LEARN self-respect, compassion and commitment to community | GROW academically, socially, emotionally, creatively and intellectually | BECOME world citizens who have a voice and make a difference.
Our staff has always been one of our greatest assets. For the current school year, we have twenty-seven Montessori teachers with AMS, NCME or AMI credentials, as well as more than 20 teacher interns, assistants and specialists in orienteering, music, art and Spanish. Seven of our staff members are on the faculty of the MEIPN, the only MACTE accredited, AMS Affiliated, Montessori teacher preparation program with credentialing courses for teachers at the infant/toddler through elementary levels in the Pacific Northwest.
Early Childhood Staff & Specialists
Elementary Staff & Specialists
Administrative staff
Sunita Pailoor, Head of School
BA (Psychology, Economics , English), Bangalore University
BS (Economics ), Portland State University
M.Ed, Plymouth State University
Montessori Credentials - Elementary I and II; Administrator
Hired at WMS—2002
Program Directors (listed by academic program)
Nancy Kestek, Director of Elementary Programs
BA (Psychology), University of Washington
Montessori Early Childhood and Elementary credentials
Hired at WMS—2006
Elizabeth Hoyer, Upper Elementary Curriculum Director
BA (Psychology), Villanova University
Master in Teaching (City University)
Montessori credentials - AMS Elementary I and II
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification
Washington state K-8 Residency Certification
Hired at WMS—2005-2008; 2018
Judy Samudovsky, Director of Toddler & North Creek Early Childhood Programs & Professional Development
BS (Human Services Management), University of Phoenix
Montessori credentials, Early Childhood and Primary
Certified Parent Coach
Hired at WMS—2014
Tomo Takahashi, Director of Woodinville Early Childhood Programs
BA (Social Sciences) International Christian University
MBA (Finance) New York University, Leonard N. Stern School of Business
EdM (Learning & Teaching) Harvard University, Graduate School of Education
Montessori credentials, Early Childhood, American Montessori Society
Hired at WMS—2019
Miki Shema, Early Childhood Summer Camp Director
BA, University of North Texas
AMS Montessori Early Childhood Credential
AMS Montessori Infant Toddler credential
Former faculty member of Montessori Education Institute of the Pacific NW
Hired at WMS—1995
Department Administration/Staff
Tricie Hunter, Chief Financial Officer
BA (French Language & Literature) Smith College
MBA, University of Washington
Prior CPA certification, state of Washington
Hired at WMS—2011
Theresa Kirby, Director of Athletics & Auxiliary Programs
BS, California State University, Fresno
Montessori Assistant Training, MEIPN
Hired at WMS—2013
Tim McQuery, Facilities Manager
Member of the International Facility Management Association, several credentials through this organization
Hired at WMS—2013
Julie Schwarz, Director of Admissions
BA (Economics), University of Washington
MA (Gerontology), Lindenwood University
Hired at WMS—2013
Claire Tuohy-Morgan, Director of Marketing & Communications
BA (Art/Art History), Whitman College
BA (Communications [Editorial Journalism]), University of Washington
Certificate (Web Content Development), University of Washington Extension
Hired at WMS—2014
Jillian Dickson, Human Resources Specialist, North Creek
BS (Architecture), Washington State University
Montessori Assistant Training, MEIPN
Hired at WMS—2009
Emily Irwin, Communications & Advancement Coordinator
BA (Communications [Media Studies, Journalism & Public Relations]); minor—Political Science, Boise State University
Certificate (Public Relations), Boise State University
Hired at WMS—2018
Labiba Khan, Admissions & Advancement Coordinator
BA (Finance & Management), Seattle University
MBA, Seattle University
Montessori Certification, Edmonds Community College
Hired at WMS—2018
Shannon Long, North Creek Registrar and Receptionist
BS (Business Marketing, minor in Psychology), University of Northern Colorado
Hired at WMS—2018
Betsy Monroe, Administrative Assistant/Registrar, Woodinville/Development Records
BA (English), Secondary Teaching Credential
Simpson University Graduate School
Hired at WMS—2018
Emily Schlieman, Librarian
BA (History), Willamette University
TEFL certification
Hired at WMS—2015
Jessica Sealana, Culinary Events Manager, North Creek
BA (Sociology)
Hired at WMS—2013
Emily Strain, Materials Manager
Former business administrator, tech industry
Hired at WMS—2018
Jared Walls, Facilities Coordinator
BA in progress (Ministry Leadership), Life Pacific College
Hired at WMS—2017
Bogda Zbyszewski, Bookkeeper
BA (history), Krakow University
Hired at WMS—1989
Individual staff members provide their biographical information.