Main Campus: 928.772.5778 | West Campus: 928.775.0238 acms@acornmontessori.com

Main Campus Teachers & Paraprofessionals

4th Grade

Shannon Weilenmann

Shannon Weilenmann

4th Grade

Mrs. Shannon Weilenmann is one of our 4th-grade teachers. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Northern Arizona University. She has been in the educational field for 18 years, 7 years as a paraprofessional, and 11 as a lead teacher at Acorn. Mrs. Weilenmann has completed the SEI training amongst many others. Her favorite part of teaching is seeing students grow and master new skills. When Mrs. Weilenmann is not in the classroom; you can find her camping (usually by a lake).

Ashlee Grabowsky

Ashlee Grabowsky

Ms. Ashlee Grabowsky is one of our very talented paraprofessionals. She is new to Acorn this year and we are very excited to have her. She is currently working towards her bachelors in Business Management. She has experience in early child development with child care. She is always looking for ways to gain more information and continue her training. In her free time she is usually fishing with her daughter or reading a book. She enjoys photography and arts and crafts.

 

 Hannah Everheart

Hannah Everheart

Ms. Hannah Everhart joined the Acorn Family in July of 2018. This is her 5th year of teaching at Acorn Montessori Charter School. Ms. Everhart has 7 years of teaching experience in a variety of grade levels, ranging from K-6, this year she will be working with our fourth grade. She graduated from Chapman University in 2011 with a BA in Liberal Studies and a Minor in Art. Ms. Everhart is currently continuing her education by completing a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education at Liberty.

Alana Winston

Alana Winston

 Mrs. Alana Winston is one of our most seasoned paraprofessionals. She started at Acorn 2005. In 2019 she took the opportunity to work under her business certificate but quickly realized that a school setting is where she is happiest. She has worked in grades ranging from pre-k to 4th grade, This year she will be starting in a 6th grade classroom. When she isn’t at work she is with her husband and three children who are 10, 13, and 14. We are so happy that Mrs. Alana is back with us!

5th Grade

Amanda Wallace

Amanda Wallace

5th Grade

Ms. Amanda Wallace is one of our 5th grade teachers. She received her Associates of Arts in Elementary Education from Arizona Western College and a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education from Northern Arizona University. Ms. Wallace has been teaching for 6 years and this year will be her third year with Acorn. Her favorite part of teaching is witnessing the “light bulb moment” when a student achieves a goal or grasps a concept they have been struggling with.

Jessie Parra

Jessie Parra

Miss Jessie Parra is a paraprofessional at Acorn. She has an associates degree from Yavapai College. Miss Jessie has worked in the educational field for 6 years, 4 of which have been with Acorn. Miss Jessie continues to expand her knowledge through trainings such as Youth Mental Health First Aid and other professional developments. She loves working with students and seeing their growth.
Cassy Ball

Cassy Ball

5th Grade

Mrs. Cassy Ball is excited to continue into her second year here at Acorn Montessori as lead teacher in the 5th grade classroom. Mrs. Ball graduated from NAU in 2019 with a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education. In her free time Mrs. Ball likes to do all sorts of crafts and draw. She is looking forward to becoming a part of the school and local community.
Shauna Faulkner

Shauna Faulkner

Paraprofessional

Mrs. Shauna Faulkner will be starting as a paraprofessional for her first full year here with Acorn. She worked with many different age groups this past year as a part time substitute. When not at school she is exploring with her two boys.

6th Grade

Karen Morrison

Karen Morrison

Mrs. Karen Morrison is a middle school paraprofessional. This will be her second school year with Acorn. Mrs. Morrison has a Bachelors in Health and Exercise Science with a Teacher Certification from Rowan University. She has been in the educational field for 8 years, previously as a P.E. teacher. She enjoys helping students prepare for their futures.

Adam Pulkownik

Adam Pulkownik

Mr. Adam is the lead teacher in our 6th grade this year. This will be his third full year with Acorn. However, he has been a paraprofessional for 11 years! He earned his bachelor’s degree in Applied Psychology from the University of Phoenix. He enjoys working in a school setting because it is a new experience every day. When he is not at work, he enjoys playing video games and driving.

Tiffini Schwanderlik

Tiffini Schwanderlik

Mrs. Tiffini Schwanderlik is our Dean of Students and Wellness Director. She has been with Acorn for 6 years and in the education field for 8 years. She attended NAU for her Bachelors degree and is a recent graduate from Capella University with a Masters in School Counseling. Additionally, she has her Highly Qualified Teaching certificate. Mrs. Tiffini is passionate about promoting social and emotional well-being in each classroom at Acorn.

 

 

Renee Beaumont

Renee Beaumont

4th Grade

Miss Renee Beaumont is one of our paraprofessionals. She just completed her associates degree at Yavapai College. She started mid-year for the 2020/2021 school year and looks forward to starting the new year. Miss Renee also works with the movement “1pillcankill” to further educate young teens on the dangers of synthetic fentanyl. In addition, she is also a part of a National Honors Society of Leadership and Success. Her favorite part of working with students is “Being able to mold young children and adults into strong, charismatic individuals who seek success and feel confident while doing so”.

