Faculty & Staff
Sam Miller, Lead Teacher, Yellow Door Toddler Classroom
Sam came to CHMS as a full-time substitute in the Toddler classroom in the spring of 2021, and her love of children has led her to become certified as an Infant/Toddler Montessori Teacher through the American Montessori Society. She has a Bachelor's Degree with a minor in Education Studies. Sam grew up in Camden, and she loves to hike, garden, swim, and craft. This summer, she biked the Camino in Spain!
Hanna Dowden, Assistant Teacher, Yellow Door Toddler Classroom
Hanna moved to Maine from New York in March, 2022. She has a bachelor’s degree in history from Molloy University. While in college, Hanna began working during the summers for the same daycare she attended as a child growing up in New York and eventually stayed with that organization for 15 years! During that time, she started out floating, going from room to room as needed. She soon found that she truly loved the infant and toddler classrooms and over the years, Hanna moved to a head teacher position in an infant classroom.
When not in the classroom Hanna enjoys reading and traveling and spending time with her family. This will be Hanna’s second year in our the CHMS community. She has had such fun exploring midcoast Maine, and is ready to get back into the classroom again!
Neshamah Stearns, Co-Lead Teacher, Red Door Toddler Classroom and Summer Camp Coordinator
Neshamah has a dual B.S. in Adventure Based Environmental Education and Adventure Therapy with specific passion for Nature and Place Based Education. Neshamah grew up in Western Massachusetts and comes to us most recently from The Chewonki Foundation where she spent time as their Lead Educator for the Outdoor Classroom and Expedition Leader/Coordinator for summer Leadership Expeditions. She loves to needle felt, sea kayak, and read.
Julia Aroneau, Co-Lead Teacher, Red Door Toddler Classroom
Julia grew up in Camden and attended Children's House Montessori in its original location on Pearl Street in the early 90’s, where she met many of her best friends that she still has today! She attended Sonoma State University in Northern California where she got her Bachelor’s degree in American Multicultural Studies and a minor in Chicano and Latino studies. Julia then moved to Seattle where she lived for 9 years. While there, her passion for early childhood blossomed, and she worked as a Co-Lead Preschool/toddler teacher for 7 years. Although she was set on living out West forever, the magic of Maine pulled her in and landed her right back here. Julia loves to cook, swim, travel, explore, and she loves being with her loved ones. She spent the summer working at CHMS summer camp (and getting ready for her wedding!) She is thrilled to be taking on this new role of Red Door Co-Lead with Neshamah.
Elizabeth Barnum, Lead Teacher, Orange Door Primary Classroom
Elizabeth has been on staff at Children’s House since 2018 when she moved to Maine. She has many years of teaching experience in various settings, from early childhood through older adults. She holds a B.A. from the University of New Hampshire and a Master of Divinity from Harvard. She is currently working toward a Montessori Early Childhood credential through the Northeast Montessori Institute. In her free time, Elizabeth loves taking long walks and hikes, reading, writing, and spending time with friends and family.
Lian Colon Martinez, Assistant Teacher, Orange Door Primary Classroom
Lian returns to Children’s House this year as the Assistant Teacher in the Orange Door classroom. In past years, Lian has worked in the Extended Day/ Aftercare programs, as well as participating as a volunteer in the Primary program for some fun student activities (with her mom, Lourdes!). She has also taught in our summer camp program. Lian was born and raised in Puerto Rico and attended Montessori schools there as a kid! Several years ago, she moved with her family to Camden and finished high school here at Camden Hills High School. After completing her freshman year of college, Lian took a break to experience other opportunities. We are so happy to have her here with us at CHMS!
Lourdes Martinez, Lead Teacher, Blue Door Primary Classroom and Spanish Teacher
Lourdes returns for her fourth year at Children’s House, stepping into the lead teacher role in Blue Door. Lourdes came to Maine from Puerto Rico, where she spent 25 wonderful years as a lead Montessori Primary teacher. Lourdes holds her Certificate in Early Childhood from the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) and brings a wealth of experience and joy with her to Children's House. She also teaches Spanish to all children in our program- we are so lucky!
