OUR TEAM
experience & Passion
Onward Learning provides an exceptional educational experience tailored to each child’s unique gifts, interests, and developmental needs.
Our staff brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for supporting the healthy development of children academically, socially, and emotionally.
OUR STORY | Founder, CEO, & Teacher, Mary Jo Fairhead
My name is Mary Jo Fairhead, and I am the crazy behind the Onward Learning journey. This vision was ten years in the making, and I am beyond grateful for the support, encouragement, and wisdom that so many have poured into this endeavor alongside our team.
I’ve spent my life as an educator and mentor, serving learners of all ages as a coach, teacher, and most recently, an elementary school principal. Through every chapter of this work, one truth has stood out clearly: when children learn in a safe, loving, and healthy environment, they thrive. They discover their gifts, embrace their purpose, and begin to shape the world around them in the most profound ways.
But I’ve also seen the other side. I’ve witnessed how mainstream education, often rigid and standardized, can stifle curiosity and crush confidence by trying to fit every child into the same mold. This “one-size-fits-all” approach has become far too common, and it’s one of the key reasons why I believe there has never been a more urgent time to reimagine what school can be.
As an educator and a mother, I’ve long envisioned a different kind of school. A place where children walk into unconditional love every single day. A place where class sizes are small and every teacher knows their students deeply, where curiosity is not only welcomed, but celebrated and nurtured. A place where children are never forced into boxes, but instead guided to explore their unique strengths, passions, and purpose.
That dream has become reality.
With the dedication of an incredible team, and the wisdom of educational visionaries like David K. Richards and Philip Moore, Onward Learning has taken root in our small but mighty community of Martin, South Dakota, just outside the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.
I could not be more hopeful for what lies ahead for our children, our community, and for the bold and beautiful vision that is Onward Learning.
Sidney Wangerin - Teacher
Sidney has a heart of gold and a natural gift for working with our littlest Onward students. From the moment she and her family joined Onward, they’ve brought warmth, positivity, and a strong sense of community to our school.
Sidney’s passion for nurturing and caring for children is evident in all she does. She’s full of positive energy and fresh ideas, always seeking ways to grow both personally and professionally. Her dedication to Montessori education is especially inspiring; she has spent countless hours studying its principles and practices and recently earned her Early Childhood certification through the North American Montessori Center.
We’re so thankful to have Sidney as part of the Onward family. She’s truly a bright light in our community!
Rose Gordon - Lakota Language Teacher
Rose is Sicangu Lakota of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and has lived in the Martin community for 20 years. Lakota was her first language and she is one of the few fluent speakers we still have with us.
Rose spent much of her childhood in the St. Francis Mission Boarding School where she was forced to live away from her family and wasn’t allowed to speak her native language. Because of these experiences among others, Rose has a deep passion for teaching Lakota to our youth. The work she’s doing to revitalize the language is so important, as language is not just words—it carries culture, history, and a deep connection to the land and community. Rose’s story is a powerful reminder of how vital it is to protect and cherish our languages, especially for the younger generations who may not have had the same opportunities to learn.
Chelsie Moreland -School Cook, Photographer & Teacher Assistant
Chelsie is truly our jack of all trades at Onward! Whether she’s preparing delicious, nutritious home-cooked meals, stepping in as a teacher assistant or substitute, or capturing special moments through her lens, Chelsie brings talent and heart to everything she does.
Outside the classroom, Chelsie runs a thriving flower farm and photography business, two of her greatest passions. Yet, she also shines in the classroom, where her natural gifts with children are evident in every interaction.
Chelsie’s creativity, flexibility, and dedication make her an invaluable part of our Onward community, and we’re so grateful to have her on the team!
Carol Risse - Teacher
Carol is a longtime educator who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our team. She holds state certification in all content areas for Kindergarten through 8th grade. Carol’s expertise, dedication, and passion for education are truly unmatched, and we are fortunate to have her supporting our students.
Shannon Sampson Grooms
Shannon is a skilled and compassionate Barton-trained dyslexia tutor whose experience has made a tremendous difference in our school community. She has identified and supported many students with dyslexia, and the results are clear—our students are thriving academically and growing in confidence because of her incredible work.
Teresa Risse - Teaching Assistant
Teresa spent decades teaching elementary school in our community before retiring. We were fortunate enough to convince her to come out of retirement to work with our students in small groups, and she has been an incredible asset to our school community.
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Located in Martin, South Dakota near the Pine Ridge Reservation.