Faculty and Board of Directors

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 in education teaching English as a Second Language to pre-schoolers in Austin, Texas.   She completed her AMI training at the Montessori Institute of the Northwest, in Portland, Oregon.   Tamara served as a Primary guide at the Post Oak School in Houston, Texas for six and a half years.  Most recently she was the Associate Admission Director for Post Oak’s adolescent campus in the heart of Houston’s Museum District.  Her experience with children, families, and colleagues in this role affirmed her belief in Dr. Montessori’s work and inspired her as both a teacher and a parent. She enjoys introducing new families to Montessori education and nurturing relationships with families in the community.  She also 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 her postgraduate Administrative Leadership License, which further deepened her commitment to school leadership. Since 2015 she has served in a variety of roles in schools, including classroom teacher, social-emotional learning specialist, and school counselor, giving her a well rounded perspective on supporting children, families, and educators. At Corvallis Montessori School, Jill brings her background in student support and school culture to foster a nurturing, inclusive environment where both students and staff can thrive. Outside of CMS, Jill teaches and practices yoga. She has two daughters, Quincy, a CMS alum, and Florence, currently thriving in the Maple class. As a family, they love hiking with their dog, Hank, tending their backyard chickens, and tackling DIY projects at home.

Lynne has been on staff at Corvallis Montessori School since February, 2012, where she served as the guide in the toddler house. Before her Montessori career, Lynne was a librarian, working in both corporate and academic libraries and for businesses that provide services to libraries.  Lynne has a BS in Journalism from Suffolk University and a Masters in Library and Information Science from Simmons College, Boston.  Lynne is active with the local chapter of the National Federation of the Blind, enjoys fiber arts, loves a challenge, and is always looking for the next big home and garden project.

Ana grew up in Hood River, OR. She received her Montessori toddler training through the North American Montessori Training Center, Vancouver, BC. Ana enjoys reading and playing softball.

Bekkah was born in Medford, Oregon, and moved to Corvallis in 2021. She joined CMS in 2024 as an Assistant in the Hazelnut toddler transition classroom and became the guide for that class in 2025. She received her Montessori toddler training through the North American Montessori Training Center, Vancouver, BC. Bekkah has a Bachelor’s in Education Studies from Southern Oregon University in Ashland, OR. Bekkah loves the Oregon Coast and spending time with her cats.

Cindy joined the staff at CMS in November, 2017 and has assisted in several different classrooms over the years, mostly at the toddler and toddler transition levels. Cindy earned her 0-3 Montessori diploma in 2024.

Stephanie was raised in Minnesota, where she received a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology at the University of Minnesota in 1996.  First introduced to Montessori philosophy while working as an Elementary Assistant in Portland, Oregon, Stephanie earned her AMI Primary degree in 1999 at the Montessori Institute Northwest in Portland, and shortly thereafter came to CMS.  Attending annual Montessori refresher courses keeps her practice fresh and offers her inspiration.  She loves animals, gardening, and the natural world, particularly the peacefulness of living in her countryside home tucked in the woods. She spends much of her free time camping, hiking, and practicing hot yoga.

Maria grew up in Atlanta, Ga. She moved to Oregon with her partner after a visit, falling in love with Corvallis and its community. She was introduced to Montessori education at the Philomath Montessori School, where she worked as a substitute. 

Maria was an Assistant in both the Primary and Toddler environments at CMS before receiving her Primary training through the North American Montessori Training Center in Vancouver, BC and Montessori Northwest in Portland. Maria enjoys baking, spending time with children, collecting house plants, and exploring the outdoors with her partner and dog.

Ida has been a lead guide at CMS since 2021. She discovered Montessori education in 2018, when she began working as an assistant in a primary classroom and fell in love with it. She received her Primary training at Montessori Northwest in Portland in 2022. Ida loves playing music, cycling, reading, and gardening in her spare time.