Faculty & Staff
We believe that great teachers are our best asset.
Dedicated to authentic Montessori education, the administration and staff at Cross of Life Montessori are highly trained, talented, and love working with children.
Stefanie Graper
School Director
A Montessori child herself, Stefanie graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology. She began her career working with the AmeriCorps education program in Atlanta Public Schools.
Stefanie has completed the AMI Primary (3–6) and the AMI Assistants to Infancy (0–3) training through the Montessori Institute of Atlanta. She also holds an M.Ed. from Loyola University with a focus on Montessori education. She is acertified in CPR/First Aid and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level 1. Stefanie came to Cross of Life as a teacher and in 2010 moved into the role of director, where she continues to serve.
Oksana Berkuta
Primary Teacher
Originally from Canada, Oksana joined us in 2017 with over 30 years of AMI teaching experience at the Primary and Elementary levels. Oksana holds a B.A. in Psychology from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, a Primary (3-6 years) Teaching Certificate from the Toronto Montessori institute, and an Elementary (6-12 years) Teaching Certificate from the Washington Montessori Institute in Washington, D.C.
Tracy Hettinger
Primary Assistant
Tracy was born and raised in Whitefish Bay, WI. She studied early childhood education and psychology at Drake University & Marquette University and received her Associates in early childhood education from METC. In 1995 she began teaching two and three year old preschoolers at Seton Children's preschool in Milwaukee. She moved to Georgia in 1996 where she has worked as a substitute teacher in Cobb county and volunteered with the PTA.
Tracy began working at Cross of Life Christian Montessori in 2010 as a substitute teacher, and soon she became the full time Primary Assistant. Tracy completed the AMI assistant teaching program in 2010 and is also CPR/First Aid certified.
Chelsea King
Toddler Teacher/Spanish Teacher
Our newest team member, Chelsea King, brings over 25 years of education experience from Long Island, New York. Originally from Alpharetta, her extensive background includes roles as an Early Intervention Specialist, preschool teacher, parent trainer, special education teacher, and program advisor for an inclusive co-teaching model. She holds Professional Certifications in Early Childhood & Elementary Education (Birth-Grade 6) and Students with Disabilities (Birth-21), along with dual Masters of Science degrees from Long Island University.
Chelsea is deeply passionate about Montessori education and has completed the AMI Montessori Orientation Course for ages birth-3. She has integrated Montessori principles into her work for many years, inspired by firsthand experience of how effectively Montessori supports child development. Chelsea is also CPR/1st Aid certified.
Kim Coleburn
Toddler Teacher/Music Teacher
Kim lovingly refers to Cross of Life as 'home', having first come to COL with her two young sons in 1998. Both a Montessori parent to three children, and an AMI certified Montessori teacher with over 30 years in the classroom, Kim hopes to provide encouragement to parents and students alike. Kim is a talented artist and musician and shares her many gifts with us daily. She is pictured with the mascot of her alma mater, Georgia Tech. Kim delights in spending her time with our youngest students, and is often heard exclaiming there is no place she'd rather be than COLCMS!