It is necessary for the teacher to guide the child without letting him feel her presence too much, so that she may always be ready to supply the desired help, but may never be the obstacle between the child and his experience.
Alica Johnson-Grafe is the founder and Head of School of Brixham Montessori Friends School.Alica has been a Montessori teacher since 1996 and administrator since the school’s inception in 1997 as Orchard Street Montessori Friends School.Alica is a graduate of the Northeast Montessori Institute (pre-primary 3-6) and the University of New Hampshire (M.Ed. Elementary Education and B.S. Family Studies/Early Childhood).Alica attended the Center for Montessori Education /NY program for School Management and Administration.Alica enjoys quiet evenings with her husband, Richie, and sons, Dylan and Ben, when they are home on their school breaks and is learning how to balance work and leisure in her busy life.Alica lives in Kittery Point, ME.
Alison Bell is our Business Office Administrator. Alison is a graduate of the Center for Montessori Teacher Education (Infant and Toddler, birth-3 years), has attended Lesley College, and studied Non-profit School Administration at Granite State College. A former Montessori teacher of ten years, Alison joined BMFS in 2003 to explore the administrative side of Montessori education. In her free time, Alison enjoys yoga, leisurely afternoons at the coffee shop, laughing with her friends, singing, and beach days with her dog. Although a Portsmouth native, Alison now lives in Kittery, ME.
Jessa Sullivan is the Technology and Website Manager and is also a member of the school's Public Relations andMarketing committee. As technology and website manager, Jessa provides office and information support to the staff and manages the online community, social networking and public web sites for the school. Jessa is parent to two BMFS students, Melia (7) and Rowan (4) and is a busy mom of four children. In addition to her work at BMFS, Jessa also works as a licensed massage therapist in York, ME.
Toddler Class
Dayna MacIntoshis the Associate Lead Toddler teacher. Dayna attended the University of Maine at Farmington and earned her B.S. in Early Childhood K-3. She is currently taking her Montessori Infant and Toddler training (Birth to age 3) at the Center for Montessori Teacher Education in NY. For three years, Dayna worked as a 3-6 assistant teacher on the Seacoast area. She has also worked as a special needs aid in the Greenland Central Preschool. Dayna enjoys many outdoor activities such as; running, kayaking, camping, hiking and traveling. Dayna recently spent six months traveling in New Zealand. She lives in Portsmouth, NH close to her family. Dayna loves to spend time with her two sisters and the new addition to her family, Khloe, a Golden Retriever.
Sarah Gaetano is the Associate Toddler teacher. Sarah attended the University of Vermont and has worked as a nanny for families in Vermont, San Francisco and Maine over the past ten years. She is currently in the process of obtaining both a degree in Mental Health & Counseling from the University of Maine at Augusta as well as her certification to be a birth doula for women and their families. She holds a certificate from the Montessori Assistant's Overview through the Northeast Montessori Institute and joined BMFS in 2009 as an Assistant Toddler Teacher. Sarah enjoys any summertime activity, being around her family and friends, traveling and learning more about herself as she goes. She lives in York, ME with her husband, Randy, her special buddy Olive and an assortment of animals.
3-6 Classes (Preschool/Kindergarten)
Alica Johnson-Grafe, Extended Day Teacher (see full bio above)
Meg Kerr is the Co-Head Teacher in one of our four 3-6 classes, and an Assistant Teacher in the Extended Day program. Meg is a graduate of Cornell University (B.A. English), the University of NH (M.A. English: Writing), and completed her Early Childhood certification through the Northeast Montessori Institute. She has taught in a variety of settings, including traditional classrooms, the American Southwest and the Canadian North. Before joining BMFS, she worked at Seacoast Hospice, focusing on children’s grief support. Her interests include being in the outdoors, especially on or near water, cooking, reading, writing and art. Meg lives in Dover with her husband, Carl, and their children, Finn and Claire
Brianna Greenleaf is the other Co-Head Teacher in Meg’s 3-6 year old class and the Extended Day and Elementary Spanish specialist. Brianna began her school “career” as a Montessori preschooler. She graduated from the University of New Hampshire (BA Spanish), completed her Montessori certification from the Northeast Montessori Institute, and is recently completed her Masters in Early Childhood Education with a focus on Montessori through Endicott College. Before joining BMFS in 2008, she worked at the Children's Museum of Portsmouth (now the Children's Museum of New Hampshire), where she taught a weekly Spanish class for children ages 4 and 5. Brianna enjoys gardening, reading, walking, spending time outdoors, and being with the people and animals she loves. Brianna lives in Kittery.
