Faculty & Staff

Shawn Kelly

Shawn Kelly was named TSS Chief Executive Officer in September 2021. He also serves as the Mountain Academy Head of School.

Shawn’s professional journey in education started during his time working with the U.S. Agency for International Development in Sri Lanka on a reef conservation project and assisting with the development of a shrimp farm. He had the opportunity to lecture at several universities and international schools on the importance of marine resources in the tropics. Shawn also had previous summer experience teaching filmmaking and physics to high school students, and all together, these educational opportunities convinced him to dedicate his professional life to the pursuit of education. Over the course of his career, Shawn has taught a myriad of courses in both the sciences and the humanities to students ranging from preschool to the undergraduate level. He values the transformative power of experiential education and has made it a point to help students engage with their learning in a way that connects course material to their lives. Most recently, Shawn held head-of-school roles at two independent schools: St. Peter’s School in Philadelphia, PA, and The McClelland School in Pueblo, CO. Shawn graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a B.A. in Marine Affairs. He earned an M.A. in teaching and learning from the Harvard School of Education. Shawn and his wife, Tiffany, have two children, Eva (9) and Jack (2). Relocating from Colorado Springs, CO, they look forward to exploring their new backyard and connecting with the local communities.

Claire Lewis

Claire Lewis joined Teton Science Schools in the fall of 2022 as Executive Assistant to Shawn Kelly, CEO. Previously, Claire worked in Enrollment Management at an independent all girls school in the Philadelphia suburbs. Claire supports Shawn in his leadership role in the daily operation of Teton Science Schools and Mountain Academy, and the Board of Directors and standing committees in their ongoing governance. Claire enjoys belonging to an organization which has, at its core, the principles of best practice in placed-based education. She was drawn to TSS by its committed educators and connections to people, place and nature.

Claire loves daily early morning walks with her two dogs, and likes to read, knit, and cook dinner for friends. She is actively involved in stream restoration work, stormwater management and the preservation of green space in her community.

Leila Poutiatine

Raised in New England, Leila first experienced the majestic mountains of the west at college in CO. Comforted by the humbling impact of living near vast natural places, she settled on the CA coast for 18 years before moving with her family to Teton Valley in 2018. Her own early fascination with exploring the natural world led her to pursue a BS in biology from Smith College. She put her science skills to use teaching 7th grade biology when she launched her career in independent schools in 1994. Most recently she has been honing her love of teaching and learning in schools committed to honoring the natural curiosity and wonder inherent in unique learners of all ages.

Nate Musser

Nate is the school associate head of school for Mountain Academy’s Jackson Campus and started this role in the summer of 2022. He was drawn to the history of what Mountain Academy and Teton Science Schools represents and for the potential of what the organization can be.

In his free time, Nate can be found spending time in the mountains with his dog Murphy or playing pickleball (without his dog Murphy).

Eric Saitta

Eric Saitta has over a decade of teaching and education management experience. This includes serving as Admissions Director, Teacher Coordinator, Assistant Principal, Cambridge Exams Officer, Co-Director of a corporate training company, and Secondary School teacher. Eric holds a Professional Graduate Certificate in Education from the University of London as well as a Certificate in School Management and Leadership from HGSE. He is also a nationally certified healthcare practitioner, specializing in the treatment of acute and chronic pain conditions using acupuncture, herbal medicine, and physical therapy.  Outside of work Eric enjoys sports, weight training, music, and nature.

Beth Caputi

Beth has spent over 20 years in college counseling roles, both at the college and school levels. She joined Teton Science Schools in 2017, where she offers upper school students highly personalized attention to help them showcase their individual qualities and unique place-based high school experience. Beth visits the Jackson campus from her home in Maine six times a year to work directly with students and their families; she is always available for virtual meetings throughout the year. Beth earned her BA in Psychology from Williams College and received a Public Policy Fellowship from the Coro Foundation in New York City. She loves getting to know so many wonderful Teton Science School students and their families.

Katie Rose Griffith

Katie Rose Griffith joined Mountain Academy in 2017, after spending time working for Mountain RootS Education in the garden. She is currently the farm and Garden and Outdoor Education Director. Katie Rose was drawn to the experiential learning through outdoor classrooms at the Teton Valley campus garden.

When Katie Rose isn’t teaching she is in the mountains and visiting the ocean.

