Who We Are
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Johnnie Duguay-Smith | Executive Director
Johnnie is born and raised in the Methow Valley and attended Little Star Montessori School, Methow Valley Elementary, Liberty Bell and Gonzaga University. She lives in Winthrop with her husband and numerous sheep, cattle, horses, dogs, and one cat. She enjoys spending time outdoors and eating local food. Johnnie loves public schools and learning about the world. |
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Hilary Kaltenbach | President
An educator for over twenty years, Hilary Kaltenbach currently works as the Program Coordinator for The Bush School’s campus in Mazama. She is excited to continue supporting best practices and innovation through PSFA. Hilary lives in Winthrop with her husband, two kids, and a growing number of animals. Megan Jepson | Vice President
Megan moved to the Methow Valley in 2019 with her husband and two children. She owns Montessori 123, a Montessori language materials company. She hopes to share her love of connection and community to create opportunities for all MVSD students and families. She loves playing hockey, skiing, biking and farming with her family. |
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Lindsay Evans | Treasurer
Lindsay and her husband Luke have lived in the Methow Valley since 2001. After nearly a decade as a toddler teacher at Little Star Montessori she founded Lake Chelan Artisan Bakery and later purchased East 20 Pizza from her brother. Raised in a family of public school educators, the existence of enriching public school opportunities has always been dear to her heart. Her children, Amelia and Gunnar, attend Liberty Bell schools. Kristina Johnson Avery| Secretary Kristina is a writer and editor focused on climate change. She lives in Twisp and has deep roots in Okanogan County — her great-grandparents moved to Riverside in the 1930s and her mom grew up on a farm there. She has a daughter in third grade at Methow Valley Elementary and enjoys basketball, skiing, and horses. Kristina is excited about expanding opportunities for MVSD students. Christian Moore | Secretary
A British military veteran and environmental security consultant, Christian moved to the valley two years ago. He is the father of four children, two of whom are loving the ILC. When not parenting, Christian likes trail running, nordic skiing and his wife's power yoga class. Joe Talbert
Joe has been a Methow Valley resident from 1994 to 2000 and 2014 to present. Joe is a father, engineer, educator, EMT and a Methow Trails groomer. He loves biking, climbing and skiing in the Methow. |
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Steve Dixon
Steve has lived in the valley for 42 years. He is a retired 6th grade teacher, enjoys reading, gardening, farming, children of all ages and an occasional beer while watching football. |
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Bob Winters
Bob is a recently retired educator who finished his career here at Methow Valley Elementary. As a board member, he hopes to add his experiences in public education to the collective expertise of this organization for the lasting benefit of students and their families here in the Methow. Jennifer Duguay
Jennifer moved to the Methow in 1972 when she was four, left for awhile and then came back to raise her two kids, Johnnie and Willy, with her husband, Bill. She taught in the Methow schools for around 20 years and is now retired. She enjoys volunteering, riding her pony, reading lots of books, being outside and hanging out with her family. Kelly Jewell
Kelly is an ecologist who has been working remotely as a sustainability consultant with nonprofits, and is now turning most of her attention to building a local business with her husband, Methow Spires Climbing Gym. She moved full time to the Methow in 2022, and she has two children at MVE. She is passionate about education, and brings the perspective of a parent who values PSFA’s work to make enriching opportunities equitable for all students. She loves moving in the mountains and on trails, reading and spending time with family and friends. |
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Liam Keifer | Student Representative
Liam is currently a sophomore at Liberty Bell High School. He runs cross county in the fall, wrestles, and captains the knowledge bowl team in the winter, and plays tennis in the spring. He enjoys reading, playing music, doing math, and being with his friends during his free time. Liam is passionate about taking an active role in the Methow Valley Community, and about working to support the opportunities available to students. Elliot Pixie-Plott | Student Representative
Elliot is currently a sophomore at liberty bell high school. He runs cross country in the fall, track in the spring, has been a part of numerous theatre productions and plays cello year round. Elliot is an avid artist and member of this year's Washington Youth Art Leadership cohort; you may also know him as the guy behind the counter at Orchard House Donuts. He is excited to get to represent his fellow student on the PSFA board and get to learn about and support all the opportunities made possible for students by PSFA |