Ann Merrittis the Head Teacher of our second 3-6 class, as well as the Extended Day class. Ann is a graduate of St. Nicholas Montessori College (pre-primary 3-6), the University of Virginia (M.A. History), and North Park College (B.A. History). Ann has taught young children in a variety of settings for over twenty years, and joined BMFS in 2003. Ann has a special talent for baking, and also loves to knit, read, garden, hike, and simply spend time with family. Ann lives in South Berwick, ME with her husband Zach and daughters, Magill and Grace
Angelika Weiser-Smith is the Assistant Teacher in Ann’s class and afternoon preschool teacher in the 3-6 Full Day program. Angelika is from Austria, outside of Salzburg. Before coming to the United States, Angelika attended a college for preschool education (BAKIP Linz, Austria) and graduated in 2007. She worked as an au pair for 2 years. Angelika holds an Advanced Assistant’s Overview Certificate and is currently enrolled in the 3-6 teacher training program at Northeast Montessori Institute. It is her second year at BMFS. In her free time Angelika likes to be outdoors and do sports like biking, rock climbing, swimming, surfing and horseback riding. She loves nature, traveling, music and spending time with family and friends. Angelika lives in Kittery with her husband Jason and their two dogs Ben and Mac.
Mary Testa is the other Co-Head Teacher in Nora’s 3-6 classroom and an Assistant Teacher in the Extended Day program. Mary is a graduate of the University of Delaware (B.A. Educational Studies) and earned her Montessori teaching certificate (pre-primary 3-6) through the Montessori Teacher Education Institute of New England. Before becoming a Mom, Mary taught for fourteen years at various Montessori schools in the Northeast. Mary loves to Lindy Hop, garden, hike, read, and beach comb. Mary lives in Eliot with her husband, Buzz, and their son, Hyatt.
Leigh Waldman is the Head Teacher of our third 3-6 class. Leigh is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire (B.A. English), Northeastern University (M.B.A. Business), and Bennington College (M.A.T. Early Childhood). Leigh taught preschool for three years at Bennington College Early Childhood Center in Vermont, and joined BMFS in 2002. Leigh holds her Montessori certification through the Maine Montessori Institute (pre-primary 3-6). Leigh enjoys singing and sharing her passion for music and learning Spanish with young children. Leigh lives in York, ME with her husband, Robert. Her son, Aaron, will be a freshman at the University of Maine at Orono this fall.
Whitney Schwartz is the Assistant Teacher in Leigh's class and afternoon teacher in the Full Day 3-6 program. Whitney graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a BS in Environmental Conservation. She holds a certificate from the Early Childhood Overview course through Northeast Montessori Institute. She spends her free time canoeing, hiking, biking, rock climbing, skiing, and walking the dog at the beach. Whitney lives in Kittery Point with her husband, Travis, and their dog, Sierra.
Nora Studley is the Co-Head Teacher of our fourth 3-6 class, and afternoon teacher in the 3-6 Full Day program. Nora is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire (B.A. in European History and a Minor in Spanish), and holds her Montessori certification through New England Montessori Teacher Education Center in Boston, Massachusetts. Nora is also a certified ESL teacher through TEFL International and spent 2 years teaching English to children in Granada Spain. Coming from a bilingual family, Nora is fluent in Spanish and also completed her last year of college at the University of Granada. She enjoys traveling, spending time at the beach, reading, taking photographs, scrap booking and sharing her passion for Spanish culture and language with children. Nora lives in Portsmouth, NH.
Liz Dunn is a 3-6 Teacher, currently on an extended maternity leave. She is a graduate of New England College (B.A. Elementary Education) in Henniker, NH, received her Montessori teaching certification (pre-primary 3-6) through Northeast Montessori Institute, and is currently finishing her Masters in Early Childhood Education with a focus on Montessori through Endicott College. A Maine native, Liz taught third grade at Center Woods Elementary in Weare, NH before becoming actively involved as a caretaker, riding instructor and summer camp program director at a therapeutic horse riding facility. Liz enjoys any activity outdoors, spending time with her family, cooking up yummy meals, and creating homemade treasures. She lives in Lyman with her husband, Mick, and their daughter, Phoebe.
