Our Staff
"Adults are just outdated children."
Dr. Seuss
Sarah Brown
Head of School
Sarah Brown is originally from Oregon, where she had the wonderful experience of attending Montessori school as a child. She had such a valuable experience that she decided to study Montessori education in college. She has a B.S. in elementary education from Oregon State University, an AMI Montessori teaching certificate for ages three to six from the Montessori Institute Northwest, and a Masters in Montessori Education from Loyola College.
Sarah has been involved in Flathead Valley Montessori Schools as a teacher, administrator, and parent since 2007. She joined KME in 2020 as Head of School. You might find her gardening, cooking, skiing, or camping in her spare time with her husband and two children in beautiful Montana.
You can reach Sarah directly at sarah@kalispellmontessori.com.
Lara Mann
Assistant Director
Lara moved to the Flathead Valley in 2017 from Jackson, Wyoming where she worked at Teton Science Schools. She received her bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies and a Masters degree in Natural Science Education. Lara is also certified by the American Montessori Society for ages three to six years old and has worked in Montessori Schools for the last seven years.
Lara loves riding her bike, hiking, skiing and spending time exploring all the valley has to offer. In her spare time, you can find Lara working on local farms, and picking huckleberries.
Lara can be reached at frontdesk@kalispellmontessori.com (as well as all general inquiries).
David Cummings
Middle School Teacher
David grew up here in the Flathead Valley and has been with KME since 2001. David participated as a foreign exchange student in Latvia through the AFS Intercultural Program and continues to volunteer for them. He received his bachelor's degree in biochemistry from MSU-Bozeman in 1997. This is where he met his wife, Dawn, and together they joined the Peace Corp in 1999 and taught ESL in Morocco.
He began at KME as an assistant to Terry Welder in the Elementary II classroom. In the summer of 2002 he traveled to New York to receive 6-12 grade training at the Center for Montessori Teacher Education (now known as CME) and is certified by AMS. He has been teaching in the EII classroom ever since.
David has two daughters, both of whom have completed Montessori schooling. He loves spending time with his family, and has a true passion for bird hunting and bicycles.
David can be reached at davidc@kalispellmontessori.com.
Kami Doty
Elementary II Teacher
Kami graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Montana. She also holds an American Montessori Society certificate for ages 6-9 (and was trained by our very own Terry Welder, David Cummings, and Marli Davis).
In 2021 Kami expanded her Montessori training to cover ages 9-12. Kami comes to KME with 15 years of experience teaching Montessori elementary education at Helena Flats School.
Kami lives in Kalispell with her husband and two daughters. Kami is very much looking forward to expanding her Montessori knowledge and working with students in the next plane of development.
Kami can be reached at Kami@kalispellmontessori.com.
Sarah Kirchner
Elementary II Teacher
Sarah was born and raised here in the Flathead Valley. After receiving an associates degree from FVCC she traveled to Honduras and spent two years working as a tutor in math and English. Upon returning to Montana, she followed her passion for teaching and learning by pursuing a degree in Elementary Education. Sarah has been with KME since 2019 as an E2 classroom assistant. In 2022 Sarah decided to get her upper Elementary Education certification through the American Montessori Society.
When not in the classroom, you can find Sarah doing just about anything outdoors. She especially loves time in her garden or out rock climbing.
Sarah can be reached at SarahK@kalispellmontessori.com.
Heather Hollis
Elementary I Teacher
Heather has been with KME since 2007. She began her teaching career as a public school teacher in southern California. She graduated with a B.A. in Liberal Studies and minored in Theater Arts. She completed her teaching credential and Masters in Education at UC Davis. Heather holds a current MT K-8 teaching certificate as well as Montessori I and II credentials. Her desire to meet and impact every student at his/her own level and her curiosity about Montessori drew her to KME. She has since provided tutoring, coached soccer, assisted in drama camps, taught EI, EII, and worked as an administrator.
