holds a B.A. in Sociology, Randolph-Macon Woman’s College (Randolph College). She received her AMS Montessori Certification for Elementary 6-12 years from the Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies, Silver Springs, MD in 2013. She has been teaching at World Community Montessori since 2008 and a Lead Teacher in the Elementary program since 2014. As an alumna of the World Community Montessori (formerly World Community Education Center), she has a clear understanding of our school values and commitment to fostering a love of learning in her students.
Laura Berrier – Upper Elementary Montessori Guide
Laura is new to Montessori education but not to teaching. Before joining World Community Montessori, she taught for 10 years. Her experience includes teaching hands-on science to all ages in Wyoming then in Indiana to students in upper elementary grades. She has also taught Pre-K children and most recently served as a high school special education teacher. Laura holds a M.Ed. in Special Education from Lynchburg College (now the University of Lynchburg) as well as a B.S. in Outdoor Education from Montreat College in Montreat, NC. Laura has lived in Bedford for the past five years and raises an assortment of poultry, bees, and produce.
Michael Isa Davis – History Instructor
Isa Davis graduated from the University of South Carolina with a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies, (Photography, Creative Writing, Music Composition). He later studied Education for two years at Lynchburg, College. Isa has worked as, and is an award-winning Travel Photographer, Dining Services Director, Chef, and Carpenter. He has over a decade of experience teaching Social Sciences, Photography and Cooking. Isa has also worked with or volunteered his time in various ways for Legacy International since 1981.
Rebecca Holderbach – High School, Middle School Instructor
Growing up near Albany, NY, Rebecca got her B.A. in German Literature from State University of NY at Albany. After moving to Virginia, she did graduate work in Middle School and High School Education at Lynchburg College and expanded her areas of certification to include Social Studies and French. With more than 20 years of homeschooling, she brings experience in both personalizing the educational experience, and preparing students for life after High School.
Sara White – Health and PE Teacher and Science, Middle School
Sara is a Pennsylvania native who decided to make Virginia her new home seven years ago, and she’s loving every bit of Bedford with her husband and three dogs, all enjoying their large yard and garden together. She has over 15 years of teaching, coaching, and leadership experience of various ages, subjects and settings. She has held positions such as a public school Health and PE/Driver Education teacher certified in multiple states, Tutor for college/adult students in Praxis Health & PE/Math/Science/Reading/
Susan Brock – Piano and Voice, Theatre, and Animal Care
Susan has taught applied piano, voice, vocal ensemble, recorder, and music theater, as well as large animal care and training, at theWorld Community Montessori. She studied biological parks management at Santa Fe Community College in Gainesville, FL; music education at University of Florida; and music therapy at Florida State University, and has a degree in music. Susan is currently Administrative Officer / IT and network manager at Legacy International.
Allen Larson – Montessori Science and Mathematics
With over 40 years of Montessori experience, Mr. Larson holds a BA in Psychology and Mathematics from the University of Minnesota. He graduated from Mankato State University with a Masters of Arts in Teaching Mathematics. Certified in Montessori Elementary (6 to 12) from Association Montessori International for Montessori Training in Bergamo, Italy 1975.
HEAD OF SCHOOL
Acting Head of School, Jehan Bradley
Ms. Bradley received her B.S., Elementary Education from Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton and taught 1st and 2nd grades before moving to Virginia. She worked with the Center for Rehabilitation and Development, Roanoke, as bookkeeper and payroll manager. She is currently Property Manager for the World Community.