bethany mahar, director, Primary teacher
Hello! I am the Director of Maine Mountain Children's House, and have had the honor of taking on this role since 2014. I have worked for MMCH since 2011, but began my Montessori journey in Bozeman, Montana in 2007. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Maine at Farmington, and a Primary Montessori certification through the American Montessori Society (AMS).
I am drawn to the Montessori teaching philosophy because of its focus on the development of the whole child - academically, socially and emotionally. As Montessorians, our hope is that by allowing children to focus on their own individual growth, it will create a more independent, confident, and thus more peaceful person. At MMCH, we utilize the outdoors all year round to connect children to the natural world they have around them in the western mountains of Maine.
dani mahoney, assistant director & lead primary teacher
Hi! I started my journey with Maine Mountain Children’s House in 2016 as the assistant teacher. It was my first experience in a Montessori classroom, and I instantly knew I was in the right place. From there, I began my Primary Montessori Teacher Training with North American Montessori Center (NAMC), received my Primary certification in March 2019, and became a co-lead teacher in our Primary room for the 2019-2020 school year! In July 2020, I accepted the position of the assistant director.
I grew up in a small town in Massachusetts, attended Keene State College in New Hampshire, and received my Bachelors Degree in Mathematics. It was there that I met my husband, Matt, and shortly after we graduated we moved up to Maine! We now live in New Portland with our dog and cat, Bear & Rory, and we spend our summers on Pleasant Pond in Caratunk where we spend lots of time on the pond and whitewater rafting.
PIPER ALEXANDER, assistant primary teacher
Hello! I am the Assistant Primary Teacher! I am so excited to spend more time in the classroom, working with the children and to learn more about the Montessori Method.
I grew up in Falmouth, Maine before receiving my bachelors degree from the University of Maine at Farmington in 2021 with a degree in International and Global studies and a focus in Maternal and Child health. After graduating I relocated to Rangeley, Maine and fell in love with the small mountain town community here in Western Maine. I love the outdoors and my favorite activities outside of the classroom are hiking, skiing, running and camping.
taylor richardson, lead toddler teacher
Hello! I am the lead toddler teacher, and have been involved with Maine Mountain Children’s House since graduating college in 2019. I have wanted to be a teacher since I was in Elementary school, I think because I had such wonderful inspiring teachers from so early on. I strive to provide a warm, welcoming, and loving classroom each day where the children feel comfortable to be themselves.
Outside of MMCH I love spending my time with my son and my husband. Together we enjoy playing outside and cooking together as a family.
BRIANNA OAKES, ASSISTANT TODDLER TEACHER
Hello! I started with Maine Mountain Children's House in 2022 as an assistant teacher in the toddler classroom. I am very passionate about Montessori and love that it gives children the independence to be uniquely themselves!
I live in New Vineyard with my Husband, daughter and son who inspire me daily! I love drawing/painting, crafting, singing and spending time outdoors with my family. I am excited to be on this adventure with MMCH!
kate dewar, after school care coordinator
Greetings! My journey with MMCH began in 2006, as an assistant primary teacher, when Samantha Wright opened the school in the cold basement of the Methodist Church. I knew very little about the Montessori Method at the time, but with Sam’s leading example, a weekend workshop, and some self study I learned quickly. I remained Sam’s assistant during the ups and downs of the first five years until I moved to Portland, OR in 2011. Among the many lessons I learned at MMCH, it was the discovery that I LOVE working with families that was most impactful.
In Portland, I decided to pursue midwifery and started the Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) and Lactation programs at Birthingway College of Midwifery in 2013. I graduated in November 2018 and am a licensed CPM , specializing in out of hospital birth, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), and occasional labor doula. I have a private practice and clinic in Kingfield.
My family of 4, rescue pup, 1⁄4 Maine Coon kitty, and 4 out of 10 chickens moved back to Maine in July 2022. I am pleased to be back at MMCH as an After School Care Coordinator to play a bit part to honor the memory and vision of our colleague and dear friend, Sam, and re-integrate into this special community.