Shannon Lusk
Director

AMI Montessori Administrators Certificate

I fell in love with McMinnville Montessori as soon as I had my interview. It felt like a natural fit as the Montessori philosophy lines up with how I raise my two girls, Madison and Alexis. I started as a classroom assistant and moved into the director position in fall of 2023. The MMS community feels like home. I am so excited to be here I love getting to know the students.

I previously lived in Tillamook, OR (yes, the cheese!) I worked for the Tillamook County Family YMCA from 2004-2022. I worked as a lifeguard, swim lesson instructor, and coach for high school and USA YMCA swim teams. Eventually I took the Aquatics Director position and managed the entire department. I am also a certified American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED instructor and lifeguard instructor.

I live in Sherwood with my two girls, my husband, and our dog, Sage. We enjoy spending family time together, going camping, hiking, swimming, and appreciating the simple things in life.

learning@mcminnvillemontessori.com

Kurt Frisch
Bookkeeper

Kurt Frisch is bookkeeper by trade and took over this role as of March 2024. He is a nonvoting member of the interim McMinnville Montessori board as well as a father of two who are currently enrolled in the elementary house. He can be reached directly at- business@mcminnvillemontessori.com

Anne Wilson
River Room Guide

AMI Primary Diploma from Montessori Northwest

I am a certified professional nanny and ran my own successful in-home daycare before coming to work here at MMS in 2017. During the 2022-23 school year I completed my AMI Training through Montessori Institute Northwest. 

I was born, raised, and am now raising my own family in Newberg. I love spending time with my husband and 4 children. I enjoy camping, singing, gardening and caring for my indoor plants, listening to audiobooks and podcasts, watching my children’s sports games, sewing, and relaxing at home.

I love working with your children and I’m honored to be a part of their lives. 

Amelia Combes
Forest Room Guide

AMI Primary Diploma from Montessori Northwest

I have been a proud McMinnville Montessori School parent since my son Garrison joined the elementary in 2021. As a parent I was deeply grateful that McMinnville Montessori was a place that I could trust to foster my child’s growth both academically and as a compassionate member of society. I was delighted to join the Forest Room community as a Guide this year. My previous experience working with children spans over a decade. I have been privileged to encourage functional independence in Montessori toddler programs, facilitated inclusion as a SPED IA with the McMinnville school district, and led a Children's House community at The Austin Montessori school. I received my AMI Primary certificate from Montessori Northwest in 2018.

In quiet moments I like to snuggle on my couch with a mug of tea and a book or a much abused, rarely completed crochet project. I have a noisy, happy home with my son Garrison, husband Jeffrey, and a hound dog named Cleo.

Kristina Ramirez
Forest Room Assistant

I have been the assistant in the Forest Room since the fall of 2022. I worked as an in-home nanny for 5 years in McMinnville. Before that I volunteered in school classrooms for about 6 years and fell in love working with the preschool age group. I knew that someday when my children were older I would like to work in a preschool. Now that day has come and I have found a job here at McMinnville Montessori where I've learned so much about Montessori. The best part of the job is getting to see the children each day.

When I'm not at school I like to work in my yard and spend time with my two sons. We like to go camping and to the beach. The Oregon Coast and Seattle are some of my favorite places to visit when I have time to get away.

Brooke Stewart
River Room Assistant

I became aware of MMS through my significant other, who expressed his enthusiasm for the local Montessori school. He introduced me to the Montessori method while I was working in a neighboring school district. It sounded like an excellent fit for me and I knew would enjoy working here. 

MMS is a community that is passionate about children's independence and self-exploration. I am so thankful to be a part of such a wonderful environment.  This community is a place of learning and growth, where everyone is respected and encouraged to reach their full potential. 

I have lived in multiple places throughout Oregon prior to McMinnville and have become accustomed to the outdoors and foraging, thus I could say I'm a true Oregonian. I enjoy living in the Pacific Northwest with the outdoors right outside my front door. I have also spent the majority of my life working alongside children and developing a deeper understanding of how they learn, express themselves, and what they need in their lives.

Shelby Longley
Aftercare Lead and Float

I was born in McMinnville. I have many younger siblings and have always loved to care for children. I am really excited to be a part of the McMinnville Montessori School and look forward to being here for many years. 

Jazlyn Whitlow
Primary and Aftercare Assistant

I am a lifelong McMinnville resident. I worked at Bear Hugs for all four years of high school and continued my work in childcare after graduating. I joined the McMinnville Montessori team in 2023.

I like to walk my dog, bake, cook, and spend time with my family in my spare time.

Taylor Stone
Primary and Aftercare Assistant

I am so happy to be working here at McMinnville Montessori! I grew up in Bend, Oregon and have been living in Monmouth for the past 5 years. I just graduated from Western this past June. I love working with children, especially the age group I work with in the Children's House. I am very thankful to have this job to help further my learning in educating children. I love cooking, traveling, and spending time with my friends in my free time. 

Katie Massey
Elementary House Guide

AMI Elementary Diploma from Montessori Northwest
Bachelors of Science, Biology, PSU

I am moving into my second decade in Montessori education and my love for this way of existing has only grown. It's absolutely beautiful watching children eagerly hurrying into the classroom in the morning, full of work they're eager to do. Seeing them learn, grow, and support each other in our elementary community over the course of their 6 years with us is what this work is all about for me. I am an enthusiastic proponent of lifelong learning, and really enjoy sharing that joy with the children.

In my private life, I like to read - mainly testing books for classroom read aloud, spend time at home with our pets, dive into just about all the types of handwork that exist, make good food, and spend time in nature.

Austin Massey
Elementary House Assistant

AMI Elementary Training at Montessori Northwest (Expected Graduation Summer 2024)

I've had a long work history doing many different things over the years and I find that being a generalist has suited me quite well for teaching elementary. Being homeschooled, I started working when I was 7. Which might sound strange, but my mom cleaned houses and I went with her. So I learned early that work is just something that everyone does (and what 7 year old doesn't want $5 a week?). Montessori education has always made sense to me, because we understand that the children's work is to be in the classroom, and to learn how to be themselves first and foremost. We educate the whole child, not just training them on how to pass a test.

When Katie was teaching at her previous job at Journey Montessori in Santa Fe, New Mexico, I started volunteering my time for camping trips and outings. During that time I also worked part time at the Montessori adolescent Farm school, Camino De Paz, in Espanola, NM. In Katie's second year at Journey Montessori School, I started running a Dungeons & Dragons aftercare program. It's a great experience that involves communal storytelling, social skills, math, reading, and writing. It's a nice reminder that you can find lessons in many things, not just places you expect to find them.

Harmony Gibbons
Elementary House Assistant

I started working in childcare during high school and found my passion in working with students. I've loved working as the elementary assistant and getting to know the children. I enjoy observing their work unfold. My favorite part of my day is when we are having read aloud and I can see all of the kids quietly working.

In the future, I would like to study to be a teacher. I have considered the possibility of training to be a Montessori guide.

Ezri
Class Mascot – Elementary House

Hi, my name is Ezri. I am a cute 7 year old pup, and I love to play. I hang out in the Elementary House, where I watch lessons, sleep on the floor, and give cuddles to anyone who is feeling sad. I enjoy sitting in the comfy chair while children read to me, and playing when we have recess in the field. I love watching sunlight bounce off of sequin shirts, and watching the other classroom pets roam around.