Guides

  • She/Her

    AMI Primary Diploma from Montessori Northwest

    I have worked with children in different settings for most of my life. In 2017 I accepted a teacher’s assistant position here at MMS. I continued in that position until 2022, when I accepted the school’s offer to sponsor my AMI training at Montessori Northwest and started as the teacher of the River Room! I graduated from MNW in June of 2023. I am dedicated to this community and school, and have found my passion for teaching within the Montessori method. In my time away from school, I like to spend time with my husband and four children. I also love to sew, garden, take care of my indoor plants, camp, listen to audiobooks, sing and hang out with my family who live nearby. I grew up in Newberg, and continue to live near my childhood home.

  • She/Her

    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.

A woman with light skin, red hair, and blue eyes smiling at the camera, wearing a black tank top, with a textured beige wall behind her.

  • She/They

    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.

Assistants & Support Staff

  • She/Her

    AMI Elementary Diploma from Montessori Northwest

    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.

  • She/Her

    My name is Feather, and I’m excited to be part of your child’s learning journey! I have lived in Salem my whole life and have been working in early childhood education for over 13 years, with a strong focus on the Montessori method. I am deeply passionate about the Montessori approach and how it fosters independence, curiosity, and a love for learning in young children. Though I don’t have children of my own, I consider my students to be like family, and I cherish the opportunity to guide and support them as they grow. I live with my two hairless cats, and when I’m not in the classroom, I love continuing to learn alongside my fellow educators. I look forward to getting to know you and your little ones this year!

  • She/Her

    I bring over seven years of experience in early childhood education, including running my own state-certified in-home daycare for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, and working one-on-one with children with Autism. I hold an AAS in Childhood Education and Family Studies from Southwestern Oregon Community College and a B.S. in Psychology and Mental Health Studies, with a focus on child development, from George Fox University. I've completed Step 10 on the Oregon Registry Pathway to Professional Development, which means I'm always growing and learning right alongside our kiddos. 

    My faith is at the center of my life, and it shapes the love and care I bring to every child. While raising my own kids and working toward my education in ECE, I served as a Children's Ministry Director, working with families from infants through high school and leading Vacation Bible School and Harvest parties for over ten years - a season that showed me just how deep my love for children truly is. I currently lead a women's Bible study, working through Priscilla Shirer's The Armor of God, and I love the chance to grow alongside other believers. 

    I'm part of a beautiful, blended family of seven kids and lots of grandchildren, and family time together is something we all treasure-from organizing camping trips to gathering everyone around a good meal. Outside of the classroom, you'll find me reading my Bible, singing and listening to worship music, cooking for the people I love, and spending time outdoors near the water, soaking in the fresh air. 

  • She/Her

    Hi! My name is Emma, and I’m excited to be part of the Montessori community. I’ve always enjoyed working with children and love creating a warm, welcoming environment where they can feel comfortable, supported, and encouraged to learn.

    Outside of school, I enjoy baking, spending time with the people I care about, and exploring my interests. I’m looking forward to getting to know each child and family and being part of their learning and growth!

Close-up of a black and brown dog with a red bandana around its neck, standing behind a black metal fence with green leaves in the background.

  • She/Her

    Hi, my name is Ezri. I am a cute 9 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.

A woman with long dark hair, blue eyes, and a nose piercing, smiling at the camera against a plain gray background.

Admin

  • She/her

    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

A woman with long brown hair standing in a backyard garden with string lights overhead, wooden fence, and flowers in the background.

  • She/Her

    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.