ADMINISTRATION
Jacinda J. Cotton-Castro
Executive Director/CEO
Jacinda co-founded Fiddlehead Art & Science Center in 2002. After more than a decade of early childhood and after school experience, she chose to pursue the creation and opening of one of Maine’s first public charter schools – Fiddlehead School of Arts & Sciences.
Jacinda has her Masters in International Marketing and Management as well as a background in project management, both in non-profit and for-profit businesses. She is fluent in Spanish and with a vision and love of art and culture, she has helped bring alternative education to the forefront in our community.
Her husband, Tony; daughters – Marita & Yote; and sons Dexter and Dante inspire and encourage her daily. Her biggest passion is her family.
Keonna Geer
Principal
Keonna (pronounced KEY-AH-NA) has worked in both traditional and charter public education for almost a decade. Prior to being a school administrator, Keonna worked in the K–12 world as a licensed school counselor, mental health/behavior interventionist, and a MTSS Coordinator. Keonna’s Masters of Science degree, from Walden University, is in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an emphasis on Trauma and Crisis. Her Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree, from Northcentral University, is in Educational Leadership. Her speciality and training is in Restorative Justice, school administration, DEI-J, PBIS/Culturally Responsive Teaching, program development, and at-risk intervention.
Keonna has always loved the charter school world as it places a holistic approach on whole-child development, applies continuous instructional innovation, increases the curiosity of learning, and offers extended mastery opportunities.
Keonna lives in Southern Maine with her husband. She enjoys cooking, reading, shopping at bookstores, watching 80s/90s comedy and drama movies, and crafting. You can catch Keonna in her downtime cooking her favorite traditional Southern foods and socializing with new and old friends.
Anne Stires
Coordinator of Teaching and Learning, Pre-K–4th Grade
Lee Ann Arnold
Special Education Director
Lee Ann’s dedication to the field of education is highlighted by over 20 years of experience working with students and families in both public and private sectors. Prior to joining the Fiddlehead community, she was employed with Child Development Services for 17 years and recently graduated with a Master’s Degree in Special Education from the University of Maine.
As a firm believer in the importance of collaboration, she is committed to building strong parent-school partnerships and promoting a student-centered learning environment.
On a personal note, Lee Ann and her husband, along with their three sons, reside in Brunswick where they are active members of their community. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, running and attending her children’s sporting events.
Bonnie Smith
Behavior Specialist
Denise Johnson
Business Manager
Karen Johnson
Administrative Manager
Karen has 10+ years of experience in education, having previously taught 2nd and 4th grades. She attended Rutgers University in New Jersey. Karen and her husband, Kurt have been married 25 years and have 4 children. In her spare time, she enjoys travel, the beach, and spending time with her family.
Maria Bernard
School Counselor
Carrie Larson
School Social Worker
Carrie has been passionate about working with people for many years. Her career path has included experience working in community based programs serving adults and youth who are encountering homelessness, food instability, violence, trauma, neglect, mental health instability. Following her graduation from New York University with a Masters in Social Work, Carrie began to focus more closely on working with youth to support their success. Despite her love for her career, Carrie stepped away from social work to care for her three children. As her children settled into elementary school, Carrie returned to working and found a passion for working with youth in the school setting. In 2020, Carrie began at the Fiddlehead School of Arts and Sciences as the School Social Worker. When Carrie is not at school, she enjoys spending time with her family and dog while being outside, reading, and finding ways to laugh.
Nurse Chris
Interim School Nurse
Tracy Morton
Bus Driver
Tracy has a granddaughter who attends Fiddlehead School. She drives the bus so she can see her every day! During the summer break, she enjoys camping, gardening, and crafts.