Travis Thiele was born in Brattleboro, grew up in Westminster West, attended Wesleyan University in Connecticut, and has worked in Costa Rica, New Zealand, Lake Tahoe, and Park City. He is a certified ski and snowboard instructor since 2001 and has taught thousands of lessons around the world to predominantly clients with disabilities. He was...Read More

Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Akari moved up to Vermont in 2021 to join the Lower El community as an assistant. Now, in their third year, and as a classroom teacher, Akari is working on completing a 6-12 Elementary certification through AMI. Prior to Hilltop, Akari taught first grade in Brooklyn and attended Bates...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 (CMTE). Kerstin also has her certification in elementary Waldorf education. She attended the Enfield Montessori School in...Read More

Malindi (she/her) will be joining the Hilltop community for the third year as the Social Emotional Learning Coordinator and Lower Elementary assistant teacher. Born and raised in Vermont, Malindi was home-schooled until 5th grade and feels that many of the values of Montessori were integral to her early education. After graduating from Hamilton College with...Read More