Our Teachers

DIRECTOR

Heidi’s passion for Montessori Education came to her after teaching Public Elementary School for 10 years. For many years she searched for ways to connect deeper with her students. She founded Cedarwood Homeschool in Fall 2013, and this marked the beginning of her reorientation toward education. Cedarwood provided Heidi the opportunity to work with children in small groups and individually, and even hold class outside. The pace was dramatically different than that of the traditional/conventional classroom - she began to notice a certain calmness that changed the ways her students experienced learning.

Heidi was initially inspired to experiment with Waldorf curriculum, which emphasizes storytelling, singing, dancing and even baking with children of all ages. However, after being exposed to the Montessori classroom, she realized the structure itself was a more ideal environment that combined enough academic structure and individual freedom.

With almost 20 years of working with children, a WA Teaching Credential and AMS Certification, Heidi feels blessed to have found her true passion.

EARLY CHILDHOOD ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

Jeni has loved teaching since her time as a literacy instructor with AmeriCorps in 2006. She began volunteering at a local Montessori preschool in 2008 and continued as her Montessori journey in infant, toddler and early childhood classrooms in Western Washington and Beaufort, South Carolina. After her years of teaching, Jeni will be returning to Fiddlehead for the 2023-2024 school year as the Early Childhood Assistant Director.

She loves being a part of a learning community that emphasizes the well-being, innate curiosity, and unique nature of every child. She knows how important it is to build relationships between children, teachers and families as to best advocate for the needs of your children. She is looking forward to the second year of the Early Childhood classroom being open after helping start the program last year.

Outside of school, Jeni enjoys spending time with her daughter, seeing friends and family, hiking, going to the beach, reading, listening to music, and exploring our beautiful surrounding areas. Jeni has a Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences from the University of Washington and her AMS early childhood teaching credential. You will be able to find Jeni in the classroom, at school events, answering questions, and offering support to families. She is excited to be able to lend her passion, skills and experience with families, children, staff and our community.

UPPER ELEMENTARY LEAD TEACHER

Cindy began her career as a public school teacher, but upon walking into a Montessori classroom for the first time, she discovered her true calling. The vibrant learning community she observed set her on the path to Montessori education, and in the 30 years since then, Cindy has worked as a lead guide in Montessori elementary classrooms along the west coast, in Hawaii, and in Switzerland. She also trains teachers for the Montessori Education Institute of the Pacific Northwest, and published on a variety of Montessori topics.

Cindy has a B.A. degree in Philosophy from U.C. Santa Cruz, an M.Ed. degree from Chaminade University in Honolulu, and AMS certification for Elementary 1 and 2. Upon returning to the Pacific Northwest in 2022, she joined the Fiddlehead Montessori community, where her students remind her daily of the joys of teaching and learning together.

LOWER ELEMENTARY LEAD TEACHER

Teacher Melody (she/her) is excited to join our learning community as our Lower Elementary teacher. She brings her enthusiasm for learning to Fiddlehead in her belief that The Universe is our classroom, learning is everywhere and comes from everyone. Homeschooling her children and teaching at a local homeschool cooperative, Melody later transitioned to public school working with students with special needs and as a substitute teacher. A student of psychology with a Masters in Elementary Education Melody was delighted to discover many of the educational journeys she intuitively took with her own children and her students aligned with her Montessori training.

Living in the Pacific Northwest since 2000, Melody still doesn’t own an umbrella. She and her children enjoy night kayaking to see the bioluminescence, hiking, biking, and house projects. They hope to build a greenhouse soon.

EARLY CHILDHOOD LEAD TEACHER

Beck (she/they) has a passion for the outdoors and has worked for over a decade with young children in different informal outdoor and formal educational settings. Beck's curiosity about the workings of life and nature were spurred on through their own Montessori journey as a child, which led to studying biology and the environment in college. After teaching environmental education to all ages for many years, working in a Montessori classroom feels like coming home. Beck firmly believes that children are already experts in their own lives, that students are the drivers of their learning, and we make meaning of the world by constructing knowledge through our senses.

Beck enjoys traveling, music, hiking and camping, easy backyard bird watching, gardening, drawing comics and making art.

Beck holds a B.S. in Biology from Guilford College and a Masters in Education (Science Curriculum and Instruction) from the University of Washington.

EARLY CHILDHOOD ASSISTANT TEACHER

Kyra has enjoyed teaching children for more than 20 years. After being a gymnastic instructor for young children and homeschooling her own children, she knew that teaching was her passion. She is currently acquiring a degree in Early Childhood Education.

When not teaching young children, you can find Kyra spending time with friends and family or hiking and kayaking around Fidalgo Island.

She is excited about the opportunity to learn more about the Montessori Method and cannot wait to bring compassion and patience into the classroom. She feels that all children learn in their individual ways and wants to assist them in finding their very own path.

EARLY CHILDHOOD ASSISTANT TEACHER

Cristi has over 25 years experience with young children and early learning. She is very happy to be part of the Fiddlehead preschool program and describes it as “her happy place”!

She has spent many years working in our community with local programs for children and families. As well as teaching parenting classes through the Anacortes School District. She has been an American Red Cross volunteer and a school district volunteer.

She has 4 grown children and 6 grandchildren that she loves spending time with.

She is looking forward to working and getting to know your children.