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.
Jeff Peterson
Academic Director
Jeff Peterson
Academic Director
Jeff was born in Thailand and has spent parts of his life living in Italy, Singapore and Japan, though he mostly grew up in Northern California. He received his PhD from the University of New Mexico and is a former US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Minority Research Fellow. He joined the Chrysalis team after most recently spending several years as the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs in the Murrow College of Communication at Washington State University (go Cougs!). While at WSU, his research focused on issues related to health, culture, and community. Jeff met his wonderful wife Amy (a Eureka local) while both were teaching English in Japan. She introduced him to this beautiful patch of blue sky and green grass and also gifted him a new country vocabulary. As a result, he is grateful to plant his roots in Northwest Montana. When Jeff is not at Chrysalis, he spends his time helping out on the family ranch (as much as a city boy can!) and raising two wonderfully precocious kids. Finally, life has taught Jeff to believe in Maya Angelou’s quote that, “When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.”
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.
Krysten Fitzsimmons
Special Education Coordinator and English
Krysten Fitzsimmons
Special Education Coordinator and English
Krysten is the Special Education Coordinator for Chrysalis. She also teaches Honors Literary Theory and Criticism, College and Career Readiness, and Yearbook. She 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, from Western Governor’s University. Krysten she 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!
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
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.
Sean Tribble
Art
Sean Tribble
Art
Our art teacher, Sean Tribble, began his art training in high school in Texas. After graduation, his plan was to study music and it was during the pursuit of his music degree that he found his way back into a clay class. This led to an apprenticeship with renowned Texas potter, Randy Brodnax, for the better part of three years. He spent the summer of 2002 in Steamboat Springs, Colorado in a internship at LaLoba Ranch Clay Center.
Upon his return to Texas, Sean went on to pursue a degree in studio art with a focus in ceramics at Baylor University. Sean visited Northwest Montana in the summer of 2003 and shortly after, started making plans to relocate in Big Sky Country. It took some time, but in early 2008, Sean landed in Eureka full time, where he taught at another local program. In addition to teaching art, Sean serves as a pastor at a local church, and is an active professional potter.
In 2017, Sean participated in a program for Montana artists, put on by the Montana Arts Council. Sean brings years of experience to the classroom with him everyday. He is excited to share his love of the arts and the process of creating with our students at Chrysalis.
Sean is from Texas and brought an appropriately sized passion for creating, and facilitating others to do so, when he moved to Montana. He met his wife, Michelle, our music teacher, in Eureka in 2011. Together they play music in Michelle’s band, have a house full of instruments and are the proud people of one dog, Woodrow the Wonder Dog.
Michelle Tribble
Music
Michelle Tribble
Music
Michelle teaches choir, songwriting, music explorations and guitar. She grew up in Franklin, Tennessee, and studied communication at Baylor University. She is a guitar player, singer/songwriter, recording artist and plays in a band.
Michelle is passionate about encouraging the creative spark to shine in each kid, providing students with an opportunity to earn credit as they learn to play instruments, write songs and sing. Each class has a very hands-on approach to learning & Michelle is thrilled when students are able to apply what they learn at campus events such as Open Mic.
When she’s not at school, Michelle enjoys adventuring outdoors, catching live shows, making music and hanging out with her husband Sean, the art teacher & their dog Woodrow, who happens to have his own hashtag: #WoodrowTheWonderDog.
Kelly Shank
Science
Kelly Shank
Science
Kelly earned a Masters of Education in Curriculum & Instruction and a Bachelor’s of Science in Wildlife Biology from University of Montana. She has also earned her license to teach 5-12 Broadfield Science by the State of Montana. Kelly teaches Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry and Physical Science. While at the University of Montana, Kelly worked with the special needs community, developing and implementing management strategies for children with Autism and various other special needs.
During her free time Kelly enjoys wandering through the woods looking for photogenic critters who are willing to pose for her camera, reading, tending to her kitties, and taking care of her plants.
