Daniela Sloan, Montessori Director (dsloan@vimsia.org)
Ms. Sloan comes to VIMSIA from Chicago, IL where she spent the last 8 years serving as a founder, teacher and administrator of Illinois’ first Montessori and IB High School. There, she shaped the school’s World Language program and worked in her primary role as Montessori Director, educating faculty, staff, and students on all things Montessori and innovating within the sphere of Montessori adolescent education. Ms. Sloan attended a Montessori school as a child and twenty years later, received both her AMI Elementary and Adolescent diplomas. Prior to training, Ms. Sloan was the Spanish Director for an AMI-accredited Montessori school implementing Spanish Language curriculum for ages toddler through adolescence.

As a Montessorian, Ms. Sloan dedicates herself to building healthy and joyful school communities where students are at the center, and faculty and families feel valued and engaged. Ms. Sloan holds her Masters of Education from Loyola University Maryland and BS in Cultural Studies from Columbia College in Chicago. Along with her husband Joe and their two children, Emel and Leo, she is thrilled to join the VIMSIA family. Outside of her love for Montessori, she is a proud Colombiana and can often be found writing and performing acoustic soul music and dancing Salsa (Colombian Salsas!)

Maria Burkett, Primary Directress (mburkett@vimsia.org)
Maria Burkett was born in Argentina and raised on St. John. She has been part of the VI Montessori School community for over eight years, beginning as an assistant and now leading her own Primary classroom. She earned her AMI diploma from the Southwest Institute of Montessori Studies in Arizona in 2022. Maria has extensive experience with children both in and out of the classroom and runs a local summer camp during school breaks. Passionate about early childhood development, travel, and global cultures, she brings these experiences into her curriculum and loves sharing them with the children. She is committed to nurturing independence, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning.

Mandy Boyle, Primary Directress (mboyle@vimsia.org)
Ms. Boyle has been an island girl since birth, born and raised in Ireland. Mandy did her AMI training (Primary and Elementary) in Dublin, Ireland. She worked there and in Massachusetts before making her journey to the Virgin Islands. When she first arrived at the Virgin Islands Montessori School she worked under the guidance of Ms. Shournagh McWeeney, who coincidentally attended the same high school as Mandy in Ireland! Mandy has over 25 years of Montessori experience. Through her years at our school she has seen it expand in students, staff, land, buildings and name! Her favorite part of our school campus is the dome at the top of the hill; it was her first classroom here! The culture, weather, diversity and close-knit community are why Mandy continues to choose St. Thomas as her home.

Simone Summer, Primary Directress (ssummer@vimsia.org)
Simone was born and raised in St Thomas. As a child, she attended VIMSIA and was a student of Ms. Keating, who is now retired.  Simone has been teaching Montessori for approximately 20 years: in the US here at VIMSIA, between 2001-2011, then for 5 years in New Zealand and then back to VIMSIA.  Her love of travel and learning about different cultures has grown from her upbringing in our largely diverse and multicultural island. Although Simone will continue to enjoy her adventures to foreign lands, her heart and home will always be here, surrounded by the crystal blue sea and love for diverse island life.

Kate Ludick, Lower Elementary Lead Teacher (kludick@vimsia.org)
Kate Ludick happily returns to VIMSIA after four years working in social justice in South Bend, Indiana, and as the Junior High Academic and Program Director of The Montessori Academy, Edison Lakes.

Kate has both Elementary and Adolescent Diplomas from Association Montessori International and has worked the last 20 years in Montessori programs with all ages including: Montessori Bali, Montessori Mallorca, VIMSIA, Hudson Montessori, Hershey Montessori Farm School, and others both public and private. Kate has a BA from Cleveland State University in English Literature (Cum Laude). She has continued her education over the years with many specialized training programs including: Orton-Gillingham Literacy Academy for Multi-Sensory Learning, The Green School Educator Course, and All Kinds of Minds-Schools Attuned. In the summertime, Kate teaches at The Red Oak Camp in Kirtland, Ohio, as the Science Expert.

