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.
Jason Manjourides
Principal
Jason has served students and families in Maine elementary schools for 23 years as a classroom teacher, reading interventionist, assistant principal, and principal. He holds a Masters degree in education from the University of southern Maine.
After receiving a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Planning and Policy at the University of Maine at Farmington, Jason was inspired to pursue a career in education while substitute teaching. During his substitute experience he noticed that all students want to excel, but many require a non-traditional pathway to do so.
Jason currently lives in Windham, ME with his wife and two daughters. In his spare time you will find him enjoying the outdoors and spending time with his family.
Anne Stires
Coordinator of Teaching and Learning, Pre-K–4th Grade
Anne Stires, M.Ed. is the founder of Juniper Hill School for Place-Based Education in Alna, Maine. She is now an independent educational consultant working with schools and programs throughout Maine and beyond to support equitable outdoor learning and nature connection initiatives.
She is a regularly featured speaker at many nature-based education conferences and is the facilitator of Maine’s public school Nature-based Administrators’ Professional Learning Community. Anne wrote the first chapter for David Sobel’s book, Nature Preschools and Forest Kindergartens: The Handbook for Outdoor Learning (2015) and co-authored the NAEEE/Natural Start Alliance’s Nature-Based Preschool Professional Practices Guidebook (2019).
Anne teaches graduate level courses for Antioch University (in the Nature-based Early Childhood Certificate Program) as affiliate faculty and serves as an advisor to Inside-Outside: Nature-based Educators’ Network. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Tanglewood/Blueberry Cove 4-H Camps/Learning Centers and Maine GearShare, and on the mycelium/steering committee for Maine Early Childhood Outdoors (MeECO). She loves to go on outdoor adventures with her son and partner.
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.
Denise Johnson
Business Manager
Denise has 18+ years of experience in educational finance, having previously worked in retail as a finance manager, as a controller for a small business, and for herself. She attended St. Joseph’s College in Maine. Denise has 2 adult girls (Sabrina and Tayla), 1 granddaughter (Brooke) and 1 grandson (Cameron). In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, the lake, and spending time with her family.
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.
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.