Our Team
Cottonwood Day School’s quality and success is at the heart of its excellent teachers, specialists and dedicated administrative and support staff in the classroom. These professionals bring expertise, experience and, above all, a thorough understanding of the challenges facing our students and their families.

Meredith Scully
Founder

Michelle Bjelland
Director

Amy Wood
Executive Director

Anna Allen
Office Administrator

Amanda Cooper
High School Teacher

Nathan Bjelland
Elementary Teacher

Teri Massa
Elementary Teacher

Allison LaFalce
Elementary Teacher

Alycia Kappler
Instructional Aide

Paula Ream
Instructional Aide

Tonia Stewart
Instructional Aide

Hadley Stonecipher
Speech Language Pathologist

Ciara Isaak
Instructional Aide

Trina Rainey
Music Therapist

Emma Neal
Occupational Therapist
Anna joyfully spends her time hiking, beekeeping, camping, yoga-ing, fishing, skiing, cooking, dancing, and exploring with her husband, two boys, and quirky Golden Retri
In their downtime, Alycia, her husband, and their canines enjoy the mountains, the trails, whatever local fundraiser run is taking place that weekend, a home cooked meal, and time with family.

Trina Rainey
Music Therapist
Ciara is excited to join the CDS family as an Instructional Aide. She is passionate about the growth and development of the next generation, and is thrilled to have the opportunity to do that here! Ciara received her Bachelor’s degree at Montana State University in Applied Psychology and plans to obtain her Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology. Ciara has a special place in her heart for kiddos with learning challenges. Prior to her work at CDS, Ciara worked as a nanny for two years with various families of children with unique needs. During this time, Ciara became interested in working in a more intimate space with children who have learning challenges. Cottonwood was the perfect match!
Ciara has a wonderful husband and energetic dog to keep her busy at home. You can often find her at live music gigs as her husband is a Bozeman musician! Other than this, they spend time in the wonderful outdoors of the beautiful place they call home.
Allison is so happy to be a part of the team at Cottonwood Day School! After moving to Bozeman with her husband in 2018, they quickly decided Montana was their forever home. Allison graduated from Central Washington University with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, and an endorsement in Early Childhood Education. She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Elementary Curriculum and Instruction through Montana State University. Allison has a passion for teaching and learning, and believes in her core that every student deserves an equal opportunity to learn in the way that is most accessible to them. She strives to form meaningful relationships with all her students and their families, and works hard to ensure that students’ needs are met. In her free time, Allison enjoys spending time with her husband Daniel, and their German Shepherd puppy, Vex. They love exploring the state of Montana, playing outside, or snuggling up for a movie night.
Ms. Tonia moved to Montana last year directly after completing a thru hike of the Appalachian Trail. Prior to her six month journey on the Appalachian Trail, she lived in Florida working as a contractor for the U.S. Government. Ms Tonia also worked part time as a horseback riding instructor, summer horse camp counselor, and field trip guide at a working cattle ranch. For numerous years, she volunteered for a hippotherapy riding program. Ms Tonia is looking forward to bringing her vast work and world experience to the kids at Cottonwood Day School.