Natalie Anderson Natalie is a Preschool teacher for Origins Education in Missoula. She has always had a deep calling to work with early childhood development and is eager to be apart of the phenomenal community with Families First. Natalie is passionate about healing trauma and the inner spirit through tools such as Kundalini Yoga, Dance, Art and engaging with the outdoor elements. She firmly believes in teaching our youth these tools of emotional expression, hoping for future generations to live peacefully, positively, mindfully and consciously aware of their own self healing gifts. Natalie is the middle of 5 brothers and sisters. Her most cherished moments about coming from a big family is the laughter at every family get together, nothing shy of a good time! Her favorite childhood board game is Aggravation.
Athina Collins Athina is a mom of two and a Para Educator with Missoula County Public Schools at Russell Elementary. She has been working with children all of her adult life. Athina truly enjoys and personally thrives being with children and students. It is very fulfilling and inspiring to her to be able to make a difference in their lives. According to Athina, Families First has offered her the opportunity to engage with children while their loved ones are on a quest of knowledge. In her spare time, Athina enjoys spending time with her friends sharing a delicious meal.
MaryPat Hertz MaryPat has her Bachelors in Early Childhood Education and 25 years of experience working with preschool children. MaryPat started as a parent volunteer in the Head Start program when her oldest child was a student there in 1994. After beginning to work as an aid in the classroom, she moved up into a management position where she worked up until the summer of 2018 when she joined the Origins Education team.MaryPat has a passion for working with children as well as working with teaching staff to help foster a high quality educational experience.
Jamie Moon Jamie graduated from the University of Montana-Western with an Early Childhood Education certification and has been helping children have fun learning since 2010. She has experience as lead teacher at Head Start and private preschools. She always brings a sense of fun to learning with humor, songs, games, and dancing. Jamie currently enjoys working as a substitute teacher at Hellgate Elementary, working with children preschool age through the eighth grade! Additionally, Jamie provides evening childcare for Families First Learning Lab several times a month. While parents participate in family education classes, Jamie’s goal is to help the children feel safe and welcomed as she facilitates fun hands-on activities. Jamie likes to use science, the natural world, and creative arts to teach problem-solving with materials, and positive relationships with self and others.