Elementary Class
Michael Stone is the Co-Head teacher of the Elementary classroom. Michael is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire (M.Ed. Elementary Education and B.A. Education/Spanish). Michael holds a Montessori certification in Lower Elementary (6-9) from the Center for Montessori Teacher Education/NY. Michael taught second grade for three years at Atkinson Academy in New Hampshire in the late 1980’s, and then went on to pursue many interests, including landscape gardening, massage therapy and pastry arts, before returning to teaching in 2002. Michael enjoys gardening, cooking, reading great novels. Michael lives in Kittery Point, ME with his partner, Peter.
Marlane Bottinois the other Co-Head teacher of the Elementary classroom. Marlane is a graduate of the Center for Montessori Teacher Education/NY (Elementary, 6-9) and the University of Connecticut (M.A. History/Education and B.A. History). Prior to moving to Maine more than fifteen years ago, Marlane was a 6-9 head Teacher at Oak Grove Montessori School in Connecticut. Marlane has taught at BMFS since its inception as a Montessori Elementary and Preschool in 2000. Marlane enjoys gardening, nature, painting landscapes, and writing poetry and stories for children. She lives in Kittery Point, ME with her husband, Bob and son, Danny.
Christine Gscottschneideris our new Assistant Elementary Teacher. Christine has a BA in Psychology from Boston University and a Masters in Teaching English as a Foreign Language from Universitat Pompeu Fabrá in Barcelona, Spain. She has taught both Spanish and EFL/ESL/ELL in both Spain and the USA in a variety of settings, including public high schools, private Waldorf schools, language institutes and most recently, at the University of Girona, Spain. Christine will complete the Montessori Early Childhood Overview in late August and looks forward to pursuing her elementary training as a Montessori guide in the near future. Christine is really excited to be back in New England after almost ten years of living abroad in Spain. She is fluent in Spanish and Catalan and is passionate about travel, languages and their respective cultures. In addition, Christine is in the process of completing her certification as a Birth Doula through DONA and feels that “there is nothing more powerful and beautiful than a woman giving birth!” She loves hiking, canoeing, reading, yoga, biking, knitting, cooking, singing folk and jazz music, swimming, and most of all, spending time with her husband, Manuel, and “soon to be three year old” daughter, Emma.
Arts Specialists
Studio Art
Kevin Goodrichis our 2010-2011 Art Studio Specialist. Kevin received his formal art training at Pratt at Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute in Utica, NY and his BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Kevin also studied Art Education at the Maine College of Art where he worked within the greater Portland, Lewiston, and Kennebunk communities to obtain his teaching certification from the State of Maine. Kevin also teaches art to numerous age groups at the Fiddlehead Arts Center in Scarborough, ME. When he is not teaching or commuting down I-95 he can be found painting in his studio, cooking, or hiking throughout New England. Kevin lives in Portland, ME with his fiancé, Janelle, and their two mischievous cats.
Sarah Boys, Studio Art
Sarahis the Art Studio Specialist for BMFS, currently on maternity leave. Sarah attended Johnson State College and holds certificates from both the Montessori Assistant’s Overview and the Advanced Assistant’s workshop through the Northeast Montessori Institute. Sarah is working toward completing her undergraduate degree in Elementary Art Education at the University of New England. Sarah enjoys art, live music, trail walks, being creative on a daily basis, and spending time in Down East Maine. Sarah lives in Kennebunk, ME with her husband, John, their cat, Louie, and soon to be born baby boy.
Andrea Ardito, Theater and Drama
Andreais the Theatre Specialist in the Elementary program. She started teaching at Brixham at its original location on Orchard Street in Portsmouth over 10 years ago. Andrea holds her B.A. in Theatre from Franklin Pierce College in Rindge, NH. Andrea has taught children's theatre all over the Seacoast and has served as an artist in residence as well. Andrea enjoys yoga, running, gardening and dragging her children to yard sales. She lives in Portsmouth with her family; husband Brad, and their children, Olivia, Isabel, and Henry and their many varied & eclectic assortment of animals.
