Paige’s appreciation and curiosity about the natural world began in both New Mexico and Vermont. Paige furthered this curiosity through her educational journey at the University of Vermont and discovered a love for teaching about nature through a sense of place during her time spent at Shelburne Farms. As a Peace Corps volunteer, serving for three years in the high Andes of Ecuador, Paige recognized the beauty of experiencing the world through different perspectives and languages. Paige continued her love for ecology and education through the graduate program at TSS. Paige is a passionate educator who strives to inspire curiosity and empathy in children through their play and discovery of the world around them. Paige is excited to collaborate with and lead the early childhood team at Mountain Academy.

When Paige isn't teaching she loves spending time exploring the Tetons, floating the Snake, enjoying good food with her husband and friends or spending time relaxing with her cat Chipi.

Rachel is an educator who finds joy in creating spaces where young children can explore and connect deeply with the world around them. Her years working at an outdoor education school in Houston, Texas, shaped her belief in the power of nature and play to inspire curiosity, confidence, and connection in young learners. With an M.Ed. from Vanderbilt University and a background in early childhood and auxiliary programming, she has led classroom and after-school programs and summer camps. She is passionate about building strong, collaborative teams that center children’s needs, support joyful learning, and foster a deep sense of belonging for students, families, and educators. Whether designing hands-on programming, guiding explorations in nature, or creating opportunities for play and discovery, she leads with intention, creativity, and care. Outside of school, she’s often found on the trails with her dog Rosie, riverside camping, or bird watching.

Briella grew up in northeastern Pennsylvania surrounded by rivers, waterfalls, and lush forests that inspired my love for nature. Briella moved to Utah in 2017 to attend the University of Utah and play in the Wasatch mountains. After completing her bachelor’s degree in Communications with a minor in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Briella spent time living in Yosemite National Park. Briella is deeply passionate about the natural world and her experience as a ski instructor has sparked a desire to combine these two passions. Briella is excited to learn and explore alongside young children at Mountain Academy as she embarks on this new journey. Briella is also excited to experience all that the Tetons have to offer while being inspired by bright young minds.

Paige was born and raised in Redlands, California and attended The University of Redlands after high school.  Paige received a Bachelor's degree in Business and after college realized her true passion was working with children.  In the last five years, Paige has taught kindergarten, first grade, and 5th and 6th grade science. Paige was drawn to TSS because of the outdoor learning experiences and nature based approach that they provide for their students.  Paige is excited to get an opportunity to learn and implement The Reggio Emilia approach and experience the beauty of Jackson with young explorers. In her free time Paige enjoys cooking, hiking, and spending time with her dog, Reese.

Emily is a recent graduate of Appalachian State University and has been working in Wyoming for the past two summers as a Course Director for SOAR. Emily majored in Outdoor Education and is so excited to use this knowledge and experience in her new position at Teton Science Schools.  Emily loves working with children of all ages, but early childhood holds a special place in her heart. Emily admires and loves their curiosity and their untainted view of the world. Emily is excited to explore the Reggio Emilia philosophy and intertwine place-based learning into her teaching practice. When not in the classroom Emily loves hiking and trail running. She is excited to use both interests to explore the Tetons and the Jackson Hole area!

Danny arrived in Jackson Hole first through Teton Science Schools’ Graduate Program in 2019 following nearly a decade of sharing his passion for the natural world with young people in unique experiential learning environments. Just prior to joining the TSS community, he shared his love for creating nutritious and delicious food as the chef in an experiential learning kitchen at a small Montessori School in Southeastern Nebraska. Danny has also shared his love for gardening and bicycling with children in non-profit settings, teaching garden-to-table concepts and leading group bike rides all over the nature-filled city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Stemming from his roots as a lifelong lover of learning outdoors and the wide array of literature to back it up, Danny believes that outdoor classrooms offer integral and distinctive lessons that encourage a child’s social-emotional growth as well as their healthy physical and cognitive development. In his free time, Danny may be found in the woods hiking, biking, and swimming in natural bodies of water, or at home reading, snuggling his cats, and playing board games, cooking and dancing with friends.

Krisanna graduated from the University of Wyoming with a degree in elementary education with a concentration in science. She loves teaching but dislikes sitting at a desk, so she is passionate about place-based education and can’t wait to share the wonder of the world with young children. Krisanna spent two summers working with Teton Science Schools Early Childhood Summer program adventuring and exploring this place with young children. She is so excited to return to Teton Science Schools as a member of Mountain Academy to lead the Pre-Kindergarten class. When she's not Nordic skiing she spends her free time trail running, reading, summiting peaks, and sleeping under the stars.

