Modern Montessori Charter school Staff
Leadership & Administrative Staff
Kristy Fehr, Executive Director
Kristy Fehr is a Modern Montessori co-founder and parent in addition to her leadership position at the school. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary and early childhood education, an Early Childhood Montessori Credential and a master’s degree in education. Having worked in urban, rural and international settings, she brings a wide lens of experience. In addition to the various teaching positions she’s held over the years, she has also taught in higher education and has held various volunteer positions, including serving on a non-profit board of directors. She is committed and invested in the field of education and is excited for the opportunity to lead Modern Montessori Charter School.
Becky Wirth, Business Manager
Becky started out as an active MMCS parent volunteer before jumping in to help our students as a special education paraprofessional. She officially joined our leadership team in 2022 as Operations Manager and now serves as our Business Manager! With over 20 years of business experience, she brings great insight, positive energy, and a whole lot of heart to everything she does. As both a staff member and an MMCS parent, she’s all in when it comes to supporting our school culture. Outside of work, Becky loves gardening, reading, and spending time outdoors with her family.
Brandi Saba, Operations Manager
Brandi joins Modern Montessori Charter School as Operations Manager, bringing more than 20 years of experience in administrative operations, coordination, customer service, and supporting students, families, and staff. Before joining MMCS, Brandi spent five years at another MN charter school, where she held a variety of roles supporting both students and school operations. Her experience included administrative support, student information and reporting, school nutrition program management, health services, purchasing, accounts payable, event planning, and coordinating school programs and activities.
Prior to working in education, Brandi spent 20 years in health services, where she developed a strong foundation in organization, communication, problem-solving, and managing the many moving pieces of a busy professional environment. She is excited to bring her experience, positive attitude, and love of working with people to the MMCS community and looks forward to getting to know the students, families, and staff.
Outside of work, Brandi enjoys spending time with her family, getting lost in a good book, traveling, exploring new places, and planning her next adventure. Whether she is relaxing with a great read or heading out on a road trip, she enjoys making memories, trying new things, and finding a little adventure along the way.
Alysia Williams, Special Education Coordinator
Alysia Williams is excited to start another year with MMCS. She has worked at MMCS since they opened. Alysia started as a Children’s House teacher, then moved to a Reading interventionist along with a special education teacher. While fulfilling those roles, she also was our DAC (district assessment coordinator) and taught ELL (English language learner) Alysia now is starting her 2nd full year as the Special Education Coordinator role. She has completed degrees in both Early Childhood Education and Human Development Family Studies back in 2002 from UW Stout. Also, received her Montessori license from St.Kates in 2005. Alysia had previously taught 1st grade at a Charter School in Brooklyn Park for 5 years, 10 years as a Children’s House Montessori teacher for Step by Step Montessori,and taught k-3rd grade as a long term sub in the Minneapolis School District. She has always had a passion for working with children. She loves Montessori philosophy and is very experienced with a variety of learning and intervention tools. Outside of teaching, Alysia enjoys spending time with her family ( husband, children and grandchildren), traveling, boating, being outside and watching a good movie.
McKenna Wentworth, Library Aide
McKenna Wentworth grew up here in Champlin, Minnesota! After many moves around the country, while her husband was in the Army for eight years, they settled back down in Dayton Minnesota. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Minnesota State University Mankato in 2012 with her bachelor’s degree in Child Development and Family Studies. She has worked in many various roles from running her own business to being a preschool teacher. McKenna first started at Modern Montessori Charter School as a substitute teacher in 2021. She is excited to step into this new role.
Keyshad Riddley, Student Support Specialist
More info coming soon!
Joanna Faraone, Front Desk
Joanna joined the Modern Montessori community as a parent volunteer in 2020 and is excited to continue serving our school at the Front Desk. Outside of work, Joanna enjoys spending time with her family, embarking on wilderness expeditions, and reading historical fiction.
