Broadwater School
Rebekah Harris
Classroom Assignment: Lower Elementary, Grades 1-3
Training/Certification: Bachel
Personal Statement: “I am passionate about my educational role in your child’s life and do not take this amazing responsibility lightly. Maria Montessori believed that no human being is educated by another human but, must learn and discover for themselves. In the classroom, I work to build an environment where learning is cultivated and safe to inspire, imagine, and grow.”
Allison Hoem
Classroom Assignment: Lower Elementary, Grades 1-3
Training/Certification: Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education, Master of Arts in Elementary Education, and currently working towards Lower Elementary Montessori certification from North American Montessori Center.
Personal Statement: “I became fascinated by the Montessori method while working as a paraeducator at Broadwater. I was amazed by the students’ abilities to take responsibility for their learning and was always impressed by their ability to notice and communicate patterns. I saw the value in a calm, self-guided learning environment and I am so excited to be able to cultivate that environment in my own classroom.”
Jodi Delaney
Classroom Assignment: Upper Elementary, Grades 4 and 5
Years in District: Since 2007
Years in Montessori: Since 2009
Training/Certification: Training/Certification: B.A. Broadfield degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Visual Arts and an Area of Concentration in Ceramics, a minor in History for Secondary Education, and an Area of Concentration in Middle School Teaching 2004. Lower Elementary Montessori Certification from North American Montessori Center 2009, Upper Elementary Montessori Certification from North American Montessori Center, 2012, Gilder-Lehrman, History Teacher of the Year for the State of Montana, 2013, Masters of Arts Integration for Education, College of Fine and Performing Arts, University of Montana 2015, Montana Teacher Leader in the Arts, Montana Arts Council and Office of Public Instruction 2015, Centennial Bell Award for Montana History Teacher of the Year 2017, and National Board Certification in Middle Childhood 2017.
Personal Statement: “I enjoy teaching with a Montessori philosophy because it helps me meet the differing needs of my students as effectively as possible. The Montessori materials and lessons meld together with the District’s public school curriculum to provide a rich wealth of learning opportunities that can be tailored to individuals. The multi-age aspect of Montessori classrooms also provides for a host of benefits to children as they progress through the program and become leaders in their own right. I feel the emphasis on teaching young people to do and think for themselves, and learn to problem-solve independently, are great skills they will use for the rest of their lives.”
Central School
Elizabeth (Libby) Kenney
Classroom Assignment: Lower Elementary, Grades 1-3
Training/Certification: Libby graduated from Carroll College with a Bachelor of Arts in Education and a minor in Psychology. She then went on to receive her Lower Elementary certification from North American Montessori Center. Libby obtained her Masters of Science in Curriculum and Instruction from Western Governors University.
Personal Statement: “I believe Montessori style schooling makes learning fun and enjoyable for the students. I really enjoy watching kids learn at their own pace and guiding them through their discoveries.”
Amy Casne-Fetz
Classroom Assignment: Lower Elementary, Grades 1-3
Years in Montessori: Since 2016
Training/Certification: Major in Elementary Education and Minor in Music from Carroll College. Master Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Differentiation from Graceland University. Montessori Endorsement from Age of Montessori in Bozeman, Montana.
Personal Statement: “After 19 years in regular education, I needed a change and a new challenge. In 2016, I began the Montessori endorsement process while also teaching in a lower Montessori classroom at Central. I found that I loved this method of teaching! The Montessori Method–learning through hands-on materials and harnessing the imagination–engages students at all ages and all levels. “
Tony Napoletano
Classroom Assignment: Upper Elementary, Grades 4 and 5
Years in Montessori: Since 2014
Training/Certification: Tony Napoletano started teaching Central Upper Montessori in 2014. Before that he lived in Seattle, Washington. In Seattle he taught at a small independent elementary school and, during the summer, environmental education with Seattle Parks and Recreation. Tony received his B.A. from Fairhaven College at Western Washington University. He received his M.Ed. from the University of Montana in 2011 and spent a year teaching Math and Language Arts at Browning Middle School. Tony received his Montessori certification at the Montessori Education Institute of the Pacific Northwest (MEIPN) in 2016. When he is not teaching he enjoys hiking or running with his dog, bicycle commuting, watching the Sounders FC, and learning new things from books and PBS.
