Christina Stien

Preschool Director and Preschool Teacher – Otters

Born and raised in Williamsburg VA, Christina moved to Wisconsin in 1999 and lived there for 22 years with her husband and their two children. Christina graduated in 2006 with her degree in early childhood education and has been working in the field for 20 years now. With her husband and daughter, Christina moved to Anchorage at the end of August of 2021. She looks forward to many adventures here that will include camping, hiking, and fishing.

Keely Holt

Assistant Preschool Teacher – Harbor Seals

Keely was born and raised in Anchorage. She has a Bachelor’s degree in social work from University of Alaska Anchorage. She joined the PNA preschool team in January of 2023. Outside of the classroom, she loves reading, traveling, drinking tea, gardening, camping, and going on outdoor adventures!

Griffin Biggert

Assistant Preschool Teacher

Originally from the Coachella Valley Griffin enlisted in the Marine Corps at age 18 where he was an amphibious assault vehicle crew chief. Once out of the Marines Griffin moved up to Alaska to be closer to family! Griffin is currently studying for a degree in elementary education at GCU. In his free time Griffin likes to workout, go on hikes, and see nature!

Fiona Apple

Kindergarten teacher

This is Fiona’s first year as a kindergarten teacher at PNA. Fiona has lived in Alaska for most of her life. She moved to Delta Junction from American Samoa in 2004 and has called Alaska home ever since, with the exception of a six-year adventure in Utah while attending college at Weber State University and Utah Valley University. Fiona graduated from Utah Valley University with a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education and Dance Education. She later earned her Elementary Education endorsement, where she discovered her true passion for teaching young learners. After graduation, she taught in elementary, middle, and high schools across multiple districts in Utah. During her time in Utah, Fiona also served as an assistant director and instructor at a creative dance studio in Mapleton, where she taught preschool and kindergarten dance classes. After moving back to Alaska, she quickly returned to the classroom as a Lead Teacher at Bayshore Early Learning Center, working with children ages 3 to 5. When Fiona isn’t teaching or dancing, she enjoys hiking and biking with her husband, spending time with friends, and soaking up the Alaskan sunshine while it lasts.

Heather Davis

First Grade Teacher

Heather Davis joined PNA team Summer of 2024. She graduated from UAA and holds a Masters in Teaching and Learning, a Bachelors in Early Childhood Education, and has a Graduate certificate in Language of Education. She has educated young children and early childhood educators across Alaska including Anchorage, Anchor Point, and rural Alaskan villages. Heather has been educating and working with children, families, and educators for over ten years.

She was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. When she isn’t in the classroom Heather enjoys playing with her mini aussie Olive, cuddling her cat Frankie, cooking, reading, and traveling to new places.

Lea Rueter

Third Grade Teacher

Born in Anchorage, Lea graduated from Service High School and attended Eastern Washington University. She received a BA in Elementary Education Reading K-8. She was accepted into the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program and fulfilled a one-year contract teaching 2 to 15-year-old students as an English Assistant Language Teacher in Nara, Japan.

From 2009 she worked as a substitute teacher for the Anchorage School District until being hired by the Kuspuk School District in 2012. She moved to Aniak, teaching 2nd and 3rd grade for three years.

In 2015 Lea returned to Anchorage and taught for 5 years for ASD, teaching kindergarten and first grade, and then taught English and Math for 4th-grade Japanese Immersion. During her time with ASD, she worked for the 21st Century Community Learning Center After School Program teaching students Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies through sewing, cooking, fly tying, and shooting water rockets.

She joined the PNA team in 2022 and looks forward to learning with students through hands-on projects as she shares her love of art, crafts, cooking, and the outdoors.

Rita Lorenz

Fourth Grade Teacher

Ms. Lorenz joined Pacific Northern Academy in 2012 and has taught grades 1, 4, 5, and 6; her favorite being 4th grade. Rita earned her B.S. of Professional Studies in Elementary Education from Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania. She served two years in the AmeriCorps as a Youth and Senior Crew Leader with the Montana Conservation Corps. She also has her Masters of Science in Outdoor and Environmental Education from Alaska Pacific University. Rita has held a variety of educational roles in Alaska, including as a park ranger/educator with the National Park Service at the Alaska Public Lands Information Center (APLIC), a Garden Teacher for grades 3–5 at Sherrod Elementary, an educator at the Alaska Botanical Garden, and a Leader for Tinkergarten. Rita brings together her love for nature, experiential learning, and strong classroom community to inspire students to become curious, independent thinkers and lifelong learners.

