About the Teachers
Rachel Blessing is a mother of two and has over 10 years of experience in education. She is committed to providing a safe and challenging learning environment both in the Montessori classroom and in the varied landscapes of Camp Anokijig. Rachel has a Bachelor’s in Art Education and a Master’s in Applied Leadership for Teaching and Learning. She has additional certifications in Nature-Based Early Childhood Education and Montessori Primary 3-6. She is a licensed K-12 Art Educator, a Wisconsin Master Naturalist and is CPR & First Aid trained by the American Red Cross. Rachel is excited to bring a preschool to her hometown that emphasizes an emergent curriculum with plenty of free play in nature to help build resilient, independent children.
Sarah Gent is an AMI Primary Montessori certified teacher and mother of two. She taught for 6 years as an assistant and 6 years as a lead teacher in the Milwaukee Montessori school system. She moved north to run a small Cooperative CSA farm with her husband and many others. She lives in Plymouth with her two children and is excited to share her love of Montessori and nature with students and families.
Emily Fritsch is a mother of three and has been a stay at home mom for almost two years, focusing on nurturing her children’s lives on their homestead. She has a love for nature and children, and is eager to open new doors through this opportunity.
Stacey Bermke has worked as an education assistant in both elementary and middle school settings since 2015, supporting students with diverse learning and social-emotional needs. She is passionate about creating a safe, supportive, and encouraging environment where every child has the opportunity to grow, build confidence, and succeed.
Her love for the outdoors complements her commitment to helping students discover their strengths and thrive in every season.
Jessica Zittel is a certified elementary teacher (grades 1–8) with a Master's Degree in Education from the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay (UWGB). She has 10 years of elementary teaching experience, including nine years in first grade and one year in third grade.
She is passionate about creating a nurturing, engaging learning environment where children are encouraged to explore, grow, and develop a lifelong love of learning. She values providing meaningful, hands-on experiences that foster curiosity, independence, and confidence.
Outside of the classroom, Jessica enjoys spending time with her husband and their two sons, ages seven and three. Together, they love exploring the outdoors and going on new adventures.
Ryan is a husband and dad of five who enjoys spending time with his family, being involved in sports, and giving back to his community. He has a strong passion for working with children and helping them learn, grow, and develop the skills they need to be successful. Ryan spent five years working as a teaching assistant in K-12 settings, supporting students with a variety of learning and developmental needs. He also has more than 10 years of experience working with older adults in assisted living and long-term care, including roles in social services, grief support, and life transitions.
Ryan's educational background includes elementary education, grief support, and psychology. He is currently continuing his education in psychology and enjoys learning more about how people learn, develop, and build relationships. Outside of school, he enjoys spending time with his wife and five children, watching and coaching sports, and being involved in his children's activities. Ryan is excited about this new adventure and looks forward to building meaningful relationships with students while helping them learn through experiences, develop strong life skills, and recognize their own strengths and potential.
Jade Oostdyke is a mother of one, two including her dog Maverick. She spent the last couple of years at home raising her daughter Harmony. Jade is certified through Red Cross in first aid and CPR. Her favorite things to do are hike, kayak and spending time with her family. She spent the beginning of her career in healthcare and transitioned to childcare just a few years ago. She started out at a Montessori school and learned all about the Montessori curriculum with her own child as she also homeschooled the last three years.