Teacher Bios and Recommendations
At Bozeman Montessori our staff is still growing. We are committed to hiring people who not only love young children, but respect them. We know that each child is an independent capable person and that our role is to support and nurture them though the most developmentally important time in their lives. We also recognize that the first few years of a young child’s life are also an important time in the life of their family. We know that working with a child means also providing the support and community that every family needs.
All of the lead staff will be Montessori trained at the highest level possible with the goal of international recognition.
Office
Marissa SherKenney
After finishing my BA in Experiential Education (mostly focused on taking teens into the outdoors) I pursued and completed my Master’s degree in Education and My AMI primary (working with children from 3-6 years of age) Montessori credential. I have been working in the Montessori movement since 2001. I first discovered Montessori when I discovered that I really enjoyed 5 year old children and wanted to explore working with this age group. In the process of exploring Montessori education I found out that I was a Montessori child myself.
Chris McNeil
I’m from Montana! Growing up in Butte and Helena. Bozeman for over 20 years! I have a BS in health and human development with emphasis in financial area. I am an introvert and can seem shy or reserved until we’re over the small talk and can get to meaningful conversations.
Kelly Barney
I have a B.A. from UCLA in Geography Environmental Studies. I have worked with children as a counselor and teacher at Experience grief camp and Circle camps, both camps are volunteer and donation based sleep away camps for children suffering the death of a loved one. I also worked for 3 years as a nanny in Los Angeles. I am so happy to working with the children of Bozeman Montessori and feel very lucky to be a part of this community.
Primary
Kiera Kirschner
I taught at a high school based on a similar hands on model and believe that’s how true learning takes place. I find working with young children very rewarding and a lot of fun! I have a B.S. in Environmental Science and I am currently in AMI training.
Rebecca Eberlin
I came to Bozeman to study art and education at MSU. I got my degrees and loved it so much that I decided to stay in town. I’ve wanted to teach since I was a child myself. I was really drawn to the passion and professionalism of the teachers at this school. I love climbing, drawing, painting, and lending out my comics to Marissa to read!
Chia Ying Lin
I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Applied English in Taiwan; I have several years of teaching younger children the language program both in Taiwan and United States. I love teaching and the reward of seeing them grow. I love cooking and I have a bulldog who skateboards, I speak 3 languages.
Kristen Vardanega
I am currently a college student pursuing a B.S. in community health and human development at MSU, have worked at Bozeman Montessori for over a year, and have worked with children for about eight years. I began substitute teaching at a Montessori school while I was a children’s ski instructor at big sky and the experience led me to working full time as an assistant guide here at Bozeman Montessori! I have worked with children in many different ways in my life, but the Montessori method and the charm and abilities of 3-6 year olds continue to fascinate and impress me! I am the school’s food program coordinator and work on planning and preparing healthy meals and snacks for the primary and Pre-primary children. I love cooking and am a big fan of fresh, home cooked meals, exploring new techniques and am continually expanding my horizons with food! I enjoy skiing, rock climbing, spending time on the river, and knitting!
Pre-Primary
Hillary Michael
I grew up in Absarkee, MT till I was 8 years old and then moved to Billings, MT where I finished out high school. Then I moved to the Bozeman area! Children have always been an interest of mine while growing up. My younger brother had autism and watching him grow and develop intrigued me. Then when I started babysitting at the age of 12, I got to be a part of other people’s families and watch their children grow and develop. After high school I started my career in early childhood. I found Montessori about 4 years later and discovered another piece that I was striving for in my early childhood practice. During my senior year in high school I got to take a child development class that incorporated us being able to integrate in a preschool setting. After High school I worked in a preschool in Big Sky for a year. Upon leaving my coworkers encouraged me to go take a 2 year early childhood course. In 2009, I completed the course through an apprenticeship training program becoming a “child care development specialist”. During that time I had worked at a 2 other centers. I had exercised being a teacher for 2-3 year olds and then had an opportunity to be a director. Shortly after completing the course I worked in another center as a teacher with 2-3 year olds. In 2010, I refocused my path into Montessori. I ended up spending 3 years in my first Montessori setting. In late spring of 2013, I decided to move on from that school. And that’s when I became apart of Bozeman Montessori as a Lead Teacher!
Whitney Mason
I have earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. In the past I have worked as a co-teacher and lead in a traditional preschool classroom setting prior to coming to Bozeman Montessori. I have worked at the school for over 2 years now and look forward to many years to come! I have always wanted to help others. I volunteered at the after school program in Big Timber during high school and discovered a passion for working with children. I had my son, Zachary, on May 5, 2017. I have enjoyed being a new mom and getting to know my beautiful baby.
Annelize Kurschner
I was born and raised in Queenstown, South Africa, my family relocated to Port Elizabeth (South Africa), so I call P.E home now. As a mother of two lovely little girls I have always made it my mission to raise strong independent women. Montessori schools foster independence and I was drawn to that. I have always loved working with children, their energy, motivation and determination to learn drives me to continue learning and growing too. I have a bachelor’s in Physical Therapy obtained in South Africa. My passion in that field was rehabilitation in a Neuro-rehab setting (adults and children who have suffered neurological loss and needs therapy to enable them to independently do activities of daily living). I feel blessed that in our school setting I am still able to aid our children in their activities of daily living by promoting independence in dressing etc. I absolutely love working in a team (whether it’s with my coworkers or the parents in our community) I love it, I believe it offers the support we all need to achieve our goals and we learn so much from each other.
Ryan McElroy
I just moved to Bozeman with my girlfriend after spending five months traveling around the West doing all the things I love most – hiking, climbing, camping, driving, cooking, taking photos, and seeing friends. Just before hitting the road, I lived in Middlebury, Vermont for five years where I went to school to study geology. There I was out to the field as often as I could be for labs and for leading outdoor trips. I also worked as a lifeguard, climbing wall monitor, lab assistant, and a teaching assistant in some biology and geology classes during my time in college. I will be joining both the pre-primary and primary classrooms this school year. The first week was lots of fun as I learned with the children, and I eagerly await what the rest of the year will bring.
Alyssa Gallagos
I am a junior at Montana State University where I am an Elementary Education major. I love to help children learn, but in my free time I like to go fishing, hiking and go on drives.
Nido
Mary Brennan Lollis Bauer
I have a B.S. in Horticulture, M.S. in Plant Pathology and Weed Science, and have worked in child care (0-3) since 2012. I came to Montessori/work with young children because I wanted a 9-5 in big sky and fell in love with the work. Montessori principles are founded in brain development and use the adult and environment as tools – this is so practical versus manipulation of a young child.
Hannah Mohr
I graduated with honors from Bozeman High School in 2013 and immediately went on to Montana State University. In the Spring 2017 I graduated and received my Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and Child Services. My junior year of college, I spent a semester abroad in Australia which helped shape me personally and professionally. Throughout college I was placed in many preschool settings and had an internship at Child Care Connections. I enjoy eating ice cream, going for drives, getting together with friends, and spending time with my younger brother. My favorite place to go is Hyalite Canyon to read and listen to music.
Alex Traxler
Based on my own experience in Montessori classrooms, I know how much this particular environment can inspire curiosity in children and I hope to support others in participating in a similarly inspiring education. I enjoy writing, reading, creating things, hiking, connecting with people.