HEAD OF SCHOOL & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Bachelor of Arts
Master of Education
AMI Primary diploma

Julie has worked in nonprofit and educational settings since 2000 in California, Massachusetts, Maine and Washington. She joined Meadows Montessori in 2018. Julie attended Montessori as a young child herself, as a toddler until her kindergarten year. She went on to learn in a nature immersive public school–growing her passion for hands-on education rooted in kindness and care for our communities and the environment. Julie also volunteers with the Montessori Global Growth Fund and is committed to accessible Montessori education.

BUSINESS OPERATIONS ADMINISTRATOR

Nancy has been with Meadows since 2016. Her background includes 25+ years in small business consulting and administration. Nancy works in supporting the operations of the school including the coordination of the Family Participation Program, maintenance of buildings and grounds, parent communication, billing management, event planning and DCYF licensure. Nancy is deeply committed to the Montessori ethos, striving to create a safe and peaceful place for children to learn and grow. Her vision is not only for the continued growth of the school she cherishes, but also for the wonderful community it is built upon.

ADMISSIONS & PROGRAMS COORDINATOR

Bachelor of Arts
Master of Education
AMI Elementary diploma

Sannah is a lifelong Montessorian with an AMI Elementary Diploma, a Master’s in Montessori Education, and a B.A. in Integral Studies. Having grown up in Montessori and served as Lead Guide in both Lower and Upper Elementary classrooms, she has a deep understanding of how meaningful this education can be. She joined Meadows Montessori School fall 2025 and is excited to support the community in her new, remote role with communications, admissions, and behind-the-scenes administration to help everything run smoothly.

YOUNG CHILDREN’S COMMUNITY LEAD GUIDE

Sue graduated from Western Washington University where she majored in Spanish language and literature. Once introduced to Montessori, she knew this was where her future in teaching would be. Sue has taught early childhood classes, Spanish to all ages (3 to 18), and homeschooled two of her three children for a season, on her way to becoming AMI trained for Assistance to Infancy (ages 0-3). At home, Sue enjoys sourdough breadmaking, growing fruits and vegetables, and transforming furniture or spaces through DIY.

CHILDREN’S HOUSE LEAD GUIDE

Kristen (she/her) is the Lead Guide in the Grasshopper (Children’s House) classroom. She is returning after having started her Montessori teaching career in this very classroom, many years ago in the Fall of 2013. Kristen was hired, and remained a Classroom Assistant (Grasshopper and Banana Slugs) for 5 years, before then going on to get her AMI diploma at the end of Summer 2019. After completing her AMI teaching certification she became the Lead Guide in Grasshopper from 2019 until 2021, until taking a leave of absence to take some time away to focus on her growing family. After having a couple of years away, she is very excited to return as the Lead Guide to the Grasshopper classroom once again in Fall 2025!

CHILDREN’S HOUSE LEAD GUIDE

Alexandra is the Lead Guide in the Dragonfly Children’s House classroom. As a child she attended the Bellingham Montessori School for four years. Inspired by her incredible teachers, she pursued an AMI diploma and began teaching in Casper, Wyoming in 1996. From 2006-2009 she owned and operated Salmonberry Montessori School in Bellingham before joining the community at Pioneer Meadows in 2009-2012. After the birth of her three children, she returned to Meadows in 2018. In her spare time Alexandra loves backpacking, hiking, gardening, being on Orcas Island and keeping up with her three teenagers.

LOWER ELEMENTARY LEAD GUIDE

Denise has enjoyed working in nonprofit and education based groups for the majority of her adulthood. Prior to becoming a Montessori guide, she worked with the Northwest Tissue Center for 12 years training medical staff in PNW hospitals to assist organ & tissue donation teams.  She also spent time teaching children about estuary systems at Padilla Bay Estuary Center before moving to Switzerland to work in a bilingual Montessori classroom. Since 2011 Denise has guided Lower and Upper Elementary classrooms both in the United States and in Switzerland. Denise spent nine years leading the Redwood room at Childpeace Montessori in Portland, OR. She began her time at Meadows Montessori in spring 2025, getting to know the school community as a sub. Being back in the Lower Elementary is like coming home to a familiar place. Denise is passionate about experiential teaching, science, nature and exploring.

UPPER ELEMENTARY LEAD GUIDE

Malachite (she/her) is the lead guide in the Coho classroom and has been working at Meadows since 2020. A Montessori child herself, she holds a diploma in AMI elementary education and a Masters in Education, as well as a Washington State Teachers Certificate in elementary education. Beyond the joy of sharing academic exploration, Malachite loves to support students in handwork and other creative endeavors. When not at school, she can be found hiking, gardening, doing aerial dance, reading, traveling, or working on home renovation projects.