Andrea Fountain

Middle School Teacher

Ms. Fountain joins PNA as a middle school teacher, returning to Anchorage after seven years in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Most recently, she served as Education Program & Volunteer Manager at the Black Hills Parks & Forests Association, where she designed a nature education curriculum in partnership with the National Park Service and the USDA Forest Service and coordinated programs that connected students to public lands. Her background is in outdoor and environmental education, and she has diverse experience teaching students outdoors from preschool age to adults. She holds a Wilderness First Responder certification and is completing her M.A. in Elementary Education (K-8). As an educator, she loves connecting nature and place-based experiential education to traditional school subjects and is excited to share her love of science with the middle school students! Outside the classroom, Ms. Fountain enjoys biking, skiing, hiking, and bird watching with her husband!

Wyatt Slater

7th Grade Teacher

Mr. Slater is excited to begin his first year as a full-time 7th grade teacher, bringing over ten years of experience in environmental education with students ages 5 to 14. He recently served as Assistant Director of Create Academy and has worked as a substitute teacher in the Anchorage School District. Born and raised in Anchorage, Mr. Slater holds a Bachelor’s degree in History with a minor in Political Science. Outside of school, he enjoys fishing, hiking, camping, skiing, hockey, and spending time with his friends, family, and dog. He’s thrilled to be part of the PNA community!

Michele Whaley

Preschool & Lower School Spanish Teacher

A life-long Alaskan, Michele joined the PNA community in 2018 to teach Spanish for the Lower School after three decades of teaching Russian for the ASD. In 2016, she was the Pacific Northwest Language Teacher of the Year, and in 2017 the finalist for the national ToY. Michele is passionate about teaching languages for PNA, UAA, and online schools, but she also loves getting out into Alaska on skis, skates, wheels, and feet with her husband and sled dog.

Nancy Boxler

Lower & Middle School Spanish Teacher

Professor Boxler is starting her 4th year at Pacific Northern Academy. She brings over 30 years of experience in the field of education. Nancy has a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She is passionate that all students have the right to become proficient in another language. Nancy was honored as one of the top 20 educators in Alaska in 2020. In her free time you will find her traveling around the world.

Marcella Hitchcock

Integrated Arts and Project Based Learning Instructional Coach

Marcella Hitchcock has taught at PNA for 22+ years! Marcella was honored earlier this year as a top 20 Educator of the Year in Alaska. She holds a degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Language Arts, has just completed a Masters in Art Education and is always furthering her education in Project Based Learning.

Marcella envisions integrating content area standards with specific arts standards (practices, elements, and design principles.) Students will meet dual learning objectives as they engage in creative processes and critical thinking experiences.

Ms. Hitchcock has a passion for lifelong learning and a growth mindset, which she loves to share with students.

Candice Barnhart

Physical Education & Health Teacher

Candice is excited to join the team as PNA’s new PE teacher. Originally from Texas, she has spent the past 15 years teaching across the Lower 48, calling Alaska home for the last five. Candice loves spending time outdoors hiking, biking, camping, skiing, and adventuring with her partner, their two daughters, and their Alaskan Malamute, Zuko. One of her favorite Alaskan experiences so far has been ice climbing—and she can’t wait to do it again! She’s looking forward to sharing her experience and passion for physical activity with the PNA community and is excited for a great first year.

Anna Ramsey

Head of School

Anna joined the PNA admin team the summer of 2019. She obtained her degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Luleå. Originally from Sweden, Anna moved to Alaska with her family in 2017. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, skiing, traveling, drinking coffee with friends, and reading.

Elizabeth Ferry

Assistant Head of School

This marks Ms. Ferry’s fifth year at PNA, but her first in the role of Assistant Head of School. She brings a diverse background to this leadership position, having taught grades 5-8 at PNA and served on the administrative team for the past two years. With nine years of experience in education, Elizabeth has taught in Maine, Virginia, Alaska, and Tanzania with the Peace Corps. She holds a degree in Secondary Education and has taught all subjects across grades 5-12. Ms. Ferry is passionate about education and values building strong relationships between students, teachers, and families. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and toddler.

Claudia Sarmiento

Admissions Coordinator

This is Claudia’s first year as Admissions Coordinator at PNA. Claudia was born and raised in Colombia and moved to Alaska in 2023. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Fundación Universitaria Konrad Lorenz and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree. With a background in marketing and communications, Claudia is committed to helping families navigate the admissions process at PNA. In her spare time, she enjoys crochet and spending time with her husband and baby.

Veronica Shilanski

Registrar

Veronica is entering her second year as Registrar at PNA. She enjoys greeting students and families every morning. Veronica has 10 years of experience as a lifeguard and swim instructor. Originally from North Pole, Veronica has lived in Colorado and Fairbanks. Outside of school, Veronica loves reading, going on walks, and exploring Anchorage!