About Pioneer Montessori School

Faculty and Staff

 “As a parent, I know I can only be on my "A-game" for my child only so much, so sending my kiddo to Montessori has helped me build a game changing "team" to help my child excel in all aspects of life.”

- Amanda DeHaas, Pioneer Parent


Administration

  • Molly Lansing has served in administration at Pioneer Montessori School since 2020. Prior to this, she worked both as a teacher, instructional coach, and administrator in schools and districts since 2004. Originally from Ohio, Molly completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Spanish at the University of Michigan. She was then accepted into the New York City Teaching Fellows program, where she taught in high-needs schools and completed her master’s degree in Bilingual Education at the City College of New York. She moved to the Wood River Valley in 2008 and worked in Blaine County School District for 12 years. There, she served in a variety of roles, including Coordinator of the Dual Language Immersion program and English Language Development programs, Latino Outreach Coordinator, Dual Language and Biliteracy Specialist, and English/Spanish Language Development Teacher. Molly’s work there included a three-year strategic planning process for the creation of the dual language magnet school at Alturas Elementary, wherein she led the development of the school’s language model, vision, and mission. She also developed the dual immersion program into the secondary levels to create the first K-12 program in Idaho and initiated the districtwide co-teaching support model to better serve language learners. She was a districtwide teacher trainer for a number of different initiatives and programs and worked to develop and align curriculum and standards for the programs in which she worked. While working in administration at BCSD, she completed an Education Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Idaho. She has lived, studied, and worked abroad in Spain and Argentina and is bilingual and biliterate. 

    Molly is thrilled that life led her to Montessori education. Having attended a Montessori school for a few years as a child and having several extended family members who served as Montessori teachers and administrators, she has been interested in the approach for years. Since beginning her career at the school, she has completed several rigorous trainings on Montessori Leadership and is always looking to increase her depth of knowledge in the methodology. She feels passionate that a genuine Montessori program can help each child reach their true potential. Molly lives in Hailey with her husband, Kurt, and two daughters, Maggie and Louisa, who are both loving their experience at Pioneer Montessori School. When not working, Molly can be found spending time with family and good friends, enjoying the beauty that surrounds us, mountain biking, skiing, wakeboarding, or when she's lucky, traveling and experiencing the thrill of other places and cultures.

  • Nikki was born and raised in Hailey. After high school, she attended Whitman College where she majored in Sociology with a minor in Education. After college Nikki worked a variety of nanny positions trying to find her calling both in the workplace and as a home town. She ventured from Orcas Island, Washington to Denver, Colorado to Silverthorn, Colorado. In Silverthorne she met and started dating her now husband Sean. Together they moved to South Lake Tahoe, California where Nikki worked as an assistant at a Montessori school. Nikki floated between a Primary classroom and Pre-Primary while there. Nikki eventually convinced Sean that there is no better mountain town than here and they moved back to the Wood River Valley in 2018 when Nikki started at Pioneer Montessori School as the Administrative Assistant. In 2023 Nikki was provided the opportunity to take on her current role as the Director of Admissions and Marketing after many years of learning from and working closely with Liza. Nikki is always excited to show off the school and all the wonderful things that happen in these classrooms with prospective families. Nikki has two children Zeke and Isabelle. Zeke is proud to be a Montessori student and excited for his little sister to be one too soon.

  • Whitney brings over 20 years of experience in business operations, strategy, and team leadership. Previously, Whitney managed all business functions at Gjording Fouser Hall, a Boise-based law firm, for 12 years. In that role, she oversaw finance, human resources, operations, and marketing, while also leading initiatives in employee engagement, process improvement, and community partnerships. Prior to this, she worked in Marketing and Business Development in Washington D.C. and San Francisco. 

    Whitney is drawn to Pioneer Montessori because it combines two of her passions- supporting children’s development and applying her business skills in a values-driven, positive environment.  She is excited to be a member of Pioneer Montessori administrative team and contribute to the school’s continued growth and success.  

    Outside of work, Whitney enjoys skiing, running, camping with her family, and practicing minimalist living. Whitney is also a proud school parent—her daughter, Zoe, is currently in the Lower Elementary class.

  • Julia joins us with more than a decade of experience working in independent schools in the Seattle area. After earning a degree in Music Education from the University of Oregon, she taught general and choral music to students ranging from preschool age through adulthood. This breadth of experience has deepened her admiration for and respect for Montessori education.

    Julia holds a Master’s degree in Psychology in Education with a concentration in Spirituality, Mind, and Body from Teachers College, Columbia University. She previously served as a Curriculum Designer and Research Assistant at Khora: The Maternal & Reproductive Psychology Lab, where she co-authored one of the first peer-reviewed studies applying a matrescence educational framework to maternal well-being.

    Julia brings a passion for relationship-building and belief in the transformative power of Montessori education to her work in advancement and fundraising. She is honored to support Pioneer Montessori School’s mission and to help strengthen the school’s impact within this special community. Julia’s sons, Nash and Benny, joyfully attend Pioneer Montessori School.

