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 30 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! Ali 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.  She is also a graduate from the  AMS Instructor Academy, having been accepted into their very first cohort, when the program first began.

Ali has two daughters and is now a grandma to a busy grandson in Seattle. Ali lives in Poulsbo with her husband John and fur baby Maggie.  

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 be part of our wonderful community this year!

Racheal started as a parent with FSM but we quickly snapped her up as a member of staff and she is now entering her third year with us. Racheal has a bachelors degree in communication sciences and disorders from Western Washington University. After attending college, she worked as an SLP-A in Olympia, Washington in the Birth to Three Program. 

Racheal has now been bitten by the Montessori teaching bug and we are delighted that she is currently undertaking her AMS teacher  training certification with MEIPN and will graduate in 2027. 

Racheal loves spending quality time with her husband, two young boys and their dog. Outside of school hours she enjoys the great outdoors and family travels. 

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 at FSM, Angel loves  being outdoors and is an avid gardener. Angel enjoys walking and hiking in the great Pacific Northwest.  Her other hobbies include floral design and cooking.  Angel completed her Assistant Training at MEIPN and is a wonderful and calm presence at school.

Angel has worked at First Stage Montessori since 2012 and enjoys being a part of the FSM team. She finds working with all our wonderful students a joy!

Takako is originally from Japan and is a mother to two adult children. Her husband’s work has provided opportunities for travel and Takako and her family have lived in both Japan and the United States. 

Takako has embraced life in Kitsap County and the Pacific Northwest since arriving in August 2022. 

This will be Takako's second year working at First Stage Montessori where she is passionate about supporting children as they grow and discover new things. 

Takako enjoys singing, watching sports, and undertaking craft projects. Takako looks forward to sharing many fun and joyful moments with the children.

We are very excited that Katie will be joining us this year.  Katie holds a double Masters degree from Western Governor’s University in Elementary Education and Curriculum and Instruction and a  Bachelor’s degree in Human Services from Old Dominion University. 

Katie has worked with children and families through her work in social services and as a substitute teacher within the North Kitsap School District. 

Katie's next chapter has taken her down the path of Montessori education and  she is joining our team at FSM as an Teaching Assistant.  Katie's passion for the Montessori philosophy began eight years ago, after her oldest daughter attended a Montessori school. Since then, all four of Katie's children have attended Montessori programs, with her youngest children both attending FSM. Katie is excited to further build her education profession and is eager to begin her Montessori Teaching Credential in Spring 2027. 

When Katie isn't in the classroom, you’ll find her enjoying time with her family, coaching volleyball, mountain biking, and gardening. 

A native of Washington and now a permanent resident of Poulsbo, Maggie is an important member of the classroom, having joined FSM in 2024. 

Having pets in the classroom provides  opportunities to learn about canine body language and how to care for another living being. 

Maggie is child friendly, frequently petted,  read to, loves playing ball and gets lots of love.