Meet Our Teachers & Guides
Kelly Fagan
Founder/OwnerKelly is a certified teacher, certified yoga teacher, and certified children’s yoga teacher with additional training in trauma-informed teaching and sound healing for children. A former public school special education educator, she has a passion for creating inclusive, meaningful spaces for children to learn, grow, and connect. She began teaching yoga, mindfulness, and art groups in the community in 2015 before opening The Connection Corner in 2017.
Her work blends her background in education with mindfulness, creativity, movement, and connection to support children of all ages and abilities.
In her free time, Kelly enjoys many of the same things that inspire her work at The Connection Corner—crafting, puzzles, reading, gardening, and spending time with her husband, 8-year-old daughter, and 2 pups!
Olivia Cohen
Leigh Greene
Art Club/Cohen Classical ArtsOlivia Cohen is a professional artist and art educator with a Bachelor's degree in Studio Art and Art History from Wofford College. Over the past five years, she has taught students of all ages in private schools, homeschool co-ops, summer camps, and private lessons, with a passion for helping each child discover confidence through creativity.
Olivia is also the founder of Cohen Classical Arts, where she brings art instruction directly into the community through in-home lessons, homeschool programs, Art in a Cart, classes in local parks, and more. Her flexible, welcoming approach makes meaningful art experiences accessible in a variety of settings.
Olivia believes art should be both joyful and meaningful, encouraging children to slow down, observe the world around them, and develop the skills to express themselves with confidence.
Outside the classroom, she enjoys sculpting, exploring museums, spending time with her husband and pup, and finding inspiration in everyday life.
Follow Cohen Classical Arts on Instagram to stay up to date on upcoming classes, programs, and creative offerings.
Book Club Explorers/4th Grade TeacherLeigh Greene is a licensed Elementary Education teacher with certifications in Reading and Gifted Education. She has a Masters in Eductation from Georgia Southern University. For the past twenty-two years, she has taught children of all ages from Pre-K to 5th grade. Currently, Leigh is teaching virtual 4th grade students in Cumberland County.
Leigh brings a passion for reading and for inspiring children to love reading to her work. As a homeschooling mother and classroom teacher, she loves to see a book come to life and inspire children. She believes strongly in the value of play and curiosity in early childhood experiences. She hopes to help children develop a connection to the books they read.
In her free time, Leigh enjoys spending time outside with her family and pets. She and her daughter have a passion for chickens, and the whole family loves to explore places to hike in North Carolina. Also, you can always find her reading a great new book!
MaryBeth Washington
Denisse Lara
Enrichment Programs/Pine Trails Montessori Mary Beth Washington studied Elementary Education in college and literacy at the University of Sydney before becoming AMI Montessori trained after discovering Montessori education while living in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. After moving to North Carolina, she chose to homeschool her children and build a life centered around learning together.
Today, Mary Beth writes curriculum for a nonprofit in Washington, D.C., and leads Pine Trails Montessori, a local nature-based forest school at Ladybug Farm. She believes children thrive when they are trusted, encouraged to follow their curiosity, and given meaningful opportunities to explore.
Her hope is that every child leaves feeling confident, capable, and inspired to love learning.
Follow Pine Trails Montessori to learn more about their programs, nature-based learning, and upcoming offerings.
Brittany has been working professionally with children since 2012 and brings more than 14 years of experience in childcare to her work at The Connection Corner.
Throughout her career, she has worked with children and families in a variety of private childcare settings, building long-term relationships and supporting children through different stages of growth and development. Brittany is known for bringing professionalism, reliability, warmth, and genuine care to the families and children she works with.
She believes that every child deserves to feel safe, respected, and valued for exactly who they are. In her work with children, Brittany strives to create welcoming spaces where kids can explore their interests, build confidence and independence, and learn through meaningful, hands-on experiences.
Brittany is especially passionate about creating opportunities for children to connect through books, creativity, play, and exploration. She loves getting to know the unique personalities and interests of the children she works with and using those connections to help shape experiences that feel engaging, joyful, and meaningful.
Outside of work, Brittany enjoys reading, traveling, crafting, and spending time with her family and cats.Preschool Teacher/Enrichment ProgramsBritt is a licensed Early Childhood and Elementary educator with endorsements in K–12 Visual Art and Music. She has more than seven years of teaching experience across a variety of settings, including Montessori preschool classrooms and elementary art and music classrooms.
Britt has a passion for helping young children discover their creative spark while building confidence, independence, and curiosity. In her work with children, she strives to create safe, welcoming spaces where they feel free to be themselves, explore their environment and materials, and learn through meaningful, hands-on experiences.
Her lessons and workshops are thoughtfully shaped around the unique needs, interests, and personalities of the children she teaches.
Britt Sheafe
Brittany Morgan
Preschool Teacher/Enrichment ProgramsMatt Tera
Taylor Murphy
COMING SOON…
Community Connections
We’re grateful to work alongside a wonderful community of therapists, educators, artists, and family-centered professionals. These are people and organizations we know, trust, and are happy to connect families with.
Join The Connection Corner
If you are a teacher or mental health professional and would like to explore opportunities at The Connection Corner, we’d love to hear from you.