OUR TEAM

Community Coordinator & Outdoor Education Coordinator

Before joining Puddletown's Elementary team in 2020, Ali spent several years working in public Montessori. Ali (she, they) was born and raised in Columbus, Indiana and graduated from DePauw with a degree in Environmental Geoscience. In 2016, Ali moved to Portland for a position at a public Montessori school as an assistant in an upper elementary classroom. She then completed her AMI Elementary 6-12 training and MEd from Loyola University Maryland. As an educator, Ali is motivated by community, connection and empowerment. In addition to teaching credentials, Ali has experience utilizing restorative justice and anti-racist anti-bias (ABAR) practices. When she's not teaching, Ali is making art, hiking, or reading. She and her partner love spending time exploring all the great nooks and crannies Portland has to offer, both indoors and outdoors!

Assistant in Sunflower (Preschool-Kindergarten); Early Care

Allison (she, her) was raised on the East Coast and discovered Montessori education while teaching at Saint Maur International School in Yokohama, Japan. She connected with Maria Montessori’s pedagogical approach that each child has the potential to self-create and offer their innate gifts to our world. Allison received her AMI Primary diploma at the Washington Montessori Institute in DC, where she studied under Hildegard Solzbacher, and her AMI Infancy diploma under Dr. Silvana Montanaro at the Montessori Institute in San Diego. She taught at Marin Montessori School in Corte Madera, CA, and was the founder of Laurelhurst Montessori School in Portland, OR, which she led for over a decade. Allison holds a BA degree in English and Drama from Saint Mary’s College of Maryland. With a deep passion for early childhood education within the Montessori framework, she is dedicated to helping each child realize their full potential through exploration, discovery and independence in a nurturing and respectful environment. In her free time Allison enjoys traveling, creating art, and exploring in nature with her two daughters.

Assistant in Lavender (Preschool-Kindergarten); After Care

Andi (she, her) was born in Denver, Colorado and spent her childhood there. She moved to Oregon when she was in middle school, and fell in love with the northwest so she never left. Andi graduated from Oregon State University and worked for several years in the insurance business before starting a family. When her first daughter was born over 13 years ago, she decided to become a stay at home mom. Then when her daughter was old enough for preschool she knew she wanted her to attend Montessori just like herself, because it had such a positive impact on her life.

Once she discovered Puddletown she never looked back, and her oldest attended through third grade. Now her youngest children represent all three preschool-kindergarten classrooms. When not at Puddletown, Andi enjoys being with family, cooking, camping, hanging out with her dogs, slowly renovating her old house, and listening to music.

Co-Founder of Puddletown School

Andrea (she, her) is a co-founder of Puddletown Montessori School. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Creative Writing from Colorado State University. After graduating she headed a creative writing and arts program at a local Fort Collins, Colorado preschool. Andrea then moved to Portland where she began assisting and teaching at the Northwest Children’s Theater. She returned to school in 2001 to receive her Montessori Primary (ages 3-6) Diploma from Montessori Northwest and a Master's of Montessori Education from Loyola University. She has worked with many Portland public schools and local Montessori schools through outreach and other after school programs. Andrea has served on the Oregon Montessori Association Board of Directors. Since stepping back from her leadership role at Puddletown, she started showstopper cookies! In her free time Andrea enjoys baking, walking her dog, traveling, reading and swimming in the ocean.

Executive Director and Head of School

Brie (they, she) has a deep commitment to Montessori pedagogy and has spent over 20 years in Montessori Elementary and Early Childhood classrooms. They have a Masters in Elementary Education (K-8) and Montessori Elementary credentials (ages 6-12), as well as a lifelong love of learning. Her approach is rooted in a strong belief in equity, inclusion, and social justice—ensuring that each learner is seen, valued, and empowered. They are committed to cultivating classroom values that uphold community, foster belonging, and support social-emotional learning. Brie loves being a part of the Puddletown community. When not thinking about educational philosophy and child development, Brie likes to travel, be in or near water, hang out with her teenage kids and dog, read books, eat tasty food, or learn a new craft

Elementary Lead Guide

Caroline (she/her) has more than 10 years of experience in Montessori elementary education. Born and raised in the Bay Area as the child of arts educators, she developed an early appreciation for a creative approach to learning. After graduating from college, Caroline worked as an assistant at a Montessori preschool in Washington, DC. After quickly falling in love with Montessori pedagogy, she pursued her AMI Elementary Diploma through the Washington Montessori Institute (WMI). 

