Upper Elementary
Danna Karlavage, E5 Head Teacher
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, E5 Co-Teacher
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, E5 Support Teacher
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, E6 Head Teacher
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, E6 Co-Teacher
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, E6 Support Teacher
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.”