“There is a vital force in every human being which leads them to make ever greater efforts for the realisation of individual potentialities. Our tendency is to realise them. Joy and interest will come when we can realise the potentialities that are within us.”
Maria Montessori
our Volunteer Board of Directors
Fairbanks Montessori Association, which operates Fairbanks Montessori School, is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation organized under the laws of the State of Alaska. The corporation’s affairs are governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, which is composed of parents and community members. Board members are not compensated for their service on the FMA Board.
The Board collaborates with the Director to fulfill the mission, create, implement, and follow the strategic plan, and ensure the financial viability of the Fairbanks Montessori Association.
We appreciate our board members donating their time and expertise.
If you have professional skills that could benefit our school, please join us at our next board meeting.
Board meetings are every other month during the school year, on the third Wednesday at 6pm, and can be attended via Zoom.
If you would like to contact the Board, please email them at fmsboard@fairbanksmontessori.org.
Fairbanks Montessori Association Bylaws
Welcome to our New 2025-2026 Board Members Jen Majors, Josh Mattachione, Katherine Colquhoun, Roseann Dameron, Sarah Johnson, and Naomi Mitchell. Thank you for serving the FMA.
Board Member Positions & Bios Below
Jen Majors
Board President
I am Jen Majors, a business owner, coach, author, and community leader in Fairbanks. As Broker/Owner of Majors Realty Group and Co-Owner of Fairbanks Coffee Company, I have built multiple successful businesses rooted in integrity, vision, and service. Beyond business, my greatest joy is being a wife, mother, and grandmother, and I am passionate about creating safe, thriving spaces where families and children can flourish. Through my work with Wholehearted Impact, I also write, speak, and coach others in healing, leadership, and purpose. My faith and values drive me to give back to my community, and I am committed to using my experience in leadership, finance, and relationship-building to support the mission and future of Fairbanks Montessori School.
Josh Mattachione
Vice President
Born and raised in the Fairbanks community, I live on the west side of town with my wife Kayla and our two children, Mila and Dela. My formative years included time spent at Chinook (grade 7–8) where I was given a leg up amongst my peers heading into high school with problem solving and writing skills I had developed from doing reflections at Chinook.
For hobbies I enjoy time with family, traveling, pickleball, and working out.
Nickol Dameron
Board Secretary
Nickol moved to Fairbanks from California in the winter of 2004 to become a student at UAF. She fell in love with Fairbanks and decided to build roots here. Nickol is an RN who has been with Fairbanks Memorial Hospital since 2004, where she currently works as an infusion therapy nurse. Her husband, Mike, works at Chief Andrew Isaac Health Center as a PA. They have three children, Cami, Astrid, and Auggie. Astrid attended FMS in Sra Chio's class and Auggie is a current student in Ms. Kat's class. Nickol's interests include all things knitting related, taking road trips, picking cranberries, learning how to freedive, and watching her family grow over the years.
Emilie Wright
Board Treasurer
Emilie's family has been a part of the FMS community for about a year now. They are thrilled to have FMS as a resource for both of their girls, who are ages 4 and a half and 2. Emilie grew up in Oklahoma and has been in Fairbanks for almost 15 years. She moved her for the adventure but stayed for the people!
Emilie has over a decade of experience managing employees, business operations, and contracts, while providing administrative support. She holds a Master's degree in Business Administration from UAF and Bachelor's of Science in Human and Organizational Development from Vanderbilt University. In her current role as Administration Manager for ABR, she helps the business office run smoothly and efficiently. Emilie has experience with nonprofit and for-profit companies and understands the challenges that a non-profit board may face. She looks forward to the opportunity to serve Fairbanks Montessori School.
Michele Kelly
Board Member, Fairbanks Montessori Alumni
Michele is a born and raised Alaska and FMS alumni who attended here in the 1980s. Her younger siblings attended FMS after her. She enjoys being involved in our community and helping it thrive.
Katherine Colquhoun
Board Member
I grew up in Fairbanks following my father’s retirement from Ft. Wainwright and vowed to leave immediately following high school. Fairbanks and the amazing community though has remained home and where we intend to continue to raise our family. We are so incredibly thankful to have found FMS and to have been welcomed with open arms when our son began in January of 2025.
Professionally I work as an Registered Nurse at Foundation Health Partners.
Roseann Dameron
Board Member
My greatest achievement is being a mother to five wonderful children. Originally from Oklahoma, Fairbanks has truly become home—four of our five children were born here.
Professionally, I’m a pediatric dentist with a strong passion for children’s health and development.
Outside of work, I like to joke that I’m a professional chauffeur—we’re always on the move with running clubs, soccer, cross-country skiing, Taekwondo, skiing, and almost any other activity.
When I do have spare time, I relish being outdoors and running with my family. I also love staying engaged in the community and giving back wherever I can. I’m especially excited about the opportunity to support the Montessori mission and contribute to a school that has meant so much to our family.
Naomi Mitchell
Board Member
Naomi Mitchell
My name is Naomi Mitchell and I have done education and non-profit work my entire life. I was a librarian for the school district for 9 years. During the summers I worked in natural resource education doing field trips at Creamer’s Field, at the Bureau of Land Management, and at UAF. I also worked for Fairbanks Soil and Water Conservation District in the Tanana Valley Watershed doing fisheries and education work as well. I now work for a non-profit leading natural resource education—educating about fisheries, Alaska Resource Education, logging, soils, resources, and teaching students about our state.
I volunteer for several organizations in the Fairbanks community and I love to help with things related to nature, science, and education in general. This year I am excited to help with farm and garden.
In my spare time I love teaching, reading, fishing, hunting, or traveling with my son and husband. I enjoy being outside and teaching students about the outdoors, and Alaska’s natural resources. Rock hunting, foraging and bird watching with my son is my favorite!
Sarah Johnson
Board Member
My name is Sarah Johnson and my daughter, Annelise, attends Ms. Kat’s class. This is Annelise’s second year attending FMS and we have enjoyed everything the school has to offer, especially the priority to teach the children kindness as well as independence.
Professionally, I am a nurse, which has given me valuable experience in teamwork, communication and decision-making under pressure. These are skills I believe translate well to serving on the Board, where listening, collaboration, and thoughtful problem-solving are important.
Ultimately, what drives me is a genuine desire to help the school continue to grow and succeed—for my daughter, her classmates and future students. I would be honored to contribute my time, skills and commitment to the important work of the Board.