Porsche Adams

Porsche joined Mountain Academy in 2021 as the registrar and recently began working with admissions in addition to her registrar role in 2022. Porsche was drawn to Teton Science Schools and Mountain Academy through a desire for mission based work with a love of nature and passion for education.

When not working, Porsche enjoys travel, photography, journaling, reading and playing video games.

Lee Zderski

Lee Zderski joined TSS at the beginning of the 21-22 school year, as a Learning Specialist and Faculty Member. She continues her role as a part of the Learning Support Team on the TVC campus. Lee was drawn to Mountain Academy’s dedication to Place Based Education (PBE). Lee is also IB PYP certified, she embraces how IB brings the real world into the classroom while honoring the child’s attributes. She believes PBE takes an additional step to this by facilitating real world experiences within our students’ community, environment, culture and history.

Skiing has drawn Lee and her family to the valley for over twenty consecutive years. Lee also loves to read, play tennis, and cook. Exploring the beauty of ‘home’ with her family is a priority.

Elsa Rall

Elsa completed a remote AmeriCorp term with the Teton Science Schools during the summer of 2020 where she established a great appreciation for place-based education and the TSS community. Most recently, her experience as a Mountain Academy preschool summer faculty member reinforced her passion to inspire young learners through outdoor education and by sharing her passion for the natural world. While at William & Mary, she played division one lacrosse and earned a degree in history with a minor in anthropology, which guided her to pursue a masters degree in American studies. Her enthusiasm for history and the environment emerges in her masters research focused on women in the American West and the Adirondacks in conjunction with the environment. These experiences strengthened Elsa’s belief in creating an inclusive, understanding, and empowering environment, while also allowing students to grow simultaneously with the world around them.

Jeffrey Post-Holmberg

Jeffrey holds a bachelor’s degree in Forestry from Oregon State University and a master’s degree in Counseling from Lewis and Clark College. Jeffrey has 500+ field weeks as skills/leadership Course Leader in India, Kenya, Alaska, Wyoming, Washington, and Utah for NOLS.

David Porter

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

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.

Kieran Hadley

Kieran holds a bachelor’s degree in International Studies and a minor in French from the University of Utah. Prior to Mountain Academy, Kieran was a program director for climbing at World Class Academy. Kieran is passionate about intersectionality of literature and outdoor experiences.

Melissa Lindine

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.

Grant Ross

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.

Mayme Sullivan

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.

Hannah Pagel

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.

Alison Missler

Alison Missler currently serves as the Division Coordinator for the JC middle school and teaches English. With small class sizes and a focus on full student development, MA allows for Alison to focus on what she cares about most: creating learning that moves beyond the classroom walls.

When she isn’t in her classroom, Alison can be found reading, writing, or exploring somewhere outside.

Matt Bisk

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.

Meghan Cobb

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.

Anna Varley

Anna graduated from the TSS graduate program in June 2022 and is now a teacher’s assistant with the JC Lower School. 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

Carolyn Modlish joined Mountain Academy in 2022 and is currently the 4/5 teacher on the Teton Valley 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.

Leah Heit

Claire is new to Mountain Academy this fall, as a Kindergarten/First Grade Teacher and as a Learning Support Team Specialist. Claire is most excited to be teaching elementary students to read, write and spell using her science of reading, structured literacy skill sets and approach in combination with the Mountain Academy’s brand new structured literacy curricula. She has learned that explicitly teaching students to read in a sequenced and systematic way ensures that most students will learn to read proficiently.

When Claire isn’t teaching, she enjoys spending time studying, hiking, playing tennis, cross country skiing, snowboarding or watching her daughter’s gymnastics meets.

Paige Fisher

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.

Kate Swisher

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.

Grace Werner

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 Martin

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.

Hannah Stellflue

Hannah is originally from Wisconsin where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Wisconsin. Hannah joined us during our summer programs and we are so excited to have Hannah with us for the school year! Hannah is looking forward to making an impact on young children through experiencing the enjoyment of all the small wonders that nature has to offer.

Maria Vazquez

In Maria’s six years of working with young children she has developed a deep passion for working with this age group. She believes the growth that happens between a young toddler and a toddler is incredible. Maria is really looking forward to learning more about place based education at Mountain Academy through using the Reggio Emilia philosophy and Nature based practices.

Matt Cekuta

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.

Jeffrey Scott Stevens

Jeffrey has been a professional actor around the world for nearly two decades and is thrilled to join the Mountain Academy team. Jeffrey is eager to share his passion for the arts with the Middle and Upper School students. Jeffrey is well known for his impressions of other actors.

