Our Teachers
Judith E. Kann
Lead Preschool Teacher & After School Yoga Instructor
“My teaching weaves together my passion for children, literature, movement, music, and peace. I love the heart of Fiddlehead where everyone is accepted for who they are.”
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 worked at Fiddlehead for 9 years, and has 28 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.
Marie Reimensnyder
Pre-K/Kindergarten Teacher
“I am committed to an educational approach that allows children to follow their own path to learning, and fosters a connection to nature and community. Fiddlehead embraces all of this!”
Marie taught in the Fiddlestarts Preschool Program for five years with Judy before moving into our new Kindergarten program in 2010. Marie holds a B.F.A in Ceramics from the Portland School of Art (now MECA), and a M. S. in Ecological Teaching and Learning from Lesley University. She loves animals, the magic of children, being outdoors, music, drawing, looking closely, digging in the dirt, and playing hockey. Marie and her husband, dog and cat, live in New Gloucester where they raised two children and created a small business designing and hand printing shirts.
Aja Stephan
Preschool Teacher
“When I first discovered Fiddlehead as a parent, I knew this was an amazing place for my young children. Now as a teacher at Fiddlehead, I am even more confident that this is a special place for all of us to create, explore, grow, and learn.”
Aja grew up all over New England and then attended NYU and graduated with a double major in Elementary Education and Psychology. For the past 10 years, Aja has worked in some capacity with children as a social worker, tutor, artist, or teacher. In 2007, Aja and her family spent a year abroad in Spain, where she started a photography business and exploratory art classes for young children and their parents. Since returning, Aja has been involved with Fiddlehead as a parent, an artist, a student, a volunteer, and now, a teacher. Currently, Aja lives in New Gloucester with her husband, two children, dog, and rabbit.
Mary Pennington
Preschool Teacher & After School Clay Director
“My goal as a teacher is to bring together my interests in creative expression and positive, child-centered development. Fiddlehead is the perfect place for that!”
Mary was raised in mid-coast Maine and has lived in Durham since 1996. She attended the Rhode Island School of Design and graduated with a degree in sculpture. She then spent several years working in a commercial photography studio in Portland before taking time to focus on her young family. In 2010, Mary completed Maine College of Art’s Art Education Certification program to become certified to teach art K-12. Mary has two children, in the 5th and 3rd grades and two young chocolate Labrador Retrievers who keep her very busy and active!
