What an Amazing Team of Caring Teachers!
Our faculty and staff members are experienced, committed, and caring educators who truly enjoy working with young people. Each day they take small and big steps to provide a high quality educational experience that honors each child in our school.
Directors
Jennifer Cousins and Carrie Gervais are Co-Directors of Stepping Stones.
Please see their biographies below.
Our faculty and staff members are experienced, committed, and caring educators who truly enjoy working with young people. Each day they take small and big steps to provide a high quality educational experience that honors each child in our school.
Directors
Jennifer Cousins and Carrie Gervais are Co-Directors of Stepping Stones.
Please see their biographies below.
Primary Faculty, Pre School and Kindergarten
Heidi Stout, Primary Head Teacher
Heidi has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a minor in Political Science form the University of Maine at Presque Isle and has completed graduate work in Administrative Education from Thomas College. Heidi has taught in elementary schools in Freeport, Gardiner, and spent 8 years teaching Kindergarten at China Primary School. While working as a teacher, Heidi was on both the school and district leadership teams, developed curriculum, and spent time working in administration. She is passionate about working with our youngest learners to further their social, emotional, and academic growth and to help the little ones develop their love of learning!
Heidi is the mother of three children at SSMS/Cushnoc Academy. Her family enjoys traveling, skiing, boating, lobstering, gardening, and staying active with sports.
Mary Jane Gray, 2nd Head Teacher
Mary Jane comes to us with a plethora of experience in early childhood education, including a Bachelors and Masters degree. She has been trained in a variety of early childhood curriculums, including the Montessori Method. For decades, she ran her very own well-regarded preschool in Gardiner. She has also been the administrator of private schools in Florida.
Nici Hatch Hoyle
Nici comes to us with a range of experience with children. Not insignificant is her experience as a mom of 4 teenagers and older children! She worked in the Messalonskee lunch room most recently. Years ago, she was an aide at our own Miss Mary Jane's preschool in Gardiner! Miss Nici and Miss Carrie have been besties for 36 years!!
Nici comes to us with a range of experience with children. Not insignificant is her experience as a mom of 4 teenagers and older children! She worked in the Messalonskee lunch room most recently. Years ago, she was an aide at our own Miss Mary Jane's preschool in Gardiner! Miss Nici and Miss Carrie have been besties for 36 years!!
Nasreen Sher, Assistant Teacher
Assistant Teacher in Primary classroom since 2003; 5 years previous preschool teaching experience; Montessori training through Maine Montessori Association; former translator; Co-founder of the Nasreen & Alam Sher Foundation. Nasreen is our youngest kids' nurturing presence. She is mother of two and grandmother of one!
Assistant Teacher in Primary classroom since 2003; 5 years previous preschool teaching experience; Montessori training through Maine Montessori Association; former translator; Co-founder of the Nasreen & Alam Sher Foundation. Nasreen is our youngest kids' nurturing presence. She is mother of two and grandmother of one!
Elementary Faculty
(grades 1-8)
Jennifer Cousins, Co-Director SSMS, Lower Eementary Head Teacher
B.S. in Elementary Education; Maine state teacher certification K-8; Montessori Primary certification (ages 3-6) through the North American Progressive Teacher Training Center; member Maine Montessori Association; 7 years public school teaching experience, including special education; Co-Founder and Co-Director of Stepping Stones; Head Teacher in Primary classroom from 2001 to 2015. Lower Elementary Head Teacher beginning Fall 2015.
B.S. in Elementary Education; Maine state teacher certification K-8; Montessori Primary certification (ages 3-6) through the North American Progressive Teacher Training Center; member Maine Montessori Association; 7 years public school teaching experience, including special education; Co-Founder and Co-Director of Stepping Stones; Head Teacher in Primary classroom from 2001 to 2015. Lower Elementary Head Teacher beginning Fall 2015.
