Our Staff
Working together as an educational team, we create an environment conducive to creative learning, the catalyst for freeing every child’s potential. Our greatest success is to be able to say, “The children are working as if I did not exist.” (Maria Montessori)
Administration Office

Jeanne Johnson
Administrator
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About Jeanne Johnson

Candie Massey
Finance Director
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About Candie Massey

Karadean Grayson
Director of Special Education
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About Karadean Grayson

Lea Ann Jacobs
School Secretary
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Biography
About Lea Jacobs
Lea Ann Jacobs was born in California but has lived in Southeast Idaho most of her life. After raising her children, she attended Idaho State University and Brigham Young University–Idaho. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in university studies from BYU-I, with a minor in sociology and clusters in psychology and history. She came to the school in 2018 and has worked as a TA and office assistant. She enjoys reading, sewing, and spending time with her family, especially her two grandchildren.

Shanna Nunez
Administrative Assistant
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About Shanna Nunez
Teachers
Lower Elementary

Tiffany Ford
Grades 1–2
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About Tiffany Ford

Linda Rivers
Grades 1–2
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About Linda Rivers
I am originally from Salt Lake City, Utah. I have lived in Anchorage, Alaska most of my adult life. I moved to Idaho to be closer to my family. I have been teaching for 27 years, working in the Anchorage School District for 22 years. I have many years of experience in the classroom and worked as a social emotional health specialist. The gifted program was another experience I had in Alaska. I was also a teacher for 10 years in the Japanese Partial Immersion Second Language Program.
I am truly excited to be at Monticello Montessori Charter School. I have always wanted to work in a Montessori program. I love working with the primary students. Everyone at this school has been so welcoming and nice. Thank you for allowing me to join your program and staff. I am excited to be here!

Nancy Coburn
Grades 2–3
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About Nancy Coburn
Mrs. Coburn is from Buenos Aires, Argentina, born and raised. She studied at Brigham Young University - Idaho and became a certified elementary education teacher. She has six years of experience as an ESL teacher and now she enjoys teaching at a Montessori school. “Mrs. C.”, like her students call her, is married and has a five year old son. Her favorite pass times are crafting and watching movies with her family.
Middle Elementary

Heather Burke
Grades 3–4
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About Heather Burke
Upper Elementary

Taylor Wilhelm
Grade 5
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About Taylor Wilhelm
Taylor Wilhelm grew up in Saint Cloud, Florida. He graduated from Brigham Young University-Idaho with a B.S. in Health Psychology, and is working on his Teacher's Certification through the ABCTE program. Taylor loves reading and loves helping others love reading, too. He has an 11-year-old dog and two cool cats.
Taylor came to Monticello Montessori as a CBRS
and was recruited as the school Counselor. He soon discovered his love for
teaching and when a teaching position opened at the school, he applied. Taylor has a great rapport with the students and looks forward to working with them as their teacher.

Richard Gines
Grade 6
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About Richard Gines
Middle School

Ralph Armstrong
Grades 7-8
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About Ralph Armstrong
Kindergarten

Pauline Asche
Kindergarten
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Biography
About Pauline Asche
My passion for Montessori education began after receiving my bachelor’s degree in social work from San Diego State University. I had worked with groups, ranging from the homeless to individuals three to 18 years of age with Autism or developmental delay. I received a master’s degree in education Montessori 3–6 from Notre Dame de Namur University. Before joining Monticello Montessori, I had taught pre- kindergarten and kindergarten for 17 years in the private sector. I continued my education by earning a master’s degree in education, school psychology at Idaho State University. This is my first opportunity to teach Montessori kindergarten at a public school. I am very excited about this new adventure.
Support Team

Karadean Grayson
Special Education
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About Karadean Grayson

LeAnn Marudas
Title 1
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Biography
About LeAnn Marudas
LeAnn was born in Minnesota and went to college at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education. She moved to Virginia in 2005 and taught fifth and first grade. She then moved to South Carolina with her husband who is in the US Navy and taught first grade for a few years. She moved back to Virginia in 2013 and took a break from teaching for a few years to spend time with her children. They transferred to Idaho in 2016. LeAnn and her family love to go camping and just be outdoors and enjoying what Idaho and the bordering states have to offer.

Oscar Reyes
Counselor
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