Joslyn Carney
Classroom Assignment: Kindergarten
Training/Certification: Joslyn Carney currently serves as the Kindergarten Montessori educator at Central Elementary in Helena, Montana. Carney graduated from Seattle University with a major in Liberal Studies and a minor in French. She went on to receive her master’s in teaching from the University of Portland. In addition, Carney attended the Montessori Educational Institute of the Pacific Northwest to obtain her lower elementary (1st – 3rd) Montessori credentials. Lastly, she completed her early childhood (3 year old- 6 year old) Montessori certification through the Center for Guided Montessori Instruction.
Carney has been an educator for twenty-four years. Her educational experience ranges from early childhood to collegiate instruction. She strives to provide a prepared Montessori environment that promotes independence, curiosity, and life-long learning.
Carney has lived in Helena since 2006 with her husband Jim Carney, her two beautiful children Sean and Cece and her silly dog Izzy. She loves hiking the trails that surround our beautiful city, exploring the world with her family, and gardening in her backyard.
Smith School
Katy Wright
Classroom Assignment: Lower Elementary, Grades 1-3
Years in District: Since 2003
Years in Montessori: Since 2013
Training/Certification: Katy Wright graduated with degrees in Theatre and Russian from Middlebury College in Vermont. She went on to receive her K-8 teaching credential from California State University, Northridge and her lower elementary Montessori credential from Montana Montessori Teacher Education Institute in Kalispell, MT. She completed a master’s degree in Montessori education at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, MN and works with local and national organizations on advocating for public Montessori education for the benefit of all students, teachers, and our public education system. Katy has lived in Helena since 2001 and is active in the local performing arts community.
Personal Statement: “I strongly believe that the Montessori instructional model better allows students to develop their executive functioning skills than the single grade level model. Through the multiage environment, multiple years with the same teacher, and specialized hands-on materials, students can develop their independence and master both academic and social/emotional skills simultaneously.”
“One test of the correctness of educational procedure is the happiness of the child.”
–Maria Montessori
Christina Harper
Classroom Assignment: Lower Montessori, Grades 1, 2, and 3
Training/Certification: Christina Harper graduated from Southern Oregon University with a degree in English Literature and Education. Most recently, she graduated from Western Governor’s University in 2024 with a Masters in the Art of Teaching Elementary Education. She is currently working on her Montessori certification from the North American Montessori Center and will be finished in May.
Personal Statement: “Montessori education is such a wonderful way for children to learn because it lets them grow at their own pace and discover new things through hands-on experiences. I love meeting children right where they are, celebrating their unique strengths, and helping them take the next steps to becoming a lifelong learner. One of my favorite parts of the Montessori method is the idea of respecting the child. I strive to create a classroom where kids feel valued, capable, and excited to learn every day.”
Debra Beaver
Classroom Assignment: Upper Elementary, Grades 4 and 5
Training/Certification: Upper Elementary certification from Center for Montessori Teacher Education New York
Personal Statement: “One of the aspects I appreciate about Montessori education is that it taps into children’s natural curiosity about the world. Students are encouraged to take an active role in their learning- to find answers to their questions. There are typically a variety of ways students can show what they know, which supports a wide range of learning styles.”
Amy Allen
Classroom Assignment: Kindergarten
Training/Certification: Amy Allen grew up in the Helena community and a proud graduate of Helena High School. She began her career in education working in the field of special education, where she dedicated 12 years to supporting students with diverse needs. Her experience includes work at Shodair Children’s Hospital on the high school residential unit, followed by a transition to Helena Public Schools. These years provided her with a strong foundation in individualized instruction, empathy, and the importance of fostering each child’s unique potential.
Amy’s passion for Montessori education began while she was pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She was drawn to the philosophy’s respect for the child, emphasis on independence, and focus on cultivating curiosity and confidence through hands-on exploration. Although she pursued Montessori certification later in her career, the approach has long influenced her teaching practices and professional values.
Beyond her work in the classroom, Amy values time with her family and enjoys watching her son grow and learn in the same community that shaped her own childhood. She is committed to creating a learning environment that is nurturing, engaging, and responsive to the needs of every child, while fostering strong connections between school and home.