Meet Our Staff

Meet Our Staff

The administration and staff at Grand Forks Montessori Academy / The Little Scholar Ship are highly trained, talented, and love working with children. We believe that great teachers are our best asset.

Administration

Miss Carey

Miss Carey

Owner & Executive Director


Carey holds a Masters in Montessori Leadership and is proud to support the efforts of the great teachers and staff that make GFMA what it is today. She began her Montessori journey nearly 19 years ago, following the birth of her first child. While raising her own five children, she continued with formal Montessori training and guidance from AMS-certified teachers; and received her Montessori Teaching Diplomas for children ages 0-3, 3-6, and 6-9 years. In addition to several published articles, she was selected to present a workshop at the Montessori Foundation’s 19th Annual International Montessori Conference. She is also a proud Rotarian dedicated to service, and has been a featured speaker at Rotary International Clubs in the United States, discussing Montessori methodology in early childhood education.

     Miss Carey has remained committed to the values and mission of the school for the past 15 years, since her own children began at the school in 2007. With a team of amazing and talented, dedicated teachers, Carey provides the support, training, encouragement, and most importantly, the autonomy, for them to be able to do what they do best — guiding the child and partnering with parents like you to foster a bright future.

Miss Shelly

Miss Shelly

Preschool Director & Montessori Lead


Miss Shelly has been a part of the GFMA/Little Scholar Ship Family for nearly 30 years. It is an understatement to say she has had a profound impact on the children in our community — teaching, guiding and helping them to be their best and having a positive impact on their futures.

     Shelly holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a minor in Visual Arts, with additional coursework in Elementary Education from UND. She acquired her Montessori Teaching Diploma in 2001 after having been mentored and assisted AMS Montessori teachers for nearly 10 years at Little Scholar Ship. Miss Shelly remains involved with Montessori and early childhood development continuing education, and helped with the initial certification of GFMA's Nature Explore Certified Outdoor Classroom, the first in North Dakota. Shelly is one of the most resourceful, creative, effective and dedicated teachers, who actively pursues continuous education within the Childcare, Montessori, and Outdoor Education spheres. An avid volunteer, she has developed numerous skills volunteering with the Boy Scouts, and continues active volunteer work with Sunday School and Vacation Bible School.

Miss Trisha

Childcare Director


Miss Trisha, a Nationally Credentialed Childcare Director, has been a part of the GFMA Family since 2016, keeping everyone informed, organized and happy. A graduate of UND, Miss Trisha had extensive coursework in Elementary Education before realizing that the public sector in education was not the direction she wanted to go. As a people person who enjoys connecting and learning in non-traditional ways, Miss Trisha found herself drawn to the hospitality industry and worked for many years overseeing staffing, daily management, and customer relations. Her many years’ experience as a manager of the Hilton Garden Inn and the CanadInn provided Miss Trisha with valuable experience working not only with guests and staff, but also safety and health regulations that foster healthy environments for people of all ages.

     Trisha feels at home in the education field where she can apply the level of professionalism only gained through experience, as well as work with both children and adults as they grow in supportive learning environments. She continues her professional development in the field of Early Childhood Education and Administration in a Montessori setting.

GFMA Staff

Miss Ashley

Lead Childcare Teacher, Nido (Infant & Toddler Community)


Miss Ashley has been working with kids since 2010 and graduated from Northland Technical College in 2015 with a degree in Early Childhood. Originally from Louisiana, she moved to Grand Forks when she was two years old. She has been at Grand Forks Montessori nearly 3 years, and continues to enjoy learning about the method everyday. She loves working with with kids of all ages, but especially toddlers. Miss Ashley's hobbies include reading, gaming, and legos. She has 3 reptiles, two geckos and one skink, and would love to have more!

Miss Kaitlyn

Assistant Teacher


Miss Kaitlyn graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead and holds a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. After teaching in the public school, she had a desire to learn more about the Montessori Method. She has always had a passion for education and values positive learning environments. As a life-long learner, Miss Kaitlyn enjoys keeping active with continuing professional development. Besides her interest in pedagogy, she also enjoy playing piano, spending time with family, and being outdoors.

Miss Shuna

Assistant Teacher


Miss Shuna recently joined GFMA and is a great assistant to Miss Shelly. We look forward to sharing more about her!

Miss Mare

Substitute Teacher (ND licensed: K-12)


Since 2017, Miss Mare has brought us a unique skill set. With degrees in Elementary Education, Music Education, and a background in Spanish language education, Miss Mare has taught at preschool, elementary, and high school levels in both the private and public school sectors. She loves the theatre and has directed student productions for 20 years. Miss Mare is also a fantastic seamstress, lending her skills to the classroom and special activities. Professional, diplomatic, and well-liked by all, Ms. Mare knows how to balance and enjoy life; sharing her enthusiasm for learning with all.

Your Picture Here! Join our team!

Childcare Assistant


Your Picture Here! Join our team!

Childcare Assistant


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