Staff
Rachel Stevens Biography
Rachel Stevens was raised in Madison, Wisconsin. She began her teaching career in 1999 in Phoenix, Arizona and received her Master of Arts degree with an emphasis in Curriculum and Instruction in 2002. She and her family moved to Montana in 2005 where she continued her teaching career with a local school district. While a teacher, she held many leadership responsibilities and decided to pursue her administrative license which she obtained from the University of Montana in 2016.
Mrs. Stevens was waiting for the right opportunity to lead a school in which her philosophy of education and teaching style would coincide with that of the district. She was able to witness the quality educational experience that was provided to her son by the supportive and caring staff at Creston and knew she had found the right place. She will be bringing two decades of educational knowledge and experience teaching in all grades K – 6 to Creston school. She is looking forward to working with the staff and the community to ensure the continued success of the Creston School District.
She resides in the Creston area with her husband, daughter, son, and two rescue pets, one dog and one cat. When she is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family, working in the garden, taking photographs, and creating paper scrapbooks.
Tammy Bartos Biography
Tammy Bartos was raised in Las Vegas, Nevada and there met her husband. They have 4 children – all boys – all attended Creston Elementary School. She’s worked most of her adult years in administrative/bookkeeping jobs in a variety of office settings. In 2003 she and her family we were able to move to the Flathead Valley. Tammy enjoys reading, camping, boating, and movie nights with her family.
Since 2003 she has been involved at the school in some way – field trips, serving lunch, reading with students. In 2011 she was excited to have the opportunity to work here at Creston as a paraprofessional. In May of 2016, she became the district clerk; her duties also involve a variety of other miscellaneous responsibilities that make each day an adventure. “I can hardly call what I do a job, because it is truly a joy to be involved in the lives and education of the students here; and the teachers and staff I interact with are amazing!”
Katy Hagen Biography
Katy Hagen grew up in Valparaiso, Indiana. She moved to the Flathead Valley in 2007. She has two boys who both attend Creston Elementary School. Katy is married to Jeff Hagen, who also works at Creston Elementary.
Katy is a certified bookkeeper and has previously worked for non-profit organizations and in office environments. She loves working in the front office at Creston Elementary where she greets the guests, talks with parents, and helps all the wonderful kids throughout the day.
Katy loves to garden and to be outside. She also loves to travel and experience new things. Katy loves being a part of Creston Elementary.
Shanta Milne Biography
Teresa Mumm Biography
Teresa Mumm teaches PE, ART and Music at Creston. She graduated 2006 from Hastings College, NE with Masters in Art of Teaching, Physical Education. She moved to Jamestown, ND where she coached volleyball and softball at the University of Jamestown, before moving to Sturgis, SD to begin her teaching career. Teresa coached softball at BHSU, taught Middle School Physical Education and Reading for nine years in Sturgis, SD before upgrading from the Black Hills to the mountains. Teresa and her husband Ben are busy parents of two busy boys, Royal and Benjamin, and they all enjoy hiking, camping, kayaking and Sweet Peaks ice cream.
Jen Johnson Biography
Pauline Davidson
Jamie Shanks Biography
Carlie Nutt Biography
Carlie Nutt was born in Clinton, Montana, and moved to Payette, Idaho in grade school where she graduated from Payette High School in 2012. She received her Master’s Degree in Education from Eastern Oregon University in La Grande, Oregon in 2019. After graduating, she moved back to Montana and taught in Clinton for 1 year as an Intervention Specialist. Recently, she took a year off from teaching to travel the Southwest, after which, she moved to Kalispell to teach summer school 5-8th grade at Whitefish and 5th Grade at Creston. This will be her first year as a 5th-grade teacher.
Ms. Nutt loves to travel and has worked all over the country including in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and most recently Arizona. She also loves to be outdoors, hiking, camping, and paddle boarding, all with her dog Otter, who shares her adventures with her.
Janessa Harkins Biography
Janessa Harkins was raised in Clancy, Montana. A small community allowed Mrs. Harkins to get involved with sports, theater, 4-H, and art, creating a passion for each one which she is eager to share with others. Following her graduation from Jefferson High School, Janessa attended Montana State University-Billings. During her time at MSUB, Janessa competed four years on both the Women’s Basketball team, and Track and Field team. Her college experience reaffirmed her love for kids, and excitement to be in a classroom. She earned a degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Art K-12 Teaching. Janessa loves camping, boating, horse-riding, hiking, and is always up for a new adventure.
