Our faculty comes from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines, but there is a common interest that unites them: a passion for education and dedication to the cultivation of academic excellence in middle school students. Step into a classroom and you quickly see why we have the reputation of having the best educators in the Valley. Read below to learn more about the talented and dedicated staff who call Headwaters Academy home.
Faye McDonough - Head of School
Faye is our Interim Head of School; she brings a wealth of knowledge to the Headwaters Academy community with her vast experiences in independent schools. She most recently served as Head of School at Capital Day School in Frankfort, Kentucky. Engaging students in educational experiences has been a life-long career for Faye as she has enjoyed teaching learners of all ages. Now she will be recruiting her favorite age group to Headwaters Academy. “Letting the Gallatin County community know about the choice that our middle school offers students will be my pleasure. Our offerings are enhanced because of the small class size and the willingness of the faculty to go beyond the traditional school goals.”
Originally from Kentucky, Faye moved to Bozeman in 2012 with her husband who is also an educator. She earned a B.A. in music from the University of Oregon; K-12 elementary M.A. from the University of Louisville; and most recently worked as an administrator after receiving an M.A. in administration from Bank Street College of Education and the Parsons School of Design. Faye has fallen in love with Montana.
At HWA since 2012
Email: interimheadmaster@headwatersacademy.org
Faye is our Interim Head of School; she brings a wealth of knowledge to the Headwaters Academy community with her vast experiences in independent schools. She most recently served as Head of School at Capital Day School in Frankfort, Kentucky. Engaging students in educational experiences has been a life-long career for Faye as she has enjoyed teaching learners of all ages. Now she will be recruiting her favorite age group to Headwaters Academy. “Letting the Gallatin County community know about the choice that our middle school offers students will be my pleasure. Our offerings are enhanced because of the small class size and the willingness of the faculty to go beyond the traditional school goals.”
Originally from Kentucky, Faye moved to Bozeman in 2012 with her husband who is also an educator. She earned a B.A. in music from the University of Oregon; K-12 elementary M.A. from the University of Louisville; and most recently worked as an administrator after receiving an M.A. in administration from Bank Street College of Education and the Parsons School of Design. Faye has fallen in love with Montana.
At HWA since 2012
Email: interimheadmaster@headwatersacademy.org
Caroline Bark - US History and Admissions
Caroline, a Bozeman native, has taught at independent schools in Wahiawa, Oahu, and the Tenderloin district of San Francisco. She is a life long learner and completed her Master's degree in Religion at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Caroline has pursued travel in Germany, South America and Africa. Her passions include surfing, sewing, and all outdoor adventures. Caroline is very much looking forward to the opportunity to teach students in her hometown. At HWA since 2017 Email: cbark@headwatersacademy.org 
Melissa Duff - Office Manager
Melissa Duff is originally from Michigan, but has been a Montanan for over 15 years. After receiving her B.A. in International Business and Marketing from the University of Colorado at Boulder, she spent time traveling and exploring this great world, then moved to Montana to raise her family. After spending a decade as a women's trainer/coach here in Bozeman, she worked in Event Planning and Office Management at Thrive and McGarry Law, among others. Prior to becoming a part of the Headwaters family, she was the Office Manager at Little Tree Education, a Montessori school here in Bozeman with over 100 children. She has 2 kids of her own, Parker, 16, and Campbell, 12 (who has also joined the Headwaters family!) and 3 more bonus kids ;) Max, Mya and Halle, with her partner of many years, Cory. In their spare time, they all enjoy fly-fishing, boating, skiing, hiking, camping, and all things Montana. Please feel free to call, email or stop by her office at your convenience should you have any office related questions. She is here to help your Headwaters experience be the best it can be! At HWA since 2017 Email: office@headwatersacademy.org 
Tammy Lysons - Math, Pre-Algebra
and Algebra Tammy grew up in eastern Washington, spending time outside working on her family farm and tending to many different animals. Her love of the great outdoors brought her to Montana where she has lived since 1999. Tammy has a Bachelor's in Elementary Education and a Master's in Educational Leadership, both from the University of Montana-Missoula. She has a range of experience from working 14 years in Montana’s public school system as a teacher and administrator. She has taught every grade Kindergarten-4th and 6th as a classroom teacher. Her wealth of experience also includes teaching PE, Title 1 Math Interventions, and 7th-8th Algebra. She served as K-8 Principal for four years at Lone Rock School and for two years as the Title 1 director/assistant principal for Manhattan Public Schools. She enjoys all subjects, but gets the most joy from teaching mathematics to children. Tammy is also an avid gardener who loves to explore the great outdoors with her family. She currently lives in Belgrade with her husband Harley, daughter Laura, and dog Ripley. At HWA since 2017 Email: tlysons@headwatersacademy.org 
Shannon Mahoney – English
Shannon has a passion for teaching, learning, family and the outdoors. After earning a degree in English from UC Berkeley, she pursued a second degree in Education and an M.A. in English from Montana State. Shannon has previously taught ESL on the Montana State University campus and writing at both MSU and Gallatin College. Outside of the classroom, Shannon can be found running in the mountains, chasing her two boys, skiing Bridger, or riding her mountain bike. At HWA since 2017 Email: smahoney@headwatersacademy.org 
Susan Schwab - English & Spanish
