What an Amazing Team of Caring Teachers!
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 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 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 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
Jessica Gray, Primary Head Teacher
Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education; experience in several childcare settings; past owner of a preschool; Past coordinator of our Summer Childcare Program. Miss Jess has worked with us since 2011. She first was a classroom assistant and then co-head teacher with one of the school directors, Jen Cousins. She is the happy mom of an eight year old girl and a toddler boy.
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, 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.
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.
Kaili Quinn, Head Teacher, Language Arts and Apprenticeship, Middle School
Middle School teacher since 2014. 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.
Middle School teacher since 2014. 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.
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 was 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 was 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!
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.
