Our Team

New Ownership

In January 2024, Ashley Wolfe took over ownership of Sikora Montessori from founder Paula Sikora. Together, they will be taking the school to a higher level by offering new after-school programming that will provide additional support to families in the Ohio Valley.

Meet the Team

  • Ashley comes to Sikora Montessori with an impressive resumé. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Wheeling Jesuit University and a Master’s Degree in Advanced Special Education from West Liberty University. She received an Autism Endorsement from Bethany University and is a Reading Specialist in the Orton-Gillingham approach to reading instruction for children with dyslexia.

    Ashley and her husband, Matt, have two children, Jak & Adalina, who are both currently students at the school.

  • Paula Sikora attended Wheeling Jesuit University as an education major and obtained Master Math hours at Xavier University. She received her American Montessori Society Certification in 1999 from Columbus Montessori Education Center in Columbus, Ohio. Mrs. Sikora was the director of Mount de Chantal Montessori for 15 years. After the closure of the Mount, she founded Sikora Montessori in 2008. Sikora Montessori is the ONLY Montessori currently in the city of Wheeling. She is married to her husband Kevin, and she has two daughters, Kayleigh and Emilee.

  • Shannon Warren is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Bethany College with a degree in Religious Studies.  She has 20 years of experience in personal and professional child care.  After graduation, she was hired by Bethany College to establish and direct the Early Discoveries Childcare Center.  In that position, she completed all necessary steps to plan, open and run a childcare center on Bethany's college campus.  Mrs. Shannon then went to work as a lead teacher at Holy Family Childcare and Development Center in Wheeling.  In this position she cared for 14 two-year olds daily and helped coordinate activities with her assistant teachers.  She has over 140 hours of childcare related trainings and continuing professional education.  She is married to her husband Neal and is a mother to three children: Brennen, Shane, and Taylor.

  • Ginger Aulick holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Northern Kentucky University and a Bachelor of Health Science from the University of Kentucky. She is a licensed Medical Technologist and has worked in the commercial, environmental and medical laboratory settings. Additionally, she has experience as a safety and compliance officer, and is a former Kindermusik educator. She has been associated with Sikora Montessori in various capacities since 2010, and is currently its Director. Ginger has been a board member and officer of the Ohio Valley Wellness Coalition (the former OVMC Auxiliary) and the Auxiliary of West Virginia Hospital Association, and has been an active volunteer and officer for many organizations within Ohio County Schools.  She has two daughters, Afton and Harper, who were students of Mrs. Sikora.

  • Denise Fish received her Bachelor in Music Education from West Liberty University, her masters from West Virginia University, and her Montessori training from Columbus Montessori Teacher Education Center. Before joining Sikora Montessori, Mrs. Fish taught at Mount de Chantal, Western PA Montessori School, and Windhover Montessori. She also directs the choir at Christ the King Lutheran Church in St Clairsville, OH and Stone Presbyterian Church in Elm Grove.

  • Katie Neumann grew up in Wheeling, WV and attended Pittsburgh Technical Institute with a focus in Networking Administration. She is the mother of a daughter. She loves art, nature, and staying active! In her free time she likes to play roller derby and create.

  • CJ Wells is a Wheeling native and earned her associates degree in Early Childhood Education from West Virginia Northern Community College in 2023. She began as an intern teaching assistant in Mrs. Sikora's class and has been with the school ever since. Ms. CJ works in After Care and recently made the move to the Kindergarten classroom, where she will serve as teaching assistant to Ms. Carrie. Ms. CJ enjoys reading and listening to music in her free time.

  • Corey Kidd is a graduate of Ohio University with a degree in Early Childhood Education. After graduation, she worked as an Applied Behavioral Analysis Therapist for the Augusta Levy Learning Center, a school for autistic children, until her first child was born. She and her husband, Donnie, now have two children, Carter and Carson. They were both Sikora students, and now Corey is back with the school as a substitute.

  • Christine Blattner grew up in Bridgeport, OH and graduated from West Virginia Business College with an Associates degree in Business Management. She previously ran a childcare business out of her home. In her spare time she loves to work out, and on the weekends she enjoys running 5ks.

  • Carrie Bennett is a recent graduate of West Liberty University. She holds a Bachelor of the Arts in Elementary Education with a minor in Early Education. Carrie devoted the past 25 years to raising her three children, homeschooling them, and transitioning them into public, private, and collegiate schools. She returned to school and completed her degree after her youngest child entered high school. While in her year-long residency program, Carrie was hired as a substitute teacher for Ohio County Schools and has spent the last year teaching in grades PreK-4 throughout the county. Carrie lives in Wheeling with her husband, Matt, and their three children Isaac, Josh, and Audrey. In her free time, she enjoys working out, being in nature, and reading books.