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.

Jill holds a Master’s in Education and a postgraduate Administrative Leadership License, which deeply rooted her commitment to school leadership. Since 2015, she has served in a variety of educational roles, including classroom teacher, social-emotional learning specialist, and school counselor. Before stepping into her current administrative role in the fall of 2025, Jill spent three years on the CMS Board of Directors, gaining a profound appreciation for the administrative integrity and mission driving the school behind the scenes.

At CMS, Jill is a master problem-solver who keeps daily operations running seamlessly. She manages vital internal systems, steers staff onboarding, coordinates deliveries, and facilitates school tours. She is a omnipresent support system—just as likely to be found in the lobby helping a child reset as she is stepping in to cover a classroom. Recently, Jill has also gladly inherited the titles of accidental Social Media Coordinator and self-taught Website Designer. Guided by the Montessori principles of simplicity, clarity, and beauty, her goal is to keep our online spaces vibrant, intuitive, and highly functional—perfectly mirroring the purposeful environments our students experience every day.

Jill brings a deeply reassuring perspective to prospective families. As a long-time CMS parent whose children have collectively been guided by five of our six educators, she doesn’t just give tours as an administrator—she shares firsthand knowledge of exactly how safe, seen, and nurtured children feel within each unique classroom community. Ever curious and deeply respectful of the Montessori method, Jill is always eager to learn from our staff and plans to pursue formal Montessori training to further deepen her support of the school.

Outside of CMS, Jill teaches and practices yoga, and loves hiking with her daughters and their dog. At home, you can usually find her tending to her backyard chickens or enthusiastically masterminding home improvement projects for her husband to execute.

Cheliss joined our community as an independent contractor, bringing her expertise in financial operations to support the school’s vital behind-the-scenes operations. In her role, she oversees tuition, billing, internal payroll, and general financial management, ensuring everything runs smoothly for our school. While she manages the numbers, Cheliss is on-site a few days a week and works closely and directly with our families. Known for her warmth and accessibility, she is always ready to assist families with account questions, navigate payment plans, and make the financial aspect of enrollment clear and stress-free. Outside of her work with CMS, Cheliss enjoys teaching dance locally, writing when she gets a chance, camping all summer, and enjoying life with her three boys—all of whom are proud CMS alumni.

Ana grew up in Hood River, Oregon, and has been a deeply cherished part of the CMS community since 2014. She received her Montessori toddler training through the North American Montessori Training Center in Vancouver, BC. Known for her remarkable patience, warmth, and unflappable calm, Ana is the ultimate reassuring presence for our youngest students. Nothing phases her; she meets every toddler exactly where they are without judgment, creating a profoundly safe haven for children navigating their very first time away from home.

Ana’s favorite part of her work is witnessing the incredible transformation that happens during these tender years. She loves watching children arrive at 15 months with few or no words, and leave her classroom fully verbal, steady on their feet, and radiating independence and confidence. Outside of the classroom, Ana enjoys reading and playing softball.

Bekkah was born in Medford, Oregon, and moved to Corvallis in 2021. She initially joined CMS in 2024 as a classroom assistant in the Hazelnut toddler transition room, where her natural talent for guiding young children quickly shone through. In 2025, she stepped into her current role as the lead guide for the class. Bekkah holds a Bachelor’s in Education Studies from Southern Oregon University in Ashland and completed her Montessori toddler training through the North American Montessori Training Center in Vancouver, BC.

Bringing a bright, cheery energy and immense warmth to the Hazelnut room every single day, Bekkah creates an incredibly inviting and joyful space for children as they navigate this exciting transition phase. In her free time, Bekkah loves taking trips to the Oregon Coast and spending time with her cats.

Cindy joined the CMS staff in November 2017, spending years as a dedicated assistant across various classrooms before earning her 0-3 Montessori diploma in 2024. Having been involved with soccer her entire life, Cindy brings a vibrant, athletic athleticism and joyful energy to the Willow room. She is a woman who simply cannot sit still, making her the ultimate match for this beautifully active and adventurous age group!

A true pillar of our toddler transition program, Cindy keeps her students deeply engaged by constantly trying new baking recipes with them, leading neighborhood walks, and exploring the garden. Our families are incredibly lucky to have someone so willing and thrilled to be active all day long with their children.

Stephanie was raised in Minnesota, where she received her B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Minnesota. She was first introduced to Montessori philosophy while working as an Elementary Assistant in Portland, Oregon. Inspired by the method, Stephanie went on to earn her AMI Primary degree at the Montessori Institute Northwest in Portland and joined the CMS community shortly after.

In the Bamboo Room, Stephanie runs a beautifully structured environment that operates like a well-oiled machine. Known for her exceptional classroom management and high expectations, she masterfully guides her students in the practices of Grace and Courtesy. This intentional focus creates a deeply respectful atmosphere for peer-to-peer interactions and beyond, giving children a secure framework to grow. Dedicated to lifelong learning, Stephanie loves attending annual Montessori refresher courses to bring fresh ideas and new materials back to her classroom, while infusing her personal love for animals, gardening, and the natural world directly into her daily work with the children. In her free time, you can usually find her camping, hiking, or practicing hot yoga.

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.

Ida has been a cornerstone lead guide at CMS since 2021. She first discovered the beauty of Montessori education in 2018 when she began working as an assistant in a primary classroom and instantly fell in love with the philosophy. Driven to deepen her practice, she received her Primary training at Montessori Northwest in Portland.

In the Maple Room, Ida creates an inspired, vibrant, and ever-evolving environment for her students. She champions the collaborative energy of her classroom community, creating a beautifully dynamic space where children feel empowered to take risks and find their independent stride. Dedicated to fostering a strong sense of social responsibility and mutual respect, Ida helps her students grow into confident, capable leaders. In her spare time, she enjoys playing music, cycling, reading, and spending quiet afternoons gardening.