Teaching Staff
Jennica Butler, Health/Office Aide
Jennica has been a Modern Montessori parent and volunteer since 2022. She loves the Modern Montessori community, and is very excited to join the office staff as the Health Aide and an Administrative Assistant! She was an elementary teacher for 6 years before having children and has been following Montessori principles in raising her children since birth. Outside of work, Jennica is an avid reader, enjoys gardening, creating of any kind, baking, and spending time with her husband and two children.
Rhonda LeSage, Children’s House Teacher
Rhonda and her husband of 34 years are from Michigan. She’s a Yooper; he’s a Troll! For the past 26 years, they have called Brooklyn Park “home”. They have 2 grown children, 3 cats, and a dog. Rhonda enjoys glamping, genealogy, rock hounding, thrifting, reading, foraging, sprouting, and traveling.
Rhonda began her Montessori journey as a Teacher’s Assistant in Children’s House in Kalamazoo, MI. After moving to Shreveport, Louisiana in 1997, she attended Houston Montessori Training Center, and was certified with a Lower Elementary (E1) Credential. She served as a Lead Elementary Guide in both private and public charter Montessori schools. Rhonda later received an International Montessori Teaching Diploma from NAMC’s Montessori Early Childhood Teacher Training Program and has been a Lead Teacher in Children’s House since then. This will be her 8th year at Modern Montessori! Go Mountaineers! Guiding children toward independence and observing their evolution into proficient readers are her greatest joys as a teacher.
Bukola Ajayi, Children’s House Teacher
My name is Oluwabukolami Ajayi, but most people call me Bukola. I am one of the Lead Guides at Modern Montessori Chartered School, and I feel truly blessed to be part of the Montessori community.
I grew up in Nigeria, Africa, in a family of five girls, along with many visiting stepbrothers and stepsisters. My educational journey began in Nigeria, where I earned a B.Sc. in Economics and a Montessori Primary Diploma.
After moving to the United States, I continued to pursue my passion for education. I earned my AMI Montessori Primary Diploma from the Montessori Institute of Milwaukee, a B.Sc. in Elementary Education from Liberty University, and a Master's degree from Concordia University, St. Paul.
My love for teaching began in 2004/2005 when I volunteered at a school serving children from underserved communities. That experience opened my heart to the joy and purpose of working with children, and choosing education as my profession has been one of the best decisions I have ever made.
I strongly believe in Dr. Maria Montessori's philosophy that "Education is a natural process carried out by the child and is not acquired by listening to words but by experiences in the environment.” This belief is at the heart of my work as a Montessori Guide. I strive to create a thoughtfully prepared environment where every child feels respected, supported, and empowered to learn, explore, and develop at their own pace.
I currently live in Coon Rapids with my husband and our three children. In my free time, I enjoy singing, dancing, and listening to music. I also have a special fondness for stuffed animals—I much prefer having them around me rather than real-life animals!
I look forward to meeting and getting to know everyone in our community. I hope we can build a warm, respectful, and peaceful relationship as we work together to make this a meaningful and fulfilling year for our children.
Cheers to a wonderful year ahead!
Jenifer Thangaraj, Children’s House Teacher
Jenifer was born and raised in Chennai, India and moved to the US in 2004. She and her daughter (a former MMCS student) who is in high school now live in Maple Grove and they can speak,read and write Tamil, their native language fluently. Jenifer has a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and has completed a certified Montessori training from North American Montessori Center and has completed a teacher training program here in Minnesota.She has been working with children for 20 years. She believes in love, respect and kindness, when taught young can change the world. Jenifer has been in Modern Montessori for 7 years and this is her 6th year teaching in Children’s House. She is very passionate about teaching the children about different cultures and people from around the world. She has been working with children for more than 20 years and loves their curiosity and the love for learning things.She herself is a lifelong learner who loves to learn new things everyday. Jenifer loves to travel, visit antiques stores, learn history and loves arts & crafts. In her free time, she likes to visit parks and cook different kinds of food from around the world.
Breanna Ter Wisscha, Children’s House Teacher
Breanna has been part of the Modern Montessori Charter School community for two years. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire.