 Mindfulness and yoga play a big part in Kate’s personal and professional life. She’s a certified Yoga teacher (Cleveland Clinic School of Yoga - RYT200, Cleveland Yoga Baptiste Method – RYT200) and Level I, II, and III Reiki practitioner. She was awarded University of Notre Dame’s “Play Like a Champion” Coach of the Month for her work with street dependent youth in basketball and yoga. Kate is passionate about reading, journalling and spending time outdoors enjoying and studying nature. She likes adventure, sports, and any kind of project. She knows what a privilege it is to teach children and adolescents all over the world in different cultures and is looking forward to continuing her work at VIMSIA.

Jenny Fisher, Elementary Program Coordinator (jfisher@vimsia.org)
Mrs. Fisher started her career teaching public school in Oregon.  During that time, she received her masters in curriculum and instruction with an endorsement in ESOL.  After 16 years in Oregon she and her family decided to take the jump to international teaching and left for Colombia, South America, where she taught elementary school for 3 years and was an instructional coach for science.  Jenny and her family then moved to an international school on Jeju Island, South Korea where she worked as a student-centered instructional coach for two years in grades preK-8.  She also completed her administrator’s license in 2021.  Jenny is passionate about uniting teams around a common vision and helping them move their work to new levels.  She is joining the VIMSIA team with her husband, Michael (PGIA director), and their two children Kaden (9th grade) and Ellie (7th grade).  She is most excited about getting to know the people and building a community and home on the island!  

Barbara Henderson, Upper Elementary Lead Teacher (bhenderson@vimsia.org)
Barbara Henderson, a proud Virgin Islander, is excited to return to St. Thomas to teach grades 4 and 5 at VIMSIA, where she gets to share her passion for education within a community she cherishes. With a BA in Anthropology from Adelphi University and 25 years of experience in both independent and public schools, Barbara brings a wealth of knowledge to her classroom. She is committed to igniting a love for learning and encouraging exploration and critical thinking among her students. As she guides them through these vital transition years from Montessori to the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, she aims to foster a supportive environment that equips her students with the skills and confidence they need for future success.

Pertrise Harris, Upper Elementary Lead Teacher (pharris@vimsia.org)

Pertrise Harris is originally from Philadelphia, and moved to St. Thomas in 2021. She has twin 3-year-old girls named Samiah & Samara. She is excited to have her twins attending VIMSIA. Ms. Harris received her undergraduate degree from Johnson & Wales University with an AS degree in Culinary Arts and a BA degree in Business Entrepreneurship. She then received her Masters in Education through the Relay Graduate School of Education. Ms. Harris was a teacher in Rhode Island for 4 years prior to coming to St. Thomas. She enjoys the arts in all forms. Her favorites include dancing, painting, writing, and cooking.

Nicole Donastorg, Primary Teacher's Assistant
Ms. Donastorg was born and raised in Miami, Florida and moved to St.Thomas in 2004. Since starting with VIMSIA in 2011, Ms. Donastorg has worked in the Spark, La Casa, and Lower Elementary programs, as well as her current role in Primary. Ms. Donastorg loves to work with children, and it is her passion to watch first hand what happens in the classroom. Ms. Donastorg has 2 children that attended VIMSIA and have graduated; both are attending universities in Florida.

Kirah Leon, Primary Teacher’s Assistant
Ms. Leon was born in New Jersey but raised in St. Thomas. She graduated from Ivanna Eudora Kean High School in 2017. Ms. Leon was working as an VIMSIA Substitute teacher 2020-2021. She is so excited to assist in Ms.Bolinger’s classroom this year.

Bebe Thomas, Lower Elementary Teacher’s Assistant
Ms. Thomas has previous experience working as a nanny for children of all ages and in early childhood education centers. She is the proud mother of five children and has seven grandchildren. In Ms. Thomas’ free time, she loves to read uplifting books at the beach.

Katie Zenger, Lower Elementary Teacher’s Assistant
Ms. Zenger went to Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia where she got her degree in Art History & Studio Art. After college she went around the world, working in 16 countries on 6 continents. She worked with non-profit organizations in each country to meet the needs of the people and help each organization in any way they needed. She met her husband on a trip to India. They worked together at an orphanage for mentally and physically disabled children for several months. They moved to Saint Thomas with their two children 3 years ago! Ms. Zenger served as the permanent substitute in 2023 at VIMSIA, getting to know and love the children and teachers from La Casa to Upper El. She is looking forward to this year as Ms Rebecca’s assistant teacher!