Staff

Karen Kolb, Administrator

Karen has been an administrator at FMS for 12 years. She holds a BS in accounting and an MBA in management.  Her hobbies include jazzercise and reading. Her favorite things about Montessori are the “hands-on learning/teaching and the participatory learning environment.”

Kim Gallagher, Events and Human Resources

Kim has been at FMS for 10 years and has 10 years of experience. She enjoys cooking, reading and traveling. Kim says: “I love that my children left this school with a love of learning and a confidence that I believe no other school could have given them!”

Katie Weddell, Receptionist and Nurse

Katie has worked in the FMS front office for seven years and been an FMS parent for 11 years. She has 10 years of experience in hospital nursing. She has a BS in nursing and enjoys card games, puzzles and books. Her favorite thing about Montessori? “Everything! The loving, nurturing, home-like environment; individualized learning; accountability and responsibility.”

Lora Milne, Receptionist

Lora has been at FMS for one year. She has two years of experience as a teacher and three years of experience as an administrative assistant. She enjoys reading, swimming, hiking and being with family. Her favorite thing about Montessori is “the respect that you find between student and teacher.”

Lina Streit (Spanish Immersion)

Lina has been at FMS for seven years and in the field of education for 24 years. She holds a BS in education and is Montessori certified for primary. She is fully bilingual and is a Spanish Immersion teacher. She has also studied special education. In her spare time, she enjoys outdoor activities. Says Lina: “I love the Montessori philosophy, mixed-age group classes, multicultural classrooms and team-teaching. Teaching Spanish is also an opportunity I always look forward to, especially with our new students.”

Nancy Crow

Nancy has been at FMS for two years and has five years of teaching experience. She holds a BA in communication studies and an early childhood credential from the American Montessori Society. Her hobbies include yoga and art. Nancy’s favorite thing about Montessori is “watching a child develop the ability to listen deeply and concentrate on a presented concept. It is immensely gratifying to be able to ‘follow the child’ through their discovery process and be able to support and encourage them through it. I’m also motivated by the Montessori commitment of developing the whole person including their sense of self and their ability to interact with other people. Acknowledgement of peace as a key theme of Montessori education is also one of my favorite aspects of teaching children.”

Yesenia Quintero (Spanish Immersion)

Yesenia (aka Jessie) has been at FMS for six years and an educator for 11. She holds an AA in liberal arts and has taken additional coursework in child development. She is Montessori certified for primary. She is fully bilingual and is a Spanish Immersion teacher. She enjoys hiking, decorating and reading. Her favorite things about Montessori include the “home-like environment, mixed-age group classes, hands-on learning, and the order and harmony of the classrooms.”

Diana Aguilar

Diana has spent 7 years at FMS and has 7 years of experience in education. She is Montessori certified for primary. She loves to go for walks and to dance and read. Diana says, “I love children and to be able to work with them every day is the most amazing experience for me. I love the Montessori philosophy.”

Maryam Khadivi

This is Maryam’s first year at FMS (welcome Maryam!). She has 12 years of experience in education. She has a BS in chemistry and holds a Montessori certification from the London Teacher Training College. Her hobbies include walking and dancing. She loves “to see academic and social growth, and to build self-confidence and independence in children.”

Brianna Palmer

This is Brianna’s first year at FMS (welcome Brianna!). She has six years of experience teaching in early childhood education and five years of experience with the Montessori method. She has an associate’s in infant/toddler child development. She has a North American Montessori Certificate for preschool and is an active member of NAEYC, AMS and Nevada Registry. Brianna enjoys snowboarding, hiking and lying by the beach. “I enjoy watching the child connect and work with every piece of material,” says Brianna. “The inner peace they develop and their willingness to help fellow classmates warms my heart. It amazes me every day to see how far in-depth we can go into a particular topic.”

Kat Klehm

Katherine has spent two years at FMS and has seven years of experience in education. She holds a BA in psychology and is Montessori certified for primary. She has also done senior level course work for special education and speech pathology and is a LEED Accredited Professional. She enjoys running, singing, wakeboarding and cooking. Says Kat: “The Montessori philosophy allows me, as an educator, to follow the child and teach to the individual needs of each of my students. We observe the individual child closely and follow them in their interests to create a unique educational journey.”

Alisa Peck

Alisa has been at FMS for eight years and has 18 years of experience in education. She has a degree in child development and enjoys fitness and yoga. Says Alisa: “I love working with primary-age children for a three-year cycle.”

Pauline Well

Pauline has been at FMS for six years and has nine years of experience in education. She has a BA in journalism with a minor in English. Pauline taught English abroad for three years with the Japanese Exchange Teaching Program. She enjoys traveling, hiking and cycling. Her daughter Mia has been a student at FMS since she was three. Says Pauline, “Mia has had a wonderful experience & loves Foothills!” Pauline’s favorite thing about Montessori is “seeing a child with joy and pride on their face after completing a work, and then seeing that same child three years later helping a younger friend with a work.”

