Anna Sanor, School Co-Founder, Head of School, and Co-Lead Elementary Teacher
An A.M.I. certified Primary teacher with seventeen years of experience, Anna received her B.A. in Art History at Boston University before discovering the educational methods of Maria Montessori. She became fascinated with Montessori’s vision for the holistic development of each unique, individual child and moved to Portland, OR, to pursue her Montessori degree. She has since taught in Oregon, Washington and Montana.
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Anna has specialized experience in training and information sessions for staff and parent outreach and believes that transparency and partnership are crucial for the work we do in support of human development. She brings enthusiasm and dedication to both the classroom and the community at large.
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Married to Winter and the proud mother of Elijah and Lucia, Anna continues to enjoy exploring art galleries and museums as well as the many outdoor adventures Montana has to offer. A lover of literature, she spends as much time as she can with a book in hand.
Julie Fayen, School Co-Founder and Lead Primary Teacher
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Julie earned her B.A. in History from Boston University and is an A.M.I certified primary teacher with fifteen years of classroom experience. Julie deeply values the emphasis within the Montessori approach on the adult’s responsibility to model loving actions, to observe with compassion and knowledge and to trust in every child’s positive inner motivations.
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The most rewarding moments for Julie in working with children are those where she witnesses spontaneous acts of generosity and kindness, and the epiphany moments when a child exclaims, ‘Ah-ha!’ and then turns and declares, “Look, I did it all by myself!” The joy is transformative!
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Growing up in New Jersey, Julie loved trips to the beach, playing in the woods and catching lightning bugs. She feels blessed to now live in Montana and call Missoula home, where one can escape into the woods right on the edge of town. Her dream is to both work with kids and to farm, and to one day combine the two.
Our Staff
Melodie Stenger, Co-Lead Elementary Teacher
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While Melodie has taught philosophy at the University of Montana and Penn State University for twenty years, reading Montessori’s works convinced her that her true calling lies in reaching students when they are much younger. She has a Master’s in Liberal Arts from St. John’s College and a PhD in Philosophy from Penn State, and her research has centered on philosophies of education. She received her lower and upper elementary Montessori certification from Authentic Institute of Montessori in 2022.
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Her time homeschooling her two dyslexic children convinced her that different children follow different paths toward full development, but with the right environment and guide, every child will reach that destination. Melodie believes that Montessori education provides that right environment, and she strives to be that right guide.
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Melodie and her husband Rob love getting outside with their children Oliver, Elliot, Timothy, and Rose, and their dog Bugaboo. She collects flying pigs, loves tiny things, is a terrible gardener, and wishes she had more time to read.
Gabby Weber, Primary Assistant
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Gabby earned a Master's Degree in Social Work from Walla Walla University and spent four years in clinical practice. She then enjoyed a sabbatical in which she was both humbled and forged by the experience of raising her two incredible children Cameron and Ellie. She began focusing her personal and professional energy on understanding early childhood attachment, its impact on development, and pursuing a career in the development of young persons.
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In her spare time, Gabby is a beach volleyball nut and enjoys chasing her oversized puppy "Rosie" through the woods with her family.
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"Having the opportunity to work in this Montessori environment is a blessing beyond words and I greatly look forward to each new day in the classroom."
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Becca Everett, Primary Assistant
Children have always had a special place in my heart. I was a babysitter as soon as I was old enough and have always enjoyed building relationships with all children. I received an Associate degree in Early Childhood Education and then had 3 children of my own. I provided childcare out of my home for 14 years and then decided to look for a teaching job. That is when I found MCMS and started learning about Montessori. I love how peaceful and happy the Montessori classroom is and I thoroughly enjoy being an assistant in it!
Laura Lympus, Primary Assistant
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Laura holds a Master's Degree in Theology from Fuller Seminary and has many years of experience in ministry and non-profit work. She and her husband Steve have four teenage/young adult children, all domestically adopted. Her experience as an adoptive mom has allowed Laura to learn and practice connected parenting and trauma-informed care on a deeply personal level.
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Laura fell in love with the Montessori method when her kids attended a public Montessori school in Spokane from 1st-8th grade. She values the uniqueness of each child in the journey towards adulthood and how the Montessori environment provides children with agency and personal growth.
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A fun fact about Laura is that she and her family live in an intentional Christian community with 20-some college students at the Alpha Omega House, where she and her husband serve as House Parents!
Ruthie Willette, Elementary Assistant
Ruthie Willette has worked in education for over ten years. For the last three years she has worked as a first grade teacher in Beacon Hill, Boston. She received her M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education and earned her teaching license at Lesley University in Cambridge, MA. For her B.A., she attended Northpoint Bible College with a focus on Biblical Studies and Children's Ministry. Ruthie is passionate about education and committed to cultivating a warm and nurturing environment in the classroom.
Growing up in Massachusetts she developed a love for being close to nature, whether in the mountains or by the ocean. She is often exploring hiking trails and delights in finding new cafés and discovering quaint local spots. She is fond of traveling and in the last several years had a wonderful time sight-seeing in Florence, Rome, Paris, and Barcelona. This summer is extra special because Ruthie is newly wed! She married in July and shortly after moved to Montana with her husband.
She looks forward to this year and is grateful to God for the opportunity to work with the students at MCMS and help them realize their full potential. Ruthie is excited to immerse herself in the training of Montessori!