Heather lives in the Flathead Valley with her husband and two daughters. They love hiking, biking, and kayaking adventures and enjoy having Glacier National Park in their "backyard."
Heather can be reached at heather@kalispellmontessori.com.
Katarina Houser
Elementary I Teacher
Katarina grew up in the small town of Sedona, Arizona where she taught lower elementary Montessori classes for 10 years. Katarina believes strongly in the Montessori philosophy and supporting a child's independence and love of learning.
Katarina has a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Arizona State University and an American Montessori Society certification for ages 6-9 from Arizona Montessori Teacher Education. When she is not in the classroom, Katarina may be found hiking with her husband and two young boys, exploring National and State Parks, rock climbing, reading, or knitting.
Katarina can be reached at Katarina@kalispellmontessori.com
Garrett Myers
Elementary I Teacher
Garrett was born and raised in Homer, Alaska. He has had a varied background that includes playing KIJHL hockey in British Columbia, attending UVSC in Orem, Utah and Montana State University graduating with a B.S. in Economics (go Cats!).
After college he started a career in finance and lending in Anchorage, Alaska.
Garrett got into education in 2016 through an alternative licensure program called PACE after moving to South Carolina. Garrett has written and taught many curriculums ranging from Entrepreneurship to Foundations of Animation.
Garrett, his wife, and 3 boys enjoy hiking, riding pump tracks, and fun walks around the neighborhood.
He is very excited that he has made the jump into Montessori education and to help each student meet their creative potential.
Garrett can be reached at garrett@kalispellmontessori.com.
Heather Dolan
Spanish & Aftercare Director
Heather is originally from Pennsylvania, then moved to the Flathead Valley in 1998. She has degrees in Spanish, elementary education and guidance counseling, as well as pre-k Montessori. Heather has traveled quite extensively throughout Mexico and South America working at several language schools. Since moving to Montana, she has worked as a private homeschool teacher, as well as at the Bigfork Middle School, Children's House Montessori, Stumptown Art Studio, and now KME.
Heather has a daughter, and enjoys traveling, gardening, kayaking, and camping.
CJ Dalrymple
Fine Arts Teacher & Facilities Manager
C.J. moved to the valley from Colorado, and has worked in education for over 20 years. She started her adventure at an outdoor education program, and has worked as an upper elementary and middle school classroom teacher, as well as, a few administrative support roles throughout her career. Her lifetime love of art and creativity led her into a role of teaching the arts for 3 years at a homeschool enrichment program in Denver, while also serving as the Assistant Director.
CJ has a bachelor's degree in Biology (Zoology) with a Minor in Environmental Studies and Planning which included a summer program in Kenya, Africa to study wildlife management. She received her teaching credential from San Diego State University and received the Phil Halfaker award for outstanding student teacher from over 300 participants. Her last great travel led her to Antarctica where she worked for two Austral summers and met her husband. C.J. and her husband moved to the Flathead Valley in 2022 from Denver, Colorado with their 8 year old daughter, Finley.
Alexis Kinder
Middle School Assistant
Alexis is originally from Wisconsin, and relocated to the Flathead Valley in 2020. In 2019 she completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Sport Science and Psychology from Marian University. Alexis has been working with children for a few years in different capacities. She coaches soccer and hockey for high school teams in the valley. This is Alexis’s first year at KME, and she is so excited to dive in, and learn about the Montessori philosophy. In her free time Alexis enjoys being outside as much as possible, hiking, skiing, playing soccer, and spending time with her dog, Kootenai.
Marli Davis
Mentor Teacher
Marli was born and raised in the Flathead Valley. She graduated from the University of Montana with a degree in Elementary Education. After teaching in public schools for a number of years she attended Seattle University and earned her American Montessori Society Credential for ages 6-9. She taught at Kalispell Montessori for 27 years, including one year as the administrator, before retiring in 2008. Now Marli works part time as a mentor and consultant, supporting teachers and students in Curriculum and Culture. In her free time Marli enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, gardening and reading a good book.