Valerie DeCrescenzo (Outdoor Classroom Specialist)

Valerie has spent 11 years at FMS and has 31 years of experience in education. She holds a BS in psychology and has been trained by the American Montessori Society. She enjoys gardening and is our Outdoor Classroom Specialist. She loves Montessori because: “We can teach to the individual; we are all different and children learn at the pace that is right for them. This is what makes Montessori work for so many children and I am so lucky to be a part of this great philosophy of teaching. It has been a great lesson to me in life.”

Michele Gorton

Michele has been at FMS for two years. She has 18 years of experience teaching pre-k and kindergarten and holds a BS in elementary education. Michele is currently working on her Montessori certificate through NAMC and has over 100 hours of continuing educational training hours. She is an active member of Nevada Registry.  She enjoys traveling, laying on the beach, skiing, bike riding, reading and hanging out with her family. Michele’s favorite part of Montessori is being involved with the children through their amazing learning process.

Vickie Winkel

Vickie has been at FMS for six years and has been in the education field for 10. She holds a BS and MA in therapeutic recreation and is Montessori certified for elementary. She enjoys hiking, music, reading and quilting. Says Vickie: “I love the opportunity to individualize the curriculum for each child based on their strengths, interests and needs. I believe the Montessori method helps foster a love of learning that will serve the child well throughout their life.”

Rosie Bushbaum

Rosie has been at FMS for nine years and has 22 years of experience in education. She has a BS in education and is Montessori certified in primary; her Montessori certification in elementary is pending. She is also a teacher trainer for Child Care Connection and AAEYC (in Anchorage, AK). She enjoys hiking, camping, traveling, designing and implementing Montessori materials, reading, and learning something new each day. Her favorite thing about Montessori is “mixed ages in the classroom and guiding the children to discover, explore, learn and resolve things on their own rather than providing them with the answers.”

Brenda Montoya

Brenda has spent 10 years at FMS and has 10 years of experience as a teacher. She has her Montessori certification in elementary. She loves cub scouting, quilting, camping, hiking and traveling. Says Brenda, “Montessori education allows a child to explore their interests. As their interests change they are able to change their focus; this keeps them continually interested in learning more.”

Nina Jacobi

Nina has spent 10 years at FMS and has 17 years of experience in the education field. She holds a M.Ed in Montessori education; her thesis was an analysis of how the Montessori method meets the criteria for brain-based education. Nina is Montessori certified for primary, lower elementary and upper elementary. She is also a youth yoga instructor. Nina enjoys reading, gardening, painting, traveling, horseback riding, skiing, yoga, biking and swimming. Says Nina: “The gift of Montessori is the ability to blend creative projects, manipulatives and personal interests at each child’s academic level, allowing a child to perform at a different level for each subject. This inspires a lifelong love of learning.”

Maria Pate (Spanish Immersion/Spanish Specialist)

Maria has spent six years at FMS and has 10 years of experience in education. She holds an MA in education (foreign language emphasis) and an MA in linguistics. She is Montessori certified for elementary (3-6). She enjoys basketball and dancing. Maria says: “One of the things that I love about Montessori is how a student becomes independent. He or she will do a job for their own personal satisfaction rather than to receive praise from parents and/or teachers.”

Kerry Gross

Kerry has spent almost two years at FMS. She has over 12 years of experience in education. She has a BA in education and also has a partial TESL endorsement. She enjoys camping, hiking, writing and reading. Kerry’s favorite thing about Montessori is “how Montessori values each child’s intrinsic need to learn. I love that the Montessori hands-on approach to teaching provides appropriate differential instruction for the individual child.”

April Dane

April has spent 10 years at FMS and has 25 years of experience in education. She has an MA in curriculum and instruction and a BA in psychology. She is Montessori certified for elementary (6-9) and also has a literacy endorsement. April enjoys biking, painting, writing, traveling and hiking. Her favorite thing about Montessori is that “the Culture Curriculum gives children understanding and compassion for all people. The Montessori classrooms allow children to work at different levels, while freedom of choice creates enthusiasm for learning.”

Melissa Martin

Melissa has spent 12 years at FMS and has 22 years of experience in education. She has a BS in elementary education with a minor in music. She is Montessori certified in elementary (6-9) and also has an Orff Music Certification, Level 1. She enjoys reading, music and embroidery. Says Melissa: “I love seeing children have ‘aha moments’ and begin to love learning.”

Jeni Evensen

Jeni has spent eight years as an FMS teacher and 10 years as an FMS parent. She has eight years of experience in education. She has a BA in language and enjoys baking, traveling and fitness. “I love the Montessori teaching method because it teaches to the whole child in a very nurturing environment. It teaches them to be curious and excited about learning, and to be inquisitive about the world around them.”

Danna Karlavage

Danna has been at FMS for five years and has 14 years of experience in education. She has a  BS in psychology and a M.Ed in curriculum and instruction. She trained at the Columbia Teacher’s College with Lucy Calkins and also has experience with special needs children. She enjoys reading and spending time with family.  Danna’s favorite thing about Montessori is that “We honor the children by attending to their individual learning needs; the children that attend our school have a unique and important perspective of our world. The materials and the child-led lessons create independent thinkers and life-long learners.”

