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Author: Alejandro Malespin

Teresa Reed

Teresa was born and raised in the Sugarhouse area of Salt Lake City, and loves the nostalgia of coming home to the community she loves. She has spent most of her adult life raising her 6 children, and running the accounting and office procedures of several different businesses along the way. Teresa loves the outdoors, spending time with her family, reading good books, and spending all her money on her grandchildren.

Kara Rasumussen

Kara grew up in Sandy, Utah, playing outdoors whenever possible, no matter the weather. She follows a legacy of her mother Kristie Jensen and sister Annie Hays in her passion for Early Childhood education. Since the fall of 2020, she has worked in many classrooms at Montessori Community School while working on her degree at the University of Utah. In May of this year, she graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Environmental and Sustainability Studies—Food Systems and Community. She is thrilled to be joining Foothill Montessori of Salt Lake as an Extended Day Guide in the Stars class and an assistant in the Outdoor Classroom for the 2024-25 school year and hopes to inspire love for nature and growing food along the way.

Doug Reed

Doug’s introduction to Montessori was in preschool, where he attended the Gigerbarad House in North Salt Lake, UT, which was a Montessori school. Doug graduated with a degree in finance from the University of Utah and has spent most of his career starting or helping startup companies become financially stable and successful. In July of 2024, Doug and Teresa Reed, along with Catherine and Brian Mathews, purchased FMSL and are excited for the future. Doug has been married for 33 years to his sweet wife Teresa, and they have 6 children, 3 boys and 3 girls. They also have 3 grandkids, with another one due in October. His hobbies include doing anything with his kids or grandchildren.

Noah Gessel

In the spring of 2024, Noah graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies. In the past, their experience with children has involved teaching swimming, gymnastics, and nannying. Being in a school environment has been a dream of theirs. Noah hopes to support the school and staff in any way and provide a unique learning experience. A little known fact about Noah is that their father is in the military and so got moved around the country a lot as a child.

Claudia Navarro

Claudia is from Argentina and is a mother of two youngsters who are her pride and joy. She studied preschool teaching with more than 25 years of experience. She worked as a director in her hometown. She lived in Miami for four years, where she worked as a toddler’s lead teacher. She is interested in working in Montessori Education, and she loves her profession because children are the future. From 2023-24, she worked in the Toddler program and now also supports the Infants class. Claudia is active, professional, responsible, and likes to travel and take on challenges.

Mary Sam Barth

Mary was an FMSL student 2005-2013! Growing on the method she applied it to many parts of her life, especially professionally. She has worked at a variety of places, such as YMCA Counselor, & Stagehand. Mary is excited to return to her roots and help kids find their spark as her teachers did for her! She now attends USU, set on a Music Production degree, Belmont (Nashville, TN), to help others grow their spark. Mary’s a graduate from SLSPA, 2022. Mary was SBO Pres, on hope squad & more!

Carmen Sosa

Carmen was born in Peru, where she studied psychology until life brought her to Utah almost 12 years ago. She was looking for schools for her daughter when she found the Montessori method. She started working at a Montessori school in Park City, where she founded their infant program, and completed her AMS Infant and Toddler Montessori Credential at the Westminster College Institute for Montessori Innovation (IMI). With 9 years of experience working with infants and toddlers, she believes that Montessori education is making a change in the world. In her free time, Carmen enjoys spending time with her family, her 4 children, 3 of them teenagers and one infant, hiking, camping, eating, and cooking.

Meet Carmen Olivera!

Carmen is the new Infant Program Teacher. Carmen was born in Peru, where she studied psychology but life brought her to Utah almost 12 years ago. She was looking for schools for her daughter when she found the Montessori method. She started working at a Montessori school in Park City where she founded their infant program, and completed her AMS Infant and Toddler Montessori Credential at the Westminster College Institute for Montessori Innovation (IMI). With 9 years of experience working with infants and toddlers, she believes that Montessori education is making a change in the world. In her free time Carmen enjoys spending time with her family and two dogs, hiking, camping, eating and cooking. We are delighted that she is joining our staff!

Farewell to Teachers

We are saddened to share the news of our four departing teachers: Ms. Nozomi, Ms. Fernanda, Ms. Alyssa, and Ms. Kayla.

Nozomi first worked with us near the beginning of the Toddler program and it was a real pleasure to work with her. After working with us for a few years her husband took a new position in Texas and their family moved there and stayed for several years. After she returned to Utah we were delighted to offer her a position at our school again and we have appreciated all that she has contributed to our school community and particularly to her students. From Nozomi.

Fernanda has worked at our school since we began our Toddler program so many years ago. She has a special gift for teaching and a deep understanding of the Montessori philosophy which she always practices. Over the many years she has contributed so much to our community and particularly to the students (and their families) she has taught. Our toddler program will be very different without her.

Alyssa also taught at our school near the beginning of our Toddler program but later pursued an alternative career, married and had her lovely little Elanor. This year she returned to teach at our school and joined Fernanda in the Moons class. They have been a close knit team and have offered so much to your children. Our Admin team is very grateful for their contributions. From Fernanda & Alyssa.

Kayla began working as an assistant teacher with Ms. Ruby and it was clear that she had a natural gift as a teacher and was so well suited to working in a Montessori school. After a few years she completed her education to become a Certified Montessori teacher and continued to work with Ruby in the Aspens class. This year she moved to the Magnolias class as the head teacher and has been a wonderful guide and will be really missed by her co-teachers, who will continue to work together with a new certified teacher. It has been such a pleasure to work with Kayla. She always has such a pleasant attitude and is so supportive of her peers and the Administration. We will miss her very much but do understand how close she is to her family and how much she is looking forward to living closer to them. From Kayla.

We wish all these valued teachers the very best in their new adventures, and hope to keep in touch.

Arohanui,

Robyn