Breanna loves teaching because she has the opportunity to experience the joy of watching students learn, grow, and discover new things each day. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys reading books, swimming at the lake, and baking.
Patrick Kutzer, Lower Elementary Teacher
Patrick grew up in Moorhead, Minnesota and has lived in the Twin Cities area for the last 25+ years. His wife, Sinead, is the head of school at Heartwood Montessori in Northeast Minneapolis and they have raised their three children in a Montessori home.
Patrick holds a BA Degree in German Language and European Area Studies from the University of Minnesota, a K-6 Teaching License from St Scholastica and both Lower Elementary and Upper Elementary Montessori credentials from St Catherine's University. He has been involved in teaching in a Montessori classroom for over 12 years, working both in the private and public sector.
Barbara Fenton, Lower Elementary Teacher
Barbara first came to Modern Montessori as a student teacher in fall 2024. After working as a kindergarten teacher and intervention specialist in another district, she returned as a Lower Elementary teacher, drawn by the sense of community and care she had experienced here. She holds a Master of Science in Biology from the University of Kansas and spent nearly twenty years working in biology before finding her passion for teaching.
Barbara loves helping each child follow their interests, think critically, and develop a lasting love of learning. Outside of school, she enjoys performing improv, reading mysteries, and spending time with her husband, two boys, and three cats. Her students will also tell you that she loves to laugh and appreciates a good cup of coffee.
Peter Krueger, Lower Elementary Teacher
Peter has been a beloved fixture at MMCS since 2020. In addition to running the Art program for years, students have known him as a Lego League coach, a staff leader for Pokemon Club and D&D Club, and as the creator of Cliff, our school's mascot. His experience with Montessori runs deep: he and his wife, Amy, raised their two children in a Montessori home; he illustrated work for notable Montessorians like Michael Dorer; he led an open studio Art Room at a Reggio Emilia summer program; and he spent several years as a Lower Elementary Classroom Assistant before becoming co-teacher, specializing in Math and Geometry. He is now happy to dedicate his teaching full-time to the students in his classroom. He is a long-time member of the Mountaineer Committee, and also serves on the MMCS School Board. He is a graduate of UW-Madison.
Leah Barrett, Lower Elementary Teacher
Leah has been with Modern Montessori since the fall of 2020. She received her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Winona State University and her Master’s in Education and Montessori Certification from UW-River Falls. Leah’s experience has taught her that there is more to school than standards and prepared lessons, but a sense of comfort and value within the classroom, a place where learning, independence, and fun can all be together. When she is not teaching, Leah enjoys reading, playing board games, cooking and hiking with her husband, and spending time with family and friends. Leah was nominated for Minnesota Teacher of the Year in 2022.
Ellie Berk, Lower Elementary Teacher
Ellie is excited for her first year at Modern Montessori. She received her bachelor's of science degree in Early Childhood Education and her Montessori certificate in Children's house from Saint Catherine's University in the spring of 2025. She has 5 years experience in Children's House and is excited to embark on this transition to E1. When she is not teaching, Ellie enjoys watching favorite shows and movies with her husband, playing board games and spending time with family.
Amy Haag, Upper Elementary Teacher
Amy has been helping children explore their world as an elementary Montessori teacher since 2001. Raised in Elk River, Amy graduated magna cum laude from St. Cloud State University with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She trained at the Association Montessori International training center in St. Paul, Minnesota for both upper and lower elementary. Amy began her teaching career at Monarch Montessori in Elk River and taught E1 for 13 years. She then created an elementary Montessori homeschool co-op that she operated for 4 years. Amy is excited to be one of Modern Montessori’s E2 teachers. Amy is passionate about teaching all subjects, particularly biology, geometry, and math. She mostly enjoys giving lessons that open the students’ eyes to new ways of thinking and new worlds. In her spare time, Amy enjoys spending time with her husband Pete and children Josie and Nic. She enjoys going to zoos, museums, fossil hunting, and finding new fun experiences. She is also an enthusiastic biker, knitter, seamstress, and reader.