Cindi Conley Biography
I received my Special Education degree from Western Governors University and have experience as a substitute teacher, para-educator and Special Education teacher. In addition to my position at Creston School, I work part time for the Child Development Center in Kalispell as a Direct Support Professional working directly with children who have been diagnosed with autism. I am passionate about teaching and providing learning opportunities for students who need support. I enjoy teaching Sunday School and spending time with my children, reading, camping, and hiking. To be a part of Creston School where my two children have attended since 2009 is a such a delight.
Melissa Potts Biography
Melissa Potts was born and raised in Flathead County. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education at Montana State University-Bozeman. Melissa substituted for Bigfork, Swan River, and Creston Schools before applying for a kindergarten position at the Creston School. In 2010/11, she was hired to teach Kindergarten and be a part of the team at Creston. The following years, she taught third grade for 6 years before making a change to teach first grade. After taking a couple of years off, Melissa is excited to return as the Title 1 Teacher for Reading and Math across elementary grades. When she’s not teaching, Melissa enjoys riding her horses, rodeo, fishing, and spending time on Flathead Lake with family. She has always been happy to be a part of the amazing team of teachers and work with Creston families.
Bobbie Visnovske Biography
Bobbie Visnovske (Mrs. V) was born and raised in Hoboken, New Jersey. She completed her undergraduate degree from Montclair State University. After graduation, she followed the bright lights of New York City, just a few miles away, where she worked on Wall Street for three years. She returned to school to pursue her teaching credential and Master’s degree in education from St. Peters University, and found joy teaching underserved populations in local urban schools. As many of her students were underrepresented in outdoor activities, Mrs. V became passionate about encouraging her students’ connection to the natural world. She was thrilled that she was able to initiate outdoor education, hiking, rock climbing and backpacking programs in her schools.
Soon adventure called, and Mrs. V and her husband moved to Upstate NY and became rock climbing rangers. While working as a climbing ranger and as an EMT, Mrs. V became an education specialist in NY’s Hudson Valley Region, teaching K-6th graders outdoor and environmental education.
The adventure bug bit again, and Mrs. V and her husband became park service rangers in Yosemite National Park. She loved teaching 5th-12th graders about the wonders of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. While not rangering, Mrs. V taught 6th grade in the Central Valley of California. Mrs. V’s work as an education ranger would eventually take her to Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming and Glacier National Park.
A Montana resident for the past 8 years, Mrs. V comes to us from the Whitefish School District, where she served as the assistant librarian in the elementary school for the past 7 years. She is so excited to start her new adventure at Creston School as the physical education, music and art specialist. In her free time, Mrs. V enjoys time with her husband, daughter, 3 horses and cat. They love all things Montana, and you’ll catch them rafting on the Flathead River, riding the trails on their horses, or cross-country skiing in Glacier.
Cassie Sydnor Biography
Cassie was born and raised in Bigfork Montana. She is married to Brian and has three kids that attend the Bigfork Schools. They have 22 pets!
In her free time she enjoys gardening, swimming, rock hounding and being with her family and pets.
Some fun facts about Cassie are:
- Favorite animal is a shark
- Cake decorator for 8 years and still enjoys making fun cakes
She’s very glad to be part of the Creston School family!
Pam Choco Biography
Pam was born and raised in Chehalis, Washington, and moved to Montana in 2013 with her husband, Alan, a retired law enforcement officer. Together, with their fur family, Katy, Kingston, & Pun’kin, (2 Goldendoodles and a Calico cat) they live “down the Swan Hwy” near Bigfork in a wonderful two-story log cabin, surrounded by trees and wildlife.
Pam has worked with children & youth for nearly 30 years in church and public school settings, and loves interacting with “the littles” in kindergarten. “I enjoy watching them discover new things and master new skills.”
She stays busy at home with crafts, crocheting, sewing for her home, and making quilts to donate to her community.
Jeff Hagen Biography
Jeff Hagen was raised in Kalispell, Montana. Together, with his wife he has eight children. They have one dog and enjoy kayaking, camping and fishing.
Jeff has been active in his community by volunteering at church and the Fair-Mont-Egan School Board. He previously worked in mechanics as a heavy equipment/diesel mechanic. Jeff has worked as the maintenance supervisor and school bus driver at Creston School since 2017.
Rachel Leighty Biography
Rachel Leighty was raised in Texas and California and has resided in Montana since 2000. She is married to Mark and has two daughters, one at Flathead High School and one at Creston Elementary. They have a cat, a dog, and two rabbits.
Rachel is actively involved in her church with volunteering and welcoming visitors. She previously worked as a certified personal trainer and managed a billing/payment department. Rachel has been a classroom aide at Creston School since 2017 where she has supervised recess, lunch and the crosswalk.
She enjoys working with the staff, parents and fabulous students. She says this is the best place she has ever worked.