Faculty and Staff
pRIMARY | LOON’S NEST TEAM
Elizabeth (Liz) Greenleaf | MRS Greenleaf
Head Teacher, Loon’s Nest Primary Classroom
Liz joined the DMS team during the summer of 2021. She is a long-time Montessori parent of three children, who all attend DMS.
Liz studied child development at Southern Maine Community College, earning her certification in 2007. She has over 15 years of experience working in child care, both in facilities and as a private nanny. She also worked for six years in health care before her own children were born.
Liz’s Montessori education is through the Age of Montessori, AMS Affiliated.
Liz loves being out in nature with her family, cooking meals (especially for other people), and photography.
Allison Roberts | Mrs. Roberts
Assistant Teacher, Loon’s Nest Primary Classroom
Allison began working at DMS in 2008. In 2014 she stayed home to raise two children. In 2017 she returned to DMS as a parent and a staff member. Allison has a Bachelor’s in Communication Sciences and Disorders, with a minor in Child Development. Her Montessori education is through the Age of Montessori.
Allison was born and raised in Northern Maine with Mt. Katahdin in her backyard. She spent a lot of time outdoors exploring the woods, camping, hiking, and fishing. She was part of theater and choral groups all through high school and was very involved in church activities. She met her husband at the University of Maine at Orono. After graduation, she moved to Damariscotta and found DMS!
Allison has been part of this community for over a decade and during that time she got married, built a house, and welcomed two beautiful children to the world.
When she’s not working, she still enjoys the outdoors—camping, hiking and fishing. She also likes to sing, watch Broadway musicals, play guitar, read, and watch movies.
PRIMARY | PUFFIN’S NEST TEAM
Kristen Robinson | Mrs. Robinson
Head Teacher, Puffin’s Nest Primary Classroom
Kristen began working at DMS in 2013, as an assistant teacher. She moved into the role of Head Teacher in 2018. Kristen is currently the Head Teacher in one of our two Primary classrooms. She studied Montessori through Age of Montessori (MACTE certified), earning her certification for 3-6 (Primary) in 2020. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Endicott College.
Kristen is a local. She grew up in Portland, ME, and currently lives in Alna with her family. When not in the classroom, Kristen enjoys spending time with her son and performing on stage in local theater productions.
Isariah (“Izzy”) curtis | miss curtis
Assistant Teacher, Puffin’s Nest
Izzy began working at DMS in the spring of 2023, not long after moving to the Damariscotta area. She previously worked at an early learning center in Freeport as a preschool teacher before stepping into the role of assistant director. She is passionate about working with young children with all sorts of abilities.
Originally from New Mexico, Izzy moved to Maine five years ago to be closer to family and is studying early childhood education through SMCC. When not in the classroom, she is usually spending time with her family, getting her hands dirty in the garden or with goats, and soaking up as much of the warm weather as possible.
LOWER ELEMENTARY | HERON’S NEST TEAM
Alison Wells, M.Ed | Mrs. Wells
Head Teacher, Heron’s Nest Lower Elementary
Ali (pictured with her husband) joined the DMS team in 2021. She has been a teacher for almost 20 years and a Montessori parent of two girls for close to a decade. She completed her Montessori training for ages 6 to 12 with the Montessori Elementary Teacher Training Collaborative in Lexington, MA. She has been teaching in a Montessori elementary classroom since 2018. Prior to that, she was an elementary math specialist and coach.
Ali loves cooking, traveling, hiking, and spending time with her family. She loves to sing and is learning to play the ukulele. She loves children's literature and enjoys finding books to share for every occasion. She and her family have loved vacationing in Maine and are so excited to become permanent residents.
Madison Martin | Mrs. Martin
Art Teacher & Classroom Assistant, Heron’s Nest Lower Elementary
Ms. Martin joined the Heron's Nest Lower Elementary in the fall of 2022. She had an education degree and loves working with children. She is also the Art Instructor for the Heron's Nest classroom and enjoys designing creative work for the classroom.
Fun fact- Madison Martin is Kristen Robinson's niece!
UPPER ELEMENTARY | OSPREY’S NEST TEAM
Ross Richins | Mr. richins
Head Teacher, Osprey’s Nest Upper Elementary
Ross joined our team in 2018 and stepped into a lead teacher role in 2022. After graduating from Bates College in 2017, he worked at Kieve as a Leadership School Educator and Educator in Residence, stationed at DMS during the academic year and in Kieve’s camp over the summer.
Ross has a unique perspective of the flow of Montessori. He has worked with Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, and the Middle School, supporting both the academic work and the social-emotional environment. Beyond his training through Kieve, Ross is trained in Montessori and Positive Discipline. He is currently enrolled at the Montessori Elementary Teacher Training Collaborative.
When not working at DMS, Ross enjoys sailing, golfing, and exploring the outdoors with his friends.
Rose Tyrell | Mrs. Tyrell
Assistant Teacher, Osprey’s Nest Upper Elementary
Rose joined the DMS Upper El classroom in 2019, after moving to Maine in 2018, where she taught Middle School English for twelve years. Before teaching, she was involved in the world of business. She has a BA in Business and Economics.
Rose and her husband love spending time with their three adult children and their twin grandsons who attend DMS. In her spare time, Rose also enjoys reading and gardening.
Middle School | Eagle’s Nest
Jessica Otterman | Ms otterman
Head Teacher, Eagle’s Nest Middle School
Jessica began working at DMS in 2023 and has been teaching since 2017. She has a teaching credential for Arizona and Maine. She is currently finishing up her Master’s Degree in Science Education and is working on her Montessori credential for Secondary Education (ages 12-18).
