Our team
Learning Cooperative Leadership
Executive director
VACANT
Kim Falls, Learning Center Director
Kim Falls is delighted to serve as the new director of Mountain Laurel Learning Cooperative. She recently retired from Tucker County Schools after 38 years in education. Over the course of her career, she served as a middle school teacher, technology specialist, principal, elementary teacher, and, most recently, assistant principal.
Kim is passionate about creating classroom environments in which children learn through engaging, hands-on experiences. She looks forward to bringing her experience, enthusiasm, and love of learning to Mountain Laurel, while continuing to grow in and support the Montessori method.
Education has always been an important part of Kim’s life. Her mother taught preschool for 30 years, her father was a professor at the University of Washington in Seattle, and her older sister was a teacher for 40 years.
Originally from Seattle, Kim moved across the country 38 years ago after falling in love with a soldier from Tucker County who was stationed in Oklahoma. They have now been married for 38 years and have four children, including one still in high school, as well as six grandchildren.
Ashley Hanline, Primary Lead Guide
Ashley Hanline is honored to join Mountain Laurel Learning Center as the Primary Lead Guide. She believes children learn best when they are free to explore, discover, and simply be kids. Whether swimming at the lake, visiting an arcade, spending time outdoors, or making memories with family and friends, Ashley loves embracing the joy and wonder found in everyday adventures. She believes these experiences help children grow in confidence, creativity, and curiosity.
Ashley is also the proud mother of an amazing son. Every day, he reminds her of the importance of nurturing curiosity, celebrating individuality, and finding joy in the little moments. Being a parent has deepened Ashley’s appreciation for the unique ways children learn and grow.
Working with children has always been close to Ashley’s heart, and she has long felt that her path would lead her back to this meaningful work. She is passionate about creating a nurturing and respectful environment in which each child feels safe, valued, and encouraged to become an independent, lifelong learner. She especially enjoys watching children discover their strengths, build confidence, and develop a genuine love of learning at their own pace.
Amanda Hardee, PRIMARY CLASSROOM ASSISTANT
Amanda grew up in North Carolina. After earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Appalachian State, she spent many moons working in the outdoor recreation field. Following her enthusiasm for rivers, she was fortunate enough to work as a professional raft guide in TN, NC, CA, and WV. With a background in the facilitation of substance abuse rehabilitation groups and river operations management, Amanda finds purpose in cultivating learning and growth environments and in helping others.
In her free time, Amanda enjoys exploring the outdoors, listening to music, trying not to burn things in the kitchen, and welcoming new experiences. Amanda completed her Montessori Classroom Assistant certification through Trillium Montessori in 2025 and is excited to be a part of the MLLC team. Amanda would like to express her gratitude to such a warm and welcoming community, and she is looking forward to getting to know you better while exploring Tucker County.
Jessica Wamsley, Lower Elementary Classroom Lead Guide
Jessica grew up in Tucker County and has raised her family here as well. After studying child development and family studies, English, and history at West Virginia University, Jessica is thrilled to be pursuing a life goal of teaching! When free time is possible, she finds joy in cooking, hiking, plants, animals, herbalism, and time with her grown kids, husband, and many pets. You also may find her at the ocean when the opportunity presents itself.
Jess completed her Lower Elementary Teacher Training credential through North American Montessori Center in 2025.
kyle mills, Upper Elementary Classroom Lead Guide
Kyle grew up in the mountains of West Virginia, earned his undergraduate degree in American History and Appalachian Studies at Davis and Elkins College, and later completed a master's degree in Creative Nonfiction Writing at West Virginia Wesleyan College. For nearly twenty years, Kyle has worked as an outdoor educator, mentor, and guide, helping thousands of young people build confidence, develop resilience, cultivate curiosity, and form meaningful connections with the natural world through hands-on learning and adventure.
Kyle is an active cave explorer and researcher who works with the West Virginia Association for Cave Studies, the West Virginia Speleological Survey, and the National Speleological Society. His interests also extend far beyond the Earth, and he enjoys studying deep-sky objects, radio astronomy, and sharing the wonder of the night sky with students. Kyle is the author of several books and writing projects focused on nature, exploration, history, and the Allegheny experience. Kyle is currently completing his North American Montessori Center Upper Elementary Teacher Training credential.
Kristen Behrens (KB), Advanced Practical Life Specialist & Montessori Mentor
KB has been with MLLC since its inception and worked under the direction of the Learning Center’s first Montessori Directress, Diana Villamore, and with each Learning Center Director since. At an early age, KB learned from the women around her the value of working with her hands to create things. She enjoys exploring different mediums, including fiber arts, sewing, knitting, cooking, gardening, and the natural world. In 2017, she completed a two-year herbal apprenticeship at Owlcraft Healing Ways in Scottsville, Virginia. KB is grateful to be able to share her knowledge of practical life skills with these children and learn more with them, too. She values Montessori tenets and models these values through mentoring our Learning Center staff.