About Us
Our Mission
Hands-on, holistic education individualized to each student
Our School
We are a private Montessori school serving Primary (Ages 3- 6), and Elementary (6-9), Upper Elementary (Ages 9-12) and are currently working on starting a new Middle School (Ages 12-14). We offer a unique educational opportunity to our community of Lander.
Our building is located on a beautiful 7.5 acres offering a range of outdoor educational opportunities such as wildlife viewing, exploration, gardening and animal husbandry.
Our educational model is founded in Maria Montessori’s principles fostering independence, critical thinking, and self care. With a strong emphasis on the whole child, our school challenges and enriches each individual child to reach their full potential.
Who We Are
Jenny Schucker (Founding Director)
Jenny Schucker, the Founder of Academy of the Winds (AOW), brings a strong educational background and a wealth of experience to her role. She has earned a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and holds a Wyoming Teacher Certification, a National Board Certification, as well as a NAMC Montessori Certification. Jenny's dedication to education is evident from her ten years of classroom experience within Wyoming schools. Choosing to stop full-time teaching following the birth of her daughter, Jenny redirected her passion for education towards establishing the Academy of the Winds in 2019.
As the heart of AOW, Jenny currently serves as both the Head Teacher and Executive Director, where she is instrumental in realizing her vision for a distinguished private school in Lander. Her leadership at AOW reflects her commitment to innovating education and creating an environment that fosters growth and discovery. Jenny is genuinely enthusiastic about the future, as AOW is changing educational landscape in Fremont County.
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Natalie Ruthven (Lower Elementary Lead Teacher)
Hello! My Name is Natalie Ruthven (Rooth-ven) I was born and raised in Laramie, WY. I attended the University of Wyoming (Go Pokes!) where I earned my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and minor in Early Childhood Education.
I have been a teacher for 4 years and have had the opportunity to work in/with a variety of schools and age groups. I began my teaching career in Denver, Colorado teaching kindergarten and 1st grade. I then taught for two years in Laramie teaching in the gifted and talented program for 3rd-5th grade students and then as a traditional 3rd grade teacher. Most recently I taught kindergarten in Idaho before moving back to Wyoming. This summer I have been working on my Montessori certification and am excited to put all that I have learned into practice this year! I am thrilled to be back in Wyoming and to be working in an amazing community and program at Academy of the Winds.
In my spare time I love to be outdoors with my husband, Jake, and our two dogs, Fin and Paisley. I enjoy hiking, camping, and exploring new places. I also love movies and reading a good book. My husband and I moved back to Wyoming this spring and are looking forward to setting down roots and experiencing all Lander has to offer.
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Janet Winger (Lower Elementary Assistant Teacher)
Janet joined AOW in the Fall of 2022.
Janet has been a long time resident of the Lander Community. She has been married for 36 years and has three children, 2 boys and 1 girl. They all attended University of Wyoming, graduated and are building and are building lives of their own in other communities.
Janet is joining us with a very diverse educational background. It began with teaching infant swimming, fitness classes, and women’s weight lifting, coaching and recently as a paraprofessional for Fremont County School District #1 for 14 years. She enjoys being outside doing any type of activity and loves sports.
Janet brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our team of professionals.
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Cindy Coyne (Primary Lead Teacher)
I am thrilled to join the AOW team as Primary Lead Teacher! I have a BS in Elementary Education, MA in Literacy, hold Wyoming Teaching Certification and am National Board Certified. I will also be a certified Montessori Primary Guide in September. I am originally from the east coast, and I moved out to Wyoming in 2011 to teach Kindergarten. I have spent almost 15 years in the field of education and have worked with learners from 3 years of age all the way through the college level. I love reading, history, chocolate, and being with my husband, daughter, 3 dogs and 2 adopted mustang horses.
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Jamie Ayers (Primary Assistant Teacher)
Jamie joined Academy of the Winds in the Fall of 2021. Before AOW Jamie worked with the Lander School District for a total of ten years- two years as a Paraprofessional, and eight years as a Substitute Teacher. She has a husband and three wonderful boys and loves being outdoors and spending time with her family. She is loving to being a part of the Montessori program and working with the primary age group for the Academy of the Winds.
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Scott McGowan (Upper Elementary Lead Teacher)
Scott began his teaching career in 1993. He has a B.A. in English from Westmont College and an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from Lesley University. Scott holds a Wyoming Teacher Certification and is currently pursuing his NAMC Montessori Certification.
Scott’s family includes his wife, Denise, and 2 daughters, Katie and Amelia. Scott enjoys the outdoors, working on his Jeep, construction remodeling, reading, and traveling. He is a man who believes in working hard and trying new things because new opportunities bring new learning. His motto is: We can do that. We don’t know how yet, but we can do that.
Scott’s favorite quote: “The only difference between who we are today and who we were yesterday is in the places we’ve gone, the people we’ve met, and the books we’ve read.” (Adapted from Charlie “Tremendous” Jones)
Gina Pasini (Science Teacher)
Gina has a BA in Environmental Education and Assoc. in Early Childhood Education. She has previous experience as a Montessori assistant teacher, and experience teaching summer science camps. Gina also worked as a Wildlife Biology field technician for 7 years in remote locations throughout the West. She recently moved to Wyoming from Montana, where she was born and raised. In her free time, she works on ranches, and explores wild Wyoming while hiking, hunting, rockhounding and daydreaming about all the amazing and fun things to teach children.
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