EARLY CHILDHOOD
Pre-K – 2nd
Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
Judy Kann
Judy comes from a non-traditional background, having graduated high school early, lived and worked on Monhegan Island, and went to Antioch College, a work-study school. Judy has a B.S. in Elementary Education and a Master’s in Literacy Education. Judy has 30 plus years of teaching experience. She lives in Gray, Maine and has three grown children. She loves yoga, running, cooking, walking on the beach, children, kindness, camping, laughing, singing, and children’s literature.
Pre-Kindergarten Teacher Assistant
Hannah Joseph
Kindergarten Teacher
Kate Cass
Kate is originally from Vermont, attended St. Lawrence University in upstate New York for her undergrad degree in Environmental Studies, and completed her Masters in Education with a Literacy concentration at the University of Southern Maine in Portland. She has been a classroom teacher in the primary grades in southern Maine for 18 years, mostly in Kindergarten. This is her second year on the Fiddlehead staff having filled the Kinder Teaching Assistant role last school year. Her teaching passions include social-emotional learning, early literacy, teaching with nature, and play based and outdoor learning. She strives to cultivate a classroom environment that engages all learners and a community that feels safe and inclusive for children and their families.
Kate currently lives in New Gloucester with her husband Tyler and daughter Scarlet (a Fiddlehead student), along with their dog Sandy and cat Marble. Kate enjoys creative, active and outdoor pursuits including knitting, natural dyeing, sewing, cooking, gardening, running, skiing and camping.
Kindergarten Teacher Assistant
Doris Jordan
First Grade Teacher
Brenda Witten
Brenda is excited to enter a new role as our First Grade teacher. She has previously supported students as a teacher assistant at Fiddlehead. However, her involvement in the school began as a parent. Originally from Cincinnati, Brenda received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and Learning and Behavior Disorders from Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky. Her professional experience has been balanced with being a teacher for early childhood and elementary students as well as a social worker and advocate for children.
Brenda’s enthusiasm for nature-based learning has driven her to incorporate the outdoors as an extension of the classroom, encouraging students to explore, question, and discover the wonders of the natural world. She believes that connecting with nature not only enhances academic learning but also fosters a sense of stewardship and environmental responsibility.
Brenda currently resides in Raymond with my husband, two sons, and the family cat. She enjoys gardening and being outdoors as much as possible.
