The staff at the Franciscan Montessori Earth School are opening pathways for children to learn, collaborate, and grow into thriving young people every day. Their diverse experience and expertise, in addition to their dedication, fosters each student’s individuality within a community of respect and kindness.
Inspiring children to expand their mind, nurture their spirit, and steward the Earth since 1977.
Head of School
Sister Therese Gutting, F.S.E.
sistertheresegutting@fmes.org
Started at FMES: 2012
Education: B.S., M.Ed. & Ed.D.
Sister Therese taught at Queen of Peace Catholic School in Cloquet, Minnesota. Concurrently, she served as an adjunct faculty member, teaching business at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College (FDLTCC) in the evenings. In 2001, Sister Therese became Vice President of Academic Affairs, a post she held until 2009. Sister Therese founded and directed the Northwoods Computer Center while in Duluth. She returned to Queen of Peace as principal in 2009. Sister Therese came to the Franciscan Montessori the Earth School in 2012 and has been instrumental in our growth and advancement.
ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR
Sister Angela Marie Castellani, F.S.E.
sisterangelamarie@fmes.org
Started at FMES: 2023
Education: Judicial Degree and a Masters in Law Professions from University of Perugia, Italy
Sister Angela Marie Castellani, FSE, is a Franciscan Sister of the Eucharist. A native of Italy, she earned a Judicial Degree and a Master in Law Professions from the University of Perugia, Italy and became a lawyer. After joining the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist in Meriden, Connecticut, USA, in 2005, Sister Angela Marie earned a Master Degree in Theology and taught high school Scriptures, Church History and Morality. Since 2015 and before joining the FMES family in April 2023, she served in the Archdiocese of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, first as an instructor and campus minister at Corpus Christi and Saint Mark’s College and then as the Coordinator for Adult Faith Formation and Catechesis for the Archdiocese of Vancouver.
Children's House
Tracie Ott
Guide, Fir Room
Started at FMES: 1997
Education: B.A. in Human Studies. AMI Primary Diploma. Member of AMI, NAMTA, OMA.
Epi Santillan Garcia
Assistant, Fir Room
Started at FMES: 2008
Education: Graduated from a Preschool Teacher’s course and the Montessori Children’s House Assistant course.
Priscilla Winning
Head Guide, Larch Room
Started at FMES: 1985
Education: B.A. in Education and Social Science. AMI Primary Diploma. Member of AMI, NAMTA, and OMA.
Gwen Pester
Jamie Greene
Guide, Redwood Room
Started at FMES:2023
Education: BA in Spanish and Minor in Studio Arts. MED in Primary Montessori Education. AMI Primary Montessori Diploma. Catechesis of The Good Shepherd Atrium Level 1 certificate.
Natalie Racanelli
Assistant, Redwood Room
Started at FMES: 2023
Education: B.A. in Literature. Elementary Education Multiple Subject Teaching Credential.
Lower Elementary
Lorelea McAfee
Head Guide, Alder Room
Started at FMES: 2005
Education: B.S. in Literature and Biology/Math. M.Ed. AMI Elementary Diploma. Certified at the Associate Level in Orton-Gillingham language development.
Tess Stevens-Wahl
Daphney Pranzetti
Guide, Spruce Room
Started at FMES: 2023
Education: B.S. in Elementary Education. Major in Early Childhood Education. Master of Arts in Teaching English Language. AMI Elementary Diploma.
Seth Burnham
Assistant, Spruce Room
email coming soon
Started at FMES: August 2022
Education: Classical Performance, Mountview Theatre School, London, England
Julie Ann Cassidy
Head Guide, Pine Room
Started at FMES: 2020
Education: B.A. in Sociology. M.A. in Child Welfare. AMI Primary and Elementary Diplomas. Member of EAA, AMI and OMA.
Keltik Schwabel
Assistant, Pine Room
Started at FMES: 2021
Education: Associate of Arts, with the major credited to Oregon Transfer
Upper Elementary
Gladys Munoz
Head Guide, Willow Room
Started at FMES: 2001
Education: B.S. in Chemical Engineering. OBMC Montessori Elementary Certificate. M.A. in Education Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).
Chana Phaedra
Assistant, Willow Room
Started at FMES: 2023
Education: B.S. in Psychology. M.S. in Cognition and Neuroscience.
