Meet Our Team
Eliza Barton, Director & Elementary Lead Guide
Eliza serves us both as the school’s director and as the lead guide in the lower and upper elementary environments. She has a degree in Geology and has taught a wide variety of subjects, with a strong emphasis on science and math for the last 18 years. She is a state certified K-6 Texas Teacher, ESL certified teacher and is also certified in Lower Elementary Montessori (6-9) by NAMC. To continue her Montessori education se recently completed an elementary (6-12) certification course with the Montessori Institute of North Texas.
Eliza feels that teaching in a global, respectful, conceptual, hands-on, and engaging way not only transforms a child’s ability to learn – but can also help mold the world into a kinder, more inclusive place.
In addition to teaching children, Eliza loves spending time with her husband and two kids, their three dogs, one cat, and the population of chickens and ducks on their property in Fort Davis, TX. Hanging out crocheting, hiking the beautiful landscapes in our area, and reading/listening to great books are some of her other passions.
Mollie Durkin, Children's House Lead Guide
Miss Mollie is our lead guide of the Children's House environment. She is a recent graduate from the AMI training at the Montessori Institute of North Texas in Dallas. Her hard work and dedication to Montessori is reflected in her authentic, beautiful and inviting environment.
She has lived in Alpine since 2020. Before landing in West Texas, she spent many years traveling and working in various fields. A certified herbalist and birth doula, her work has always centered care. 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.
She 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. 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.
Shelby Chester, Children's House Assistant Guide
Shelby Chester started at Alpine Montessori to assist in the summer 2024 program. She is now supporting Miss Mollie as an assisting guide in Children's House. She has also worked with and was previously a guide in our Elementary environments.
With a bachelors in wildlife biology and background in environmental education, she sparks a sense of awe and wonder for the natural world. She aims to nurture well-rounded individuals, who understand and respect the world around them in a way that promotes critical thinking and a sense of responsibility. In her free time, Shelby enjoys sewing, swimming, and throwing pottery.
Alpine Montessori School Support Staff
We are so lucky to have such amazing staff that support our students, our guides and the school in various ways!
- Betsy Larson - Children's House Mentor & Co-guide
- Evie Dorsey - Elementary Phonics Remediation, Great Lesson Presenter & Upper Elementary Mentor
- Krista Gilbert - Office Administrator
- Sam Bass - After Care Guide
- Abby Place - After Care Guide