Our Team
Interested in Joining our Team?
We are always looking for committed, loving, and passionate team members to lift up our families and mission! Send your resume to admin@wildfernmont.org
Kate Lipka, Head of School
Kate has been a lifelong Montessorian starting her experience as a Montessori student and child of a Montessori teacher. After earning her B.A. in Human Development from Eckerd College, she received her AMI diploma from Montessori Institute Northwest and has spent time teaching in Seattle, WA, Tampa and Bradenton, FL, and here in Richmond, VA.
Kate joined our community in the spring of 2019 as a substitute teacher and moved into the role of Lead Primary Guide (teacher) and Program Director the following fall and became full-time Head of School in 2020.
In her off time, Kate enjoys spending time with her husband and son bike riding, hiking the many trails around Richmond, and just hanging out. She refills her soul through meditation, reading, and her new obsession, weaving.
Ellen Mangum, Primary Lead
Ellen Mangum is our Lead Primary teacher. She received her Bachelors of Science in psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University. After six years of working as an assistant in Montessori classrooms at both the Primary and Infant/Toddler levels, she attended Washington Montessori Institutes Primary Lead Guide training. She then continued her education and received her M.Ed from Loyola Maryland.
Ellen grew up practicing yoga and she is very passionate about bringing mindfulness into the environment and creating a non judgmental, curious, and kind community.
Gabby Chasse, Toddler Lead
Gabrielle (Gabby) has worked with kids of various ages over the last 10 years and has come to appreciate the curiosity of children of all ages. She has experience with kids ranging from 12 months - 7 years old and has found a sweet spot in the toddler and primary ages.
New to the Richmond area, Gabrielle is working through all the nature, art, culture, and coffee that Richmond has to offer.
As well as being a part of Wild Fern, Gabrielle uses her degree in communications as a freelance social media and marketing manager and enjoys helping people connect with each other.
In her spare time, Gabrielle loves to find a quiet place to read, a podcast to listen to, or a new recipe to try.