Our Staff and Faculty

Founder

Kristen Marrisett, the founder of Wake Forest Montessori, has her Montessori Certification from the North American Montessori Center and a BS in Psychology from UCLA. Kristen is a proud mother of 4, all of whom have either graduated from WFM or are currently attending.  Kristen has a strong passion for teaching and a deep love for children. She brings a firm, but loving approach to the classroom, and makes learning fun and interesting for the students.

Director

Julia Thompson

Julia Thompson received her Bachelor’s Degree in Merchandising Management from Oregon State University before spending 20 years in corporate operations. She joined Wake Forest Montessori in 2013 as Director after earning her Early
Childhood Administrator Credential.

She was introduced to the Montessori curriculum when her oldest child attended a Montessori school in Southern California prior to her family’s move to Raleigh in 2006. After witnessing her own daughter’s growth through the Montessori method she was thrilled with the opportunity to step in as Director at Wake Forest Montessori. She loves the
philosophy that each child is unique and should be allowed to develop emotionally,
intellectually and physically at his or her own pace in a safe, stress-free environment that nurtures the child’s self-esteem, confidence and individuality.

Now that her own children are grown, Julia enjoys spending time with her husband and two dogs, Cali and Chewy.

She also enjoys gardening, crocheting and reading.

Assistant Director

Amanda Oborne

Amanda has served in the education field for over 15 years as a traditional teacher,  a Montessori guide and as an administrator.  She first joined the Wake Forest Montessori preschool community in 2009 as a parent and soon became a member of the team.  She was a lead Children’s House guide at Wake Forest Montessori for many years and returned as a lead guide in 2020.  She was promoted to Assistant Director in 2021 Amanda loves to interact with children as well as parents. Her favorite aspect of working with children is their natural curiosity and kindness, and the way they greet life with a smile.  Amanda moved back to Wake Forest, NC with her husband, son and 2 dogs in 2020.  When she’s not at work, she enjoys photography, cooking and spending time with her family.

Toddler 1

Lead Teacher

          Ms. Kristin 

Toddler 1

Assistant Teacher

Toddler 2

Lead Teacher

Marissa was born and raised in New York and moved to North Carolina in 2018. She graduated from Post University in Connecticut with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management. Marissa has over 10 years of childcare experience with various age groups and was a live-in nanny for 3 years. In 2019 Marissa moved to North Carolina and joined WFM as an Assistant Teacher in Children’s House. She has since transitioned to the Toddler House and found her passion working with that age group. When Marissa isn’t working she’s spending time with her family or studying to continue furthering her education.

Children’s House 1

Lead Teacher

Kira has had a passion for teaching children since she was 16. She always knew she was meant to teach and encourage students to be the best version of themselves. She is originally from Northern Virginia but moved to Raleigh in 2015 to study Spanish at NC State. Kira joined the WFM staff in 2019 as a floater but was quickly promoted to assistant teacher. She is excited to now guide the children in her Lead Teacher role. Kira is nearing the completion of her training through the North American Montessori Center to become a Certified Montessori Guide. In her spare time she enjoys spending time in the kitchen trying new recipes & reading motivational books.

Children’s House 1

Assistant Teacher

Children’s House 2

Assistant Teacher

Ms. Taylor was born and raised in Maine and moved to Wake Forest, NC in 2018. She graduated from SMCC with an Associates Degree in Human Services and Behavioral Health. Ms. Taylor has previously worked at a Peer Service Center and a Crisis Stabilization unit before becoming an assistant preschool teacher at a traditional school in Maine. Since moving to NC, she has had the the pleasure of continuing her journey with children in many early childhood settings.
Ms. Taylor has always loved being a part of her students lives while watching them grow and accomplish goals. Ms. Taylor takes pride in knowing she helps create a safe and prepared learning environment for her students.
WFM was thrilled to welcome Ms. Taylor as a toddler teacher and showed her the differences between traditional education and the Montessori Philosophy. Currently she is an assistant teacher for our Children’s House 2 classroom community.  When Ms. Taylor isn’t working she enjoys shopping, playing board games with her family, crafting, traveling, going on motorcycle rides and enjoying time outdoors with her boyfriend.

Children’s House

After-care Teacher/Floater