Board of Trustees

Amherst Montessori School is an independent non-profit school, governed by a Board of Trustees and administered by a Head of School. Our Board of Trustees is comprised of parents, alumni parents, and community members. Tamara Balis, Head of School, serves ex-officio. Felice DiMartino, Toddler Montessori Guide, serves ex-officio as Staff Liaison.

2011-2012 Board of Trustees

OFFICERS  
Shawn LeBlanc, President of the Board of Trustees, brings professional-­level scrutiny to considerations of community safety as well as community-­building.  A Massachusetts State Trooper, Shawn’s  personal experience rebuilding his family’s home has also contributed valuable understanding of the personnel and protocols involved in building in environmentally sensitive locations. Shawn has two children at AMS.

Kimberly Snyder, Vice President, has a professional background in branding, PR, media relations, and corporate sponsorship. Kim worked with several large non-­profit organizations in NYC, and since moving to Massachusetts has focused her considerable talents on volunteer work, to the great benefit of Amherst Montessori School and its Capital Campaign. Kim has one child at AMS. 

Amy Beth has served as Secretary of the Board for three years. A highly-­credentialed librarian (MLS, MA, and post-­orals PhD candidate) as well as an archivist (Lesbian Herstory Archives) and administrator (Springfield Technical Community College), Amy’s perspective, vision, and expertise help preserve both the Board’s and the school’s institutional memories. Amy has one child at AMS. 

John Trickey, Treasurer, brings his outstanding experience in Municipal Finance (Town of Pelham), Project Management (Appalachian Mountain Club), and Quality Assurance (Sunny Delight Beverages Company) to the integrity and the critical technical components of the Board’s fiduciary responsibilities. John is one of three Trustees who is not a parent at AMS.    

OTHER  ELECTED  MEMBERS  
Rebecca Bouchard is an attorney whose work (Doherty, Wallace, Pillsbury & Murphy) focuses on education law. Her legal expertise, community spirit, and experience on the Boards of several educational institutions has been invaluable in improving the practices of the AMS Board and ensuring familiarity and compliance with state and federal requirements. Becky is one of three Trustees who is not a parent at AMS.    

Hallie Hughes also has a legal background, and previously worked in Family Court/Massachusetts District Court as well as an international liaison, project manager, and researcher for documentary scripts. Hallie and her family are particularly well-­networked in the local community, and Hallie brings extraordinary grace and ease to networking on behalf of the school. Hallie has two children at AMS. 

Kathy Rice is a community leader whose membership on the Boards of many local organizations has elevated their practice and strengthened their effectiveness. Kathy’s business and banking experience (Greenfield Savings and Loan) and community spirit contributes to a new convergence of mission and efficacy on the AMS Board. Kathy is one of three Trustees who is not a parent at AMS.    

William Waldron is a small business owner with a successful practice in constructing and installing solar services. An alumni parent, Bill has served on the AMS Board for more than ten years, and contributes both practical expertise as a business owner (Sun Tech Solar Service) and a long-­time vision of what AMS has been in the past and can be in the future.

Lynn Yanis is a freelance writer and editor whose clients have included international publishers, national philanthropies, arts organizations, government agencies, school districts, and non-­profit organizations. Lynn’s  attention to the written word has helped the Board codify and communicate  its intentions and the best of its practices for future generations of leadership. Lynn has one child at AMS.