Faculty

Pre-Primary Team

  • Brenda was born in California, and her parents decided to permanently move to Ketchum a few months after she was born. She has three younger siblings, a sister and two brothers. As a child Brenda cared for her younger siblings, making sure they were always happy; spending time with each of them every day. As she grew older she realized she had a nurturing side. She never knew exactly what she wanted to do with her life but she knew she had a connection with children. The first time Brenda heard about Montessori was flipping through the newspaper, she knew it was a long shot but she submitted her resume to a position at the Pioneer Montessori School. When Liza contacted her, and walked her through the school, Brenda knew this is where she belonged. She has been at the Pioneer Montessori School since 2015. In 2018 she completed her AMI Assistants to Infancy (0-3) training at Northwest Montessori in Portland. She is looking forward to having her future children join this school and start a new generation in her family with Montessori education being the center of their life.

  • Claire grew up in and has spent most of her life here in the Wood River Valley. She was deeply inspired by her own teachers which set in motion her path toward working with children. Claire has worked for Idaho Base Camp as a Camp Counselor, as The Roots After School Program Teacher, and has worn many hats here at Pioneer Montessori. She started in the Pre-Primary classroom, then moved to Extended Day in Primary and now is working as a Primary Assistant. She continues to add to her teaching toolbox and has completed an AMI 3-6 (Assistant) Orientation course.

  • Grace moved here from Massachusetts at the age of eight and holds a BS in Psychology. She has over six years of professional clinical experience working with children, adolescents, and families in both community-based and private settings. Her background includes roles as a Community-Based Rehabilitation Specialist, DDA Intervention Specialist, and Case Manager in Ada and Canyon County, as well as four years as a private local nanny—bringing her total childcare experience to over 15 years. Grace is passionate about creating calm, structured environments that foster independence, confidence, and positive development. She loves all things art, cooking, and gardening and is thrilled to be part of the Montessori team in the Pre-Primary room.

  • Nayeli

    is also a Wood River Valley native. She recently graduated from CSI in Twin Falls with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She has worked with toddlers in several settings and daycare facilities, including Bigwood Summer Camp. She recently adopted a new adorable puppy, Luna, and enjoys crocheting as a hobby. She is excited to learn more about Montessori and is thrilled to be a part of the team. 

Primary Team

  • Michelle started working at Pioneer Montessori in 2006 and is currently a Primary lead guide. She has also been an assistant in both the Lower and Upper Elementary classrooms. After attending an AMI Primary assistant course in Portland one summer she knew that switching over to Primary was what she wanted to do. A few years later she attended the Montessori Institute of San Diego and completed her AMI Primary degree. Michelle grew up in South Florida and spent her summers in Sun Valley.  Michelle attended Rhodes College where she obtained a BA in Art History and a minor in English.

  • Eric was born and raised outside of Rochester, New York on Lake Ontario. He and his twin brother attended Webster Montessori School where he developed a love for learning and exploring. His love of the outdoors, fostered by his father, led him to Idaho in 1990 after graduating from Skidmore College with a chemistry degree. He met his future wife Eleanor in 1995; she too the product of Montessori education and the daughter of an AMI trained guide. So, it was natural for them to send their first daughter Grace to Pioneer Montessori in 2006. Witnessing Grace’s self-construction in the Montessori environment inspired him to make a significant career change. He started as a Primary Assistant at Pioneer Montessori School in 2007 and, over the course of three years, completed his AMI Montessori training at the Montessori Training Center of St. Louis with the late Dr. Annette Haines in 2010. This is his 17th year at the school and his 15th as a lead guide in the Primary classroom. Grace graduated from 6th grade at Pioneer Montessori School in 2016 and his other daughter Ryland graduated from 6th grade at PMS in 2019.

  • Laura was born in a small village near the town of Penjamo Guanajuato, Mexico. Which is actually three different villages but they are so small that people like to pretend it is one big one. Laura has three younger brothers who always treated her like one of the boys. Her family moved to California when she was five, then to Idaho 6 months later. Laura grew up in rural Gooding, which gave her the freedom to roam! Laura began working in the PrePrimary room at the Pioneer Montessori School in 2011. Nothing brightens her day like coming to school and seeing the happy faces of all the little ones.

Elementary Team

  • Annika has worked in Montessori education since 2010 and her passion for teaching continues to expand every day. She was raised in the beautiful mountains of Colorado where she spent her childhood exploring the surrounding meadows and hills. She attended Western Washington University where she crafted a unique degree in Environmental Education.

    Annika’s love for the natural world, children, and education converged when she encountered the Montessori approach. At the time, she had never seen anything like it. Watching the children navigate their work with care and concentration was a profound introduction to Montessori, and after that, she was hooked! Annika initially worked as an assistant in a Primary classroom and, in 2013, completed her AMI Elementary Training in Portland, Oregon at Montessori Northwest. She has been Lead Guide in Lower Elementary since 2020 and says of her experiences here, “the students each bring a unique vibrancy to the community and I never know what will unfold each day. It is a journey of discovery that gets me out of bed every morning.”

