Meet Our Team
Crystal Yoder
Director/ Primary Lead
Crystal is the director of New Beginnings Montessori Crystal has over 19 years of Montessori experience. She began her Montessori career in 2006 while studying at the Institution of Advanced Montessori Studies. She received an Early Childhood Credential in 2010. Crystal is owner/director of New Beginnings & spent many years as lead in the Monarch classroom. Crystal has dreamed of opening a Montessori program for many years. With a team of amazing and dedicated teachers, as well as a supportive school community, New Beginnings Montessori has been a dream come true.
Taylor Sale
Primary Lead
Taylor is a Primary lead in the Monarch Classroom Taylor graduated from Bridgewater college with a Liberal Studies Major, concentrating on Child Development. Taylor began her childcare experience through her work at Minnieland and interning at Big Brother's Big Sister's of Harrisonburg. Taylor started her Montessori career as a morning assistant, working along side Crystal at a Montessori school and has worked at New Beginnings for the past four years. Taylor is a certified Montessori guide. She studied at the Virginia Center for Montessori Studies.
Riley Hebdon
Primary Lead/ Afternoon
Toddler Teacher
Riley leads the Hummingbird classroom and leads the afternoon toddler program. Riley graduated from Brigham Young University-Idaho in 2016 with a Bachelor’s degree in English. Shortly after graduating, she moved to Harrisonburg with her husband, Josh. In 2020, she decided to pursue her passion and become a teacher. Her path led her to Montessori, and in 2024 she became a certified Montessori primary guide with the American Montessori Society. Riley enjoys cooking, music, arts and crafts of all kinds, and spending time with her husband, two dogs, Dignan and Yuna, and axolotl Alvin.
Elizabeth Long
Primary Lead
Elizabeth leads the Hummingbird classroom. Elizabeth attended a Montessori School for over 10 years, continuing from preschool until middle school. After spending a year at JMU, she pursued her Montessori training and completed an AMI Primary certification at a center in Connecticut. Growing up with eight siblings, whom also attended Montessori schools, she developed a deep appreciation for the Montessori approach, particularly its focus on following the child and integrating mind & body. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys spending time with friends, and animals, reading books and traveling.
Jan Kirby
Early Morning Lead &
Language Specialist
Jan leads the early morning and focuses on Language enrichment lessons Jan began her Montessori career at Winchester Montessori for seven years. She moved to the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum to become director of programming and continued directorship for seventeen years. Jan found her way back to the Montessori classroom in 2015. Jan spends her mornings, at our school, focusing on language lessons; concentrating on reading and writing progression. She brings incredible talent and many years of experience to New Beginnings.
Goga Bundalo
Primary Assistant
Goga is the morning assistant in the Hummingbird Class. Goga began her Montessori career in 2016 as a classroom assistant in a Montessori Toddler program, focusing on the development of infant and toddler aged children. After receiving her Infant/Toddler Teaching certification from the North American Montessori Center, Goga moved into a co-teaching position in a Montessori toddler program. Goga is now expanding her expertise in the primary level of Montessori education, where she serves as a primary assistant in the Hummingbird classroom. It’s been wonderful to see how the Montessori philosophy supports children of all ages!
Beatriz Rodriguez
Spanish Instructor &
Afternoon Lead
Beatriz provides a Spanish curriculum catered to all ages Beatriz began her path of early childhood education long before coming to New Beginnings. Ms. B created a successful in-home preschool program. Beatriz found a job opportunity at a local Montessori school and began her Montessori career in 2015. Beatriz was lead for afternoon care, co-assistant in a primary aged classroom and a morning assistant for a toddler aged class. Beatriz provides a Spanish curriculum catered to all ages that attend New Beginnings. She creates engaging circle time gatherings that our children love; full of songs, stories and Spanish vocabulary games.
Kelsey Burgoyne
Classroom Consulant
Kelsey is available school wide for classroom consultation. Kelsey Burgoyne has been in the Montessori classroom for nearly a decade and completed her AMS Early Childhood Credential through the Virginia Center for Montessori Studies. She has her B.A. in Family and Consumer Sciences and Elementary Education from Bridgewater College and is a certified Positive Discipline Early Childhood Educator. Kelsey is an advocate for inclusivity and supporting diverse learners in the Montessori classroom.
Emma Eckard
Toddler Assistant
Ms. Emma is a morning toddler assistant. Emma is joining the Toddler team as the morning assistant. Emma has worked at youth camps overseas and with youth groups in our local community. Her latest adventure was working at Turner Ashby High School as a floater. She has a desire to work with younger students and is inspired by the Montessori philosophy.
Iris Heebner
Toddler Afternoon Assistant
Ms. Iris is our Toddler afternoon assistant. Ms. Iris is an assistant during extended care. She is excited to continue her early childhood experiences in a Montessori setting. Iris was a teacher at a nature based pre-school. She created interactive activities for students, prepared outdoor learning environments and shared gardening skills with her students. Iris will implement music and movement activities to the afternoon. She plays many musical instruments to share with the toddler students.