Taralee Fairclough

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.

Alex Wilson

Alex holds a bachelor’s degree in Art from Colorado College and a MFA from The School of Art Institute of Chicago. Alex is passionate about integrating his class with other classes to promote the flourishing of the whole student. When Alex is not creating art, you can find him knee deep in powder on a bluebird day.

Brooks Taylor

Brooks joined Teton Science Schools through the Graduate Program in 2018, and Mountain Academy the following year as a teaching fellow. Brooks currently is a Division Coordinator and Humanities faculty on the Teton Valley Campus Brooks was drawn to Mountain Academy through his love of hands-on, experiential, and Place Based Education. Brooks has been immersed in “place” from studying the Civil War at Gettysburg College as an undergrad, to retracing the Lewis and Clark trail in a homemade canoe.

Outside of teaching, Brooks is a fishing guide for Three Rivers Ranch in Warm River, Idaho and lives with his wonderful girlfriend and dog, Katie and Leo.

Kelsie Leu

Kelsie started her journey at Teton Science Schools in 2014 as an AmeriCorps member. She then worked in Field Education as a lead instructor and eventually a faculty member. Kelsie joined Mountain Academy in 2020 and teaches middle school math, science, and project lab on the Teton Valley Campus. Through her professional experiences in environmental education and youth development, Kelsie cultivated a teaching philosophy that prioritized the intersection of place and people. She is eager to develop the next generation of leaders and thinkers who are curious about the world around them.

In her free time, Kelsie enjoys exploring the surrounding mountain ranges on foot and on bike.

Tim Gruber

Tim Gruber joined the Mountain Academy community in the fall of 2021 as a lower school faculty member on the Teton Valley Campus (TVC) and now serves as the Division Coordinator for the lower school on the TVC. Tim loves the unique opportunity to form deep relationships with kids, families, colleagues, and community members.

Outside of the classroom you can find Tim running, reading, and sharing stories.

Molly Nash

Katie O’Connell

Katie O’Connell started at Teton Science Schools (TSS) in the Graduate program in 2018. After completing her Masters in Place Based Education and a fellowship on the Teton Valley Campus Katie stayed on the team as a K/1 teacher. This is Katie’s fourth year on the Teton Valley Campus in K/1. Katie loves TSS because of its sense of community and connection to the natural world. Place-based Education and Project-Based Learning are two passions of Katie’s and special parts of this school for her.

While not in the classroom, Katie can be seen walking her dog Spud, hiking, running, skiing, and working on lots of crafts.

Jan Suiter

Jan Suiter joined the Teton Valley Campus Mountain Academy team as part time support staff for 4/5 in 2021-2022. Jan will be assisting 4/5 again, and “float” as needed throughout the TVC campus. Jan recently retired from a place-based education school in Hawaii. Discovering Mountain Academy right here in Teton Valley, (which she also calls home), happily brought her out of retirement.

Jan is an avid swimmer and has been involved in aquatics for over 30 years. She volunteers for Teton Valley Aquatics, and feels passionate about water safety education.

Emma Downie

Molly Gillespie

Elise Pierce

Elise Pierce joined the preschool team on the Teton Valley Campus in 2019 and has been there ever since. She was drawn to the early childhood program’s focus on hands-on, place-based, emergent curriculum and building relationships with the natural world both in and outside of the classroom.

When Elise is not teaching, she is traveling to far away places, spending time with family and friends, playing outside, digging in flowers, veggies, and growing things in the garden.

Lulu Orne

Lulu started at Mountain Academy in the summer of 2019 in the Early Childhood program. Lulu currently works in the Early Childhood program on the Teton Valley Campus where she is the ‘Outdoor Explorations Lead Teacher’. Lulu is passionate about supporting children in developing their personal relationships to the land and supporting children in developing confidence and self-knowledge through ‘risky play’ and inquiry.

When not at school, Lulu can be found exploring the mountains and rivers of Teton Valley with her dog Gus, sitting at her sewing machine, or working on her in depth analysis of the Twilight Saga.

Brianna West

Allison Swan

Allison started working with Mountain Academy in 2021 as the after school teacher and is now a full time preschool faculty member on the Teton Valley Campus. Allison was drawn to the place-based, nature-based early childhood program.

In her free time, Allison enjoys hiking, birding, and exploring the woods and water with her favorite field companion, her pup Boulder.

Lucille Rice