Faith Olinger
Guide, Maple Room
Started at FMES: 2023
Education: Education: B.S. Elementary Education. M.A. Montessori Studies. Montessori Diploma 6-12. Teacher Certificate for Florida, Oregon and Hong Kong SAR.
Andrew Paris
Sister Mary Kolbe Heffern
Guide, Oak Room
Started at FMES: 2023
Education: B.A. Catholic Studies and Spanish. M.A. Theology. AMI Elementary Diploma. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Atrium Level 1 Certificate. Member of AMI.
Carrie Cox
Assistant, Oak Room
Started at FMES: 2022
Education: B.S. in Philosophy, B.S. in Liberal Studies. AMI assistant certificate. Member of AMI.
Middle School
Jennifer Waters
Guide, Middle School Co-Coordinator
Started at FMES: 2014
Education: B.A. in English and minor in Professional Writing. MAT. AMI/NAMTA Montessori Orientation Programme to Adolescent Studies Diploma.
Isaac Brocker
Guide, Middle School Co-Coordinator
Started at FMES: 2014
Education: B.S. in Biology. AMI/NAMTA Montessori Orientation Programme to Adolescent Studies Diploma.
Sister Angela Marie Castellani, F.S.E.
Religious Studies, Clare Hall
Started at FMES: 2023
Education: Judicial Degree and a Masters in Law Professions from University of Perugia, Italy
Ashley Crawley
Writing, Clare Hall
Started at FMES: August 2022
Education: B.A. in Anthropology. M.A. in Liberal Arts Writing
John Kenagy
Guide, Math
Started at FMES: 2017
Education: B.A. in Philosophy. AMI Elementary Diploma. Member of AMI, NAMTA and OMA.
Keika Ruttan
Lunch Program, Clare Hall
Stated at FMES: August 2022
MA Staff
Kathy Tyler
Sibilina Chanocua
Kim Muncie
Rita Khokaz
Assistant, MA
Started at FMES: August 2022
Education: Bachelor's degree in teaching.
Special Classes
Marc Boucher-Colbert
Garden Specialist
Started at FMES: 2006
Education: B.A. in Religious Studies. M.A. in Educational Policy and Foundations.
Angela Duran
Linda Kaiel
Atrium Guide
Started at FMES: 1983
Education: B.A. in Liberal Arts, magna cum laude. AMI Montessori Primary Diploma. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd training certificates for Level I (3-6) Level II (6-9) and Level III (9-12).
Jocelyn Mueller
German Instructor
Started at FMES: 2022
Education: B.A. of Fine Arts (German and Biology). Phd. in Biology (Ethnobotany). German Language Certification Goethe Institute and German Sprach Diplom for Higher Education.
Liz Smith
Atrium Assistant
Started at FMES: 1992
Education: B.A. of Fine Arts. M.A. in Pastoral Ministry. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd training certificates for CH (3-6) LE (6-9) and UE (9-12).
Carol Swope
Tutor
Started at FMES: 2023
Education: M.A. in Education. Member of IDA (International Dyslexia Association) Oregon Branch.
Scott Warner
Physical Education
Started at FMES: 2014
Education: B.A. in Psychology. Class “E” coaching license from the US Soccer Federation.
Support Staff
Carrie Crimin
School Nurse
Started at FMES: 2020
Education: B.S. in Nursing. M.A. of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine.
Peter Einwaller
Business Manager
Started at FMES: 2000
Education: B.A.in Business Administration with double major in Marketing and Finance, Minor in Psychology.
Judy Foss
School Counselor
Started at FMES: 1994
Education: B.S. and M.S. in Health Education. M.A. in Counseling Psychology. State of Oregon Professional Counselor License.
Lydia Junewick
Librarian
Started at FMES: 2011
Education: B.A. in History. Phi Alpha Theta. Master of Library Science. Montessori Education studies.
Ryan Malone
William Mathieson III
Melissa McGuire
Mary Owings
Mary Perry
Sherwen Sells
Bookkeeper, Accounts Payable
Started at FMES: 2019
Education: B.A. in Accounting. M.A. in Business Administration with a major in Accounting and Finance. Philippine Certified Public Accountant Licensure.
Lisa Tran
Admissions Director
Started at FMES: 2023
Education: B.A. and M.A. in English Literature
Ellie Vy
Michael Winning
Advancement Director
Started at FMES: 1984
Education: B.A. and M.A. in English Literature. AMI Montessori Primary Diploma.