Lucy is deeply honored to spend her days with children.  She is inspired daily by their love, curiosity, authenticity, and presence to life.  While she is a guide to their learning at school, she is clear that each day, the children are teachers to her.  

Lucy is a career educator with a focus on early education, serving students aged three through Kindergarten. She believes that early childhood is a sensitive and powerful time in a child’s life as young students learn and grow through self-directed, hands-on exploration with the environment. She creates a rich and nurturing learning space where children can explore their interests, discover the wonders of the world, learn about themselves, and develop friendships

Lucy holds a Master’s Degree in Education through Antioch University, her Early Childhood Montessori credential through The Center for Guided Montessori Studies, and a B.A in Sociology through Oglethorpe University.  She is certified as both a children’s yoga instructor and as a Mindful Schools mindfulness educator. Lucy has an extensive background in educator development with a focus on school culture and integrated social emotional learning. 

Lucy’s own childhood was spent in Northern Ireland where she grew up before her family immigrated to the United States. Her roots and family have grown here in North Carolina. She has two teenage children, Elijah and Rowan, and many furry animal friends. Lucy enjoys spending time in nature, gardening, painting, and adventures.

Sha'Ketia comes to Little Grove with a number of years of experience in Early Childhood Education. Her calm and kind guidance helps to support all of the students and staff at Little Grove, and we are honored to have her on our team.

Bio coming soon...

Hello! I'm Courtney, the founder and director of Little Grove Preschool. My background in early education spans over 20 years, and includes the philosophies of RIE, Montessori, and Reggio Emilia. I am a former children’s dance and yoga teacher, and still enjoy sharing creative movement and mindfulness play with children. 

I opened my first preschool and toddler program, Buddha Babies, in New Orleans, a city I called home for 10 years. When my family relocated to Asheville, I brought that program with me, and it was no surprise that a play-based, yoga-inspired preschool quickly became popular here. In early 2020, plans to expand were halted as we closed our doors due to the pandemic. During that time, I returned to school to further my education in Early Childhood administration, and began my work as an advocate of public Montessori in Asheville.

I was one of the founding developers and charter writers for Mountain City Public Montessori, and am thrilled to form this partnership of schools which allows me to continue supporting their mission while returning to my passion for early childhood education.

As the Director of Little Grove Preschool, I look forward to serving families and children with evidence-based, developmentally appropriate educational experiences, while supporting educators with high-quality development opportunities and support through our partnership with Mountain City Public Montessori.

Outside of school, I can usually be found working in my gardens or baking yummy treats. I live in West Asheville with my husband and child, 2 cats, and lots of houseplants.