Meet the Team
At Harpeth Montessori, our team is at the heart of our community. Each educator brings unique experience, warmth, and a shared commitment to nurturing the whole child.
Head of School & Upper Elementary Lead
Greg Biorkman
Originally from Southern California, Greg brings a wide range of experience to Harpeth Montessori, including two decades in the business world and a career as a professional athlete. He studied Economics at the University of California, Irvine, where he served as captain of the men's tennis team.
Greg leads the school and teaches in our Elementary and Middle School programs. He, his wife Jennifer, and their two sons relocated from Chicago to Franklin in 2019. Greg and Jennifer founded Harpeth Montessori in 2021.
Assistant Head of School
Michelle Katina
Michelle was born and raised in Oceanside, California, and later relocated to Franklin. She brings more than 17 years of experience working with both seniors and children and is a natural nurturer who finds great joy in supporting children as they learn and grow.
As Assistant Head of School, Michelle helps oversee day-to-day school operations, supports staff and families, and ensures the school community runs smoothly. She and her husband share a blended family of nine children and six grandkids.
Elementary Director & Lower Elementary Lead
Elizabeth Stead
With more than 20 years of experience as a Montessori educator, Elizabeth brings extensive knowledge, leadership, and skill to Harpeth Montessori. She earned a B.S. in K-8 Interdisciplinary Education from Lipscomb University and holds Primary (ages 3-6), Elementary I, and Elementary II (ages 6-12) Montessori credentials through the American Montessori Society.
In addition to leading the Lower Elementary classroom, Elizabeth serves as Elementary Program Director, supporting curriculum scope and sequence and maintaining strong Montessori pedagogy across the Elementary program. Outside of school, she is also a talented photographer.
Early Childhood Director & Primary Lead
Ellen Buell
Ellen is a Michigan native who has called Tennessee home since 2014. She earned her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education in 2011 and soon discovered Montessori education, where she found a philosophy that deeply aligned with her approach to children. She holds Montessori credentials at the Primary (ages 3-6) and Lower Elementary (ages 6-9) levels.
Ellen joined Harpeth Montessori in June 2023 and brings more than a decade of experience within the Middle Tennessee Montessori community. Outside of school, she enjoys reading, concerts and live shows, boxing, rowing, 5Ks and 10Ks, and spending time with her beloved cats.
Primary Lead
Tina Seale
Tina grew up in Nashville and earned her B.A. in English Literature from the University of Tennessee. Shortly after graduation, she began working in a Montessori classroom and was drawn to the philosophy's emphasis on caring for the whole child. After several years in Toddler, Primary, and Elementary classrooms, she pursued an Early Childhood Certification through the North American Montessori Center.
When she is not in the classroom, Tina enjoys reading, birdwatching, camping, and hiking with her family.
Primary Assistant
Rosa Cruz
Rosa was born and raised in Southern California and is delighted to now call Franklin, Tennessee, home. She brings more than 20 years of experience supporting families through long-term work as a nanny and is also a professionally trained cook and baker.
As a mother, Rosa raised her daughter with a simple guiding belief: trust children to grow at their own pace. Her warmth, patience, and respect for each child's development make her a valued member of the Harpeth Montessori community.
Primary Assistant
Skylar Collins
Skylar has studied at Columbia State Community College and Middle Tennessee State University and is continuing her education at Belmont University. She brings a strong background in drawing, painting, illustration, theater, 3D design, and other creative arts.
Skylar describes herself as imaginative, joyful, and determined. She believes Montessori education should foster hands-on learning, independence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning. In the classroom, she hopes to inspire wonder and enthusiasm while patiently supporting each child through the process of learning something new.
Primary Assistant
Christa Risdon
Christa brings nearly 10 years of early childhood experience, including five years in Montessori environments. She earned bachelor's degrees in Linguistics and Deaf Studies from California State University, Northridge, and completed her Montessori certification through the North American Montessori Center in 2024.
Christa is close to fluent in American Sign Language. She describes her teaching approach as flexible, present, and kind-hearted and believes a strong Montessori classroom should be calm and child-led, with opportunities for independence, group learning, nature and sensory exploration, and the daily modeling of grace and courtesy.
Primary Assistant
Alicia Champion
Born in Massachusetts and raised in New Hampshire, Alicia moved to Middle Tennessee with her husband in 2014. She earned a degree in Fine Arts from Plymouth State University and has completed the coursework for her Primary Montessori certification through Age of Montessori.
As a mother of two daughters, Alicia has a deep appreciation for the Montessori method and its focus on developing the whole child. She brings creativity, care, and a strong connection to the school community to her work in the Primary classroom.
Upper Elementary & Middle School Guide
Laura Stone
Laura brings more than 25 years of experience in advanced practice nursing, education, wellness coaching, and clinical research. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Health Sciences from Mary Baldwin College, a Master of Science in Nursing from Vanderbilt University, and a post-master's degree in Adult Primary Care from Vanderbilt University.
Throughout her career, Laura has taught nursing and medical students and helped individuals understand complex information and build practical skills. She is excited to bring her experience as an educator, mentor, and lifelong learner to the Upper Elementary and Middle School communities at Harpeth Montessori.
Upper Elementary & Middle School Guide
Bethany Patel
Bethany brings valuable experience in private school counseling, applied behavior analysis, and child development. She holds a Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from Vanderbilt University and a Master of Education in Human Development Counseling from Lipscomb University. She is also a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).
Bethany's background gives her a thoughtful understanding of how children learn, grow, and develop confidence. Outside of school, she is a wife, mother, and small business owner alongside her husband.
Lower Elementary Assistant Guide
Kelsey Koeppl
Kelsey was born and raised in Ohio before heading west to attend the University of Wyoming, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with an area of concentration in the creative arts.
Over the past four years, Kelsey has gained experience in both a private preschool guided by Montessori principles and a public elementary school, giving her the opportunity to support many different children and families. She is excited to help create a classroom of creators, leaders, critical thinkers, and, above all, lifelong learners.
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Jennifer Biorkman
Jennifer was born and raised in Ellicott City, Maryland. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship from the University of Miami and brings more than 20 years of professional experience in the coffee and specialty beverage industry.
Jennifer and her family relocated from Chicago to Franklin in 2019. In 2021, she and her husband Greg founded Harpeth Montessori. In addition to helping guide the school's vision, Jennifer oversees finance, business operations, strategic planning, and key administrative systems. Outside of her work with the school, she enjoys making homemade pasta, reading, practicing yoga, and spending time with her family.
Director of Wellness
Eny Moore
Originally from Puerto Rico, Eny has been supporting Montessori students, educators, and families since 2011. In her role as Director of Wellness, she helps cultivate a school environment where the well-being of both children and adults is thoughtfully supported.
Eny oversees wellness supplies and practices throughout the school, provides wellness support and resources for staff, and helps lead community-wide wellness initiatives. Her passion for nurturing and educating children began long before her Montessori journey. Eny homeschooled her three children from K through 12th grade. Outside of school, Eny enjoys spending time with her family and taking trips to the beach with her husband.
Music Director
Mark Woodward
Mr. Woodward joins us weekly for Music class with our Kindergarten, Elementary, and Middle School students. He has over 12 years' experience as a K-12 Montessori Music and Drama teacher. He is an accomplished composer, writer, producer, and creator of Maria Montessori: The Musical, which has been performed at schools across the United States and worldwide on four continents. He is a husband and father to 6 beautiful children.