Jennifer Polley, Part-time Assistant Teacher
Licensed Massage Therapist, active member of Gardiner Main Street, Board member of Stepping Stones Enrichment Foundation, Educational Technician 2017-2018 is Jennifer's (aka Auntie's) sixth year in the Lower Elementary Classroom. Jennifer manages our emergency response items, and makes sure we recycle as much as possible!
Licensed Massage Therapist, active member of Gardiner Main Street, Board member of Stepping Stones Enrichment Foundation, Educational Technician 2017-2018 is Jennifer's (aka Auntie's) sixth year in the Lower Elementary Classroom. Jennifer manages our emergency response items, and makes sure we recycle as much as possible!
Jenna Peck
Teacher Assistant in the Lower Elementary Room, Jenna comes to us from California. Jenna has an Associates Degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences. At our school she works in the Lower and Upper Elementary Programs. She describes herself as a big kid who loves to learn and help others learn. In her spare time, she gives the SSMS Library lots of TLC! Jenna is currently furthering her education at the University of Maine at Augusta.
Teacher Assistant in the Lower Elementary Room, Jenna comes to us from California. Jenna has an Associates Degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences. At our school she works in the Lower and Upper Elementary Programs. She describes herself as a big kid who loves to learn and help others learn. In her spare time, she gives the SSMS Library lots of TLC! Jenna is currently furthering her education at the University of Maine at Augusta.
Carrie Gervais, SSMS Co-Director, Cushnoc Academy Curriculum Coordinator, Grades 4-5 Language Arts Supervisor, Apprenticeship Coach
B.S. in Elementary Education; Maine state teacher certification K-8; Montessori Elementary certification (ages 6-9) through the North American Progressive Teacher Training Center; member Maine Montessori Association; member Maine Academy for School Leaders; Pineland Suzuki School staff member; author of an adult literacy lesson handbook, Secretary, NA Sher Foundation; Secretary, Augusta Babe Ruth;12 years public school teaching experience; past state coordinator of the Maine Ending Hunger campaign; Co-Founder and Co-Director of Stepping Stones since 2001; Head Teacher in Lower Elementary classroom from 2003-2015. Carrie is passionate about providing a top-notch school environment for all of our learners.
Mike Gervais, Head Teacher, Science and History, Cushnoc Academy
B.S. in Mathematics Education and Music; M.S. in Counseling; private music teacher for 20+ years; Pineland Suzuki School staff member; Head Teacher in Upper Elementary/Middle classroom since inception in 2005; 4 years public school counseling experience; music minister at St. Michaels Parish; previous high school and college level mathematics instructor.
B.S. in Mathematics Education and Music; M.S. in Counseling; private music teacher for 20+ years; Pineland Suzuki School staff member; Head Teacher in Upper Elementary/Middle classroom since inception in 2005; 4 years public school counseling experience; music minister at St. Michaels Parish; previous high school and college level mathematics instructor.
Delia Riccardi Cunningham, Head Teacher, Language Arts and Apprenticeship, Middle School
Bachelor of Arts in Art HIstory at Pratt Institute, New York, and masters in Archaeology at KUL Leuven in Belgium. Delia drew achaeological finds in Crete and then became a trench supervisor. Delia combined an interest in environmental studies with artifact conservation. Later she became interested in teaching and completed a Montessori training program through the North American Montessori Teacher Training Center in 2013. Since returning to the U.S., Delia has taught 5th grade math at Cushnoc Academy, and has assisted with middle school apprenticeship. Delia has immersed herself in the Harkness Method, a seminar-style educational method. She is passionate about getting our middle schoolers out into the world and has a knack for taking middle schooler's unique energy and turning it into a passion for learning. Last but not least, her three wonderful children have attended our school.
