Krista Salvati, School Leader
Krista is a dedicated teacher and learner, known for her growth mindset not only in the classroom but in the corporate setting. She has advanced knowledge of childhood development and education, which has led to effective teaching styles such as Reggio Emilia and Maria Montessori, resulting in students’ love of learning and understanding. She has had extensive leadership training, as she has served at the management and director level for several large businesses. Krista’s teaching experience includes 15 years of teaching positions working as a preschool teacher, reading teacher, PE teacher, and athletic director for preschool-8th grade. Most recently, Krista has been a co-teacher in the E5 classroom here at Foothills Montessori School. Krista earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Radford University and completed her Master Teacher Permit in Monterey, CA. She has been a part of our team for two years, and she understands the special, close-knit community of FMS.
Ariel Bongard, Assistant School Leader
Ariel has been part of the Foothills Montessori staff for five years. She started in the E5 classroom as a co-teacher and transitioned to Student Services Coordinator after a year and a half. Over the past few years, Ariel has used her Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction to support teachers, students, and families through progress monitoring, high school preparation, and serving as a liaison between families and service providers in the community. Prior to working at FMS, Ariel worked as a teacher in the Clark County School District where she completed a two-year service commitment through Teach for America. Recently, Ariel received her Administration and Supervision credential from The Johns Hopkins School of Education. She strongly believes in the Montessori philosophy and looks forward to seeing FMS continue to thrive.
Danna Karlavage, Curriculum Specialist
With 11 years of experience in education, Danna joined the FMS teaching staff in 2008. She has a BS in Psychology and an M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction. She trained at the Columbia Teacher’s College with Lucy Calkins, founder of “The Teacher’s College Reading and Writing Project.” Danna also has experience with special needs children. Danna’s favorite thing about the Montessori method 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.”
