Our Teachers and Staff
Laura Jackson
Maddie Laskey
Raphaëlle Côté
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Chelsea Russel
Heidi Miller
Sophia Buonomo
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Greta Weber
Kyler Star
Liz Bradley
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Ali Gardner
Stefany Trautner
Shawna Beatties
Maddie Domina
Tara Walsh
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Jamie Perlstein
Ellie Deutsch
Hailee Ingalls
Sarah Tousignant
Travis Ives
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Rachel Clarkin
Megan Stapleton
Kieran Campbell
Tori Brown
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Sarah Tousignant, MEd UVM, MA Clinical Psychology St. Michael's
Founder & Executive Director Sarah spent her undergraduate years coaching skiing at Stowe, rowing for the crew team, and majoring in psychology at the University of Vermont. After college she spent time working with Children's Integrated Services in Early Childhood and Family Mental Health. She then pursued a master's degree in early childhood special education. In 2011 Sarah and her husband, Nick, opened Mountain Village School with a commitment to providing high quality care and education for the children of Vermont. Nick Crandall, BA Whitman College, MA Accounting in progress
Director of Finance and Administration Nick wears many hats at MVS. He manages all of the business aspects of our school. He is also a builder, making us new things to play with and to organize our materials. Nick grew up in Vermont, attending Burke Mountain Academy and then moved to Washington State for college. He returned to Vermont in 2001. He handles all tuition, HR, UPK, subsidy, maintenance, and construction related things at school. Stefany Trautner, CDA in Progress
Infant & Toddler Teacher Stef joined MVS is 2018. She is currently working on earning her CDA credential. Stef is a patient, caring, and dedicated teacher. You can find Stef singing, reading, and outside in all weather. Kieran Campbell, BFA Marywood College, ECE Certification Alvernia University, Preschool Teacher
He started out working in the architecture field. It was enjoyable for a short time but being behind a desk and computer was not for him. After leaving that field, Kieran decided to go back to school for a degree in teaching and spent 8 years working with children, starting out as a toddler teacher and quickly becoming a lead teacher in a Pre-K classroom. Kieran enjoys interacting with young children and watching them grow and learn while also having fun. Prior to joining MVS, he was working with teenagers and getting them to love cycling in all disciplines. Outside of work, Kieran is a huge cyclist with a penchant for off-road and long road rides. Kieran is also serious about birding and can often be found carrying binoculars on rides and walks around town. Kieran lives in Walcott with his cats and tortoise. Shawna Beattie
After School Program Teacher Jamie Perlstein, BA
Toddler Teacher Jamie originally studied sustainable agriculture in college and found her way to education. Her knowledge of plants, gardening, and the natural world are incredibly valued at MVS. She joined us in the start of 2022. She spends most of her time with 2 year olds and is very skilled at supporting their connection with the natural world. Through exposure to the garden, observing small insects, and tasting new foods, Jamie provides children with immersive experiences that will follow them throughout their lives. Travis Ives, BA
Preschool Teacher Ellie Deutsch, BA in progress
Preschool Teacher Ellie joined MVS in 2024 and has been working on completing her bachelor's degree in early childhood education from Northern Vermont University. Ellie has a unique knack for puppet shows. She is also a very talented singer and can often be found singing in the middle of a group of small children, never running out of songs. Chelsea Russell, MEd Northern Vermont University
Preschool Teacher Chelsea joined MVS in the fall of 2024. Chelsea is a strong teacher, with the ability to connect with children at their level. She observes and allows children space and time while being present and available. Chelsea brings a sense of structure and calmness to the classroom on a daily basis. She and her partner live in Johnson and are the proud parents of a beautiful German Shepherd. Anna Kenyon
Preschool Assistant Teacher Raphaelle Cote, BA
Preschool Teacher Raphaelle is originally from Quebec City and French is her native language. She moved to Vermont in 2024 after getting married. In Canada, Raphaelle taught elementary school. She made the switch to preschool, joined MVS in the fall of 2024 and has fit right in. She is not afraid of the cold weather and loves being outside with children everyday. She lives in town with her husband. Kyler Star, MA UVM