Craig Asche, Upper Elementary Teacher
Craig has worked as a Montessori educator in early childhood, elementary, secondary, and higher education for twenty years. He earned a BA in French, MA in Education, and Montessori credentials in elementary education from the American Montessori Society and secondary education from the North American Montessori Teachers’ Association. He is passionate about helping students reach their full potentials. Craig is excited to work with a variety of ages at Modern Montessori. When not exploring the universe with students in a Montessori environment, Craig likes to travel and explore this amazing planet by running, biking, and kayaking; he also likes to get creative by drawing, painting, trying to play guitar, and trying to cook up something tasty.
Allison Koski, Literacy Lead
Allison is happy to be entering her fifth year teaching at Modern Montessori. She has a background in psychology and earned a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Saint Cloud State University in 2017. After working in the early childhood field after college, she fell in love with teaching and decided to pursue a career in education. She spent a year living in a tiny house (converted from a chicken coop!) in Winona while studying to earn a Master’s in Teaching from Saint Mary’s University in 2021. She has been a lower elementary teacher at Modern Montessori since then, and loves every part of being in the classroom. She strives to foster a classroom environment of peace and joy. When she is not teaching, Allison enjoys cooking, baking, watching football, and spending time with her husband and one-year-old daughter.
Beatrice Stelten, Special Education Teacher
Beatrice Stelten has invested the last 30 years volunteering and working with children of all ages. Between Bea and her husband John, they have is most happy when her house is full and laughter is plenty. Health focused, she spends much of her time enjoying outdoor activities, and is constantly challenging herself to discover new ways to increase the yield from her organic vegetable garden. After 20 years of teaching classes for her local homeschool co-op, she made the decision to attend Metropolitan State University where she designed and earned a bachelor’s degree in Integrated Philosophies of Health and Wellness in Education. As a previous employee of Anoka Hennepin School District, she held positions as a Math Intervention Specialist and K-12 substitute teacher. Her experiences during this time, once again validated the need for alternatives to standard public education and charter schools definitely have the potential to offer expanded educational options for students who do not fit the traditional model. She believes that every child carries with them unique character strengths and abilities, and by allowing them to develop and discover at their own pace, they have more opportunity to develop into resilient, productive adults. With this being said, she is overjoyed to be a part of Modern Montessori staff.
Tatum Whiteford, Special Education Teacher
Ms. Tatum is pleased to begin her third year with the MMCS family for the 2026–2027 school year. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of St. Thomas, where she majored in Art History and completed double minors in Museum Studies and Communications and Journalism. She earned her Master of Arts in Teaching from Bethel University, where she also received her K–12 Visual Arts teaching license. With five years of teaching experience across public, charter, and Montessori environments in visual arts and special education, she is excited to continue developing her Montessori methods alongside her MMCS students, colleagues, and community.
Lisa Dixon, Special Education Teacher
Lisa Dixon is entering her second year as a Special Education Teacher at Modern Montessori. She previously taught in the Children’s House program and earned her Montessori certification through NAMC in 2023. Lisa has 19 years of experience working with Preschool, Pre-K, and Kindergarten students, as well as experience as a preschool director.
Lisa holds a Bachelor of Science in K–8 Teaching and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education. She is passionate about early childhood education and creating a safe, engaging, and supportive learning environment where every child can grow, develop confidence, and become a lifelong learner.
STEM Teacher
More info coming soon!
Nina Stone, Arts Teacher
Nina Stone is very excited to be the Arts (Music, Art, Theatre, Dance, etc.) Teacher at MMCS. Nina has a BS in Dance Management from Oklahoma City University and an MA in Educational Theatre from New York University. Nina’s teaching experience is wide & varied and spans 30 years. She’s been a Teaching Artist for ages K through 8th grade with The Leadership Program (NYC), Making Books Sing (NYC), and the Educational Arts Team (NJ). She’s also been a teacher for Gymboree Play & Music, Music Together and Music for Aardvarks. Nina spent 7 years teaching at The Dwight School in NYC as both teacher and curriculum writer for their Small Wonder Program. Later Nina became the music teacher at the JCC Metrowest Early Childhood Center (NJ). When she started teaching at the Dwight School, Nina began writing music for the preschool classroom. From there she has released three albums of award winning children’s music (as Miss Nina) and consistently performs at schools, libraries and institutions across the country including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Make-A-Wish Program, and Children's Minnesota.
