some information About us.......

Ali is a certified teacher from the UK, where she was born and raised. She has a passion for working with children and has more than 25 years teaching experience, ranging from preschool to high school. She has taught in different parts of our world, including England, Scotland, the Middle East and the USA, providing a wealth of experience from which to draw upon. It was during Ali’s second spell of living in Kitsap County, when she discovered Montessori education and was hooked! She took her American Montessori Society (AMS) training at the Montessori Education Institute of the Pacific Northwest (M.E.I.P.N.) to become an AMS Early Childhood Montessori certified teacher and went on to complete a M.Ed in Elementary Education with an emphasis on Montessori. Ali is also delighted to be working as an AMS Instructor and Field Consultant at M.E.I.P.N., sharing experience and knowledge to a new cohort of Montessori teachers in training and is a graduate from the  AMS Instructor Academy, having been accepted into their first cohort, when the program first started.

Ali is a mother of two wonderful young ladies and lives in Poulsbo with her husband John and fur baby Max.  

When Ali isn’t busy teaching or running the school, she is often out hiking, swimming, cycling or ‘treading the boards’ in some of the wonderful theaters of Kitsap County. 

Ali is delighted and honored to be welcoming all the families who will now be part of our wonderful community this year!

Angel began working with children in high school and continued to do so following a family move from Minnesota, WI to Bainbridge Island, WA. 

After raising a family here in Kitsap County, Angel pursued her career working with people and spent her time assisting seniors on Bainbridge.

When she is not working, Angel loves the being outdoors and is an avid gardener. Angel enjoys walking and hiking in the great Pacific Northwest especially with her furry pal Piper.  Her other hobbies include floral design and cooking.   

Angel has worked at First Stage Montessori since 2012 and is delighted that we are opening up our doors once again for this school year following unforeseen closure last year. Angel enjoys being a part of the FSM team and says working with all our wonderful students is a joy!

Genevieve, a Montessori alumni, was born in Ireland and grew up in Galway where she spent most of her time involved in dance and theatre.  At 16 she discovered her love for teaching and worked as a teacher's assistant at a local performing arts school. 

After attending Newcastle College and Hull University, UK and obtaining a degree in Musical Dance and Theatre, Genevieve secured a job with a top Spanish Performing Company where she spent 8 years dancing and singing professionally around Spain and on cruise-ships.

In 2010 she opened her own dance school in El Puerto de Santa Maria teaching ages 3 – 70! It was here she met her husband Jake. Their daughter Lia was born and then the family moved to Kitsap County, WA, where Genevieve ran the dance program at Bremerton Family YMCA and taught at Irene’s School of Dance, Silverdale.

In 2017, Genevieve and her family moved back to Spain and it was there the family welcomed their son Lowen. Recently, Genevieve made the decision to pursue a career in early childhood education and, having always loved the Montessori Philosophy, decided to look into Montessori training and certification. After returning to Kitsap in June 2021 she was delighted to find First Stage Montessori, located practically on her doorstep. She is so excited to be joining this inspiring team and is confident that her previous experience working with children will blend well with her new role. Genevieve is also fluent in Spanish and also speaks some Gaelic, German and Russian. Genevieve and her family love singing, hiking, bike rides and beaches and she is so excited for this new adventure and for her family once again being part of the Kitsap County community.

Originally from Northern California, Sarah has always had a passion for working with children, which led her to pursue studies in Child Development and Psychology. Her journey began as an in-home Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapist, where she aided children in communication, life skills and fostering emotional growth through engaging activities. 

Now as a devoted mother of three, Sarah has dedicated several years to homeschooling where she customized curricula to suit each child’s individual needs, while cherishing quality family time. 

After completing an Assistant Training Workshop at the Montessori Education Institute of the Pacific Northwest (MEIPN), she has happily joined the team at First Stage Montessori.

Sarah is delighted at the opportunity to guide young minds and strives to inspire curiosity, nurture individuality and cultivate a lifelong love of learning in all children. 

Apart from family time, Sarah enjoys being in nature, gardening, and honing her culinary skills. 

Ashley has always called the Pacific Northwest her home. Her love for books led her to earn a Master’s degree in Library Science with certifications in storytelling and youth services, where she discovered a joy for sharing stories and fostering a love of learning.

As a mother to her young daughter, Juliette, Ashley finds great fulfillment in inspiring young minds and nurturing their curiosity. Theater is another cherished aspect of her life, and she can often be found performing in theaters throughout Kitsap County. She most recently directed shows at North Kitsap high school. 

In her spare time, Ashley enjoys baking and curling up with a good book while enjoying the company of her beloved dogs, Scout and Charlie. She is thrilled to be a member of the FSM family! 

A native of Missouri, and now a permanent resident of Washington State, Max is an important part of the classroom and has been loved by many children over the last few years. Max has an uncanny ability to allow children to feel welcome and relaxed, even helping children that may harbor fears about our four legged friends. Max is frequently read to, petted and loved. He is an important presence, providing the opportunity to learn about canine body language and how to care for a pet, especially as some families may not have a real furry friend at home.