Veronica hails from a southeastern Pennsylvania suburb where they grew up rolling in the mud, splashing in puddles, and climbing sweet gum trees. A childhood spent outdoors has led to a career in environmental education where she shares her passion for the natural world with students of all ages. After graduating from Temple University, Veronica taught children about not-so-creepy crawlies at the Philadelphia Insectarium. Veronica then hopped over the Delaware River to work at Fernbrook Farms where they crafted outdoor education programs for preschool to elementary-aged students. Once their time on the farm came to a close, Veronica worked leading hikes at North Cascades Institute in Washington. Afterwards, they worked for Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center in Boston Harbor, leading students in climbing, team building, and salt marsh explorations. Veronica spends their free time hiking, climbing, reading, writing, crafting, and exploring new hobbies. They are excited to spend the school year outside with children flipping over logs, dancing, creating nature crafts, and finding joy in each day!

Jeffrey Post-Holmberg holds a BS in Forestry from Oregon State University. He earned his Master's in Counseling Psychology from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon. From 1981 to 2006, he was a Course Leader with the National Leadership School (NOLS), where he spent 500 field weeks teaching outdoor skills and leadership worldwide. After earning his Master's degree in 2009, he embarked on a 13-year journey in his private practice as a couples, child, and family therapist in Portland, Oregon. He lives in the Teton Valley with his wife, Sarah, and two sons, Koven and Tenzin, who are both students at Mountain Academy.

Jenny graduated with a degree in education from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and has an M.Ed. focused on curriculum and instruction with an emphasis on arts integration from Lesley University. She holds certifications and state licensures to teach K-6th grade and K-12th grade art. Jenny has been an elementary classroom teacher since 2009 and an informal educator long before that. She is a passionate educator dedicated to igniting the spark of curiosity in her students by designing creative and engaging curricula. She believes in project-based, hands-on learning and strives to cultivate an environment where each student is inspired to explore and discover. Jenny asked us to share that she is so excited to join Teton Science Schools and Mountain Academy and can't wait to meet you and your children! Jenny will be teaching kindergarten and first grade.

Joanna’s journey in education has centered around connecting young people to nature. In 1997, she began her career as an outdoor educator in California. She spent ten years teaching school groups in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and working as an interpretive park ranger in Yosemite National Park. She has written six books for young readers, all focusing on the human connection to nature and science. Joanna holds a BA in Environmental Studies from Mount Holyoke College, an MFA in Writing for Young People from Lesley University, and an M.Ed. in Elementary Education from Prescott College. She and her family have lived in Jackson for 17 years. She teaches third grade at Munger Mountain Elementary School, a Spanish dual immersion program in the Teton County School District. In looking ahead to her future with Mountain Academy, Joanna is especially excited to cultivate relevant, student-driven, place-based learning that fosters curiosity in the self and our world.

Lucy is a fun, compassionate, and detail-oriented educator from Rockport, Maine. Before migrating West, she spent several years as an Outward Bound instructor, leading Middle and High School students on backpacking and sailing trips. This upcoming school year, Lucy is excited to see how she can further draw on her experience in outdoor education to take Mountain Academy students on more journeys outside the classroom.

This year, given the task of juggling the positions of Learning Support Coordinator, K-8 Interventionist, and ELA Teacher, Macey Ackman has proven herself time and time again. With her love of literature, including Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby and Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar,” her deep knowledge of pop culture, and many years of teaching experience, Macey brings a fun energy to the Middle School that students naturally gravitate towards.

David has been shaped by life in Washington, Idaho, Texas, Tennessee, and Wyoming—he's a bit of everywhere rolled into one. With over a decade of experience as a professional artist specializing in oil painting, photography, and art instruction, he infuses creativity and depth into all his endeavors. David is drawn to the mountains, fueled by a love for horses, and always ready for the next adventure.

Brendan is thrilled to be teaching Spanish at the Jackson Campus Mountain Academy! Before joining Mountain Academy, Brendan worked as a Program Coordinator on Teton Science Schools' Field Education team and as a Grade 5 teacher at The Park School in Boston, MA. While at the Park School, Brendan also coached flag football, basketball, and lacrosse, and led an after-school outdoor education program. Brendan is passionate about helping students develop a love for the Spanish language and empowering them to apply their learning in real-world contexts outside of the classroom. In his spare time, Brendan loves skiing, trail running, rock climbing, playing pickleball, and cheering on his favorite football team, the New York Giants.

Sam comes to Teton Science Schools sincerely believing in the power of place, people, and stories. His story began in the Green Mountains of Vermont, where he still vividly remembers his “special place” atop an eroded riverbank overlooking the Ompompanoosuc River. His curiosity for the outdoors led him to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Forestry and Plant Biology. As much as Sam admired the intricacies of sugar maples and white pines while working as a forestry consultant, he yearned for the inspiration of people. For the past dozen years, in a diverse array of managerial and teaching experiences, Sam has explored the intersectionality of education and science. This journey has molded his educational philosophy, in which we all arrive at any moment with a story to tell. It is our responsibility to ensure we provide an inclusive space where that story can be heard and valued. He looks forward to hearing your story when he has the privilege of meeting you. Sam holds an M.S. in Natural Science Education from the University of Wyoming, a graduate program at Teton Science Schools, and a B.S. in Forestry and Plant Biology from the University of Vermont.