Although science and math are her passion, Jessica loves that Montessori integrates all of the subjects together, which reflects the way that the real world works. The farm, hands-on science, exploratory math, and educational projects are part of her personal philosophy on education. Jessica loves seeing students blossom into independence and get excited about learning!
Jessica, her husband, and two children have lived in many places, including Japan. They feel at home in Maine and love exploring the beautiful forests and beaches and learning about the history and science of our wonderful state.
Assistant Teacher | Coming soon
Assistant Teacher, Eagle’s Nest Middle School
We are in the midst of some changes and will update this area soon.
Thank you for understanding!
ADMINISTRATION team
Shawnaly Tabor, M.ED | Mrs. TaboR
Head of School
Shawnaly began working at DMS in 2009. She grew up in Kalispell, MT, and attended a Montessori school from Primary through Upper Elementary. As an adult, her love of learning led her to become an educator. In addition to her teaching degree, she holds a credential for Lower Elementary from the Montana Center for Montessori Teacher Education (AMS affiliated). Shawnaly earned her Master’s Degree from Saint Catherine’s University and her Administration education is through Seton Montessori Institute.
Shawnaly’s son attended DMS from primary through 8th grade. He is currently in college, studying to become a civil engineer.
Shawnaly loves teaching Positive Discipline, both at DMS and in other schools around the country. She also loves painting, traveling, and trying new and interesting food. She loves long walks, especially in the autumn.
Natalie Todaro Blake | mrs. Blake
School Administrator
Mrs. Blake lives in Damariscotta. She brings a background in business and in supporting children in a school setting. This is perfect for the front desk, which is a melding of both worlds.
Mrs. Blake has a degree in Business Administration and Marketing from the University of Massachusetts and worked in management for a number of years before moving into the education world when she discovered she had a passion for guiding children. She worked in the North Carolina public school system for over ten years but has always loved returning to New England with her family.
Mrs. Blake and her husband enjoy riding their bikes, hiking, and being out in nature. They are happy to be back in New England, where they have had a home for many years and are close to their daughter.
Specialists and Substitutes
amanda lynn chichester | miss Lynn
Latin Instructor - Grades 1 - 8
Miss Lynn joined the DMS team in 2022 as the School’s Latin Instructor. She holds a bachelor's in science from the University of South Florida. She loves languages, teaching, and getting kids excited about learning.
connor tyrrell | Mr. tyrrell
Music Specialist - Grades 1-6, Private Lessons
Mr. Tyrrell has had a passion for music from a young age and played in multiple bands while in college. He works mostly with the Heron's and the Osprey's Nest, but he also spends time with the Primary classrooms. Music has always been a big part of his life. He teaches private lessons on the guitar and other similar instruments. When he isn't at DMS, he works in the behavioral health field. He graduated from Keene State College with a master's in clinical social work from UNE with an emphasis on social justice, and geriatric honors.
Carolyn Rosene | Miss Carrie
Music Specialist - Preschool - Kindergarten, Private Lessons
Miss Carrie is a former Montessori student who has returned to give back to our community. She is the Music Specialist for our Primary classrooms and offers private voice and song-writing lessons to all ages. You may also see her subbing in various classrooms. She also has training as a behavior interventionist and works in the behavioral health field when not at DMS.
Art Specialists
Art Specialist
The 1st through 3rd grade art is taught by Madison Martin. Ms. Martin is also the classroom Assistant Teacher in the Heron’s Nest. The 4th - 8th grade art is taught by Dr. Ben Lussier. Dr. Ben is also one of our substitute teachers and will be the classroom Assistant Teacher in the Eagle’s Nest Middle School for the duration of the 23-24 school year.
Ruth Thyen | Mrs. thyen
Literacy Specialist, Classroom Float
Mrs. Thyen started working at DMS in 2023 and has four children, one of whom attends DMS. She has experience with students in K-8 with Autism, Dyslexia, ADHD, and other learning and physical needs. She does reading assessments for 1st through 8th grade and works in small groups with children. Mrs. Thyen has a passion for helping students develop literacy confidence and skills. She also works in the afternoon to cover planning time for the Lead Teachers. You may see her in aftercare.
Fun Fact: Mrs. Thyen is a life-long learner and loves taking classes and continuing her own education!
Trish Stockton | Ms. Stockton
Float, Substitute Teacher, Plant Specialist
Trish started at DMS in 2019, as a floater in the Primary, Lower, and Upper Elementary classrooms. She covers classrooms so teachers have planning time, helps wherever else she is needed, including guiding our landscaping and gardening on campus.
Trish loves the natural sciences and worked as a Biological Science Technician for 11 years with the National Park Service, located in the Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. While there she helped facilitate and teach children on field trips about the ecosystem of the Park. She also served as a mentor to other adult staff members who were fresh out of college.
Trish grew up on the beaches of Manasquan, New Jersey. Her two daughters are now adults, leaving Trish time to work with children again, this time at DMS. Trish loves collecting items from nature, like moss, twigs, and flowers, to create beautiful wreaths.
Miguel Atkinson tatro | “Mr. T”
Aftercare Support, DMS Alumni
Mr. T is a DMS alumnus! He began his journey with us in the Puffin's Nest, when he was about 3 years old. After graduating from our 8th-grade program he attended Lincoln Academy, graduating last year. He is an amazing soccer player and was part of the Dutch Soccer Academy while in high school. He started helping in Aftercare last school year and we are joyful to have him back on campus. Mr. T joins us for Aftercare two to four days per week.
Fun Fact: When not at DMS, Mr. T can be found working with his father, Mike Tatro, at Gamage Shipyard or attending aviation classes through the University of Maine.