Andria Pruitt

This is Andria’s first year at FMS (welcome Andria!). She has six years of experience as a teacher. She has a BA in history (minor in P.E.) and a M.Ed in curriculum, teaching and learning. She also is certified for NCLB Highly Qualified K-8. She loves fitness and all things health-related. Andria’s favorite thing about Montessori is “The hands-on learning experience. Teaching students about life and morality; watching children grow, learn and become independent young adults with a love of learning. The children are autonomous learners and get to experience life in a hands-on environment.”

Joan Phillips

This is Joan’s first year at FMS (welcome Joan!). She has six years of experience in education. She has a BA in English literature (minor in music) and a M.Ed in elementary curriculum and instruction. She is certified in Miniyogis (yoga instruction for children). She enjoys traveling, reading, writing and yoga. Her favorite thing about Montessori is that “the Montessori education prepares and empowers individuals to fulfill their potential and become productive, compassionate and kind members of society. As an educator, we nurture and facilitate the achievement of these goals and attempt to inspire in our students a love of learning.”

Ann Fellows

Ann has been at FMS for two years and has 38 years of experience in education. She has a BA in elementary education. She has been Montessori trained for lower elementary. She likes traveling, reading, picture books and dogs. She also loves “motivated, curious, creative children and the opportunity to laugh frequently every day” as well as The Montessori Great Lessons and Cultural Curriculum.

Amy Nhaisi

Amy has spent two years as an FMS teacher and 10 years as an FMS parent. She has two years of teaching experience. She holds a BA in English, a BA in psychology and an MA in social work.  She is Montessori certified for lower elementary. She has a Master Gardener certification and enjoys tennis, photography, reading and anything with kids. Her favorite thing about Montessori is “the hands-on learning experience and the close relationship you build with the students over the three-year cycle. You really get to witness their growth!”

McKenzi Otteson

McKenzi has been at FMS for two years and has four years of teaching experience. She has a BA in elementary education. She enjoys boating, movies and spending time with family. Her favorite thing about Montessori is “the environment and love of learning.”

Arlene Dreitzer (Language Arts/Reading Specialist)

Arlene has been at FMS for eight years and has 41 years of teaching experience. She is also the language arts teacher and reading specialist. She has a BA and an MS and has completed an additional 30 credits above her Master’s degree. She enjoys etymology, history and gardening. Her favorite thing about Montessori is the “freedom to facilitate learning.”

Erica Sherlock

Erica has been at FMS for five years and has 12 years of experience in the educational field. She has a BA in psychology, an MS in special education and a M.Ed in school counseling. She is also a teacher trainer for Thinking Maps and Write … From the Beginning. Erica enjoys scrapbooking, writing and spending time with family. Says Erica: “I love the way the Montessori philosophy lends to independent and critical thinkers who take learning into their own hands.”

Gloria Lawson (Music)

Gloria has been at FMS for one year. She has 35 years of experience. She has a BA and an MA in music. She is certified in the Orff Schulwerk Approach to teaching children music. Her favorite thing about Montessori is that “students are able to learn in an environment supporting independence through natural development, therefore creating an enthusiasm for learning and optimal growth.”

Barb Dodge (PE/Athletics)

Barb has been at FMS for two years and has over 20 years of experience. She has a BS in education, physical education, recreation and dance/health education. She is also a qualified coach. Barb is a big fan of the Las Vegas Labrador Rescue and the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Angela Drew (Art)

Angela has been at FMS for eight years and has 11 years of experience. She has a BA in fine arts. She is also qualified in public programming and environmental curriculum. She enjoys photography, hiking and fitness. Her favorite things about Montessori include “seeing the world through the eyes of a child and learning something new each day.”

Arlene Dreitzer (Reading)

Arlene has been at FMS for eight years and has 41 years of teaching experience. She is also the language arts teacher and reading specialist. She has a BA and an MS and has completed an additional 30 credits above her Master’s degree. She enjoys etymology, history and gardening. Her favorite thing about Montessori is the “freedom to facilitate learning.”

Maria Pate (Spanish)

Maria has spent six years at FMS and has 10 years of experience in education. She holds an MA in education (foreign language emphasis) and an MA in linguistics. She is Montessori certified for elementary (3-6). She enjoys basketball and dancing. Maria says: “One of the things that I love about Montessori is how a student becomes independent. He or she will do a job for their own personal satisfaction rather than to receive praise from parents and/or teachers.”

Valerie DeCrescenzo (Outdoor Classroom)

Valerie has spent 11 years at FMS and has 31 years of experience in education. She holds a BS in psychology and has been trained by the American Montessori Society. She enjoys gardening and is our Outdoor Classroom Specialist. She loves Montessori because: “We can teach to the individual; we are all different and children learn at the pace that is right for them. This is what makes Montessori work for so many children and I am so lucky to be a part of this great philosophy of teaching. It has been a great lesson to me in life.”