FMS Faculty & StafF
School Year 2023 - 2024
Many of our faculty and staff members have completed or are completing professional development courses and certifications through The Center for Guided Montessori Studies, which is MACTE accredited, and recognized by the International Montessori Council.
All of our staff also maintain current pediatric and adult CPR and first aid certification and complete 24 continuing education hours per year.
We come from a variety of backgrounds and the college educations of our Leadership Team staff encompass degrees in a several fields.
Mrs. Heather
Executive Director & Head of School
FMS Leadership Team Member
Mrs. Heather is a born and raised Alaskan, a mother of two, with experience in business, logistics, and employee training and development. In addition to her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, she is completing her Montessori School Leadership Certificate, a 19 month course, through the internationally recognized Center for Guided Montessori Studies.
In her second year as the Executive Director of our non-profit and the Head of School, Ms. Heather is excited to guide Fairbanks Montessori forward as we continue to set the standard for early education in the Interior.
Both of Mrs. Heather’s children have attended FMS.
Mrs. Colleen
Office Manager
FMS Leadership Team Member
Mrs. Colleen is starting her seventh 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 for the full 3 year primary cycle.
Sra. Chio
Casa Del Niño Lead Teacher
FMS Leadership Team Member
Born and raised in Trujillo, Peru, Mrs.Chio has been with us 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.
Ms. Mary
Casa del Nino Morning Assistant
Ms. Mary joined the FMS staff in the early spring of 2023. She enjoys working with this age group.
Ms. Amy
Raven’s Nest Lead Teacher
FMS Leadership Team Member
We welcomed Ms. Amy to the Fairbanks Montessori Leadership and Teaching team in the summer of 2023. Ms. Amy was born and raised in Fairbanks Alaska. 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 is completing her Montessori Primary Teacher Certificate through CGMS. Ms. Amy 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.
Mrs. Evonne
Raven’s Nest Lead Teacher / Staff Mentor
FMS Leadership Team Member
Mrs. Evonne is beginning her tenth school year at FMS. She began her career with us as Mrs. Hanneman’s afternoon assistant, a position she held for several years. She has a BA in Early Childhood Education and earned her Primary Montessori Teacher Certificate in the fall of 2021. Ms.Evonne lived in Japan for 6 years, where she attended a Japanese preschool. She enjoys cooking and baking with her students. Mrs. Evonne is on maternity leave, but working in a mentorship and trainer role.
Ms. Andrea
Raven’s Nest Afternoon Assistant
Ms. Andrea is beginning her fifth year as a classroom assistant at FMS. She holds a 50 hour Montessori Assistant Certificate. In her free time Ms. Andrea enjoys playing with her dogs and spending time with family.
Ms. Kat
Bear’s Den Lead Teacher
FMS Leadership Team Member
Ms. Kat is in her sixth year in the Montessori primary classroom. She has worked as Sra Chio’s classroom assistant for five years, and has been mentored by Sra Chio and Mrs. Hanneman. She has lead her own summer classrooms, and was also a Lead Teacher at a Montessori primary school in Prague.
In addition to a 50 hour Montessori Assistant Certificate, she holds two master’s degrees, one in Biology and one in German (teaching). Ms. Kat enjoys skiing and biking throughout Alaska. She is completing her Montessori Primary Teacher Certificate through the Center for Guided Montessori Studies.
Mrs. Debbie
Bear’s Den Morning Assistant
Mrs. Debbie has been with FMS for five 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.
Mrs. Emily
Bear’s Den Afternoon 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.
Ms. Shania
The Otter Cove Lead Teacher
FMS Leadership Team Member
Ms. Shania is beginning her 6th school year at FMS. She is a UAF graduate, with Bachelor’s Degrees in French and Psychology. During the summer of 2022, she completed her Montessori Primary Teacher Certificate. She enjoys travel, sea kayaking, and spending time with her dog.
Ms. Ashlynn
Otter Cove Morning Assistant
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. Ms. Ashlynn is an avid reader and enjoys surfing and backpacking.
Ms. Katherine H
Lead Teacher in Training, Otter Cove PM Assistant
FMS Leadership Team Member
Ms. Katherine 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. Ms. Katherine chose to change careers and pursue her passion for teaching in 2023. She is completing the Montessori Primary Teacher Certificate Program at CGMS along with Ms. Amy. She is excited to be a part of the Fairbanks Montessori School team as a Lead Teacher in Training and the afternoon classroom assistant in the Otter Cove.
Mrs. Hanneman
Substitute Teacher and Staff Mentor
FMS Leadership Team Member
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.
Ms. Chelsea
Schoolwide Assistant
Ms. Chelsea is in her sixth 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.