BLOOM ELEMENTARY TEAM
FLAVIA MONTGOMERY
Elementary Lead Guide
Flávia was born and raised in Brazil. She has lived in Montana for 24 years. Flavia has a son who is 17 years old. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from Carroll College in Community Health and another in Teaching Language and Translation (from Portugese to English and French) from Mackenzie University in Brazil. She is currently working on her Elementary Montessori certification, through the North American Montessori Center. Flavia has been working with children for over 20 years. She views teaching as not just a job, but a passion - doing what she loves to do!
VALERIE MERRITT
Kindergarten Lead Guide
Valerie was born and raised in beautiful Southern West Virginia. It was there that she earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education from Concord University. Valerie then moved across the country for love and put down roots in Helena in early 2009. Her experience ranges from substitute teaching in the Helena School District to serving craft beer at the Blackfoot to owning a downtown boutique. When she’s not guiding children, she enjoys floating rivers with her husband, daughter, and dog, as well as gardening, crafting, and dreaming of home improvement schemes. Valerie joined Bloom Montessori School in August of 2018 as the After Care Lead and in December of 2019 she began working as a Primary Lead.
CARLY RONALDI
Kindergarten Assistant / Summer Program Lead
Carly just relocated here to Helena from Chattanooga, Tennessee and she is so excited to join the Helena and Bloom community. Carly has her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Mississippi and is currently working on her masters in School Psychology. She has many years of experience as a camp counselor for people with mental and physical disabilities. She has also worked as a registered behavior therapist at a clinic for children and adults on the autism spectrum. The past year Carly has worked in early childhood care and is delighted to be working alongside Flavia in making your kids have an awesome and enriching summer.