Teachers & Staff at Missoula Community School

MCS teachers bring a combination of education, expertise, and diverse experiences to the school. Together, they build a teaching team that is creative, responsive and energetic. Above all, teachers are committed to inspiring each child to grow, learn and become the best possible version of him or herself.

Each teacher is primarily responsible for the children in her/his Small Group. The teacher plans for the Small Group lessons, activities, projects, trips and many other experiences that reflect the specific interests, abilities, challenges, and character of the individual children within the group. The teacher assesses children's learning and growth on an ongoing basis, and reports on the student's year at MCS in a formal Narrative and a portfolio at the end of each year.

The teacher also shares responsibility for all MCS children's learning and experiences during Community Time and other combined-group parts of the day. Teachers therefore often have the opportunity to work with and know children over several years, as the child moves through the school. This long-term relationship is of great benefit to both students -- who feel solidly connected to a caring community of adults -- and teachers, who are able to share insights about children's needs and growth from year to year.

Allison Baker, Early Childhood Teacher: Allison is in her second year at MCS. She has her Bachelors Degree in Child Development and Family Relations and has just completed her Masters of Education in Early Childhood Special Education. She grew up in Houston, Texas and moved to the Northwest after high school. Allison makes her home in Missoula and loves walking her Australian Shepard by the river. When not working or doing school work, Allison loves cooking, live music, spending time with friends, floating the fivers and fly-fishing. Allison is excited to share her passion for early childhood education with the children and families of MCS.
Kristal Burns, Early Childhood Teacher: Kristal is in her seventh year MCS where she has taught a variety of ages. Kristal loves encouraging kids to “be who you are”. She claims never to have gotten rid of the little kid part of herself and enjoys bringing playfulness to the classroom! She is excited to continue her training in mindfulness practices in the classroom to enhance the emotional growth of children and adults. Kristal is developing a book about Mindfulness in Early Education and provides training for other educators. Outside school, she treasures time with her family. Kristal balances family and work with running! She has an important role in the MCS Run for Fun.
Cammie Edgar, Business Manager: Cammie grew up in Ohio and has a BS in secondary education from Kent State. Cammie taught in Lame Deer for two years before moving to the Bitterroot Valley, where she taught at Stevensville and Corvallis. She spent ten years working as a business analyst for an international company that closed their Missoula office in 2009. She and her husband Bob have an eleven-year-old son, Mitch who attends Florence-Carlton. Cammie works part time as the MCS Business Manager at MCS and part time as an administrative assistant for Stevensville United Methodist Church. Cammie is an official for high school volleyball, teaches Sunday school, and is very active with her son’s Scout troop.
Kirsten Marsh: Early Childhood Teacher: Kirsten is beginning her fourth year of teaching at MCS. She has a degree in English Literature from CSU Long Beach and a teaching credential from Concordia University. Kirsten has taught preschool through middle school. She loves tapping into children’s interests; exploring new material and watching their confidence grow. She places a strong emphasis on ensuring children feel safe and loved, building trust that enables individual growth and growth as a community. Kirsten loves sharing time with her two teen-aged boys and her husband. She likes music, movies, friends, hiking swimming, reading and reconnecting periodically with the sand and surf of her native California.
Tiffany Reed: Kindergarten and Pre-K Teacher: Tiffany grew up in Northern California and Bigfork, Montana and received her B.S. in Recreation Management from UM. Her love of art led her to open an art gallery in downtown Missoula. After ten years she decided to pursue her passion for teaching and returned to UM to earn her Masters degree in Education. Tiffany returns to MCS for her second year of teaching. Tiffany worked as a long term sub for first grade and a substitute and teaching assistant for grades K-8. During her summers she works for Lewis and Clark Trail Adventures. Tiffany enjoys reading, walking, running, hiking, skiing and spending time on the water.
Gerri Rose, Early Childhood Teacher: Combining best practices in teaching from university classes, professional training and over 15 years experience, Gerri is a knowledgeable teacher who brings love of learning into her work. She will be teaching in the Early Childhood Program with the younger children. A native Montanan, Gerri can often be found studying nature, hiking trails, doing crafts or creative cooking. Gerri spends time with her grown children and family in the Kalispell area. She has an A.A.S. degree in Human Services and is currently working on a B.S. in Early Childhood Education through UM-Western. Gerri holds Montessori certification and has 6 of her 15 years experience at Woodland Montessori School in Kalispell.
Lesa Setters, Early Childhood and Co-Teacher K-Pre K: Lesa is starting her fourth year at MCS, and has taught in kindergarten early childhood classes. Lesa will co-teach Kindergarten/Pre-K with Tiffany Reed on M-W-F and an early childhood class on Tue-Thur. She enjoys getting to know the children and helping them discover their creativity, strengths and enthusiasm for learning. Teaching kindness and problem solving skills are practices Lesa especially values in the classroom. At home Lesa gardens, and especially likes strawberries. She loves animals and has lots of pets. Lesa especially appreciates chickadees who live near her home because they seem to be happy even when it is cold outside!
Linn Veen, Director: Linn is beginning her third year as director of MCS. She received her B.S. in Human Development/Early Childhood Education from Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena, California and a M.S. in Education from Purdue University. Her work has included parent education, curriculum development and family intervention in elementary schools. For thirteen years Linn worked as an Infant-Toddler Specialist in Minnesota and Indiana. She served as the Director of the Purdue Child Development and Family Studies Child Care Center before returning to her Montana roots in 2004. Linn maintains a passion for teaching and enjoys collaboratively developing excellent programs where children joyfully grow and learn. Linn has two daughters who love animals and camping. She enjoys singing, swimming, camping, good friends and lake kayaking.