Caroline put down roots in Portland in 2018 and worked at a public charter Montessori school before arriving at Puddletown. Caroline is strongly committed to ensuring each child feels joy, curiosity, community, and safety in the classroom. Outside the classroom, you can find Caroline doing crossword puzzles, baking treats, crafting, and exploring Portland with her husband and toddler.

Registrar & Program Promotion

Growing up in Corvallis, Corinne's mom was an assistant in a Montessori preschool-kindergarten classroom while Corinne (she, her) attended another Montessori program nearby. Corinne has BA in English from University of Oregon, AMI Primary Diploma from Montessori Northwest (MNW), and M.Ed from Loyola University of Maryland. Corinne spent 12 years as Primary Course Assistant at MNW, has served on the board of the Oregon Montessori Association (OMA), and is a past recipient of the OMA Outstanding Dedication Award. Corinne enjoys working with both adult and child members of the Montessori community. She joined Puddletown as the Outdoor Classroom Guide in 2018, and has been on the administrative team since 2021. Her favorite Montessori role, however, has been parenting her own Montessori learner/daughter who was in Montessori from age 2-14. In Corinne's free time, she enjoys visiting the Oregon Coast, working on her home's Backyard Habitat, learning about the natural world, and cuddling her pets.

Lead Guide in Lavender (Preschool-Kindergarten)

Emi (she, her) has been the lead guide in the Lavender classroom since 2014. Before joining Puddletown in 2011 as the assistant in the Lavender classroom, Emi had worked in varied environments caring for children including daycare, summer camp, and nanny work. Emi received a BA in Psychology from University of Hartford. Once arriving in Portland from the east coast, she received her AMI Primary diploma (ages 3-6) from Montessori Northwest. Emi is committed to the essence of the Montessori method and believes in the marvel of the true nature of the child. In her free time, Emi enjoys walking, writing, drawing, cooking, listening to records and spending time with her family.

Billing

Erin (she, her) began volunteering as a Puddletown parent in 2013 and has been a staff member at Puddletown since 2017. She is a former therapist to children and families. Erin has an MS in Counseling Psychology from Lewis and Clark Graduate College and a BA in Political Science from Barrett Honors College at Arizona State University. It was at Lewis and Clark where Erin's interest in Montessori sparked, and she graduated knowing that she really wanted any of her future children to attend a Montessori program or school. As soon as she met Sam and Andrea, then the lovely teaching staff at Puddletown, she knew this was where she wanted her kids to stay, and for as long as possible. Erin wishes for and wants to work toward the Montessori experience being available to all children and interested families. She has a long history in research (marketing and scholarly), making her inquisitive, efficient and organized. She's slowly run a marathon and many halves, played roller derby competitively across the country, and now is well practiced at home improvement projects, singing camp songs and playing elaborate rounds of charades with her three fantastic children (all Puddletown alum) and thespian-at-heart husband, Eddie.

Office Assistant

Hannah (she, her) is a multi-generational Seattleite having spent the previous 33 years there. She moved to Portland with her husband, Morgan Vassiljev (Sword Fern Lead Guide) in late 2025 after spending 10 years with the University of Washington, being an an administrator for patient billing with the UW Medical Center, and financial management and accounting for the whole of on-campus student housing. Hannah comes from the higher education realm working with freshmen to doctoral students from all backgrounds on financial management, financial literacy, and creating a workplace in line with ABAR practices, and is excited to bring those skills to the Montessori world while continuing to learn how to serve the Puddletown and Portland community! 

Lead Guide in Sunflower (Preschool-Kindergarten)

Jackie (any pronouns) studied child psychology and social-emotional development in college. After working in toddler and preschool settings, she fell in love with Montessori’s deep respect for the child and friendliness with error. Currently training for an AMI Primary Diploma, they are deeply committed to anti-bias, anti-racist education. The goal is to build a supportive classroom where every child feels seen, respected, and excited to learn.

Outside of school, Jackie is a jack-of-all-trades. Favorite hands-on hobbies include sewing, mending clothes, drawing, gardening, and cooking. Reading is another passion, and she volunteers every weekend at the Beaverton City Library. Free time is spent with family, friends, cat Kevin, and brother’s dog, Meadow!

LETRS certified Literacy Specialist and Schoolwide Support; Sunflower support

Before joining the Puddletown family, Kay (they, them) worked 12 years in education. Kay was born and raised in the cornfields of Illinois, where they attended Northern Illinois University for a degree in Environmental Geosciences. Upon graduation, Kay worked as a Ranger for the National Park Service, traveling to unique places as far off as Alaska. As a lifelong learner, Kay was called to work in education where their passion for imaginative play has found purpose. Since then, they have fallen in love with Portland for its quirkiness and natural beauty. When not teaching, Kay enjoys outdoor adventures, tabletop roleplaying games, and painting their hundreds of miniatures.

