Faculty/Staff
Our faculty and staff members are committed and caring educators who truly enjoy working with young people. Each day they take the small and big steps necessary to provide a high quality educational experience that honors each and every child in our school.
Directors
Jennifer Cousins and Carrie Gervais are Co-Directors of Stepping Stones. Please see their biographies below. Melissa Small is our Assistant Director.
Primary Faculty
(preschool and kindergarten)
Our faculty and staff members are committed and caring educators who truly enjoy working with young people. Each day they take the small and big steps necessary to provide a high quality educational experience that honors each and every child in our school.
Directors
Jennifer Cousins and Carrie Gervais are Co-Directors of Stepping Stones. Please see their biographies below. Melissa Small is our Assistant Director.
Primary Faculty
(preschool and kindergarten)
Jennifer Cousins, 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 since its inception in 2001.
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 since its inception in 2001.
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.
Jessica Gray, Part-time Assistant Teacher
Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education; experience in several childcare settings; past owner of a preschool; Coordinator of our Summer Childcare Program.
Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education; experience in several childcare settings; past owner of a preschool; Coordinator of our Summer Childcare Program.
Jennifer Polley, Part-time Assistant Teacher
Licensed Massage Therapist, part owner of Eliza-Rek Farm, active member of Gardiner Main Street, Board member of Stepping Stones Enrichment Foundation, Educational Technician 2.
Licensed Massage Therapist, part owner of Eliza-Rek Farm, active member of Gardiner Main Street, Board member of Stepping Stones Enrichment Foundation, Educational Technician 2.
Elementary Faculty
(grades 1-8)
Carrie Gervais, Head Teacher, Lower Elementary Classroom (Grades 1-3)
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; Head Teacher in Lower Elementary classroom since inception in 2003.
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; Head Teacher in Lower Elementary classroom since inception in 2003.
Celina Page, Assistant Teacher in Lower and Upper Elementary Classroom and Head Spanish Teacher
Bachelors Degree, native Spanish speaker, Educational Technician III, experience in Early Elementary and Primary teacher assistant since 2009, Adult Education Spanish Teacher; Spanish teacher for all levels, including Spanish I in Middle School; Board member, NA Sher Foundation.
Bachelors Degree, native Spanish speaker, Educational Technician III, experience in Early Elementary and Primary teacher assistant since 2009, Adult Education Spanish Teacher; Spanish teacher for all levels, including Spanish I in Middle School; Board member, NA Sher Foundation.
Su Locsin, Literacy Specialist
Su Locsin, experienced classroom teacher with a Masters in Education, is our librarian and literacy specialist, supporting children in their various reading and writing needs. She also has developed our leveled classroom library and school library. Board member, NA Sher Foundation.
Su Locsin, experienced classroom teacher with a Masters in Education, is our librarian and literacy specialist, supporting children in their various reading and writing needs. She also has developed our leveled classroom library and school library. Board member, NA Sher Foundation.
Mike Gervais, Head Teacher, Upper Elementary Classroom (Grades 4-6)
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; 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; previous high school and college level mathematics instructor
Hannah Sher Currently majoring in English, Hannah Sher is an Educational Technician in the Upper Elementary classroom. She has a year of experience at our school and a range of life experience. Hannah was instrumental in setting up this website. She has been the president of the NA Sher Foundation, and is currently the vice president of this charitable organization. She has made several humanitarian trips to Pakistan. Hannah has an avid interest in cinematography and dance. She is a talented henna artist.
Kaili Quinn, Head Teacher, Middle School State of Maine certified teacher.
B.S. Elementary Education, Cedar Crest College. Substitute teacher, Pennsylvania
schools. Teacher Assistant, Greenway
Creative Learning Center. Kaili serves as our Yearbook Club advisor as well.
Angela Figoli, Random Task Specialist
Music/Performance Instructors, Jennifer Cousins and Mike Gervais
Art Instuctor, Jennifer Cousins
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.
