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 graduates. Her daughter now works in cyber security, and her son is completing a graduate degree in saxophone performance. In addition to Alison’s dedication to Montessori education, she is an enthusiastic, amateur photographer (check out our Instagram feed) and a self-professed "bird nerd". She loves to get outside to observe plants and wildlife no matter the season!
Stacia Smith earned her AMS Montessori primary teacher certification through the Northeast Montessori Institute (NMI). She received her B.S. in Sports Management and Sociology from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and earned her M.Ed. in Elementary Education from Bridgewater State University. In addition to holding Massachusetts Certification in Special Education for Moderate Disabilities for ages pre-K through grade 8 and Elementary Education, Stacia is also an AMS-certified elementary (ages 6 - 9) teacher through the Seacoast Center for Education. Stacia is Director certified by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC).
In addition to her academic credentials, Stacia is a certified yoga and meditation teacher for both children and adults. She has an elementary-aged son who is very active in sports, so her family spends a lot of time at baseball fields and hockey rinks. Luckily, Stacia enjoys watching all of the games! She also enjoys traveling and loves learning about different cultures and customs - especially trying new foods.
Stacia Smith
Assistant
Head of School
Melanie Bohanan
Team Lead,
Lead Teacher
Melanie Bohanan completed her AMS Montessori teaching credential through the Northeast Montessori Institute (NMI). She 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 teenaged 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.
Mariaisabel Sosa fell in love with early childhood education while working at a preschool in Georgia. After moving to Massachusetts, 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 enjoys sharing her cultural heritage and native language, Spanish, with Birch Tree students and helping to foster a nurturing and engaging learning environment.
Mariaisabel Sosa
Assistant Teacher
Anahi Ramirez
Assistant Teacher
Anahi Ramirez is Teacher certified through the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC). She earned a bachelor’s degree in customs science and foreign trade before developing an interest in education. She has also earned a Montessori Assistant certificate through Wellan Montessori and is working toward Lead Teacher certification through EEC.
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 four years ago with her husband, and in her spare time she enjoys walking her dog, Liah, and gardening.
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.
