Primary STAFF

WILLOW Classroom

TORI PENDLETON co-director & Primary Lead

Tori Pendleton, a beach baby from Wilmington, NC, came to the mountains to study education at Appalachian State University. She graduated in 2017 with a degree in elementary education, with a concentration in global issues, and a North Carolina educator's license. As she worked for New Hanover County Schools, Tori’s curiosity for alternative teaching methods grew, as did the desire to move back to the high country. After discovering Mountain Pathways 6 years ago, Tori has fulfilled various roles in each classroom, predominantly serving as the Primary and Elementary lead and co-lead teacher. Now, Tori is one of our Teacher Leaders for the Primary classroom. Tori received her Lower Elementary Montessori Certification through the Center of Guided Montessori Studies and continues to study positive parenting/communication with children, the science of reading, ASL, outdoor education, and classroom interior design.  When Tori is not singing silly songs with the children you can find her practicing yoga, walking at Bass Lake, or instructing ski lessons.

Brittany Wilhelmy ASSISTANT

Brittany began working at Mountain Pathways in January 2024 as a teacher in the pre-primary classroom. Originally from New York, Brittany graduated from SUNY New Paltz in 2019 with a BA in Communication Disorders and a minor in Deaf Studies. Her background is in childhood speech and language development and she worked as a pediatric speech therapist for 3 years after graduating college. Brittany has a passion for helping people communicate and the self-advocacy and independence that a Montessori environment provides is what brought her to Mountain Pathways. Having attended a Montessori-style program throughout elementary school, Brittany has since enjoyed learning more about the intentionality behind the practices and activities she participated in when she was a student. Brittany moved to Boone in 2022 and is currently a student at WPCC pursuing certification as an ASL-English interpreter with the goal of becoming an educational interpreter. In her free time, Brittany enjoys painting, hiking and visiting local coffee shops.   

Liz Henderson Assistant

Liz is so excited to join Mountain Pathways School! After recently graduating with her birth-kindergarten degree from WCU, she is ready to enter the Primary classroom with her experience interning in various preschools. Liz is looking forward to expanding her knowledge and broadening her experience working with children. Her values and teaching methodology align with Montessori principles through her desire to foster independence, encourage the natural curiosity of children, teach to the whole child, and embrace the individuality that each child brings to the classroom. Liz lives with her mischievous cats, amazing daughter, wonderful husband, and lovely mother in a cozy home. She enjoys reading, music, nature, creating artwork, and spending as much time with her family as possible. Liz welcomes this incredible opportunity to work with the MPS community!