Melissa
P1 Head/Primary Grade Level Head
Melissa first joined the FMS staff in 2003 and brings more than 20 years of experience in education, including several years teaching English to students in Japan. She later helped launch a Montessori charter school in Colorado before returning to FMS in 2013. Melissa holds a bachelor’s degree in English, a master’s degree in education, and a Primary Montessori credential. She is also qualified to prepare prospective Montessori educators. Melissa’s calm presence is complemented by her ability to recognize each child’s needs and guide students toward the work and lessons that will serve them best. She especially values the respect Montessori education gives students and the opportunity to ignite their interest in the world around them.
Diana
P1 Co-Teacher/Spanish Immersion Teacher
Diana has been part of FMS since 2005 and brings more than 21 years of classroom experience. She combines her Primary credential from the American Montessori Society with her love of the Spanish language, delivering lessons with precision, warmth, and enthusiasm. Through natural language immersion, Diana helps children experience Spanish lessons as comfortably and authentically as lessons presented in English. She loves working with children each day and deeply values the Montessori philosophy.
Brianna
P1 Support Teacher
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.
Yesenia “Jessie”
P2 Head/Spanish Immersion Teacher
Yesenia, known as Jessie, brings natural warmth and a calm presence to the classroom as she presents clear lessons in Spanish. She joined the FMS teaching staff in 2006 after earning an associate degree in liberal arts and gaining five years of experience in education. Both of her children completed the full FMS program and graduated from eighth grade. Jessie holds an Early Childhood credential from the American Montessori Society. She especially values Montessori’s home-like environment, mixed-age classrooms, hands-on learning, and sense of order and harmony.
Sadie
P2 Co-Teacher
Sadie Schmidel joined the FMS Primary teaching staff in 2019. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in education, and she brings experience working with children from the toddler years through second grade. Sadie’s appreciation for Montessori education began as a parent: all three of her children attended FMS for Primary and Lower Elementary. Through their experiences, she witnessed the joy of learning, the value of the process, and the power of nurturing curiosity in young minds. She is grateful to contribute her experience and enthusiasm to the FMS community.
Julie Ana
P2 Support/Dual Language Program Teacher
Ana (aka Julie) joined the FMS teaching staff in 2010. Julie is a certified Montessori preschool/kindergarten teacher accredited by the North American Montessori Center. Julie also holds a BS in nursing, Licensure of Nursing, and Nurse Doctorate from her native country of Costa Rica. Julie interacts easily with all her students in a natural and friendly way, giving them ample opportunities to practice Spanish-speaking skills. Julie’s eye for detail is matched by her playful interaction with her students and reflected in her comment, “I love the Montessori curriculum and working with the children and my peers. I am especially excited about sharing the Spanish language and culture with my students.”
Sameani
P3 Teacher
Sameani Green was born and raised in the Brazilian countryside in a town surrounded by lush greenery and waterfalls. She moved to the United States in 2016 and has worked in Montessori education since 2017. Sameani holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and earned her Infant and Toddler and Primary Early Childhood credentials through the American Montessori Society in Las Vegas. She is deeply committed to Montessori philosophy and finds great joy in helping children develop independence, respect, kindness, and a love of nature. Sameani is delighted to bring her knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm to the FMS community.
Alisa
P3 Co-Teacher
Alisa brings 32 years of teaching experience to the classroom, including 23 years at FMS. She has a background in early childhood development and holds a Primary Montessori credential. Her extensive experience and deep understanding of early childhood education help her create a nurturing and engaging environment where young children thrive. Alisa especially enjoys helping students discover the joy of reading. She finds it deeply rewarding to guide children through the early stages of literacy and watch their confidence grow as they become successful readers.
Laura
P3 Support Teacher
Laura Moxley is entering her third year as the support teacher in P3. Originally from Virginia, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. Laura previously taught kindergarten in Virginia and Washington before staying home to raise her five children. The FMS community values her warm, nurturing approach and her dedication to helping students become lifelong learners and independent thinkers. Her commitment to creating a supportive and engaging classroom helps every child feel prepared to thrive.
Maryam
P4 Teacher
Maryam brings more than 25 years of teaching experience to the classroom. With a background in chemistry, she spent many years teaching at the high school level before discovering her passion for Montessori education. She earned her Montessori credential in London, where she deepened her understanding of the philosophy’s child-centered approach. Maryam especially appreciates watching children develop a genuine enthusiasm for learning while becoming increasingly independent and self-assured. She finds great fulfillment in helping students strengthen their problem-solving skills, embrace new challenges, and take pride in their accomplishments.
Lauren
P4 Co-Teacher
Lauren has been a dedicated member of the FMS community since 2011. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction, and Montessori credentials in Primary and Lower Elementary. With a strong foundation in both traditional and Montessori education, Lauren brings knowledge, experience, and passion to the classroom. She is inspired by Montessori education’s emphasis on independence, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning, and she empowers each child to explore, discover, and grow at an individual pace.
Krystal
E4 Support Teacher
Krystal has long been part of the Foothills community as both a parent and an active PTO member. She discovered her passion for Montessori education while working as a substitute teacher. Before entering education, Krystal spent nearly a decade practicing law, but teaching proved to be her true calling. She recently completed a Montessori Fundamentals certificate in early childhood education and is excited to apply her learning in the classroom. Krystal holds an Associate in Science in Fashion Merchandising from Skyline College, a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a minor in Asian American Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Juris Doctor from the William S. Boyd School of Law at UNLV. She is grateful to play a meaningful role in young children’s development and finds it especially rewarding to observe children make connections and master new tasks. In her free time, Krystal enjoys spending time with family and friends, crafting, making cards, and baking.