Meet our faculty and staff.

Co-Director, EC Instructor, Early Childhood Coordinator, EC Practicum Coordinator, Field Consultant, Admin Instructor

Chelle holds AMS Infant-Toddler, Early Childhood, Elementary, and Administrator credentials. Her degrees include Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Washington and Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. She has more than 20 years of classroom experience, and was director at Issaquah Montessori School for 14 years. Now she devotes her time to travel, quilting, and supporting new Montessori educators.

Co-Director, Elementary Coordinator, El Practicum Coordinator, E-I and E-II Instructor

Kaitlyn holds AMS Elementary I-II credentials from MEIPN. Her degrees include a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Gustavus Adolphus College and Master of Education in Montessori Integrative Learning from The Institute for Educational Studies. Kaitlyn is also a graduate of AMS Instructor Academy. She is an Upper Elementary teacher at Woodinville Montessori School. Kaitlyn enjoys teaching at WMS where she was once a student. When she is not teaching you can find her exploring new places or trying to solve a logic puzzle in Murdle.

M.S., Director Emeritus, EC Instructor, E-I Instructor, Admin Instructor

Mary holds AMS credentials at the Early Childhood and Elementary I levels. Her degrees include a Master of Science in Nutrition from the University of Washington. She has over twenty years of teaching experience at both levels and is cofounder of Woodinville Montessori School. Mary served six years as a member of the AMS Board of Trustees and as chair of the AMS Teacher Education Section. She is passionate about curriculum development and using the latest scientific research in her teaching. Mary enjoys traveling especially when it comes to exploring local dishes.

B.A., IT Instructor, Field Consultant, and Infant and Toddler Program Coordinator

Lea holds an AMI Infant-Toddler certification and an Early Childhood credential from the Montessori Institute of America. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics from Georgetown University.  Lea brings a wealth of experience from her long career as an Early Childhood teacher, Toddler teacher in her own Montessori toddler program, and as an Early Childhood program director. She is now focused on working with MEIPN to continue contributing meaningfully to the Montessori community.

B.A., Office Administrator

Pam holds a degree in Communications from the University of Washington. She has invaluable skills that she has been using in the administration field for over 10 years. This started with an administrative assistant role at the Parent Coaching Institute in Bellevue. Prior to joining MEIPN, she was the office manager for a local CPA. When Pam is not in the office helping MEIPN to run smoothly, she enjoys traveling both near and far.

Eileen Egger, B.S.Ed, EC  Instructor and Field Consultant, holds an AMS Early Childhood credential from MEIPN. Her degrees include a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Miami University. She has many years of classroom teaching and program coordination experience at the early childhood level. Eileen is currently working in a toddler classroom.

Carol Harshaw, B.A., EC Instructor, has an Early Childhood Montessori certificate from Montessori Institute of America. Her degree is a Bachelor of Arts from Ashford University. Carol teaches in an Early Childhood environment at Woodinville Montessori School and is also director of Early Childhood and Infant-Toddler programs. In addition, she co-leads MEIPN’s Assistant Teacher Training workshops. 

Monali Paranjape, M.A., EC Instructor, is an early childhood teacher at Woodinville Montessori School. Her degrees include a Bachelor of Arts in Commerce from SP College and a Master of Arts in Commerce from the University of Pune in India. Monali holds an AMS Early Childhood credential from MEIPN.

Tomomi Saito-Kalvonen, M.Ed., EC Instructor and Field Consultant, holds an AMS Early Childhood credential from Chaminade University. Her degrees include a Bachelor of Arts in Human Relationship and Human Science from Keio University and a M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education from Chaminade University. She has taught at schools in Hawaii and the Pacific Northwest and is currently owner and director of Pikake School in Bellevue. Tomomi is also a graduate of AMS Instructor Academy.

Judy Samudovsky, B.S., EC Instructor and Field Consultant. Her degrees include Bachelor of Science in Human Services Management from the University of Phoenix. She has over 30 years of experience in Montessori environments as teacher and program director. Judy holds an AMS Early Childhood credential from MECA-Seton.

Laurel Swol, M.A., EC, E-I and E-II Instructor, holds an AMI credential at the primary level and completed the pilot course of the Montessori Inclusive Education Training program at the Montessori Institute of San Diego. Her degrees include a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Spanish, and a Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education with a concentration in Montessori Education. She has many years of classroom teaching experience and is currently working as a learning specialist at Woodinville Montessori School.

Susan Andree, M.Ed., E-II Instructor, holds an AMI Elementary diploma from Montessori Northwest and an AMI Adolescent diploma from Hershey Montessori Farm School. Her degree is a Master of Education, with a concentration in Elementary Education, from Loyola University. Susan has more than 20 years of teaching experience. She is an Upper Elementary teacher at Woodinville Montessori School.

Rachel Ellis, M.A., E-II Instructor, holds an Elementary I-II credential from MEIPN. Rachel attended Montessori schools in her youth. Her curiosity and love of learning never abated. She put it towards travel, an undergraduate degree in science, before returning to her Montessori roots. Rachel currently teaches a Montessori school in Vermont.

Jackie Grundberg, M.Ed., E-II Instructor, holds an AMS Elementary I-II credential from MEIPN. Her degrees include Master of Education in Instructional Technology from the University of Maryland. She has many years of classroom experience and has also worked as a wildlife biologist. Jackie is the founder and creator of Backyard Sciences.

Alyx Hodges, B.A., E-II Instructor. Her degree is a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and Teaching from the University of New Mexico. She also has an AMS Elementary I-II credential from MEIPN (AMS). Alyx has more than ten years of teaching experience. She is an upper elementary teacher at Montessori Children’s House and serves on the teacher advisory council for the Seattle Universal Math Museum.

Laura Hughes, M.Ed., E-II Instructor, is an Upper Elementary classroom teacher at Woodinville Montessori School. She received AMS Elementary I-II credentials from the Institute for Montessori Innovation at Westminster College. Her degrees include a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science and Master of Education. Laura has extensive experience in outdoor education programs, gained prior to discovering Montessori education.

Maggie Murdoch, B.A., E-II Instructor, is an Upper Elementary teacher at Salida Montessori Charter School. She has a bachelor of arts in environmental science from the University of Washington. Maggie holds an AMS Elementary I-II credential from MEIPN. Maggie has been with Salida since its founding and has helped to develop the Upper Elementary program including co-creating and facilitating anti-bias anti-racist professional development for SMCS staff and curriculum for students.

Taylor Westphal, B.S., E-II Instructor, holds an AMS Elementary I-II credential from MEIPN. His degree is a Bachelor of Science in Earth and Space Sciences. Taylor worked for several years as a geologist before finding Montessori. He is an upper elementary teacher at Woodinville Montessori School.