Academic Staff
We are all works in progress who never stop growing.
At Chrysalis, student instruction is provided by state-certified high school teachers supported by our tutorial staff. Core classes are teacher-led, yet we also provide several online courses for students interested in unique subjects. Every student has an academic advisor who works directly with that student’s therapist and is a member of the student’s treatment team, providing comprehensive evaluation and better outcomes.
Krysten Fitzsimmons
Academic Director, Special Education Coordinator and English
Krysten Fitzsimmons
Academic Director, Special Education Coordinator and English
Krysten is the Academic Director for Chrysalis. Through her time at Chrysalis she has taught Honors Literary Theory and Criticism, College and Career Readiness, and Yearbook. Krysten grew up in Oregon and attended college in Montana. She completed her student teaching in Australia while earning a BA in English teaching. She also has a Masters of Science in Special Education. Krysten has worked in therapeutic group homes for teens as part of the direct-care staff and managed weekend programming. She has worked as a substitute teacher and paraprofessional, mainly in special education and English classrooms. Outside the classroom, Krysten enjoys participating in local community theater as well as volunteering to teach hunters, promoting safety and stewardship. For relaxation, she goes for Nordic skiing, hiking and, of course, reading.
Krysten finishing a race!
Darla Kaarre
English Teacher/Assistant Academic Director
Darla Kaarre
English Teacher/Assistant Academic Director
Darla was born and raised in northwest Montana. She’s had “Eureka moments” ever since calling Eureka home. She graduated college in Montana (with one year of her study completed in Maine) and went on to graduate school at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. Darla holds BS and MA degrees in education with a specialization in reading. She has taught all levels of students, from preschool through college, and has enjoyed each and every grade. Creating cross-curricular unit studies is Darla’s all-time favorite educational pursuit. In keeping with her comprehensive approach to teaching, Darla has immersed herself in various aspects of our therapeutic boarding school since joining us in 2007 – a major Eureka moment for her. Initially, she joined our program staff, then became food services coordinator. Her formal expertise is as English teacher and assistant academic director. She loves to motivate both students and staff, and she is known for her creativity and others focused attitude on campus.
Over 30 years ago, Darla fell in love with a Midwestern boy named Marty. She’s still in love with him today. They have five children, and four grandchildren.
Thomas Bartley
Math
Thomas Bartley
Math
Thomas is originally from Kalispell, Montana, with extended family in the surrounding areas of Great Falls, Helena, and Missoula. At the age of five, he moved to Florida, and continued to come back and visit Montana throughout his childhood. He always had a passion for math and graduated college with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and began teaching high school math classes, while also pursuing his graduate degree in Secondary Education. After teaching at the high school level for 6 years, Thomas left the classroom to pursue other avenues in education, which included curriculum development, e-learning, instructional technology, and many others. Prior to Chrysalis he worked at an Instructional Technology position with Saint Leo University, where he specialized in supporting faculty in effective instructional practice with classroom technology. Over the years, he and his wife dreamed about moving back to Montana, and are so excited to be able to enjoy all of the activities it has to offer. Thomas enjoys all types of outdoor activities, such as hiking, rafting, fishing, and camping. He also enjoys playing the guitar, working with animals, and spending time with friends and family.
Thomas and his family camping
Erica Gerber
Science
Erica Gerber
Science
Erica grew up on Long Island in New York State. She played Field Hockey at Syracuse University on a full athletic scholarship where she earned a degree in Science Education and met her husband. Her Masters in Environmental Communication included six months of Research in India. Later in life she went back to school to become a licensed Veterinary Technician.
She has taught science for 25 years at both middle and high schools in New York, Connecticut, and Montana. In 1998, she was awarded teacher of the year at Greenwich Public Schools in CT. Her favorite courses to teach are River Ecology and Animal Anatomy Physiology, and Nursing (aka Animal Science). She and her husband live on a ranchette on the Flathead River where they have 7 fuzzy children: a dog, a cat, and five horses. When she is not teaching she rides her horses into the back country to find remote places for her husband to fly fish. They also like to cross country ski and mountain bike.
Erica enjoys working at Chrysalis where she can form close relationships with the students and join them in their incredible life journeys.
Leslie Fowler
Horticulture Manager
Leslie Fowler
Horticulture Manager
Leslie was born in California. She went to High School in Colorado and then moved to Alaska before migrating down to beautiful Eureka, Montana where she has lived since 1980. Leslie has worked at Chrysalis for a total of 15 years. During that time she has worn many hats, but her favorite role so far is her current one. Teaching Horticulture allows many opportunities for personal growth through the experience of gardening. Leslie has a heart for our students and enjoys having the gardens as a place to connect with the students. Having raised three children of her own, Leslie brings a family like nurturing approach to interacting with the students.
Leslie feels fortunate to have been able to travel internationally with Chrysalis. In the fall of 2018 she designed and then helped install a large garden and orchard at an orphanage in Mexico with Chrysalis students, parents, and staff.
She has 40 years of gardening experience and has taken the Master Gardeners Course through MSU. She hopes to instill in our students a love for gardening and eating healthy.
In her free time she enjoys gardening, hiking with her dogs, music and studying a holistic approach to health. She enjoys making salves and harvesting herbs for medicinal use. She loves spending time with her family camping.
Amanda Gray
Academic Counselor and Spanish
Amanda Gray
Academic Counselor and Spanish
Amanda teaches Spanish I, II, and III and is a facilitator for students with online language classes. She grew up in South Carolina where she attended Converse College. She earned her Bachelors Degree in Education and Spanish.
James Gray
History
James Gray
History
James teaches U.S. History, World History, and Government. He is originally from Klamath Falls, Oregon. During his childhood, he moved all over the country with his mother as she sought various professional opportunities in the education field. When James was in third grade he moved to Wisdom, Montana where he lived there for three years. He has a passion for woodworking and computers. James received his Bachelors degree in Psychology and a Masters degree in Secondary Education. Prior to receiving his degrees, he was in the US Navy. James is married to Amanda Gray. They have two young boys. They have wanted to move to Montana for many years, They found the opportunity at Chrysalis the perfect reason to make one of the biggest changes in their lives.
Keshara Bjorkman
Art
Keshara Bjorkman
Art
Margaret Lambie
Music
