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!

Valery Chavez

Assistant Preschool Teacher

After three years of teaching English in her home country, Ecuador, Valery arrived in Alaska in 2022 as an au pair, sharing her language and Ecuadorian culture with her host family and new friends. Since then, she has taught Spanish online, crafting engaging lessons that make language learning fun. Valery is excited to join the PNA preschool team this year. Outside the classroom, Valery enjoys Alaska’s great outdoors, reading, and learning new languages.

Alexandrea Berry

Orca Lead Teacher

This is Ms. Alex’s first year at PNA and her fourteenth year teaching in Anchorage. She was born and raised in Alaska and even went to Spring Hill Elementary right across the street. She is married and has two kids, a 10th grader and an 8th grader. Alex has a degree in early childhood education, from UAA and has taught all elementary grades except 4th grade! I love the beach and sunshine, but kids and teaching are her true happy place! She is so happy to be joining the PNA family!

Amber Cramer

Orcas Teaching Assistant

This will be Amber’s first year at PNA. She recently graduated from the University of Alaska Anchorage with a Bachelor’s of Science in Interdisciplinary studies (Health and Bio Ethics). Amber was born and raised in Fairbanks AK and spent time in high school volunteering at North Star Ballet in the Creative Movement Classes for young students. Outside of work Amber loves to practice quilting, embroidery, and anything outside!

Kelsey Steven

Belugas Teaching Assistant

This is Kelsey’s first year at PNA as a Preschool Assistant Teacher. She was born and raised in Bethel, Alaska and moved to Anchorage in 2019 to start her training program to get her Child Development Associates and has since been working with preschool aged children! In her free time Kelsey loves to go hunting, fishing, hiking, singing and writing songs, and spending time with her family.

Fiona Wappett

Kindergarten Yellow Teacher

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.

Amber Hall

Kindergarten Green Teacher

This is Amber’s first year at PNA. She is beyond excited for the opportunity to teach in Alaska and loves the community here at PNA. Originally from Colorado, Amber taught Kindergarten for six years in Fort Collins, CO. She holds a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education and a Master’s in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education. Encouraging, supporting, and teaching has always been a lifelong passion of hers. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors! Some of her favorite activities are hiking, running, snowboarding, cross country skiing, boating, and scuba diving.

Meghan McGarvey

Second Grade Teacher

This will be Meghan’s third year at PNA. She joined our community in 2022 teaching kindergarten. She is now teaching second grade and loves it! Originally from the Midwest, Meghan taught Junior Kindergarten for nine years at Park Tudor School in Indianapolis. She holds a dual masters in Early Childhood Education and Special Education. She is trained in LETRS and is currently working on a Handwriting Without Tears certification. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her friends, reading, and snuggling her dog.

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.

Carolyn Highland

Fifth Grade Teacher

Carolyn joined the PNA team in the fall of 2023 and has been teaching since 2015. She has taught every grade between 4th and 12th, and worked in unique educational settings such as a bilingual English/Spanish classroom in Denver and an outdoor expeditionary school in Lake Tahoe. Originally from Maine, she holds a BA in Creative Nonfiction Writing from Northwestern University and an MA in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Denver. In addition to teaching, Carolyn is a freelance writer and published author–her work has appeared in Outside Magazine, Backcountry Magazine, and The Ski Journal, among others. Her first book, Out Here: Wisdom from the Wilderness, was released by Rocky Mountain Books in 2020, and her second, The Full Range: Essays from a Life Outside, is slated for publication in 2026. In her free time, Carolyn loves backcountry skiing, ultrarunning, mountain biking, backpacking, and reading.

Andrea Fountain

6th Grade & MS Science

Ms. Fountain is delighted to join the PNA team to teach 6th Grade home room, math, and Middle School science! Her background is in outdoor, environmental and experiential education. She has instructed in many different roles across the country, including backcountry trips in Alaska, teaching 5th and 6th graders earth science and life science at an environmental school in California, and developing and instructing an adult naturalist program and Forest/Home school program (Pre K- 5th) in the Black Hills of South Dakota. She is currently completing a masters program in Elementary Education (K-8) from the University of South Dakota, and loves connecting traditional school curriculum to nature and place based learning. In her free time she enjoys mountain biking, backcountry/alpine skiing, and backpacking with her family and friends!

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.

Robert Shane

Kindergarten TA & Panther Care Staff

This is Robert’s first year at PNA working as a Kindergarten TA and for Panther Care! He is from Hardin, MT (next to the Crow reservation), and graduated last May with a B.A. in English Teaching from Montana State University(MSU). Robert is also currently pursuing a Master in English Education at MSU while working at PNA. Robert is passionate about reading and writing at all levels, but especially in early literacy skills in kindergarten.

Rori Snowardt

Panther Care Staff

Rori has recently moved back to Alaska after 12 years living in the lower 48. From Washington to Florida and other locations in between, she’s traveled all over America. This is her first year with the PNA team, working as part of the Panther care staff. She enjoys hiking, crocheting, and any other spontaneous adventures that come along!

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

Enrollment Director

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!

Valerie (Val) Zeigler

Development Director

Val is in her first year as Development Director at PNA, where she brings 14 years of experience in education and training, plus a background in event coordination and community engagement. Val is passionate about developing partnerships and building connections with people. She is looking forward to establishing and fostering those connections in her new role. She was born and raised in Tennessee and has called Alaska home since 2009.  She holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Tennessee at Martin, and a master’s degree in outdoor and environmental education from Alaska Pacific University. Outside of school, Val enjoys reading, traveling, cooking, cross country skiing, and spending time with her family.