BLOOM ADMIN TEAM
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VANESSA NASSET
Owner/Directress
Vanessa was born and raised on the Ft. Peck Indian Reservation in Northeastern Montana. She knew from an early age that she wanted to be a teacher. Her educational philosophies were shaped by her experiences teaching in small Yupik and Inupiat villages in the Alaskan bush, where a very progressive model of public education was implemented. Once arriving back home to Montana, Vanessa came to know and love the Montessori approach to learning. She immediately saw the parallels between the Montessori philosophy and her background in personalized learning. Vanessa holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education as well as a Masters in Education degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Alaska at Anchorage. Vanessa resides in Helena with her husband John and their two children, Jack and Ella.
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APRIL WEST
Assistant Director
April was born in California but raised in Butte, Montana. She moved to Helena in 2008 with her husband and they now have 2 daughters who are 11 and 6 years old. She has 15 years of experience in early childhood education, working with all age groups. Her mother worked in early childhood education so she grew up in the environment and followed in her footsteps. She currently has 225 hours of early childhood education training including the infant/toddler and preschool certifications through the State of Montana. In 2015, she decided to try a different path and gained my associates degree in Administrative Office Management with a certificate specializing in computer skills. However, nothing could keep her from her passion of working with children. She most recently worked as a Program manager for a center in Helena, until March of 2020 when she was blessed to spend 8 months home with her children.
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KELLEN HULL
Director of Education
Kellen has his Bachelors of Arts in English Literature from Portland State University. He has completed his AMS/MACTE Montessori Preschool teaching credential through Montessori of Alameda Teacher Education Program. Kellen also has his MA in Curriculum and Instruction and Inclusive Education from Portland State University. Prior to joining Bloom Montessori School, Kellen spent 4 years as a Spanish speaking classroom assistant, and then 7 years as a Montessori lead guide at Montessori of Alameda in Portland, Oregon. He has also done consulting work at both Montessori of Alameda as well as Parkrose Montessori, a Spanish immersion program in the Portland area.
Kellen lives with his wife Mackenzie and his son Everett and is settling back into the Helena community after 18 years of big city living in Portland.