Infant / Toddler Assistant Teacher Kyler is at MVS just a few mornings a week with our infants and toddlers. His full time job is tutoring kids in math. He learned how much he enjoys early childhood after he started spending a lot of time with his son, Levi, at playgrounds and with other children. He previously was a math professor at Champlain College. He lives in Waterbury with his wife, Laura, and son, Levi. |
Megan Stapleton, MEd Champlain College
Assistant Director Megan joined MVS in the fall of 2015. Megan leads our infant program and is our assistant director. Megan manages a lot of pieces here at MVS. She knows the answer to almost any question you might have and if she doesn't know she can tell you who to ask. She has spent time teaching in Cambodia before coming back to Vermont to earn her master's from Champlain College in Early Childhood Education. She is committed to establishing respectful and caring relationships with every small child that she cares for. Megan lives in Waterbury with her husband, Eli, and their two children, Leo and Ruthie. Ali Gardner, BA Johnson State College,
Administration and School Age Program Director Ali first joined MVS as a parent in 2013. She began working at MVS part-time as administrative support and has since pursued and attained the Program Director Step 1 Credential and Teacher Associate level IIIB, through the Vermont Department of Children & Families. She spends time in every classroom and helps to manage our summer camp as well as our afterschool program at the Annex. Ali lives in Morrisville with her husband, Nate, and their boys, Everett and Wyatt. Tori Brown, BS University of New England, MEd Champlain College, Preschool Teacher
Tori joined MVS in 2018. She went to the University of New England in Maine with a goal of working at a wildlife sanctuary. After an internship at a wolf sanctuary, she moved back to Vermont and found herself working at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science as a camp instructor. With her newfound love of teaching young children about the natural world, she discovered the opportunity to do "camp" all year round here at MVS! She loves watching children learn through play in nature. As their bodies and minds are constantly changing, they are able to explore the world around them. Discovering new things about their surroundings, and their own bodies with each outing. It is exciting to cultivate a deep love of nature that they will carry through their entire life just like she has. Tori lives in Middlesex with her husband Connor. Laura Jackson, BA Wheelock College
Director Laura grew up in the Northeast Kingdom and then went to Wheelock College in Massachusetts. After 10 years working as a preschool teacher and program director in Cambridge, she has returned to Vermont. She is a strong advocate of early childhood education and has quickly embraced our muddy & messy ways here at MVS. Laura lives in Danville with her dog, Fen. While at MVS, you can find her in the office at Thomas Lane or playing in any of the classrooms with the children. Ryan Aldrich, BA
Chef Known to our community as "Chef Ryan", he joined us in the summer of 2021. He moved back to Vermont after living in New York City for almost 2 decades. Ryan is responsible for the delicious, healthy, and creative meals that we enjoy everyday at MVS. Ryan lives in Stowe with his wife, Emily, and their two children, Hattie & Seamus. Hailee Ingalls, BA in progress
Preschool Assistant Teacher Hailee is currently working on her BA in early childhood education. She is a fantastic assistant preschool teacher and summer camp counselor. She spends most of her time in the Cartwright classroom at the Annex. She lives in the Northeast Kingdom with her partner and son, Emmett. Tara Walsh
Assistant Teacher Tara had a recent change in careers to join us at MVS. She is energetic and kind with all children. She spends time in almost every classroom and knows every child here at school. She lives in Hyde Park with her two beloved dogs. Leah Klark, BA in progress
Leah joined us in the fall of 2025 as a preschool teacher. She is currently working on her bachelor's degree in early childhood education from the Community College of Vermont. She is dedicated to getting children outside in all types of weather and using the natural world as a second classroom. She is a strong presence in the classroom, providing guidance and support alongside empathy and compassion. MacKenzie Wardell, BA, MEd RISD
MacKenzie joined MVS in the fall of 2025 as a preschool teacher. She has a strong background in art and brings that appreciation of beauty to her work with children each day. MacKenzie grew up in Stowe and skiing on the SHS ski team. She is an integral part of our ski program as well! |
