David was drawn to Teton Science Schools in 2001 to teach in and lead the Upper School. Since then, he has honed his craft in the English classroom to include place-based and project-based education approaches and to deliver the International Baccalaureate curriculum. The most fulfilling aspect to working at TSS is centered around relationships: collaborating with peers across the organization and working with students to help them become confident, life-long learners. And, David loves Jackson Hole, its inspiring people and stunning mountains and rivers. David was drawn to the area because of TSS's reputation for being a national leader in experiential, hands-on learning, and the area is perfect for his active, outdoor lifestyle. 

David enjoys spending time with his family, cycling on single-track and asphalt, reading, fishing, skiing, and hunting.

Christa Carson joined Mountain Academy in 2020 and currently teaches Upper School Math and Science. Mountain Academy's creative educational approach appeals to Christa as a teacher of science. She relishes the opportunity to anchor learning in place-based, relevant issues.

Outside of the school building, Christa spends time on graduate work toward a Master of Science in Science Education in addition to developing her small business creating hand-thrown pottery and teaching pottery courses through the Art Association of Jackson Hole. She also takes every opportunity to get outside and play in our incredible backyard.

Mayme holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska in Spanish and a master’s degree in Spanish from the University of Wyoming. Mayme has spent time in Chile teaching English and is looking forward to instilling a passion for world languages to the Mountain Academy students.

Grant holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Dayton and a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Oregon State University. Grant is thrilled to be moving back to the area where he enjoys skiing and all the outdoor goodness of the Tetons.

Hannah first worked with Teton Science Schools through leading stargazing programs for Field Education groups. She joined the Mountain Academy faculty in 2019 and teaches middle and upper school science. Hannah was drawn to Mountain Academy by the opportunity to use hands-on experiences to combine her passion for science education with her love for exploring the natural world.

When she's not in the classroom, Hannah can be found hiking in the Tetons or stargazing with her telescope.

Melissa graduated from St. John Fisher University with a B.A. in Political Science and Sustainability and holds a masters degree from Manhattanville College in Education. Melissa is most recently from Connecticut and is looking forward to spending time in the Tetons.

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Matt was a graduate of the Teton Science Schools Graduate Program in 2021. After some time spent that year on the Teton Valley Campus, Matt joined the Jackson Campus faculty to instruct middle school math. Matt came to Mountain Academy for the opportunity to build community through place-based education. By connecting learning to the human and more than human communities in the area, he is hoping that students can engage in a holistic learning approach to math.

Matt can be found hiking or backpacking on trails in both the Teton and Gros Ventre ranges, hopefully to a lake or creek in which he can take a dip. Otherwise he can be found reading, practicing yoga, biking, cooking, playing board games, listening to music, or watching new films.

The keystone of Meghan’s educational foundation was her experience at Tower Hill School in Wilmington, DE.  While at this college-preparatory independent school, Meghan learned the importance of engaging in an educational experience that focuses on the development of its students as inquisitive, creative and character driven individuals in a diverse world. Mountain Academy’s mission and core values drew Meghan to apply for the 1st year preschool role in 2021. She has enjoyed building community and growing as a professional educator at Mountain Academy. Meghan’s passion for education is fundamentally rooted in creating an environment that cultivates team building and partnership, mutual respect, collective responsibility.

Outside of the classroom, you can find Meghan fishing, hunting, hiking or camping with her husband. She also coaches for Jackson Hole Lacrosse Club.

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Anna graduated from the TSS graduate program in June 2022, started the 2022 school year as a lower school teaching fellow, and is now leading the 4/5 class on the Jackson Campus. Anna was drawn to TSS because of their place based ideologies and their focus on building a strong community.

When Anna isn’t teaching she enjoys spending her time outdoors or sharing the joy of reading with her other job at the Valley Bookstore.

Carolyn Modlish joined Mountain Academy in 2022 as the 4/5 teacher on the Teton Valley Campus. She is now a lower school faculty member on the Jackson Campus. Carolyn is a passionate educator who is invested in the power of meaningful learning; learning that lights a fire in students. Mountain Academy represents the impact authentic, learner-centered experiences have in the development of curiosity in students. Experiences that lead to meaningful learning, and inspire humans!

Outside of school Carolyn is taking in all the Teton Valley and greater Wy-daho region has to offer. She is excited to continue to become a part of the people, the places, and all the little things that make this community so uniquely special.

Taralee ran Mountain Academy’s after school drama program last year. Taralee loves the art of performing and working with students to push their comfort levels on stage. She is thrilled to be working with our Lower and Middle School students.

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Matt hails from Washington, DC, and since his college graduation he has been a teacher’s assistant at two different elementary schools and spent several years teaching in two different early childhood programs.  He was born overseas and spent much of his childhood living abroad. From his time spent working with young children and being a part of the TSS graduate program this past year he realized he has a passion for working with our youngest learners and wants to support their curiosities about the world around them in intentional and meaningful ways.

Kate received her Bachelor of Arts in English and creative writing with Honors from Whitman College, and has since celebrated powerful storytelling within learning environments. Kate got her start in primary education as an intern for the San Francisco-based nonprofit, 826 Valencia, and later worked as an assistant Kindergarten teacher within the California public school system. Seeking to find ways to merge her love of the natural world, limitless imagination, and passion for inquiry based learning, Kate found her way to TSS, first as an AmeriCorps member and now as a teacher on the Preschool team! She describes herself as a lifelong learner who constantly seeks inspiration from her students.

Paige Fisher attended the TSS Graduate Program in 2014-2015 and then went on to earn her Master's Degree at the University of Wyoming. She returned to TSS in 2016 as a preschool faculty member on the Jackson Campus. Paige is now the Director of the Jackson Campus Preschool and loves teaching our youngest learners. Mountain Academy Preschool believes that the Reggio Emilia Philosophy and Nature Based Practices is how our youngest learners do place-based education well. This matches her own beliefs in the profoundness of teaching about nature through a sense of place and letting our youngest members be the drivers of their own learning. She is deeply passionate about early childhood education, believes in the capacity of children and strives to inspire curiosity, joy and empathy in children through their play and discovery of the world around them. Paige believes that Mountain Academy is a place where this magic happens each and every day. 

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.

Grace Werner joined TSS in the summer of 2022 as the Coordinator of Preschool Summer Camps. She is now teaching preschool in the first-year program on the Jackson Campus. She strongly believes outdoor education is one of the best avenues for helping students build understanding and compassion for themselves, their peers, their mentors, and the natural world around them. Paired with the Reggio Emilia philosophy of Mountain Academy’s preschool, Grace gets to support our youngest learners in pursuing their authentic curiosities that leads to whole-hearted learning.

Grace loves to hit the ski slopes and hiking trails. Paddle the snake in a canoe and sleep in a tent when possible. After school, She relaxes with a walk and a good audiobook.

Danny arrived in Jackson Hole first through the 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. He spent two years teaching in the lower school on the Jackson Campus, in the 4/5 classroom and the K/1 classroom, and is now an outdoor explorations teacher in Early Childhood Education. Danny was drawn to Mountain Academy for its whole-child approach and its focus on social-emotional and nature-based learning.

In his free time, Danny may be found in the woods hiking, biking or reading in a hammock, at home cooking, meditating or playing board games with friends, or dancing anytime the mood strikes.