Susan doesn’t consider working at Headwaters Academy a job; it’s pure pleasure for her! She has been teaching Spanish and English since the days of big hair and shoulder pads. Today her hair may be smaller–and grayer!– and the shoulder pads gone, but her enthusiasm and passion for teaching are at an all-time high. “Working with middle school students keeps me laughing and challenged to find new ways to channel their boundless energy.” When she is not creating lesson plans, she is with her husband Steve pedaling a bike, paddling a canoe, skiing, camping, or hiking. Susan has a B.A., M.A. and teacher certification from the University of Montana. At HWA since 2002 Email: sschwab@headwatersacademy.org Andy Sherman - Algebra
Andy is originally from Lansing, Michigan and his classrooms have found him in Michigan, Alaska, Minnesota and Montana as a secondary math and science teacher. He originally discovered Bozeman in 1992 as a graduate student in Physics at Montana State. After several years teaching in Philipsburg, Missoula, and Billings, he again moved back to Bozeman in 2002. A few years ago, Andy taught math at Headwaters during a four year stretch and he is very excited to again be a member of the Headwaters community as an Algebra teacher. At HWA since 2017 Email: asherman@headwatersacademy.org |
Abby Carruthers - Physical and
Outdoor Education Abby is originally from Northern Michigan. She spent five years in Driggs, Idaho before moving with her husband to Bozeman in 2008. She is currently our physical education and outdoor education instructor. She also serves as our student advisor and student council sponsor. She loves sports, being outside, and traveling. “I enjoy working for a school with Headwaters Academy’s reputation and having a great time with the students.” She enjoys spending downtime with her husband, son Brewer, and daughter Page. Abby has a B.A. from Ferris State University in Recreational Leadership and Management. At HWA since 2010 Email: acarruthers@headwatersacademy.org 
Brody Johnson - Art & Technology
Brody graduated from Saint Cloud University with a B.A. in Art, and he also has a B.A. in Music from Minnesota State University of Moorhead. Brody is enamored by observing and moving in nature: field sketching, climbing, snow and water kiting, skiing and being present in the outdoors. He is a lifelong learner who has been a student and a teacher of many different subjects including: rock climbing, kayaking, guitar, and the visual arts. He achieved training as a licensed visual arts instructor at one of Minnesota’s most forward-thinking high schools focused on technology integration, 21st Century Skills and academic achievement. At HWA since 2013 Email: bjohnson@headwatersacademy.org 
Kimberly Magro - Geometry
Kimberly is enthusiastic about joining the HWA community as the 8th grade Geometry teacher. She received an Undergraduate degree in Health Promotions from Montana State and a Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a certificate in Elementary Education. In addition to tutoring students of all grade levels for 17 years, she worked with Thrive as the CAP Coordinator at the Middle School level. When not at Headwaters, Kimberly is often found adventuring with her two children and husband in the mountains and pursuing faster times on her mountain bike. At HWA since 2017 Email: kmagro@headwatersacademy.org 
Hannah Meeks - World Cultures and Speech & Drama
Hannah is thrilled to be part of the Headwaters Community. Hannah is a local performer who has held various roles with Montana Shakespeare in the Parks, Intermountain Opera, the Ellen Theatre, the Verge Theatre, and the Shane Lalani Center for the Performing Arts. In addition, she is currently on staff at the Verge Theater teaching musical theater for grades K-5. She is so excited to be sharing this passion with Headwaters’ middle school students, and cultivating in them a love for the performing arts. World Cultures is another one of her passions. Hannah lived and attended school in Chatellerault, France where she studied economics. She has been teaching French language and culture for grades K-5 in the Bozeman School District as part of the World Languages program since it began, as well as teaching French in Montessori schools for the past 5 years. She is an impassioned traveler, and has spent time studying culture hands-on in India, Fiji, Panama, Great Britain, Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Mexico, and Canada. When she is not performing or traveling, she loves to spend time with her family hiking, kayaking, and camping in our beautiful state. She graduated summa cum laude from Chadron State College with a B.A. in Theatre Performance and a B.A in Business Administration/Finance. At HWA since 2017 Email: hmeeks@headwatersacademy.org 
Deborah Schuerr - Music
Deborah loves coaching students to develop as musicians and creative young artists. Since 2006, she has taught piano and songwriting and has an active studio of 50 students. Her students have won the BHS Hawks Night Live contest and several songwriting contests. During the summer, she’s taught at Equinox Summer Theater Camp and Kids Singers Club. Deborah has her B.A. in English and B.A. in History from Calvin College and her M.A. in History from Montana State University. She was active in public speaking, fundraising, and event planning during her tenure as Development Director for Gallatin Valley Land Trust and Habitat for Humanity. She also has the equivalent of a music degree and private studies degree from Montana State University. She has performed her original compositions on Yellowstone Public Radio, toured with a Windham Hill artist, composed music for a fashion show, jazz orchestras, and short films. She’s accompanied for the Ellen Theater, Missoula Children’s Theater, and Equinox Theater Co., played violin in the Bozeman Symphony, and sang in a variety of church choirs. She also likes to hike, bike, Nordic ski, play tennis, dance, read, and spend time with her friends. At HWA since 2011 Email: dschuerr@headwatersacademy.org 
Sayer Wickham - Science, Geography, Life Science, Earth Science, Outdoor
Education and P.E. Sayer grew up exploring the streams and forests of Vermont. He graduated from Hampshire College in Massachusetts where he studied science and sculpture. Before moving to Montana, Sayer worked as an educator in a program that focused on place based, hands-on learning for at-risk students. Most recently, he spent the summer as an instructor for the Montana Outdoor Science School. Sayer enjoys getting children outside to share his passion for exploring and understanding the natural world. He spends his free time hiking, fishing, and rock climbing. At HWA since 2015 Email: swickham@headwatersacademy.org |