Melissa Telford, Head of School at Vista Montessori School, was born and raised in Boise, Idaho.  She majored in finance and marketing at Boise State University with plans to work in business.  Her lifelong dream of becoming a teacher overruled her desire to work in business.  Being a bit discouraged by traditonal methods and looking for her purpose in life, she ventured to Bozeman, Montana and found herself studying education from the Montessori approach with Caspari Montessori Institute International (CMI).  Melissa received her Montessori certification in 2004 and taught in two Montana schools (including a life-changing two year experience teaching a special-needs child).  She returned to Boise after giving birth to her son and initiated plans to open her own Montessori school.  Helping Hands Montessori School, now Vista Montessori School, opened in August of 2006 with the help of her family, friends and many parent volunteers.  The next year, she persuaded her Montessori mentor, Anita Wolberd, to open an additional training site in Boise for the benefit of area children and to assure that she would always have well-trained staff for her school.  Melissa is the Lead Pre-K Teacher working directly with the children and supervising CMI intern teachers.  She is a part-time student pursuing her A.A. in Early Childhood Education.  Melissa is the founder and first president of the CMI Alumni Association.  She enjoys the outdoors -snowboarding in the winter, gardening in the spring, camping in the summer and going for long walks in the fall.  She loves football and enjoys reading, painting, music, and spending time with her family and friends.  She looks forward to each new day with her students at Vista Montessori and to taking a greater role in assisting with the CMI Montessori teacher training.

Meaghan Savage, Pre-K Teacher, joined the Vista Montessori School teaching staff in August of 2010.  Meaghan received her Pre-K teaching certificate in 2011.  Her teaching certificate was awarded through the Caspari Montessori Institute. Meaghan completed her internship at Vista Montessori School and looks forward to another year of working with the children.  In Meaghan's spare time, she enjoys spending time with her two boys and playing roller derby.

Antoinette Barrera, Infant Teacher, began working at Vista Montessori School in the summer of 2008.  In June of 2008, Antoinette received her Montessori teaching certificate through Caspari Montessori Institute.  She loves Maria Montessori's educational approach which facilitates independence and builds character in children.  Antoinette earned her Art Education Teacher Certificate and has several years of experience in Art Education. Antoinette combines her art and gardening experience in developing lessons in the outdoor and indoor classrooms at Vista Montessori.  She enjoys bike riding, hiking in the foothills and spending time with her husband and her three children.

Rachel Gallegos, Assistant Teacher, starting working with the children at Vista Montessori School in 2010.  Rachel teaches in the pre-k and toddler classrooms and also works with the after school program.  Rachel plans to obtain her Montessori teaching certification through Caspari Montessori Institute and to intern at Vista Montessori School.  When Rachel is not at Vista Montessori School, she enjoys photography, being outdoors and being with her friends and family. 

Ann Sabin, Assistant Teacher, began volunteering in the Pre-K classroom in the spring of 2011.  She joined the teaching staff in the summer of 2011 and plans to continue working with the children in the fall of 2011 as an after school teacher.  Ann plans to further her knowledge of Montessori education through Caspari Montessori Institute.  Ann delights in spending time with her children and husband.  She enjoys gardening, playing the piano, and serving the community.

Ursula Weightman, Assistant Teacher, joined the Vista Montessori School teaching staff in the spring of 2011.  Ursula attended Boise State University working towards a B.A. in Elementary Education and found that working in public education wasn't for her.  She plans to obtain her pre-k teaching certification through Caspari Montessori Institute and to intern at Vista Montessori School.  In Ursula's spare time she enjoys spending time with her two young boys.  She also finds pleasure in being outdoors, shopping and laughing with her friends.