Faculty

Hi everyone! My name is Alishka Gusky. This will be my second year as the owner/director of Missoula Valley Montessori, as well as the lead teacher in the Blue Room. Education has been my passion for as long as I can remember. From babysitting and nannying, working as a camp counselor for several years to graduating from the University of Montana with a bachelors in Elementary Education, I have had a lot of experience working with children and families. I am very passionate about Maria Montessori's philosophy and life work. I have seen the beauty and growth of the children at our school for the last 3 years and look forward to continuing my own education this year through a Montessori Certification program. I'm so excited to meet you and your precious children!

Email: alishka@missoulavalleymontessori.com

Angelica Tsuber is the Assistant Director as well as the lead teacher in the Taupe Room. Angelica has always enjoyed being around children and grew up constantly babysitting, helping with camps and teaching teens classes. She became intrigued with the Montessori Method of Education and started to work at MVM 4 years ago. She enjoys the Montessori curriculum and the independence it fosters in children. Watching children grow in self expression and creativity has been a highlight for Angelica. She loves the community and friendships that MVM has brought into her life. "Being an Early Educator has been an honor to have a part in supporting their growth and building a foundation for their future."

Angelica's parents immigrated from Belarus but she and her 6 siblings were all born in Missoula. The Belarus culture is still very much a part of her life. Angelica enjoys Jesus, the ocean, coffee and has an unhealthy obsession with chocolate!

Hi all, my name is Victoria Tsuber. I am the assistant teacher for the taupe room. I have been an assistant teacher here at the Montessori for about a year now. I was born and raised in Missoula, Montana. I'm currently a student at the University of Montana. I've had the joy of being around children for most of my life, from babysitting to working with them at summer camps. I enjoy going to church, spending time outdoors, cooking, drinking coffee, running, spending time with friends, and following Jesus. I enjoy working with the children because I get to see their smiling faces each day. I also love to see them grow and learn new things. I am very excited to work with your children and to see what this year has in store for us!

Hello, My name is Markle Quinn. I am the lead teacher in the Green room. I graduated from the University of Montana with a Bachelors in Social Work. For my practicum I worked as a counselor with the Flagship program. This is an after school and summer program with kids Kindergarten through Eighth grade. It was a wonderful program bringing the community to the kids and helping them find fun educational and outdoor activities to enjoy. We did classroom work as well as, rafting, biking, a trip to the National Bison Range, and a running program. After College I worked as a lead teacher at the Children's Center Preschool here in Missoula for one year. I love working with kids because they bring so much joy into people's lives. It is a wonderful experience watching and helping them develop socially and mentally. I was an assistant teacher in the Blue room last year. I got to meet lots of wonderful families and kids that help make MVM such a fantastic place. I am looking forward to being a lead teacher and will be taking a Montessori certification program throughout the year. My main concern in the classroom is the children's safety, as well as creating a positive environment that they feel comfortable and happy in. I look forward to meeting more wonderful parents and kids this year and if you have any questions or concerns (or just want to chat) feel free to set up a meeting
with me, text or call!!

Wasan Al Bujasim is the assistant in the Early Learners classroom. Wasan has worked with the Early Learners for 5 years! She moved to Missoula in 2016 from her home country of Iraq. She has 2 young boys that keep her busy. Wasan loves how the Montessori method of education fosters such independence in young children. She has a BA in Geography and is currently working on getting her teaching certificate from the University of Montana.

My name is Shaine Junso, I am very excited to join MVM this fall as an assistant teacher! I am originally from Bainbridge Island, Washington where I grew up in a Montessori learning environment. I moved to Missoula in 2015 where I attended the University of Montana. In 2019 I graduated with my Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. Following this accomplishment I moved to Kalispell, Montana where I took on the role of Preschool Director at an early learning facility for two years (year-round). In this role, I developed a love and appreciation for supporting young children in developing the foundational skills that will set them up for success in life. The program I ran was centered around Montessori values and supporting the individual's needs. This was an incredible experience that was followed by some time spent in the elementary school setting for the past 1.5 years. I am 3 months away from graduating with my Master of Arts in Language and Literacy as well. I am eager to jump back into early childhood education and get to know the MVM community. My teaching values are centered around individual growth, social-emotional support, and sharing kindness with the world.

Hi! My name is Vanessa Andrusevich. I am an assistant teacher and I do aftercare as well. I have extensive experience with kids, from helping in my church's Sunday school classes to babysitting my nieces/nephews and others' kids. One reason I work with kids is I love watching their personalities develop and grow. Another is that they're just funny. I was born and raised in Missoula, and I grew up in a bilingual household. Outside of school, I enjoy hiking and exploring Montana, spending time with my family, friends and fiancé, as well as spending time at my church with my youth group. I also love Jesus, singing, pizza and you can almost always find me with something to drink in my hand. I'm excited for what the new school will bring and I can't wait to meet all your wonderful children!

Bridgette is currently studying psychology at the University of Montana with the hopes to eventually become a school counselor. She was born and raised in eastern Montana, where she grew up fishing, hiking, and exploring the outdoors. She attended a Montessori as a child and is excited to be a part of one now as an adult! When Bridgette isn't at the school, she is studying, fishing, hunting, and spending time with her family