Staff and Board
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Jenny Schon | Head of School
Dr. Jenny is a life long learner with a degree in Environmental Science, MS in Teaching, and PhD in Education, and recently a MA in School Counseling. After a decade of working on a Fire Ecology crew in the southwest she decided to do the most meaningful thing she could think to do - teach! She started out teaching middle school science in Montana and later worked for the University of Idaho McCall Outdoor Science School, and then teaching all things K-12 at Meadows Valley School before leaving to open Mountain Community School. It has been an incredible experience to open MCS and to re-envision education and what's best for our learners today in our community. She is beyond excited to be working with this team and your students!
When she's not at school or driving the bus she's busy chasing around her daughter, skilling, running, biking, gardening, or dreaming up of new places to travel.
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Melissa Hanson | K-1 Teacher
Ms. Melissa was raised in a small town in Southern Oregon. She grew up riding bikes to the park, running barefoot on dirt roads, and picking wild blackberries. As an adult she still loves mountain biking, hiking in the woods and collecting huckle berries.
Her passion for teaching started with volunteering in her daughter's kindergarten classroom. She enjoyed helping the students at various centers and being part of the school community. After volunteering and subbing in K-8, she took the huge leap and applied to Eastern Oregon University where she earned her Masters in Elementary Education.
She followed her passion for teaching the littles and became a Kindergarten Teacher. Then, she later moved to First Grade and found the joy of teaching students the phonics of Reading. As a life long learner, she continued taking courses in Dyslexia, Multi-Language learners, Reading Intervention, The Science of Reading, Core Strategies, and Math strategies.
She finds herself always interested in new ways to teach and engage students in the learning process.That interest has led her to MCS where students collaborate and extend their learning in outdoor and project based learning. She is thrilled to be part of this team and is excited to meet new families in this mountain community.
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Rachel Farrow | 2-3 Teacher
I was born and raised in Northern Nevada. I attended WSU in Pullman, Washington where I earned my Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology. I met my wonderful husband while in college and we moved to McCall in 2017. I attended MOSS through the University of Idaho and completed my Master's of Natural Resources in Environmental Education and Science Communication. I've worked at various camps and after school programs as well as taught at MCS their very first year.
I love teaching and making nature a part of our everyday lives. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, camping, being creative, and spending time with my family. After needing to prioritize my family first, I am very excited to be teaching at MCS again and to make connections with awesome students.
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Bre Cretser | 4-5 Teacher
Before joining the Mountain Community School team, Ms. Bre has worn many hats. Ms. Bre has been a Children’s Librarian, the Education and Programs Coordinator for Payette Children’s Forest, the Executive Director of Wild Science Explorers, and a professional snorkel for Idaho Fish and Game.
Ms. Bre is an East Coast gal at heart, growing up in Connecticut and attending the University of Vermont, where she studied Fisheries Management. The wild landscapes of Idaho, and the fish that live in them, brought her to Valley County in 2014. After many wonderful years of backcountry fisheries research, she decided it was time to follow her heart and pursue a career in education. In 2018 Ms. Bre received a Masters of Natural Resources, from the McCall Outdoor Science School, where her focus was place-based environmental education. A winding path filled with hard work, amazing teaching opportunities, and a sincere love for our community eventually led her to the Mountain Community School.
Ms. Bre has a passion for bringing place-based inquiry projects to the classroom. She believes in giving students autonomy over their learning and that there is no idea too big. With creativity, hard work, and willing educators, students have limitless potential. Being part of a team that shares these ideals is a dream! When not in the classroom, you can find Ms. Bre guiding educational rafting trips on the Salmon River, playing in the mountains with her husband Josh and dog Rio, or relaxing with a good book.
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Randy Annunziato | 6-8 Teacher
An outdoor enthusiast. A place-based project collusionist. I hail from the east but have settled in the West. From cultural immersion to science-based research, I use these experiences in my classroom to foster student engagement.
With years of teaching experience and community-based project stewardship, I aim to bring young working hands into the local community. I am fluent in English, Spanish, and a little "ramblish" (the new language Middle Schoolers have created) to try to connect with students across cultural and geographical boundaries. I believe nature has the answers. I hope to provide students with access to tools to hear and create within their bounds.
My life-partner, Briana, and I are developing ~12 acres of land.
Along with my teaching certificate, I have a B.S. in Sports Biology & M.S. in Natural Resources. I also have permaculture design certificate, a yoga teacher credential, an EMT/paramedic license, and have worked at Brundage as a volunteer ski patroller.
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Sarah Lenda | Title 1 Coach/ Special Education
Miss Lenda, is our Title 1 Coach and Special Education teacher, bringing in years of experience working with readers of all abilities. She is excited to help all our students achieve their reading goals and exceed their expectations!
