Meet our Team

Tamara holds a BS in Applied Learning and Development from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master’s Degree in Education from Loyola College. She began her career teaching English as a Second Language to preschoolers in Austin, Texas, before completing her AMI training at the Montessori Institute of the Northwest in Portland, Oregon. After serving as a Primary guide and Associate Admission Director at the Post Oak School in Houston, Texas, Tamara brought her deep belief in Dr. Montessori’s work to Corvallis Montessori School.

As Head of School, Tamara practices a true philosophy of servant leadership. She has guided CMS through critical milestones, steering the school smoothly through pandemic-era transitions, prioritizing employee retention, and successfully paying down the school’s mortgage to secure its financial future. Recognizing a vital need in the Corvallis community, Tamara was the visionary force behind the creation of our toddler transition classrooms. This initiative broke a long-standing enrollment bottleneck, allowing CMS to welcome new families into the community much sooner and creating a seamless path from toddlerhood into the Primary programs.

Tamara’s leadership is felt directly on campus every single day. She is a welcoming fixture at morning greetings and heavily supports our midday and afternoon dismissals, ensuring every transition feels safe and orderly. Because of her years as a classroom guide, Tamara is never afraid to roll up her sleeves and get her hands dirty—whether she is helping a child with toileting or holding space for a student having a tough day. While others often push for outward expansion, Tamara’s strategic vision is focused inward: partnering closely with the Board of Directors to continuously elevate the school’s environment, deepen the quality of our programs, and ensure CMS remains an exceptional, supportive workplace for our dedicated staff.

Outside of school, Tamara enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, traveling, reading, and listening to great music—especially live or on vinyl.