Author: Alejandro Malespin

Joshi Haskell

Written by Alejandro Malespin on October 11, 2022. Posted in Admin Staff, Staff Bios.

Joshi (pronounced Yoshi) has been a dedicated Montessori Guide since 2009, bringing a wealth of experience and passion to her role as Assistant Administrator. A proud alumna of Montessori herself, she earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Utah in 2005. Joshi furthered her expertise by completing the NAMTA/AMI Introduction to Adolescent Studies in Cleveland, OH in 2012 and the CMSTEP Curriculum course in 2016.

Her diverse career includes roles as an Elementary and Secondary Montessori Teacher, Physio-Neuro Therapist, nanny, tutor, graphic designer, accounts payable clerk, and specialist in art and physical education. Joshi’s commitment to nurturing students is evident in every aspect of her professional journey.

Outside of the classroom, Joshi is an avid outdoors enthusiast, an art creator, and enjoys quality time with her husband, family, and friends. Her blend of professional experience and personal interests makes her a dynamic and engaging educator.

Donda Hartsfield

Written by Alejandro Malespin on October 11, 2022. Posted in Specialty Staff, Staff Bios.

Donda has been working as an outdoor educator for the last 17 years, designing and facilitating a four-season outdoor program for ages 3–12. She specializes in developing hands-on engagement and exploration of nature through ecology, biomimicry, gardening, and direct interaction with nature in all seasons. Donda facilitates learning through interactive materials, activities, games, and natural discoveries, with an emphasis on local exploration of habitats, lab experience, and field trips. She loves seeing children connect with nature and learn from it through curiosity, exploration, and creativity.

In 2023, Donda completed the Biomimicry for Educators program through Learn Biomimicry, which has fueled her passion for inspiring children to lean into nature’s genius as mentor, model, and measure.

Donda enjoys hiking, biking, kayaking, dancing, gardening, writing, and tea parties.

Daniela Ramirez

Written by Alejandro Malespin on October 11, 2022. Posted in Infant Staff, Staff Bios.

Daniela is very shy, caring, humble, and nurturing. She grew up in Southern California in a small town called Ridgecrest, then moved to Utah when she was 13 years old. Daniela has been working at FBCCC for 5 years with the 12-18 month old children. She chose to work in a Montessori environment to learn how these children learn through self-directed play, hands-on, and being more independent.

Cinthya Barajas

Written by Alejandro Malespin on October 11, 2022. Posted in Early Childhood Staff, Staff Bios.

Cinthya Barajas was born in Baja, Mexico. She worked as an ESL teacher at a private school for 6 years, in which she taught students from 1st through 6th grade. While teaching, she attended the University of Baja, where she obtained her degree for teaching English in elementary schools. She moved to Salt Lake City in February 2001 and continued her education at Salt Lake Community College for an introduction to Utah schools. She joined the FMSL staff in 2007 and received her Early Childhood Montessori credential through the North American Montessori Center (NAMC). She really enjoys being part of children’s educational development, which is extremely rewarding. She truly believes that learning should be fun and a memorable experience, and therefore activities, songs, and manipulative materials should be used to reinforce and develop the children’s learning capabilities. In her spare time, she enjoys going to the movies, plays, music, and spending time with great friends.

Carson Woodard

Written by Alejandro Malespin on October 10, 2022. Posted in Elementary Staff, Staff Bios.

Carson Woodard has nurtured young minds at Montessori Community School since 2018. His dedication to his craft deepened in November 2023 when he earned his Upper Elementary credentials from the International Montessori Council.

Beyond the classroom, Carson’s passion for language takes center stage. When not inspiring young minds as a Montessori guide, he explores his love for writing and poetry. And to balance his intellectual pursuits, Carson enjoys spending quality time with his partner, her two kids, and their dog, Anubis. He is an adventurous person, often found snowboarding, backpacking, climbing, running, or simply soaking up the beauty of the outdoors.

Amanda Bywaters

Written by Alejandro Malespin on October 10, 2022. Posted in Staff Bios, Support Staff.

Amanda is a native Oregonian and grew up in Lake Oswego. Her love of working with children guided her to work in the school district she attended as a child, even working with some of her former teachers. There, her focus was in the area of Special Education for the Lake Oswego School district, where she worked for 17 years. Amanda, her husband, and two children decided to change scenery and move to Utah in November 2020. As lovers of the outdoors, they settled right in. Going on family hikes, enjoying local farmers markets, and exploring new places are their favorite things to do together. Amanda began her Montessori journey at MCS in the fall of 2021, bringing a wealth of knowledge and passion for teaching social emotional learning to her role as Student Support Coordinator. Amanda is inspired by the Montessori philosophy and enjoys working with and learning from kids of all ages.

Introducing Jennifer Taylor

Written by Alejandro Malespin on October 7, 2022. Posted in Blog.

We are delighted to introduce you to Jennifer Taylor who has joined FMSL as our school nurse.

Jennifer’s mother is a Montessori teacher, Jen was a Montessori student and her children also attended a Montessori school. She is a perfect fit for our school.

“I am a Louisiana native that has lived in Utah for 15 years. I am married with two children and three step children, four of which are all one year apart in age from each other. I’ve earned a double Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration and in Nursing. I’ve known since a young age that my passion and purpose are with caring for others, and I have worked in multiple different aspects of health care from policy to bedside over the past 13 years. In my down time, I enjoy spending time with my family camping, hiking, and simply enjoying the beautiful outdoors.”

The school nurse position was made possible through a grant administered by the Utah Department of Health- To establish, expand, and sustain a public health workforce within K-12 Schools to support jurisdictional COVID-19 prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery initiatives.

Annual Staff Community Service

Written by Alejandro Malespin on October 5, 2022. Posted in Blog.

The FMSL Annual Staff Community Service project was started in 2021. On that first Professional Development day of the 2021-22 academic year, staff participated in beautifying the gardens of FMSL by planting approximately 100 spring blooming bulbs throughout the grounds.

This year staff were offered a choice of projects to participate in.

Garden Makeover – Design and plan for a do-over of 1700 south entry and driveway gardens to provide year round color and form.

Garden Love – Weed, prune, and tidy the existing gardens.

Flower Power – Plant spring flowering bulbs.

Project Linus – Make no-sew fleece blankets for children in crisis.

Robyn’s Message to the Community – MEF Giving Project

Written by Alejandro Malespin on October 5, 2022. Posted in Blog.

Adopt a Native Elder (ANE)

Each year we hold fundraisers, such as the Fun Run, in which our students participate, in order to earn money to go towards our Giving Projects. The funds are donated to Montessori Educational Foundation (M.E.F ), the non-profit arm of the school that currently is used exclusively for charitable purposes.

For many years we have sponsored two or three Navajo grandmothers. Currently our grandmothers are – Grandmother Elvira Horseherder and Grandmother Anita Jackson. Throughout the year we provide food (which is taken to the reservations during the twice yearly food runs), food certificates, yarn for weaving that are then sold at the Deer Valley Rug Show, Firewood or payments towards electrical bills, Walmart certificates for them to buy clothing, gardening tools and other basic needs.

The support of the sponsors make it possible for the elders to remain on the reservations where they are most happy, can continue to live their traditional lives and to enrich the lives of their families.

Prior to Covid when our grandmothers come to Deer Valley to sell their rugs we are able to take some of our students to meet them and attend the education programs. It was a wonderful opportunity. There were evening events also that families could attend. Over the last two years the Rug Sale has been virtual and this year it will be again. Perhaps next year there will be an in person event.

Best wishes,

Robyn Eriwata-Buchanan