Tope Alowonle, Sixth Grade/Middle School Social Studies Teacher
More info coming soon!
Annie George, Middle School English Language Arts (ELA) Teacher
This is Annie’s first year teaching at Modern Montessori and is also a parent. She will be teaching middle school ELA and science. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Bemidji State University, but also has a background in biology from Anoka-Ramsey Community College. She has had some graduate studies in counseling and expressive arts therapy as well. Prior to teaching, she was a special education paraprofessional at the middle and high school levels in the Anoka-Hennepin school district. She also has experience teaching knitting as well as volunteer positions throughout the community. Her background also includes childcare. She has worn many hats but the common denominator has been her work with children and families. In her spare time she enjoys crafting, reading, baking, gardening and spending time with her family and pets!
Pamela Luden, Middle School Math Teacher & Facilities Associate
Pamela has been actively involved at MMCS since 2020 as a parent, middle school teacher, substitute teacher, facilities associate, Lego Club guide, and volunteer. Originally from Wisconsin, she grew up on a dairy farm as one of six siblings, where she developed a strong work ethic and an appreciation for nature. With bachelors degrees in Biology and Art from The College of St. Scholastica, Pamela brings both expertise and enthusiasm to the classroom. She loves encouraging students’ curiosity and understanding of the world around them.
Pamela enjoys staying active and creative. She loves kayaking, hiking, biking, fixing things, and listening to books. She also enjoys baking (and eating) homemade treats, painting, photography, sewing, and brewing her own kombucha. Her diverse interests inspire her teaching and reflect her passion for lifelong learning.
Support Staff
Melissa Pizzalato, Children’s House Assistant
Melissa Pizzalato has many years of experience working as an educational assistant in the elementary setting. She loves the multiage classrooms at Modern Montessori and enjoys forming relationships with the school’s littlest learners. She also enjoys the school’s small, community feel and is connected to many in the community.
Mel Peifer-Freeman, Peace Guide
Ms. Mel holds an Associate of Arts degree and started her career in the classroom during her years spent working at Minnesota Children’s Museum. From there, she branched out and taught pre-k for several years, before taking a job as a traveling art teacher. During that time, she also worked to grow her photography business, while simultaneously teaching children the art of photography. After her third child was born, she worked exclusively as a photographer until Covid brought that to a halt. Ms. Mel felt a calling to get back into the classroom, and is thrilled to not only be a parent at Modern Montessori, but now also a teacher here. Outside of being the school’s Peace Guide, she also works as an advocate for the LGBT+ community, and as the Children and Youth Coordinator at her church. She also loves bugs, plants, sushi, kayaking, and being a life-long learner while expanding her own level of education.
Andrea Schlumpberger, Lower Elementary Assistant
Andrea has worked in various educational settings, from Early Childhood to Middle School, and started at MMCS in 2021. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota, and continues to enjoy learning and helping students find confidence. She is inspired by the caring nature of every staff member here. She and her husband have four children, a daughter-in-law and two grandchildren. One of them is a former MMCS student! Andrea likes spending time with her family, watching sports, taking road trips, going to plays, and reading.
Jaime Miller, Upper Elementary Assistant
Jaime Miller is in her second year as a paraprofessional at Modern Montessori Charter School. With previous experience in Montessori settings, she has enjoyed continuing to support students using the Montessori method. She loves the intrinsic motivation she gets to see develop in the students she supports. She is a team player and loves supporting anywhere she can!