Katie Backus, Strings Program
Katie is the Strings Instructor for the Elementary program. Katie is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island (B.M. Music Education). Katie taught strings in the Portsmouth Public Schools to grades 3-8 for three years. She is currently on the faculty at the Portsmouth Music and Arts Center where she teaches violin, viola, cello, and the New Horizons String Ensemble. Katie enjoys performing, hiking, kayaking, and photography. She lives in Dover, NH with her husband, Bill and their pug, Sammy
Brixham Montessori Friends School began as a preschool in Portsmouth, NH in 1997. Within three short years, the preschool outgrew its space and relocated to York, ME where the school increased the number of students, added an elementary program and established itself as a highly reputable Montessori school serving Seacoast Maine and New Hampshire.
Teachers at BMFS are exceptional. Highly qualified and experienced, head teachers hold a minimum of a Masters degree and a Maine state teaching certificate or certificate from the an accredited Montessori teacher education program. Professional support, low staff turn-over, and encouragement from a dedicated school community help to make BMFS a wonderful place to learn and teach.
Parents at BMFS play a critical role in the governance of the school. Parents are elected to sit on the school’s Board of Directors and many of the Board’s task forces, such as public relations, building and grounds, fundraising, and education oversight are made up of parent volunteers. Parents understand their significant contribution to the well-being of school through volunteering their time, effort, expertise, and financial resources.
- york maine preschool
- Serving children ages 3-9 years, preschool through grade 4
- Small classes and low child/teacher ratios
- Highly qualified and certified Montessori educators
- Complete Montessori curriculum and materials
- Affiliated with the American Montessori Society
- High parent involvement and close-knit learning community
- State approved and licensed by the Maine Department of Education and the Maine Department of Human Services and Childcare
501c3 approved not-for-profit corporation
york maine preschool
Alica Johnson-Grafe 
Alison Bell is our Business Office Administrator. Alison is a graduate of the Center for Montessori Teacher Education (Infant and Toddler, birth-3 years), has attended Lesley College, and studied Non-profit School Administration at Granite State College. A former Montessori teacher of ten years, Alison joined BMFS in 2003 to explore the administrative side of Montessori education. In her free time, Alison enjoys yoga, leisurely afternoons at the coffee shop, laughing with her friends, singing, and beach days with her dog. Although a Portsmouth native, Alison now lives in Kittery, ME.
Dayna MacIntosh 
Sarah Gaetano is the Associate Toddler teacher. Sarah attended the University of Vermont and has worked as a nanny for families in Vermont, San Francisco and Maine over the past ten years. She is currently in the process of obtaining both a degree in Mental Health & Counseling from the University of Maine at Augusta as well as her certification to be a birth doula for women and their families. She holds a certificate from the Montessori Assistant's Overview through the Northeast Montessori Institute and joined BMFS in 2009 as an Assistant Toddler Teacher. Sarah enjoys any summertime activity, being around her family and friends, traveling and learning more about herself as she goes. She lives in York, ME with her husband, Randy, her special buddy Olive and an assortment of animals.
Meg Kerr is the Co-Head Teacher in one of our four 3-6 classes, and an Assistant Teacher in the Extended Day program. Meg is a graduate of Cornell University (B.A. English), the University of NH (M.A. English: Writing), and completed her Early Childhood certification through the Northeast Montessori Institute. She has taught in a variety of settings, including traditional classrooms, the American Southwest and the Canadian North. Before joining BMFS, she worked at Seacoast Hospice, focusing on children’s grief support. Her interests include being in the outdoors, especially on or near water, cooking, reading, writing and art. Meg lives in Dover with her husband, Carl, and their children, Finn and Claire
Brianna Greenleaf is the other Co-Head Teacher in Meg’s 3-6 year old class and the Extended Day and Elementary Spanish specialist. Brianna began her school “career” as a Montessori preschooler. She graduated from the University of New Hampshire (BA Spanish), completed her Montessori certification from the Northeast Montessori Institute, and is recently completed her Masters in Early Childhood Education with a focus on Montessori through Endicott College. Before joining BMFS in 2008, she worked at the Children's Museum of Portsmouth (now the Children's Museum of New Hampshire), where she taught a weekly Spanish class for children ages 4 and 5. Brianna enjoys gardening, reading, walking, spending time outdoors, and being with the people and animals she loves. Brianna lives in Kittery.
