Meet Our Team

Our Teaching Team:

Melissa Jerome | Executive Director / Certified TimberNook Provider
Melissa has been an early childhood educator for over 20 years. She holds her Early Childhood credential from the AMS (American Montessori Society) and is also a certified provider of Timbernook in the Mount Washington Valley. She attended UNH and earned her B.S. in Recreation Management and Policy with an emphasis on Therapeutic Recreation. All her schooling has helped fuel her passion for educating young children and families about the positive effects of nature and play for all! She has lived in the Valley for the past 18 years with her husband Tony and their two daughters. They enjoy spending time outdoors; camping, exploring and hiking. She has loved raising her family here and loves all the outdoor opportunities that the area has to offer.

Marylynn Burns | Lead Teacher, Sprouts
Marylynn received her Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Kean University in New Jersey and is certified in both. She received Timbernook training in Barrington, NH. She has been teaching for over 30 years an during this time she has taught Young Toddlers, Toddlers, Preschool, and Kindergarten and was an On-Site Director. She has worked in traditional, public, private, Montessori, and outdoor schools. Marylynn takes her love for nature and the outdoors and her research on the benefits of children playing in nature to educate children and families. She moved to New Hampshire from New Jersey in 2020 after vacationing here many times. Marylynn and her husband Tim have two daughters and a son. Their children are now adults and live in New Jersey and New Hampshire. When not working, Marylynn's hobbies include hiking, gardening, beekeeping, raising chickens, nature photography, camping, snowshoeing, and pretty much anything she can do outside!

Casandra Mercer | Associate Teacher, Sprouts 
Casandra Mercer is an assistant toddler teacher with a strong passion for child development and Montessori education. Holding an Early Childhood Education certificate, they are currently pursuing an advanced certification to further enhance their skills. In 2024, they were honored with a nomination for the NH Children’s Trust Award, recognizing their dedication to the well-being of young children. Beyond teaching, Casandra enjoys exploring creativity and wellness through art, music, poetry, and cooking, with a special interest in raw/vegan eating. They also love hiking, being in nature. In her spare time, she is committed to her family, cherishing quality time together.With a deep belief that a cohesive and thriving society begins with the care and education of its youngest members; Casandra is dedicated to fostering a nurturing and enriching learning environment.

Krystal Johnson | Lead Teacher, Seedlings
Krystal has an Associates degree with a focus on Early Childhood Education and has been working with preschool age children since 2019. She has worked with the TimberNook program since 2019 and has witnessed the pure joy and magic that unfolds in the woods. When children have the space and opportunity to let there imaginations unfold there is no greater gift. The Montessori classroom is also a magical place where children have the freedom to learn as they become interested in things. They follow their own timeline on when they are ready. It’s a beautiful process. Krystal also enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and son on their tree farm in Fryeburg, ME and hiking and camping all throughout New England.

Lauren Romero | Teacher, Seedlings
Lauren has a Masters degree in English Literature. She nannied throughout college in New Orleans and midwifery school in Maine. She taught English at Jiangsu University in China. As a new parent, she substituted and assisted with aftercare at a Waldorf school, then opened a successful home daycare centered on free play, emotional development, and time outdoors. Through more than 15 years of childcare work, Lauren learned that Montessori’s methods ring true — children are happiest and learn best when they follow their own interests, work according to their own timelines, and move their bodies. Lauren believes that mastery of life skills gives children self confidence, and that emotional intelligence lays a foundation for good relationships. In her free time, Lauren likes to take her four-year-old son Jonah to local lakes and to day trips all around New England. Lauren and Jonah camped four months straight in the summer of 2022! They live in Madison.

Louise Myrback | Teacher, Seedlings
Louise was born and bred in Sweden, Stockholm. Louise has an extensive theater background. She studied performing arts in Stockholm and became a member of the Mirror theater, acting in many plays such as Miss Julie, Blood Wedding, A midsummer night's dream, a Doll House, and many more. She moved to the US in 1994 and attended Stella Adler academy of acting in Los Angeles, Ca. Louise became part of the movie industry, acting in independent movies such as the movie Wicked.Becoming a mother was what sparked her interest in education. Her daughter was attending The Lilliputian Montessori school and a few years after she became an assistant teacher at the school. This will be Louise's 7th year with The Lilliputian School. Previously she has been teaching preschool In Sweden with the Reggio Emilia approach. She loves the hands-on and self-directed learning that happens in a Montessori classroom. As a teacher she enjoys following the child's lead and allowing them to learn how to take care of their own basic needs. Louise feels the Montessori method fosters independence, and accountability, and students are eager to share their knowledge with their peers when a friend might need some help. In her free time, Louise loves camping at Hermit Island with her daughter Winter, as well as hiking, kayaking, biking and spending time with her dogs.

Kelly J Evans | Operations Director & Permanent Substitute Teacher
A native of Pittsburgh, PA, Kelly has worked in the education field for over two decades specifically in the areas of special education, early intervention services and teacher education. She discovered Montessori midway through her career while teaching children with autism and immediately fell in love with what it had to offer to ALL children. Kelly earned her Bachelors degree in Psychology from St. Vincent College, Latrobe, PA and also holds a 6-9 Lower Elementary Montessori Credential. She later earned her masters degree in education from Plymouth State University and is also a certified TimberNook teacher. She has had the pleasure of teaching and learning with toddlers, preschool and elementary students in traditional, charter school, Montessori school and outdoor-based learning environments. Kelly leads our Enrichment Program and also feels fortunate to spend time working with flowers at Dutch Bloemen Winkel and flour at Old Village Bakery. Kelly is an avid gardener and enjoys all of the adventure that the White Mountains have to offer with her husband, son and two dogs.

Our Board Members: 

Stephanie Fitzgerald | President

Emma Mabel Carlson | Vice President 

Amalia Haydock | Treasurer