Rachel Ellis is excited to join Hilltop Montessori for the 2025-2026 school year. She grew up in Washington state, where she attended three different Montessori schools: one for preschool, one for elementary school (3rd-5th grades), and one for middle school (8th and 9th grades). She graduated from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, with a Bachelor’s...Read More

Akari grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y. and moved up to Vermont in 2021 to join the Hilltop community. Akari studied political science, education, and gender studies at Bates College for undergrad and completed AMI’s 6-12 Elementary training program with the Montessori Training Center Northeast in August 2024. They are currently a co-teacher in the Lower Elementary...Read More

Kerstin joined Hilltop in the Lower Elementary in 2010. She holds a BA in English Literature from Clark University and completed her 6-9 Montessori teacher training during the summer of 2013 at the Center for Montessori Teacher Education (now METTC). Kerstin also has her certification in elementary Waldorf education. She attended the Enfield Montessori School...Read More

Jennifer brings diverse experience and a love of both teaching and music making to her roles at Hilltop. She holds M.A.’s in Latin American Studies and Education, and she completed her Montessori AMI elementary training at the Washington Montessori Institute prior to moving from the DC area with her family almost 25 years ago. Jen...Read More