Bachelor of Arts in Art HIstory at Pratt Institute, New York, and masters in Archaeology at KUL Leuven in Belgium. Delia drew achaeological finds in Crete and then became a trench supervisor. Delia combined an interest in environmental studies with artifact conservation. Later she became interested in teaching and completed a Montessori training program through the North American Montessori Teacher Training Center in 2013. Since returning to the U.S., Delia has taught 5th grade math at Cushnoc Academy, and has assisted with middle school apprenticeship. Delia has immersed herself in the Harkness Method, a seminar-style educational method. She is passionate about getting our middle schoolers out into the world and has a knack for taking middle schooler's unique energy and turning it into a passion for learning. Last but not least, her three wonderful children have attended our school.
Amanda Clifford, Grade 6 Teacher and Upper Elementary Assistant
Amanda started as a summer care teacher and substitute teacher at our school. Amanda has a Bachelor's Degree in Education from the University of Maine at Farmington. She is a past character assistant at Disneyworld. Amanda loves acting and the arts. She is a coach at a Colby arts program as well.
Amanda started as a summer care teacher and substitute teacher at our school. Amanda has a Bachelor's Degree in Education from the University of Maine at Farmington. She is a past character assistant at Disneyworld. Amanda loves acting and the arts. She is a coach at a Colby arts program as well.
Alan Plummer, 7th Grade Level Math
Alan is the father of three wonderful grown children, and a grandfather to one. He holds a Master''s Degree in Education. His undergraduate study was in Special Education and Psychology. He's helped children learn in public school for 14 years. He is a Minimalist, Tiny House Enthusiast, Yoga Instructor, and food recovery volunteer. He is currently also a student of therapeutic body work. He believes in hands-on learning and strives to see the good in all!
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Jennifer Blake Farnsworth,
Phys Ed and Grade 8 Mathematics Jen holds a Master of Arts in Teaching and Maine State teaching certification in grades K-8. After teaching for 15 years, Jen left public education to work alongside her husband for their family owned appraisal business. She is a pilates and fitness instructor, an alpaca farmer, and mother of an Upper Elementary student. Jen earned a Bachelor of Arts from Bowdoin College where she majored in Environmental Studies and Economics. |
Angela Figoli, Random Task Specialist
Miss Angie is our go-to gal! She keeps the school from falling to pieces on any given day. She is our friendly face and master of efficiency. She is also a member of a hip hop band, The Shizzle. Angela is mother of 3 current or past students at SSMS & Cushnoc Academy.
Miss Angie is our go-to gal! She keeps the school from falling to pieces on any given day. She is our friendly face and master of efficiency. She is also a member of a hip hop band, The Shizzle. Angela is mother of 3 current or past students at SSMS & Cushnoc Academy.
Shirley Allen, Spanish Teacher
Shirley is the happy mother of three teenagers! They love to camp, hike, and travel together. She also enjoys reading, cooking, and gardening. Shirley has a BA in English and an MA in Spanish from the University of Mississippi. She also studied at La Universidad de Costa Rica. She has experience speaking Spanish in Spain, Mexico, El Salvador, and Honduras, as well as in the U.S. A teacher of Spanish since 1992, she she also worked/volunteered in various capacities at fine arts and nature camps, at Fredericksburg Academy, for Girl Scouts and churches. Shirley is a passionate, experienced teacher and loves working with all ages!
Shirley is the happy mother of three teenagers! They love to camp, hike, and travel together. She also enjoys reading, cooking, and gardening. Shirley has a BA in English and an MA in Spanish from the University of Mississippi. She also studied at La Universidad de Costa Rica. She has experience speaking Spanish in Spain, Mexico, El Salvador, and Honduras, as well as in the U.S. A teacher of Spanish since 1992, she she also worked/volunteered in various capacities at fine arts and nature camps, at Fredericksburg Academy, for Girl Scouts and churches. Shirley is a passionate, experienced teacher and loves working with all ages!
Music/Performance Instructors, Jennifer Cousins, Ben Bowman, and Mike Gervais
Art Instuctors, Jennifer Cousins, Jenna Peck
Did you know that this logo was designed by one of our directors, Miss Jen? In the logo, Jen tried to convey a sense of celebration of the child.
