Learn about the people who make Alpine Montessori School such a wonderful place. All of our teachers are certified Montessori guides. Our staff and volunteer board of directors are devoted to every child’s success at our school.
Faculty
Cassie Hogan is in her second year at AMS and is now Montessori certified in ages three to six. Her interest in learning more about the Montessori method to add to her childcare repertoire led her to pursue Montessori certification through the North American Montessori Center, and she is eager to apply her recent studies to the classroom! Cassie received her BS from Sul Ross State University and will begin pursuing a masters in education in the fall of 2024. She is greatly valued here for her sparkling wit, her love of fun, and her gentle yet firm dealings with her students. We are proud to see her grow in her role as lead teacher in the primary classroom!
Rachel Valenzuela began working at Alpine Montessori in 2020 as a classroom aide in the Lower Elementary Program. It was quickly evident that working with children was her calling. She moved to the primary classroom in 2021 as a teacher’s assistant. Here is where she really blossomed, pursuing Montessori Assistant training through Trillium Montessori and working under the guidance of AMS veteran Irene Curry. She is now enrolled in certification studies for the 3-6 year age group with North American Montessori Center.
Rachel Valenzuela
Primary Assistant Teacher
Few can boast the years of experience at Alpine Montessori as Addie Curry can, for she literally grew up at the school. Addie was an elementary student-turned-volunteer for several years before becoming an official employee in 2019. Along with her hands-on knowledge, Addie has many hours of Montessori training to support her teaching role in the primary class. Addie is particularly magical with our youngest students, as is evident when one witnesses how they flock to her.
Primary Assistant Teacher
Mollie Durkin began at Alpine Montessori in our after school program, where her thoughtful approach with the children was quickly noticed by all. She is now teaching alongside Ms. Evie in our upper elementary classroom. With experience ranging from specialized childcare for various families in Providence, RI for over a decade to teaching at a trilingual preschool while living in Mexico City, Mollie is excited to be back in the world of education and working with and for our youth. A certified birth doula, Mollie sees care and curiosity as a natural approach to life. The methodologies of the Montessori teaching approach feel intrinsic to her beliefs of this process of human development and always becoming. Mollie has a background in architecture, illustration, photography, dance and performance arts, as well as herbalism. When she is not working on one of her various art or plant related projects in her studio, you can find her outside, forever in awe of nature.
Upper Elementary Teacher
Evie Dorsey comes to us with a wealth of experience including an AMI certification for all age groups, and over 40 years of teaching experience around the globe. She has taught in Montessori schools in Texas, Hawaii, and Norway. Her thoughts on Montessori have been published in NAMTA Journal and AMI-USA Parent Magazine. She is a wonder with children and adults alike, and is also an accomplished musician and creative thinker. We are so blessed to have Evie as a mentor in our upper elementary program, where she guides the class with a freshness of spirit that is infectious and wonderful to behold.
Evie Dorsey
Upper Elementary Teacher
Shelbie Tobola joined the after school care team at Alpine Montessori in August of 2023 after moving to Alpine, and instantly fell in love with the students! She now assists in the lower elementary in the afternoons before moving on to her shift in the afternoon as lead guide in aftercare. She has experience as aide in special ed classrooms, as well as in eldercare, as evidenced by her intuitive way with those around her. She plans to begin study in the fall at Sul Ross to pursue a degree in nursing, and hopes one day to be a pediatric oncology nurse. “For the short amount of time that I have been here at Alpine Montessori, I have not only learned so much from my coworkers, but the students as well!”
Betsy Larson
Lower Elementary Teacher
Elizabeth Larson, also known as “Betsy”, is an AMI certified teacher with over 40 years of classroom experience. She, along with a few colleagues and parents, started a school in Charleston, South Carolina in 1989. This school went on to become a successful Montessori Public School. She recently spent 6 years in China where she spent much of her time training teachers in the Montessori method and consulting in their classrooms. Betsy has taught in our primary class since 2018 and now guides the lower elementary class alongside Ms. Eliza. She often has a carefully considered nugget of wisdom to offer on any number of questions, and we are so fortunate to have her and her many Montessori hats on our staff.
Eliza Barton has taught a variety of subjects throughout her 16 years of teaching experience. She is state certified in Early Childhood through Sixth grade as an educator with the state of Texas. She is also trained and certified as a Lower Elementary Teacher by the North American Montessori Center. Eliza is excited to be part of an environment that puts child centered learning and respect at the heart of their Montessori pedagogy. Prior to falling in love with teaching, Eliza was trained as a geologist and is still motivated by the natural world and its patterns. This viewpoint has become an integral part of her teaching as well as her love for all things “wild”.
Staff
Nan Hatty Edwards
Administrator
Nan Hatty Edwards was curious about Montessori when enrolling her eldest son in the Primary class in 2014, and was quickly delighted with the gentle and thoughtful approach to early education. She was a parent at the school for many years as her two sons came through it’s programs. Since then, she has deepened her involvement with AMS and it’s community, always finding families and children to connect with and love. Her primary role is in the office, but you can find her involved in anything and everything at the school!
Shelbie Tobola, After Shool care guide
Shelbie Tobola joined our after school care team in August of 2023 and instantly fell in love with the kids here at Alpine Montessori. She now assists Ms. Betsy with our lower elementary students in the afternoons as well as her duties as lead in the after care program. She has experience as a special ed teacher’s assistant, as well as in elder care, which shows in her gentle approach with the students. She wholeheartedly adores children, and hopes to inspire them to grow into bright, talented, and intelligent members of society! She plans to begin study in the spring at Sul Ross in their nursing program, and would one day like to be a pediatric oncology nurse.
Board of Directors
- Katie Nixon, President
- Chris Weber, Vice-President
- Daniela Lara, Treasurer
- Amber Smith, Secretary
- Irene Curry, Teacher Liaison
- Amanda Chisholm
- Allyson Santucci
- Mary Powers