Daggett Montessori
Specialist Teachers
Briceida Banks - Inclusion Specialist
Education:
Experience:
Why I Teach:
Fun Fact:
Kayla Gerred - Inclusion Specialist
Education: BA in English from University of Texas at Arlington; Masters of Education in Elementary Education with Montessori Emphasis from Oklahoma CIty University
Experience: 20 years
Why I Teach:
Fun Fact: I have an Etsy store that is my hobby. I love to travel to Cabo, Mexico every summer.
Kassandra Jaimes - Inclusion Specialist
Education: University of Texas at Arlington
Experience: 5 years as a special education/inclusion teacher
Why I Teach: I care very deeply about accessibility rights, and more than anything else, I love working with kids!
Fun Fact: I can say my ABCs backwards.
kassandra.dobbs@fwisd.org
Cassie James - Inclusion Specialist
Education: BS in Special Education and History
Experience: 11 years
Why I Teach: To help students learn that they are capable of great things.
Fun Fact: I am a landscape designer on the side.
cassie.james@fwisd.org
Janel Flusche - Diagnostician
Education: Masters in Special Education from Stephen F Austin University
Experience: 20+ years as a 1st, 2nd, 3rd grade teacher and Special Education teacher; seven years as a diagnostician
Why I Teach: I decided when I was in 2nd grade that I would teach in a Montessori school.
Fun Fact: I have 2 dogs, 1 cat, and 4 chickens.
janel.flusche@fwisd.org
817-814-6347
Courtney Hunter - Speech Pathologist
Education: TCU with a Master's Degree in Speech Language Pathology
Experience: This is my first year at Daggett Montessori and I love it!
Why I Do What I Do: I wanted to be a speech language pathologist because I love getting to watch students grow and realize their own potential!
Fun Fact: I just got married in July 2019 and my husband and I recently rescued a puppy from the Fort Worth animal shelter! Also, I was in the TCU Marching Band and played the clarinet! Go frogs!
Kristin McCoy - Speech Pathologist
Education: Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology from the University of North Texas
Experience: I have been working with children as a speech-language pathologist for almost 25 years.
Why I Teach: I love workign with kids and helping them find their voice!
Fun Fact: I love to draw illustrations. I wish I could travel more frequently. I have a dog named Joni (she is a little dog that is quiet and soulful, a bit like Joni Mitchell)
kristin.mccoy@fwisd.org
Melissa Marsalis - Dyslexia
Education: BS in Kinesiology, ESL certified, a Certified Academic Language Practitioner
Experience: 29 years in teaching
Why I Teach: I love helping and watching students learn and grow.
Fun Facts: I love to spend time watching movies, working out, and traveling.
melissa.marsalis@fwisd.org
Ruth Strayer - Dyslexia
Education: BS in Elementary Education, MA in Christian Leadership, ESL certified, a Certified Academic Language Therapist, and a Licensed Dyslexia Therapist
Experience: 29 years in teaching
Why I Teach: I love inspiring, encouraging, and challenging my students to achieve success.
Fun Facts: I love to spend time with my family, watch movies, and travel.
Daineen McFadden- Elementary & Middle School Art
Education: BFA in Art Education UT Arlington
Experience: 13+ years Montessori and Traditional Early Childcare; Art Educator since 2018
Why I Teach: I enjoy witnessing the growth of each child and the A-Ha moments they experience as they discover new skills and techniques.
Fun Fact: I am writing and illustrating my own children's book.
Stephanie Reeder - Elementary & Middle School Art
Education: B.S. in Fine Arts from Pacific Union College in Agnwin, CA; M.A. in Art Education from University of North Texas
Experience: 12 years teaching elementary art at Springdale Elementary; 1 year teaching high school art foundations at Glendale High School in Springfield, MO; 5 years teaching art at Daggett Montessori
Why I Teach: I chose art education for two reasons. One because I love art. I knew I wanted to be an artist when I was in high school. Two because I wanted a meaningful career. I've chosen to stay in education because of my students. Teaching art is where my favorite things come together! Magic is what we create every single day and I'm here for it.
Fun Facts: I've backpacked solo in Costa Rica, Belize, and Panama. I'm a naturalist and love collecting shells, feathers, fossils, and sharks' teeth. Music from the 80's and 90's makes me happy. I played flute in middle school, was in honors choir in high school, and belonged to a vocal ensemble after college. I have 2 cats, 2 nephews, 2 nieces, and 350 kids.
stephanie.reeder@fwisd.org
Jenna Schickedanz - Elementary Physical Education
Education: I attended Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas, where I earned a Master of Science in Kinesiology and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology.
Experience: I taught 3 years of elementary Physical Education at Birdville ISD before coming to Daggett. I also taught 5 years of Kinesiology classes at the college level before leaving to work at the elementary level.
Why I teach: I love physical education and think it is extremely important for helping students learn healthy behaviors and skills that they will use throughout their lives.
Fun Fact: I ran 400-meter hurdles for Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas.
Daisy Guerrero - Middle School Health & Physical Education
Education: B.S. in Kinesiology with a minor in Social Science and M.S. in Kinesiology and Adapted Physical Education from the University of North Texas
Experience: I am certified in adated physical education (CAPE). I have worked with students of all abilities in promoting physical activity.
Why I Teach: To help foster overall student development by improving physical fitness, building motor skills, and promoting healthy habits. Physical education can guide students in developing different life skills like teamwork, resilience, and sportsmanship.
Fun Fact: I ran a marathon.
daisy.guerrero@fwisd.org
Hope Seamster - Elementary & Middle School Music & Choir Director
Education: I graduated from the University of North Texas where I earned my first Bachelor’s degree in Education and a second Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts with a concentration in vocal performance. I went on to enroll in Texas Woman’s University where I earned my Master’s degree in Vocal Pedagogy and Vocal Performance.
Experience: I have taught all ages from K-12. I was in the regular education classroom for 10 years. I taught 2nd, 3rd, 4th grades and ESL. I was fortunate enough to teach private voice lessons for many years. I have spent 14 years teaching music. Eleven of those years include directing middle school choir. I've taught in many districts including Frisco, Birdville, and Keller ISDs.
Why I Teach: It is such a blessing to share my love of singing and music with students. My mother was a trained classical singer and a music educator. She had a passion for music. It is my hope that I am also able to pass on my love of music as she did. Music is balm for the soul that can heal and comfort you all of your life.
Fun Fact: I love to sing and read. I also enjoy traveling. Animals make me smile. I have 3 cats that entertain me.
Kristi Strother - Middle School Band
Education: Bachelors of Music Education, Instrumental Emphasis; Minor in English Composition, Certifications in Music (K-12); Music (Secondary); Generalist (4-8); Supplementary ESL
Experience: 24 years of service in Music Education; 1 year of service in English Language Arts
Why I Teach: I teach because i enjoy the process of learning and sharing that with my students. There is nothing better, to me, than celebrating the growth of my students throughout the year.
Fun Fact: I have taken up potter for fun, have two cats, and enjoy visiting National Parks.
kristi.strother@fwisd.org
Antonio Regalado - Middle School Orchestra
Education: I graduated from Texas Tech University with a degree in music education and performance.
Experience: I have 11 years experience.
Why I Teach: I teach orchestra to help students discover the joy of making music together, to develop discipline and creativity, and to give them a lifelong appreciation for the arts. Ochestra builds teamwork, resilience, and confidence while allowing each student to contribut their unique voice to something bigger than themselves.
Fun Fact: I have a Great Dane named Kay, and I like to travel.
antonio.regalado@fwisd.org