Our Staff

When Julie first encountered Montessori, she was a nanny for a KMS family. While working for them, Julie volunteered at the school. She listened to readers, drove on field trips, and substituted in the classroom.

In 1999, Julie started working as an assistant in the classroom for three years.  She then went on to do her Montessori teacher training through Northeast Montessori Institute and earned her primary Montessori AMS teaching credential. Now in her twenty second year here at KMS. She also holds an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from KVCC and earned her BA from UMA in Applied Science with a minor in Early Childhood Services.

She enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching the Red Sox, and working with flowers and plants. You might even spot her selling and taking tickets at many different Winslow High School sporting events. Julie resides in Winslow with her cat, Pumpkin.

Maureen Vashon has been an Assistant Teacher at KMS since 2004. She graduated from the University of Maine at Orono in 1990 and moved to Pennsylvania shortly after. Maureen first encountered the Montessori method of teaching at a preschool in Pennsylvania and worked there for two years before having twin boys and moving back to Maine to be closer to family. Once she was back in Maine, she finished her Montessori training and started working at KMS in 1999.

In March of 2000, Maureen left KMS to have her youngest child. Once all her children were in school full time, Maureen returned to KMS as the Assistant Teacher in P-1 with Julie, where she continues today. Maureen has loved being in Julie’s class and has really enjoyed developing her teaching skills in every area of the classroom. She loves watching the children blossom as they grow in Montessori and especially likes doing music and movement with the children any chance she gets!

In her spare time, Maureen loves to sing and is in a community band and sings at church. Maureen also loves to give back by volunteering throughout the community in various capacities. She lives in Winslow with her husband Mike, and three boys, who all attended KMS.

She began her journey in education by receiving an associate’s degree in Biotechnology. While working in the Bioscience field, she soon realized it did not suit her. As she moved on to pursue a BA in Biology, she also began working as an Assistant Teacher, here at KMS, in 2005. It was that position that led her to switch gears and complete a BA in Early Childhood Education at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. She also earned an AMS primary credential during her 10 years as assistant to Mary Lou Ogden.

Having seen firsthand the value of the Montessori education for her child, she feels privileged to continue this work in her current role as Head Teacher to provide a solid foundation for continuous growth for other children.

Katie is a Maine native, growing up right here in Central Maine. She studied elementary education at the University of Maine at Orono.

Her very first teaching job was here at KMS as an assistant teacher in the elementary classroom in 2005. Not only did she fall in love with all things Montessori, she decided she would like to pursue her own certification and become a head teacher. That very next summer, Katie began her Montessori teacher training and became the primary 3 classroom teacher that fall. She later went on to earn a Masters of Education from Endicott College in Beverly, MA.

Katie is a mom of two young children, a daughter and son, who both attend KMS. She loves spending time outdoors and staying active with her family.

Carrie was born and raised in Central Maine. She is the mother of three young children, two of which attend KMS. Carrie is in the process of completing her BA in Child Development and Family Relations through the University of Maine at Orono.

She has 7 years of hands-on
experience in the field of early childhood education. Carrie discovered her love for all things Montessori upon enrolling her oldest child in the Primary program at KMS. After watching her daughter thrive in the classroom environment at KMS, Carrie decided to dive more specifically
into the Montessori field.

In her spare time, Carrie coaches a varsity high school cheerleading team. She enjoys
reading, practicing yoga, and spending time with her three children bouncing from one activity to the next. Carrie is eager to continue her Montessori experience working with young children and helping to guide each child along their journey through their early childhood years.

We are currently looking for a motivated educator to join our team as the Lower Elementary Head Teacher.

We are currently looking for a motivated educator to join our team as the Lower Elementary 1 Assistant Teacher.

Bridget started her career at Waterville Public Schools after graduating from the University of Maine at Farmington.

After ten years of teaching Title 1 Literacy and Kindergarten, she transitioned to teaching at KMS and has completed her Elementary Certification at METTC.

Bridget lives in Benton with her husband and two sons and enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time with her family. Both of her sons attend KMS.

Joy began her time in Montessori as a three-year-old in Maryland. Twenty years later, she returned to that classroom as an intern while working toward her Primary Montessori Teacher certification. Shortly after that, life led her to a small Montessori school in Jacksonville, Florida. She spent two decades there guiding students from ages three to eleven while earning her Lower and Upper Elementary teacher certifications. After all this time, she is still inspired by the insight and wisdom of her students. She truly values the opportunity to work with students in a partnership and develop meaningful relationships with them.

Joy’s husband joined the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, giving her the opportunity to become a member of the community at Kennebec Montessori School. They will be continuing their adventures with their black lab in an off-grid home nearby. Joy is looking forward to learning about all the wonderful wildlife in Maine and entertaining everyone with her efforts to learn to snowshoe and cross-country ski. While indoors, she is always trying to master a new creative skill. Most of all, she is eager to get to know her students and their families and continue to learn and grow together.

We are currently looking for a motivated educator to join our team as the Upper Elementary Assistant Teacher.

We are currently looking for a motivated educator to join our team as the Enrichment Music Teacher.

Kristin Gagnon is a UMF grad with a degree in Elementary Education. She has spent the majority of her career working with children and families in various capacities. Connecting and maintaining these relationships is at the heart of all of Kristin’s daily routines.

Becky Haskell graduated with a BA in Psychology from the University of Maine at Farmington. She has spent much of her career working with children, first as a licensed social worker, and later as an educator, coach, and stay at home mom. Becky lives in Sidney with her husband, son, and daughter.

She enjoys reading, painting, crafting, and loves spending time with her family. Together, they enjoy the great outdoors; golfing, kayaking, hiking, snowmobiling and skiing. Becky prioritizes family and giving back to the community through volunteerism.