Lindsay Holiday, Lower Elementary Assistant
Lindsay Holiday is a Minnesota native who graduated from Northwestern University with double majors in Psychology and Biblical Theology. She has been working with children for over 20 years in roles including Preschool Teacher, Special-Ed Para, and the Director of an after-school program. After spending several years at home with her kids full-time, Lindsay found an easy transition back into work at Modern Montessori and is thankful for the community she and her kids have made here. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her family, being active outdoors, and doing arts, crafts and DIY projects.
Coming Soon, Lower Elementary Assistant
Noah Vogelpohl, Lower Elementary Assistant
Noah is in his fifth year on staff at Modern Montessori. Noah grew up in Dayton, MN and attended college at the University of Jamestown in North Dakota where he spent 2 years studying Communication, Psychology, and also played Football. Noah is very happy to be an assistant to lower elementary and is ready to help out in any way he can. In his spare time, Noah enjoys watching sports, being with his family, long walks, and spending as much time as he can with his Australian Shepherd, Apollo.
Nikko Raymo, Lower Elementary Assistant
Nikko Raymo has been teaching in early childhood education for over nine years and holds an IMC MACTE Lead Guide Certification in Early Childhood Children’s House. He began his Montessori journey as an assistant at Visitation School and Convent, before stepping into the role of Lead Guide at Hopkins Montessori School where he taught for 2 years. Nikko is also a K–12 teaching artist with Lyric Arts Education and currently serves as the Theatre Arts Director at Simley High School. Outside the classroom, he is an active theatre artist, having performed with The Children’s Theatre Company, Lyric Arts Theatre, Artistry Theatre, Theater Mu, and Park Square Theatre. He lives in Crystal, MN with his spouse and their beloved little dog, Lulu.
Emily Tryggestad, Special Education Paraprofessional & MARSS Coordinator
Emily joined the MMCS family for the 2025-26 school year as a Special Education paraprofessional. Emily holds a BA in music education from Luther College and a MA in Music Therapy from the University of Minnesota. She has experience working with neurodiverse individuals both in a classroom and clinical setting and is excited to continue her experiences in the Montessori setting. Emily is also a parent to two MMCS students. She enjoys spending time with her family, crafting, singing in a local choir, and reading.
Scarlett LeGarde, Children’s House Assistant
More info coming soon!
Amber Hanson, Children’s House Assistant
Amber is a classroom assistant in Ms. Jenifer's Children's House class, as well as a proud parent of two Modern Montessori students. Amber began working at MMCS as a substitute to fill in as needed. Over the years, she fell in love with the peaceful yet joyful environment, so when a full-time position became available, she was eager to step into the role. In her free time, she likes to read, go on outdoor adventures with her family, and create arts and crafts. Amber is looking forward to supporting the children and growing right along with them this year!
Justine Keener, Children’s House Assistant
Justine is a nature-loving adventurer who finds joy in exploring the outdoors, camping, and capturing the beauty of nature through photography. She has a special passion for collecting rocks, especially unique Yopperlite rocks. When she’s not out exploring, she loves making memories and spending quality time with her family.
Emily Bergren, Cafeteria & After School Care
Emily is stepping into the roles of Cafeteria Lead and After Care (Cliff Kids) Staff Member! She has been working at MMCS since 2025. Her experience working in the fast food industry at Chick-fil-A helps inform her decisions and leadership in food service with Modern Montessori. She used to work as a preschool assistant for a local homeschool co-op.
In addition to her duties at Modern Montessori, Emily also works as a theatre director with Shooting Starz and a receptionist at a music school. In her spare time, she enjoys acting in local musical theatre productions. Recently, Emily wrote and directed an audio adventure story for television (CCX Media). Emily has a bachelor’s degree in History and hopes to someday create a historical audio drama series for families. She loves to spend time with her loveable but naughty cat, Chester Rabbit (who, despite his name, is not a rabbit even though he seems to think so.)
Calvin Godfrey, Physical Education Teacher
More info coming soon!
Destiny Gorham, Special Education Paraprofessional
More info coming soon!
Maintenance/Facilities
More info coming soon!
SPECIAL SERVICES