“Those whom nature has fitted to care for children see a change in them every day, almost every hour. They see these small changes as admirable. This is an art which cannot be acquired without effort. To encourage is to rejoice, so that the child sees that you are rejoicing.”
Maria Montessori
FMS Faculty & StafF
School Year 2026 - 2027
Our Lead Teachers and Executive Director hold MACTE accredited Montessori credentials earned through The Center for Guided Montessori Studies (CGMS), which is recognized by the International Montessori Council (IMC).
Many of our staff have completed the Early Childhood Assistant Certification, a 10 week course, also through CGMS.
Our staff also maintain current pediatric and adult CPR and first aid certification and complete continuing education hours each year.
We come from a variety of backgrounds and the college educations of our Leadership Team staff encompass Bachelors’, post-baccalaureate, and Masters’ degrees in several fields.
Our Leadership Team staff have a combined 94 years of experience at Fairbanks Montessori. The Leadership Team collaborates to implement Montessori best practice in alignment with CGMS and IMC guidelines, to build relationships with students and families, and to mentor and support the entire staff team.
FMS Leadership Team
Mrs. Heather
Fairbanks Montessori Association (501)(c)(3) Executive Director & Head of School - Leadership Team Member
IMC Montessori Certification for School Leadership Credential
Bachelor’s Degree
In dual roles as the Executive Director of our non-profit and the Head of School, Mrs. Heather is excited to continue guiding Fairbanks Montessori, now in its 7th decade. A born and raised Alaskan and mother of two, Mrs. Heather has experience in business, logistics, and employee training and development. In addition to her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, she holds the Montessori School Leadership Certificate, accredited through MACTE, and provided by the internationally recognized Center for Guided Montessori Studies.
In her 5th year as both the Executive Director of Fairbanks Montessori Association and Head of Fairbanks Montessori School, Mrs. Heather enjoys collaborating with stakeholders and continuing to ensure that Fairbanks Montessori sets the standard for early education in the Interior.
Both of Mrs. Heather’s children attended FMS.
Ms. Shania
Otter Cove Lead Teacher - Leadership Team Member
Montessori Primary Teaching Credential
Bachelor’s Degree
Ms. Shania is beginning her 9th school year at FMS. She is a UAF graduate, with a dual emphasis Bachelor’s Degree, in French and Psychology. During the summer of 2022, she completed her Montessori Primary Teaching Credential. Ms. Shania also holds the American Montessori Society Reading Specialist Certificate. She enjoys travel, sea kayaking, and spending time with her dog.
Ms. Kat
Bear’s Den Lead Teacher - Leadership Team Member
Montessori Primary Teaching Credential
Master’s Degree(s)
Ms. Kat is beginning her 9th year in the Montessori primary classroom, and in her fourth year as a Lead Teacher. She worked at FMS as Sra Chio’s classroom assistant for five years, and has been mentored by Sra Chio and Mrs. Hanneman. She also led a classroom at a Montessori primary school in Prague.
In addition to holding a Montessori Primary Teacher Certification (earned through CGMS), she holds two master’s degrees, one in Biology and one in German (teaching), and the American Montessori Society Reading Specialist Certificate. Ms. Kat enjoys skiing and biking throughout Alaska, and playing the guitar with her students while they learn songs together.
Ms. Katherine H
Blueberry Patch Lead Teacher - Leadership Team Member
Montessori Primary Teaching Credential
Bachelor’s Degree
Master’s Degree in progress
Ms. Katherine is beginning her 4th year in the Montessori primary classroom. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Bob Jones University and built a career in technical and manual writing for the Federal Aviation Administration after her college graduation in 2018. She is an accomplished cellist and pianist, and enjoys reading literature, hiking, and camping in her spare time. Her son, Joseph, and her numerous nieces and nephews are her everything. In 2023 Ms. Katherine chose to change careers and pursue her passion for teaching. She completed the CGMS Montessori Primary Teacher Certificate Program in June of 2025, and is currently completing an M. Ed. in Montessori Education at Loyola University Maryland.
Ms. Amy
Moose Meadow Lead Teacher - Leadership Team Member
Montessori Primary Teaching Credential
Bachelor’s Degree
Post-baccalaureate Work
Ms. Amy is beginning her 4th year at FMS. Ms. Amy was born and raised in Fairbanks. She has a BS in Ecology and worked as an ecology field technician before having two kids. She completed a post-baccalaureate teacher certification program through UAF in 2022 and completed her Montessori Primary Teacher Certificate through CGMS in June of 2025. Ms. Amy also holds the American Montessori Society Reading Specialist Certificate. She enjoys spending time outside with her children and dogs; hiking, rafting, canoeing, and skiing/skijoring.
