Meet our Team

Maria grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, and moved to Oregon with her partner after a visit where she instantly fell in love with the Corvallis community. She was first introduced to Montessori education at the Philomath Montessori School while working as a substitute teacher. Before stepping into her role as a lead guide, Maria spent valuable time gaining a holistic view of our school as a classroom assistant in both the Primary and Toddler environments right here at CMS. She received her Primary training through the North American Montessori Training Center in Vancouver, BC, and Montessori Northwest in Portland.

In the Ginkgo Room, Maria blends her deep understanding of the school’s culture with a calm, grounded, and deeply intentional approach. Families and children love Maria for her steady presence, which provides a wonderfully stable environment where children feel secure and clear boundaries are respected. Having worked across multiple age groups at CMS, she has a beautiful perspective on the developmental journey of our students. Outside of the classroom, Maria enjoys baking, collecting houseplants, and exploring the beautiful Oregon outdoors with her partner and their dog.