Richland Academy teachers & staff are trained and are well respected and exemplary members of their professional community. They are dedicated to making the Richland Academy experience a positive and successful experience for students.
"The holistic curriculum, under the direction of a specially prepared teacher, allows the child to experience the joy of learning, time to enjoy the process and insure the development of self-esteem, and provides the experiences from which children create their knowledge." -American Montessori Society Publication, 1994
Mrs. Amanda McKinley
Educational Director
Mrs. Amanda McKinley is a certified elementary education teacher with a Bachelor's degree from the University of Pittsburgh, Johnstown. She has earned her AMS certification and has worked as our Educational Director since 2008.
Mrs. Vicki Hershberger
Montessori Directress
Mrs. Vicki Hershberger has three children who are Richland Academy graduates. She has earned her AMS certification and serves as the Montessori Directress of Richland Academy. She has served our school in various capacities since 1985; and in our preprimary classroom since 1999.
Mrs. Nicole Gustin
Toddler Montessori Director / Childcare Director
Mrs. Nicole Gustin joined our staff in 2011. She has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the Univeristy of Pittsburgh, Greensburg and also holds a PA teaching certificate.
Mrs. Penny Thomas
Preprimary Classroom Aide & Childcare Staff
Mrs. Penny Thomas has worked at Richland Academy since 2004. She is an aide in the preprimary classroom and an assistant group supervisor in our Childcare Program.
Mrs. Munawar Khan
Toddler Program Aide
Ms. Munawar Khan joined our staff in 2010. She works as an Aide in our Montessori Toddler Program.
Mrs. Dawn Fleegle
Toddler Program Aide & Childcare Staff
Mrs. Dawn Fleegle joined our staff in 2010. She works as an Aide in our Montessori Toddler Program and as an assistant group supervisor in our Childcare Program.
Ms. Lisa Polaski
Childcare Staff
Ms. Lisa Polaski is a student at the University of Pittsburgh, Johnstown where she is majoring in Psychology. She joined our childcare staff in 2010.