Assistant in Lavender (Preschool-Kindergarten); After Care

Liz (she, her) grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota and still spends her summers in the land of lakes. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration from University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. In 2011 Liz moved to Portland to take the Primary Training at Montessori Northwest. Liz went on to earn a Masters in Education from Loyola University in 2013. Since 2012, she has worked at three Montessori schools in the Portland area at the primary level, as well as assisting and supporting at the elementary level. Most recently she has been providing reading support to five and six year olds and learning about the science of reading. She most enjoys the primary age because of their cuteness and because they give the funniest quotes. Liz’s hobbies include creating art, photography, pet care and training, playing team sports, travel, being by/in/on the water, camping, hiking, and learning about nature.

Lead Guide in Sword Fern (Middle School)

Morgan (he, him) was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. He has been working in 3-6 and 6-12 Montessori classrooms for the past five years. He recently graduated from the Montessori Training Center Northeast in their first cohort of 12-18 AMI Diplomas. Music is Morgan’s passion, and all other performing arts. He is a multi-instrumentalist who has performed all over the country and throughout Europe. At home he spends time playing games, reading science-fiction, and baking. 

Assistant in Sage (Preschool-Kindergarten); After Care

Quinn (they them) grew up in Boise, Idaho. They attended Boise River Montessori during their fourth year of life to later return as an adult as a teacher’s assistant! They graduated from the University of Redlands with a degree in Outdoor Education and Psychology. In their free time, Quinn enjoys birding, reading, collaging, engraving, and watching movies. Quinn is very excited to join the Sage classroom this year, after having been a substitute teacher for Puddletown previously. 

Lead Guide in Sage (Preschool-Kindergarten)

Rachael (she, her) earned her AMI 3-6 Primary diploma from Montessori Northwest and M.Ed. in Montessori Education from Whitworth University. She was a Montessori child herself, and spent several years teaching 6th-8th grade in Iowa before moving here to Portland. After several years immersing herself in books at Powell’s Books, Rachael has returned to her Montessori roots. She appreciates the power Montessori has to support transformation in the child, the adult, and the community. When not at Puddletown, you can usually find her reading, running, working on a craft project, or learning to play the banjo.

Assistant in Sage (Preschool-Kindergarten); After Care

Ray (they, them) grew up right here in the neighborhood and has lived in Oregon their entire life. On most Saturdays, they volunteer over at Black Futures Farm at the Green Thumb across from Brentwood Park.

Ray was drawn to Puddletown by its queer representation, where they feel seen and safe to be their full self. They also value the tight-knit staff community, which feels very supportive.

When they aren't working, Ray loves hiking, paddle boarding, camping, or hammocking amongst the trees. They also like dancing, and are a fan of reading poetry and children's novels.

Elementary Support

Sab (any pronouns) was born and raised in New Mexico with a big and passionate family. After moving to the Pacific Northwest, Sab began work with an ABA company. During their 3 1/2 years there, Sab was able to connect with his clients and forge new friendships. Sab's work with the ABA company led them to overlapping with Puddletown where they were amazed and calmed by the learning environment and how accommodating and understanding the staff can be. When Sab is not advocating and learning to understand different ways to communicate with the students, she is yearning for more renaissance fairs while exploring antique and vintage shops with their spouse. Sab can also be found at his home reading and writing as its cats cuddle with them or passionately watching and playing dungeons and dragons. With their extra spare time they facetime their family while watching various shows with them. Feel free to ask her about his favorite Odyssey musical that is still a work in progress.

Leadership Consultant; Co-founder of Puddletown

Sam (he, him) is a co-founder of Puddletown Montessori School. After working in more traditional educational settings, Sam volunteered in a Montessori classroom on the Oregon Coast to develop an immersion program for Spanish speaking students. He went on to get his Montessori 3-6 Primary Diploma from Montessori Northwest and a Master's of Education from Loyola University in Baltimore and has been invested in Montessori education since 1996. He began teaching in Connecticut at a Montessori school with the Hartford Public School system, becoming involved in the planning and development of the Learning Corridor with Trinity College. After returning to the Pacific Northwest, Sam taught at an Elementary program and worked to establish a Montessori middle school. Eventually the desire to return to the Primary classroom and a willing partner led to starting Puddletown School.