Angelika Weiser-Smith is the Assistant Teacher in Ann’s class and afternoon preschool teacher in the 3-6 Full Day program. Angelika is from Austria, outside of Salzburg. Before coming to the United States, Angelika attended a college for preschool education (BAKIP Linz, Austria) and graduated in 2007. She worked as an au pair for 2 years. Angelika holds an Advanced Assistant’s Overview Certificate and is currently enrolled in the 3-6 teacher training program at Northeast Montessori Institute. It is her second year at BMFS. In her free time Angelika likes to be outdoors and do sports like biking, rock climbing, swimming, surfing and horseback riding. She loves nature, traveling, music and spending time with family and friends. Angelika lives in Kittery with her husband Jason and their two dogs Ben and Mac. 
Mary Testa is the other Co-Head Teacher in Nora’s 3-6 classroom and an Assistant Teacher in the Extended Day program. Mary is a graduate of the University of Delaware (B.A. Educational Studies) and earned her Montessori teaching certificate (pre-primary 3-6) through the Montessori Teacher Education Institute of New England. Before becoming a Mom, Mary taught for fourteen years at various Montessori schools in the Northeast. Mary loves to Lindy Hop, garden, hike, read, and beach comb. Mary lives in Eliot with her husband, Buzz, and their son, Hyatt.
Whitney Schwartz is the Assistant Teacher in Leigh's class and afternoon teacher in the Full Day 3-6 program. Whitney graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a BS in Environmental Conservation. She holds a certificate from the Early Childhood Overview course through Northeast Montessori Institute. She spends her free time canoeing, hiking, biking, rock climbing, skiing, and walking the dog at the beach. Whitney lives in Kittery Point with her husband, Travis, and their dog, Sierra. 
Nora Studley is the Co-Head Teacher of our fourth 3-6 class, and afternoon teacher in the 3-6 Full Day program. Nora is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire (B.A. in European History and a Minor in Spanish), and holds her Montessori certification through New England Montessori Teacher Education Center in Boston, Massachusetts. Nora is also a certified ESL teacher through TEFL International and spent 2 years teaching English to children in Granada Spain. Coming from a bilingual family, Nora is fluent in Spanish and also completed her last year of college at the University of Granada. She enjoys traveling, spending time at the beach, reading, taking photographs, scrap booking and sharing her passion for Spanish culture and language with children. Nora lives in Portsmouth, NH.
Liz Dunn is a 3-6 Teacher, currently on an extended maternity leave. She is a graduate of New England College (B.A. Elementary Education) in Henniker, NH, received her Montessori teaching certification (pre-primary 3-6) through Northeast Montessori Institute, and is currently finishing her Masters in Early Childhood Education with a focus on Montessori through Endicott College. A Maine native, Liz taught third grade at Center Woods Elementary in Weare, NH before becoming actively involved as a caretaker, riding instructor and summer camp program director at a therapeutic horse riding facility. Liz enjoys any activity outdoors, spending time with her family, cooking up yummy meals, and creating homemade treasures. She lives in Lyman with her husband, Mick, and their daughter, Phoebe.
Michael Stone is the Co-Head teacher of the Elementary classroom. Michael is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire (M.Ed. Elementary Education and B.A. Education/Spanish). Michael holds a Montessori certification in Lower Elementary (6-9) from the Center for Montessori Teacher Education/NY. Michael taught second grade for three years at Atkinson Academy in New Hampshire in the late 1980’s, and then went on to pursue many interests, including landscape gardening, massage therapy and pastry arts, before returning to teaching in 2002. Michael enjoys gardening, cooking, reading great novels. Michael lives in Kittery Point, ME with his partner, Peter.
Marlane Bottino 
Christine Gscottschneider 
Kevin Goodrich 
Sarah 
Andrea 
Katie is the Strings Instructor for the Elementary program. Katie is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island (B.M. Music Education). Katie taught strings in the Portsmouth Public Schools to grades 3-8 for three years. She is currently on the faculty at the Portsmouth Music and Arts Center where she teaches violin, viola, cello, and the New Horizons String Ensemble. Katie enjoys performing, hiking, kayaking, and photography. She lives in Dover, NH with her husband, Bill and their pug, Sammy