  • Alicia moved to the Wood River Valley from Colorado in 2022, although she's originally from the midwest. She is a classically-trained chef who worked in the industry for 16 years and is a certified yoga and pilates instructor. She has also worked as a first responder for Ski Patrol. Throughout all of this time, she has always cherished her time spent with children, either with family, friends, or babysitting and is thrilled for the opportunity to work with them in a more official capacity.  She has already begun to immerse herself in Montessori, reading and watching training videos on Montessori's approach to elementary-aged students. We are thrilled to welcome her into this community and perhaps get to sample some of the culinary creations she concocts with the children!

  • Ben grew up in a small ski town in Vermont and attended St. Michael’s College, earning a degree in Computer Information Systems. After college he moved west in search of bigger mountains and more snow. For over ten years he taught skiing to children and adults of all ability levels.

    Ben moved to Ketchum in 2012. His wife grew up in Hailey and it was time for them to return home. Years of teaching skiing had given Ben a love of working with children and he decided he had more to offer in a classroom than on a ski slope. .

    Ben started working at Pioneer Montessori School in 2014. He has spent time in both the Lower and Upper Elementary classrooms. Ben finished a training program through the Center for Guided Montessori Studies in 2020 and became the U.E. lead guide the next fall. Ben also holds a teaching certificate through the state of Idaho.

    Ben loves the sense of community and camaraderie that evolves in a Montessori classroom and cherishes the three years he gets to spend with each student. Ben has a son and daughter who are both happy students at Pioneer Montessori School.

  • Teresa grew up here in the Wood River Valley. She has a bachelor's degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology with a minor in Developmental Disabilities and a master's degree in Special Education. She is trained in Orton-Gillingham, a multisensory phonics technique for reading instruction that is used widely in both traditional and Montessori school settings. She will be taking the Intermediate Level Orton-Gillingham course this fall in order to support our students in grades 4-6. Teresa has worked in Blaine County Schools for 14 years, serving children in grades K-8. She also worked one school year here at PMS as Primary Extended Day Teacher. She has two sons, Wylder and Maverick, who both attend Pioneer Montessori at the primary level. We are thrilled to welcome her (back) to the team and know she will be an incredible asset to the UE classroom!

Specialist Team

  • A mountain girl through and through, Casey returned to her birthplace after college to continue her love of outdoor pursuits. Growing up at the Atkinson’s Park program and later working/mentoring for it, she developed a love for the energy and spirit of children. A degree in School and Community Health Education and Master’s in Special Education lead her to 8 years with the Blaine County School District. After a few years of raising two boys and in need of new focus and educational inspiration, she turned to Montessori. Casey chases two boys, Cru and Rome, an architect husband (Shaun), two cats, a dog and 7 chickens. She will never turn down a beach vacation and longs to show her boys the wonders and people of the world.

  • Born and raised in Lima, Peru, Bertha moved to the Wood River Valley 19 years ago. She loves engaging with children and taught for the last five years at Bigwood School. Bertha is currently working on completing her degree in early childhood education. She is married to a longtime friend from her hometown in Peru and they live happily with their two lively daughters and two adorable boxers in Hailey. Bertha is very excited to be joining the team at Pioneer and is eager to share her native language and culture and plant the seed for loving Spanish with our students. Maestra Bertha will work with all of our primary and elementary students.

  • Born and raised in Florida, Sarita had no idea what she was missing out on until she moved to Salt Lake City and got her first taste of mountain life. Immediately sold, she continued her exploration of mountain towns while attending school at Utah State University. During that time, she earned her Bachelors in education with a dual degree in both regular as well as special education, while also managing to meet her future husband. It was a win-win situation. Sarita began her teaching career in 2001 and quickly decided to go back to school to learn more about education. By 2005, she had attained a Masters degree in education from Westminster College. After cutting her chops over nearly a decade in both the public and private school systems in Salt Lake, Sarita moved to Ketchum to make it official with her mountain man in 2010. As luck would have it, a good friend introduced her to the world of Montessori. She has two exuberant and curious little boys who have grown to love the mountains as much, if not more than, their parents do.

  • Sam was born and raised in the Wood River Valley and is an alum of Pioneer Montessori School. Over the past 2.5 years, he has worked in a youth hockey program in Teton Valley, Victor, Idaho. Sam holds a double major in Creative Writing and Government with a minor in African Studies from St. Lawrence University. Sam spends his summers as a lead guide in the Frank Church Wilderness, rafting with White Otter Outdoor Adventures.

Work with us.

If you are an experienced Montessori educator or are interested in learning more about working at Pioneer Montessori School, please don’t hesitate to fill out the form or send us an email us to introduce yourself:

administration@pioneermontessorischool.org