Kim Cowen (co-founder, owner, and lower elementary educator at Outer Banks Montessori Collective, and Executive Director of Collective Education Foundation) earned her BFA from Old Dominion University, with minors in art history and art education. She is certified through the North American Montessori Center and fueled by her deep love of learning, she continually expands her knowledge of nontraditional education models—like Waldorf and Orton-Gillingham—to better support the diverse needs of her students.

Kim brings 17 years of Montessori experience to her work—first as a parent inspired by the method, and then as a devoted educator. She spent three years apprenticing at Ghent Montessori School in Norfolk, an AMI-accredited program known for its high standards and authentic Montessori practice. Kim then moved to the Outer Banks and spent seven years teaching Lower Elementary at Heron Pond Montessori. Throughout her career, she has attended national Montessori conferences and engaged in ongoing professional development.

Kim’s early work also shaped her approach to education. In Norfolk, what feels to her like a previous lifetime, she worked as a full-time advocate and nanny for an exceptional child on the autism spectrum, where she saw just how much individualized support can transform a child’s world. She later joined a nonprofit team, teaching art to students ages 5–18 in low-income, high-risk neighborhoods. The organization offered free evening meals and workshops, and this work left a lasting impact on her belief in equitable, accessible learning for all.

In addition to her roles as educator and school administrator, Kim is frequently commissioned to create colorful murals and signage for local businesses and music festivals, blending her love of art, music, and community. She is also an avid gardener with a gift for creating beautiful spaces. Kim enjoys photography, time at the beach, and traveling abroad with her family, specifically Central America—always finding inspiration in the world around her.

Rose Coates (Upper El and Middle school educator, OBXMC)

After earning a B.A. in History from James Madison University in 2009, Rose began her first role as a teacher in the mountains of Steamboat Springs, Colorado as a nationally certified snowboard instructor. There she discovered the joys of watching students learn new skills and take pride in themselves. Rose continued to foster her love of teaching earning a Master's of Education K-6 degree at Shenandoah University. 

The first five years of her teaching experience were in a third grade classroom in Virginia Beach City Public Schools, with a focus on transitioning her students from learning to read to reading to learn. Rose moved into a leadership role within VBCPS, joining the district's Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports(PBIS) team as a Division Coach. Her coaching specialized in classroom management, fostering positive classroom environments, and creating collaborative learning experiences. During her time as a PBIS Coach, Rose attended numerous conferences, including Creating Trauma Sensitive Schools and Multi-tiered Systems of Support. She joined the OBXMC community in 2020 and remains passionately committed to developing students into lifelong learners equipped with skills and character traits to succeed in the 21st century.

Rose feels lucky to have grown up outdoors with parents who encouraged her independence, celebrated her unique interests, and challenged her to grow in ways she never expected. She believes every child deserves an advocate and it is her clear mission to be that person for her students. When she isn’t teaching or creating brilliant, unique, open-ended lesson plans for her students, Rose can be found at local markets running her own quirky secondhand bookstore. She can also be found hiking in the woods with her spirited cattle dogs, Velzy and Jolene, or on a board in the sea or on the slopes with her husband. 

​

​

Willow Turner (Lower El educator, OBXMC) moved to the Outer Banks from Seattle, Washington in 2009. She brings more than 26 years of teaching experience, working with students from Infant/Toddler through Upper Elementary Montessori. Willow also spent time as a one-on-one assistant in Manteo Elementary’s Exceptional Children department, where she gained valuable experience supporting children with diverse learning styles. She is passionate about implementing strategies that empower every child to reach their fullest potential. 

Outside the classroom, Willow enjoys repurposing vintage fabrics into fresh, imaginative creations. She also spent years playing roller derby and even founded the OBX roller derby league. When she isn’t teaching or sewing, you can find Willow on the beach with her family and friends or in her porch “jungle” with a good book.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

MaryClaire Hardy (Wilbur Gardens Kindergarten owner and educator, President of Collective Education Foundation) is a native of the beautiful Outer Banks and she is grateful that life has brought her back home after years of adventures elsewhere. Her path toward a career in education began at UNCW in Wilmington, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Spanish. During college, she studied abroad in Valparaíso, Chile, spending seven months immersed in the language, culture, and vibrant community life. After graduating, she moved to Denver, Colorado, where she embraced city-life for three years while teaching at a private preschool.

Mary Claire returned to the Outer Banks in 2016 and taught pre-K at First Flight Elementary, as well as Spanish lessons in both preschool and private settings. Like many of us, the pandemic prompted her to pause, reflect, and consider what she truly wanted for her life and her teaching career. That period of clarity led her toward a more student-led, holistic, flexible learning environment—and from that vision, Wilbur Gardens was born.

When she’s not teaching, Mary Claire can be found at the beach, tending her garden, or camping with her husband and pittie rescue dog, Brooke. Her love for the Outer Banks, her passion for education, and her dedication to children shine in everything she does.

Graham DeMasi (educator, Wilbur Gardens) is originally from Virginia Beach, but now happily calls Kill Devil Hills home, where she lives with her husband and daughter. She loves starting her days with sunrise beach walks and quiet moments on her porch with a good book. She keeps herself grounded by practicing yoga—a love she shares with her students and the greater community by teaching classroom and studio classes.

Graham is an experienced educator with a deep passion for supporting social and emotional growth and mindfulness. After graduating from Radford University with a degree in elementary education, she began her teaching career with six years in Virginia Beach Public Schools. Her teaching style is driven by curiosity and real-world exploration, which lead her to Costa Rica for a summer volunteering at The Sloth Institute, a rescue/ rehabilitation/ and release center in Manuel Antonio. This experience reinforced her belief in learning through adventure and hands-on discovery. Her grounded presence encourages children to take risks, think creatively, and peacefully solve conflicts. Graham worked with the dream team for about 4 years, then took some time off and was eager to return part time this year after her maternity leave.

Bean (Lower Elementary therapy dog/ classroom supervisor) has grown up at the Outer Banks Montessori Collective and Wilbur Gardens and has attended almost every day since joining Kim’s family at 8 weeks old. This is her second year in the program and her peers are currently teaching her how to read. Bean, border collie/ poodle mix, specializes in calming nerves and boosting confidence. Her superpowers are- brightening any room she enters and locating tennis balls with astonishing accuracy. Her heart is as soft as her fluff, and she has even helped a few overcome their fear of dogs by offering gentle joy and tail wags to everyone. Bean takes her classroom responsibilities very seriously, especially investigating lunchtime crumbs, but is also known to lighten serious moments by nudging faces to ask for belly rubs at inappropriate times. She shines during outside time as well, always finding the perfect emotional support stick to carry around. Bean celebrates every victory in the classroom and brings an endless supply of unconditional love to the team.