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Confident. Capable. Kindergarten Ready. 98% of Our Students Meet or Exceed National Benchmarks

Middle School Staff

E1

Brianna

RTI and Language Teacher – Middle School

Brianna began her career in early childhood education more than 20 years ago. She earned her Child Development Associate credential in 2007 and her American Montessori Society credential in 2008. After spending several years at home raising her two sons, she is excited to return to the classroom. Her experiences as both an educator and a parent have strengthened her appreciation for nurturing, patient, and engaging environments where every child feels safe, valued, and excited to learn. Outside the classroom, Brianna enjoys spending time with her family and their German Shepherd, Gracie, exploring the outdoors, reading together, and creating meaningful family traditions.

a child sorting objects by size, enhancing cognitive and motor development

Samia

E1 Lead Teacher

Samia (“Sam”) joined the FMS faculty in Fall 2019.  She holds a BA in Psychology and an MA in Special Education. FMS was fortunate to employ Sam as a substitute teacher for the 2018-2019 school year and especially pleased she has joined our team as a full-time member. She brings a love of learning and enthusiasm for engaging interactions to her new position. Sam is an outdoor enthusiast with a passion for fitness and movement. She can be found most weekends hiking the many beautiful trails Asurrounding our city.

a child carefully counting beads, learning the basics of arithmetic

Ashley

E1 Math & Science Teacher

Ashley earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and a master’s degree in developmental psychology from Illinois State University. She teaches math and science in the FMS Middle School program. During her undergraduate and graduate studies, Ashley gained teaching experience in mathematics and psychology, including an adolescent psychology course and a statistics lab. She is passionate about helping students discover their strengths, especially in mathematics. Recognizing that math can feel intimidating, she finds it especially rewarding to watch students build confidence, overcome challenges, and experience success. Ashley strives to create a supportive, engaging environment where every student feels capable of growing and thriving. Outside the classroom, she enjoys reading, solving puzzles, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Jen Evensen

History Teacher

Jen Evensen teaches history in the FMS Middle School program and is delighted to return to her Montessori family at FMS. She brings 20 years of teaching experience, including 15 years at FMS and four years in a Missouri public school. Jen holds a Montessori teaching credential, a bachelor’s degree in literature with an emphasis in early English, Greek and Roman literature, and children’s literature, a minor in art history, and a master’s degree in education. She loves history and enjoys bringing it to life for her students, as well as traveling and learning about other cultures. Outside school, Jen enjoys hiking, skiing, biking, exercising, and baking. She and her husband have been married for 35 years, and all three of their children attended FMS.”