Our Teachers
Alison Evans
School Founder,
Head of School
Founder Alison Evans is an AMS-certified Montessori primary teacher through the Montessori Institute – New England (MI-NE). She received her B.A. in mathematics from Middlebury College and an M.Ed. with a Montessori Concentration from Gordon College. Alison has been a teacher trainer for MI-NE, creating and delivering a course on classroom management. She holds Director certification by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) as well as a Massachusetts teaching license in elementary mathematics. Alison is the co-author of three books through her partnership with Master Class Materials (MCM) which are available on Amazon.com: Spring Tea: A Celebration of Grace and Courtesy for Children 3 – 6, A Biography of Maria Montessori for and by Children, and We Love Slugs! She also holds certification as a Mental Health First Responder, Parent Educator (Redirecting Children's Behavior), and a NCMPS Montessori Coach.
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Alison has two children, both of whom attended Montessori schools when they were young. They are now successful college students; Alison’s son is in graduate school studying saxophone performance and her daughter is studying mathematics and computer science. In addition to Alison’s dedication to Montessori education, she is an enthusiastic, amateur photographer (check out our Instagram feed) and loves to get outside to observe plants and wildlife no matter the season!
Melanie Bohanan completed her AMS Montessori teaching credential through the Northeast Montessori Institute (NMI). Melanie is Lead Teacher certified by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and is taking classes at Northern Essex Community College to complete her degree in Early Childhood Education. Melanie has also completed the Montessori Assistant training at Northeast Montessori Institute.
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Melanie is married and has three high-school aged children who keep her busy and engaged in a variety of activities from theater to sports. Melanie grew up in rural Puerto Rico and speaks fluent Spanish. She enjoys introducing young students to her native language and culture through songs, activities, and daily conversation.
Melanie Bohanan
Team Lead,
Lead Teacher - Mariposa
Mariaisabel Sosa Valdez fell in love with early childhood education while working at a preschool in Georgia. After moving to Massachuestts, she decided to follow her passion for teaching and earned her Teacher certification through the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC). She holds a B.A. in Advertising from the University of Puerto Rico. In addition, Mariaisabel earned a Montessori Assistant certificate through the Northeast Montessori Institute and has taken classes in Building Classroom Community as well as Montessori math and Early Child Development.
While Mariaisabel does not have children of her own, she is an aunt to three nephews and godmother to four children. She grew up in San Juan, Puerto Rico where she loved spending time with family, going to the beach, and watching sunsets. She looks forward to sharing her cultural heritage and native language, Spanish, with Birch Tree students and helping to foster a nurturing and engaging learning environment in the classroom as Melanie's assistant.
Mariaisabel Sosa Valdez
Assistant Teacher - Mariposa
Anahi Ramirez Garrido was introduced to Montessori through a summer school program. She earned a bachelor’s degree in customs science and foreign trade before developing an interest in education. She is currently earning her EEC teacher certification and taking classes for additional certification at Northern Essex Community college while settling in at Birch Tree.
Anahi is the oldest of four siblings, and has many fond memories of playing with her younger siblings and finding things for them to do together. She moved to New England two years ago with her husband, and in her spare time she enjoys walking her dog, Liah, and gardening.
Anahi Ramirez Garrido
Assistant Teacher - Paloma
Jennifer Suarez is a seasoned early childcare teacher with eighteen years of experience with the pre-K age group. She earned her EEC teacher certification through Cambridge College. This is Jennifer’s first experience in a Montessori environment, and she is eager to learn more and grow in her teaching practice.
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Jennifer is married and has two daughters, one in high school and one in college. She loves to read, spend time outdoors, and especially enjoys watching birds at her backyard feeders. In the warmer months she likes to camp with her family and go to the beach. In addition, her family has a little garden and their own backyard chickens.
Jennifer Suarez
Aftercare Assistant Teacher
Manuela Garcia earned her Teacher certification through the Massachusetts Department of Education and Care (EEC). She has also earned a Montessori Teaching Assistant certificate through Wellan Montessori. Manuela began working in early childhood after having two children of her own. Her first position was as a behavioral technician with children on the autism spectrum. In this role, she worked under the supervision of a board certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She loves every part of her job helping young children to achieve their goals and make improvements in areas that need strengthening. Prior to her work in early childhood education, Manuela worked in the medical field and is qualified as a certified nursing assistant (CNA).
Manuela is the mother of two young children. Her son and daughter elementary school students with her daughter being a recent graduate of Birch Tree. Manuela loves to dance and lists bachata and merengue as particular favorites. Her favorite place to visit on vacation is the Dominican Republic.