Colleen Henry, Assistant Teacher, Blue Door Primary Classroom
Colleen attended the University of Maine at Presque Isle and also volunteered in the Americorps. She has spent time volunteering in elementary schools, and she got her start with Montessori as a substitute for Children’s House in 2021. She is excited to return this year in her new role as Assistant Teacher in Blue Door. She currently resides in Searsmont and spends her free time hiking with family, reading, painting, and baking.
Germaine Koomen, Lead Teacher, Jade Door Elementary Classroom
Germaine has over 30 years of teaching experience in public and independent schools in MA and ME. She is Montessori-certified at the Primary, Lower Elementary, and Upper Elementary levels and holds Master’s degrees in Elementary Education and Reading, as well as a graduate certificate in Montessori STEM education.
Germaine is an environmental educator at heart, and her work has been recognized by the Essex National Heritage Commission and NPS. She was presented the MA Secretary's Award for Excellence in Energy & Environmental Education and has presented at AMS conferences. Germaine also has a great love of peace education and has served as the Montessori coordinator for the Global Art Project. She also has experience as a Montessori teacher trainer. Germaine has two daughters and enjoys fiber arts, singing and kayaking.
Sarah Sevier, Art Teacher, Extended Day/Aftercare Lead Teacher, and Outreach Coordinator
Sarah was born and raised in Atlanta, GA. She has a BFA in Art Education from Georgia State University, a Masters in Early Childhood Education from Loyola University, and her AMI Primary Montessori certificate from the Montessori Institute of Atlanta. Sarah spent eight years as a primary lead teacher at schools in New Jersey, NYC, and Atlanta. For the past five years, she has taught elementary art in Atlanta. Sarah, her husband and two children relocated to Maine this summer. She is thrilled to combine her love and knowledge of art education with the Montessori philosophy.
Jody Curtis, Office Manager
Jody has been the administrative assistant in the CHMS office since 2013. Prior to coming to CHMS, her background included working for a local non-profit, connecting adolescent students to their communities through a variety of community service programs. Jody also worked as a middle school art teacher for many years in Belfast while raising her two children. Now, a grandmother and advocate of Montessori education, she has loved watching her own grandchildren grow and thrive as a result of their own early Montessori education.
Rachel Nixon, Head of School
Rachel is delighted to serve as Head of School for CHMS. She has a Masters in Elementary Education from Lesley University, and her path of teaching has included work in public and private schools, land stewardship education, integrated arts projects with children, and yoga and mindfulness instruction. Rachel has 17 years experience working in non-profits including serving as the Executive Director of the Georges River Land Trust and working for Homeworthy. In her free time, Rachel loves to garden, run with her dog Juko, and sail and ski with her family.
Marga Hutchinson, MRTQ Consultant
Prior to coming to CHMS and serving as the Lead Teacher in the Red Door Toddler classroom, Marga owned an in-home family childcare where she worked with her daughter caring for several toddlers. She has also served as a teacher for Maine Roads to Quality, the statewide professional development network.
Marga earned a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Maine at Farmington and considers herself a lifelong learner. When not in the classroom, she enjoys reading, gardening, visiting the ocean and woods, and spending time with her family, including three grandchildren. We are delighted to have Marga on board as a MRTQ consultant this year.
Marney Holmes, Montessori Consultant
Marney has been part of the Children’s House community for many years. Her children attended CHMS when they were young and for several years she served as Blue Door Assistant Teacher before beginning her formal Montessori training. In 2014 Marney became the Lead Toddler Teacher in Yellow Door. For many summers, Marney led our summer camp for 3 to 5-year-olds. Marney holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from St. Catherine University and is a fully certified Early Childhood Montessori teacher. She is currently teaching a pre-k classroom at the South School in Rockland, and we are fortunate to have her as a consultant.