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Canada Bayne | Aide
I’m a lifelong Idaho girl, proud wife and mom of five. My kids are at all different stages of life—from college to high school, middle school, and elementary school—which has given me a unique perspective on the joys and challenges families face at every age.
My education is in paramedic medicine, but over the past six years, I’ve found a passion for working hands-on within our school systems and supporting students. I truly believe that every child deserves the opportunity to succeed, regardless of how they learn. Every child is different, and I believe those differences should be celebrated, supported, and nurtured.
When I’m not working, you can usually find me enjoying all things outdoors with my family. My faith is also an important part of who I am. I love the Lord, and above all else, I strive to be a loving mom and wife first.
My heart is for kids, families, and helping others feel supported, valued, and capable of reaching their full potential.
Support Staff
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Pavlina Kubenova | Office Manager
Pavlina was born in Prague, Czech Republic, and has lived in the United States for 23 years. She brings experience in office administration, program leadership, and education support, including serving as an office administrator with the YMCA in Orange County, where she managed family and adventure programs. She is completing a degree in Liberal Studies, Multiple Subject, at Cal State Chico, following earlier studies in Business Administration. In addition, she works seasonally as a certified ski instructor.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time in the outdoors. She and her family takes part in activities such as hunting, fishing, horseback riding, and gatherings that celebrate traditional skills and survival practices. These experiences strengthen her appreciation for nature, resilience, and community—values she sees reflected at Mountain Community School. Email: pkubenova@mtncommunityschool.org
BOARD MEMBERS
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Elise Giddings | Board Chair
Ms. Giddings has been involved in multiple start up businesses and brings an entrepreneurial approach to the MCS board. Through her business efforts she has experience in collaborative team building, operational considerations, marketing, and messaging. She is also a part time homeschool educator and herself a dedicated student of alternative educational methods that develop self-directed, motivated leaders for the future. It is her personal goal to help each child (and adult!) come into contact with and develop the inner gifts they have to offer the world, and is happy that MCS will offer this opportunity for children in our community.
I joined the board because I have personally seen the benefits of a project-based and learner centered approach for children, and would like to bring this approach to Valley County. Before we moved to the area in 2016, my children attended a school with a similar model and I saw first hand the engagement and powerful learning that working in this environment allowed.
Working on the board of MCS has been inspiring because it is a microcosm of the values of our school - each member bringing their talents to bear on the overall project, working together through many challenges that required creativity, problem solving and collaboration - the skills of the 21st century. To have the opportunity to bring these skills to the students and show them how to use their own talents, creativity, problem solving and collaboration to bring to life projects of their own is truly inspiring to me and I believe will nurture people who will make a difference in the world.
Term: June 2024
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Jonas Bean | Vice Chair
Mr. Bean has experience in outdoor education, school leadership, classroom education, business ownership, non-profit education board management and is also a structure firefighter/EMT and ski patroller. His wide range of experience and connections within the community helps to unite the vision of the school. He has two children who are curious learners and love living in Valley County. Mr. Bean has a passion for travel, dual sport motorcycles, sailing, photography, and sunrises.
I joined the MCS Board because I believe in choices for education. No school can fill the needs of every student but by having options, families can make the best choice for their children. I also have so much confidence in our administrators, Pat and Jenny, who’s vision and drive to make MCS a center for innovated learning will change the lives of young learners in this area.
MCS inspires me because of the untamed possibilities of growth with our students. There are no boundaries to what self-directed education can achieve. Student centered education is the key for kids to learn for themselves not because an adult is telling them they have too.
Term: June 2025
Email: jbean@mtncommunityschool.org
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Jeremy Humphrey | Secretary
Jeremy is a competitive ultramarathoner, coach and race director. He is a licensed Colorado attorney, with a Juris Doctorate and Bachelors degree in Political Science. He is happily married to Brandi and recently had his first child, Wilder.
I joined the MCS Board because of its commitment to serving the children of McCall through place based education and lots of opportunities to get the kids outside and experiencing the beauty of Idaho. I am inspired by our Board's strength to carry on in our search for a home and to finally open our doors and begin serving our local children.
Term: June 2025
Email: jhumphrey@mtncommunityschool.org
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Liz Neihart
If you’re looking for me, I’m probably outside — chasing sunlight with my kids, talking about wild herbs, or turning a regular walk into a learning adventure. I believe education should feel like living, not just sitting in a chair.I joined the MCS Board because I believe in creative options for learning — real-world, hands-on, curiosity-led education that meets kids where they are. I want children to spend time outside, connect with nature, and learn through play, projects, and meaningful life experiences.
When we give kids room to move, explore, and build something with their own two hands, they learn in ways that last a lifetime. That’s the kind of learning I’m passionate about — and that’s why I’m here.
Term: June 2025
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Kelsie Baldwin
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Angela Butti
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Leslee Cunningham
Term: June 2025
Email: lesleecunningham@mtncommunityschool.org