Ms. Amy is an FMS alumni and her child joined FMS for primary school.
Sra. Chio
Substitute Teacher & Staff Mentor - Leadership Team Member
Montessori Teaching Credential (Primary)
Bachelor’s Degree
Born and raised in Trujillo, Peru, Mrs. Chio taught at Fairbanks Montessori for more than 20 years. She holds a Bachelor’s in Business and a Primary Montessori Teacher Certification. Mrs.Chio enjoys collecting heart shaped rocks and loves everything pumpkin flavored. She also enjoys incorporating Peruvian culture and Spanish vocabulary and songs into her classroom lessons.
Both of Sra Chio’s children are Fairbanks Montessori alumni, and both have gone on to complete their Bachelor’s Degrees.
Mrs. Hanneman
Substitute Teacher & Staff Mentor - Leadership Team Member
Montessori Teaching Credential (Primary)
Bachelor’s Degree
Mrs. Hanneman is a graduate of Montana State University and holds an AMI Teaching Credential. She retired after more than two decades of leading a classroom at Fairbanks Montessori, and now is on our team as a substitute teacher and mentor to staff. She enjoys biking, hiking, reading historical fiction, and spending time with her husband and their two dogs, Alice and Shirley.
Both of Mrs. Hanneman’s children are Fairbanks Montessori alumni, and both have gone on to complete their Bachelor’s Degrees.
Mrs. Evonne
Staff Mentor - FMS Leadership Team Member
Montessori Primary Teaching Credential
Bachelor’s Degree
Mrs. Evonne was with FMS for 12 years and continues to serve on our Leadership Team as a trusted advisor. She has a BA in Early Childhood Education and earned her Primary Montessori Teacher Certificate in the fall of 2021.
Mrs. Colleen
Enrollment Specialist / Admin Coordinator - Leadership Team Member
Bachelor’s Degree
Mrs. Colleen is beginning her 11th school year at FMS. After college, Mrs. Colleen spent 7 years as an account specialist at credit unions. She served as the Secretary of the Board of Directors at the Zootown Arts Community Center in Missoula, Montana. She worked as a classroom assistant for three years at FMS before coming to the front office. She holds a BA in English and a 50 hour Montessori Primary Assistant Certificate, earned through CGMS. She enjoys camping and hiking throughout Alaska.
Mrs. Colleen’s child attended Fairbanks Montessori.
FMS CLASSROOM ASSISTANTS & SUPPORT STAFF
Ms. Andrea
Raven’s Nest Assistant
Ms. Andrea was born and raised here, in Fairbanks, Alaska. Growing up here, in interior Alaska, and surrounding areas, gave her a love of nature, and a desire to learn more about the local wildlife. She works to bring her local and Indigenous knowledge to her work, in the classroom.
Ms. Andrea has been with FMS going on seven years, joining us in January of 2018. She holds a fifty hour Montessori Assistant Certificate. Ms. Andrea is in the process of continuing her higher education. Her focus of study will be in early childhood education. In the mean time, she is expanding her knowledge of Montessori education, and how she can bring a location-based approach to her work.
In her personal time, Ms. Andrea enjoys being with her family, gardening, exploring Fairbanks and surrounding areas, cooking, drawing and painting, writing, reading, and studying various foreign languages.
Mrs. Emily
Bear’s Den Assistant
We welcomed Mrs. Emily to Fairbanks Montessori School in the summer of 2021. She brings 15 years of experience working with special needs children aged 3-10. She is a UAF graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. In her free time Mrs. Emily enjoys hiking and working with clay to create pottery.
Mrs. Debbie
Classroom Assistant Substitute
Mrs. Debbie has been with FMS for six years, and she has 35 years of early education experience, including operating her own preschool and infant programs. She holds a 50 hour Montessori Assistant Certificate. She enjoys boating in Valdez and spending time with her grandchildren.
Ms. Ashlynn
Classroom Assistant Substitute
Ms Ashlynn joined the FMS Staff in January of 2023. She is a graduate of North Idaho College, and holds an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Development, and is completing her Bachelor’s Degree at UAF. Ms. Ashlynn is an avid reader and enjoys surfing and backpacking.
Ms. Chelsea
Staff & Classroom Support
Ms. Chelsea is in her seventh year at FMS. Ms. Chelsea comes from a family of teachers, including her mother, her sister, and her aunts. Ms. Chelsea has earned a Montessori Assistant certificate, and has taken special needs training to enhance her skills in the classroom. Ms. Chelsea is active in her indigenous community, and enjoys keeping Alaska Native traditions alive.
Ms. Chelsea’s child attended Fairbanks Montessori for the full 3 year primary cycle.