7th Grade

Don Gagnon

Don Gagnon

Middle School Social Studies

Mr.Don Gagnon is our middle school Social Studies teacher. Mr. Gagnon received his Masters in Elementary Education from the University of Phoenix. He has been in the educational field for 13 years 3 of which have been with Acorn. He has also completed his SEI training. Mr. Gagnon loves helping students learn and experience new things. He enjoys fishing, hiking, camping, and spending time with his family.

Tom Flores

Tom Flores

Mr. Tom Flores is one of our middle school paraprofessionals. He is currently working towards his Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Development. He has been in the educational field for 6 years, 3  of which have been with Acorn. His work in the behavioral health field provided him with skills he has been able to translate to the classroom. He strives to connect with students and build their educational foundation. In his free time, Mr. Flores enjoys basketball, video games, and raising his children.

Kati Young

Kati Young

Middle School Math

Mrs. Kati Young is our middle school Math teacher. She received her Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education from NAU. Mrs. Young also has her Middle School ELA and SEI endorsements. She is going into her 6th year with Acorn. Prior to teaching she gained many skills through her work with developmentally disabled adults in group home settings. She loves working with students and “getting a front seat to watching their growth”!

Matt Rice

Matt Rice

Mr. Matt Rice is our Wellness Paraprofessional and Athletic Director. Prior to joining the Acorn team he worked in law enforcement. Mr. Rice has been in the school setting for 10 years as a School Resource Officer and a coach for athletics up to the varsity level. After retiring from law enforcement, he came to Acorn and has been with us for 5 years. Working with children and watching them accomplish their goals and overcome adversity along the way is Mr. Rice’s favorite part of being an educator.

8th Grade

Shauna McKay

Shauna McKay

Middle School Science

Ms. Shauna McKay is our middle school Science teacher. She has been with Acorn for 10 years. Ms. McKay earned her Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education from Northern Arizona and is certified in middle grades science. Seeing students grow into young adults is her favorite part of being a teacher.

Felicia Mathis

Felicia Mathis

Mrs. Felicia Mathis is one of our talented paraprofessionals. She earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Early Childhood Development from Purdue University Global. She has been with Acorn for 4 years and has worked with students from preschool to 4th grade. Ms. Felicia is excited to continue working with kids and watching them learn and grow. In her free time she enjoys many hobbies including camping, reading, and spending time with family.

Emily Krieger

Emily Krieger

Middle School ELA

Ms. Emily Krieger is starting her second year as our Middle School ELA teacher. Ms. Krieger’s teaching experience includes two years teaching in Japan! She went to Kent State University for her B.A. in teaching English and then attended Grand Canyon University and received her Master’s in Secondary Education. Ms. Krieger also has her certification in teaching English as a second language. Ms. Krieger absolutely loves to sew, read, watch tv, learn to cook new things, cross stitch, and learn new skills. She is very excited for this new year!
Lucy Larrondo

Lucy Larrondo

Miss. Lucy Larrondo is a paraprofessional that recently began working with Acorn. She is currently going to Yavapai College to get her Associates of Art degree. After completing her Associate’s, she will be attending Arizona State University to get her Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education. Miss. Larrondo has learned so much working with Acorn and loves seeing the middle schoolers be the best they can be. Miss. Larrondo enjoys taking her dog on hikes, spending time with her family and reading books.

Honors & Gifted Education

Wellness

Gretchen Whittaker

Gretchen Whittaker

Ms. Gretchen Whittaker is the Gifted Education teacher at our Main Campus. This will be her 7th year at Acorn, and has had experience teaching in many grades with this being her second year working with the TAG students. Ms. Whittaker earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from University of Phoenix and recently completed her gifted education endorsement from Estrella Mountain College. Ms. Whittaker is the master of project-based learning and loves seeing students figure out things on their own with the tools and skills she has helped them build. In her free time, she loves to be outdoors camping, hiking, and kayaking with her family. She also loves volunteering as a scout leader and hunting down antiques to buy and sell.

Jamie King

Jamie King

Miss Jamie King is our Behavioral Interventionist in the Wellness Center. Miss Jamie is a veteran of the United States Airforce. She has earned her Bachelor’s degree in Human Behaviors from Northern Arizona University and is currently working towards a Master’s in School Counseling from Grand Canyon University. She has been with Acorn for 3 years. Miss Jamie enjoys lifting and camping in her freetime.

Cristin Maldarella

Cristin Maldarella

Interventionist

Ms. Cristin Maldarella is a middle school paraprofessional. She got her Associates of Arts from Yavapai College and is working towards her bachelors degree in English at ASU Online. She’s worked in education for two years, starting with one year working in a preschool. This is her first year at Acorn, but she spent the last year working as a paraprofessional in another middle school. She’s excited to work with everyone this year, and see the students learn and grow.