Staff

Kathleen Graham

Kathleen has taught Montessori preschool for seventeen years. She has a BA from Seattle University and a certificate for pre-primary education from the Montessori Institute of America. Kathleen is a member of the Pacific Northwest Montessori Association (PNMA), Montessori Institute of America (MIA) and Kindermusik Education ssociation (KEA). Kathleen and her husband Bruce have been married for 15 years and have two children (Robbie and Audrey).

Gina Curtis

Gina has been with Olympic View Montessori for 4 years ~ first as a substitute for two years and then as the morning assistant for one year. She is certified as a pre-primary assistant by the American Montessori Society. Gina has a BS degree from Central Washington University and is a member of STARS. Gina and her husband Darrin have been married for 14 years and have 2 children, Andrew and Gabriel. Gabriel attended Olympic View Montessori and graduated in the spring of 2008.

Diane Thomas

Raised in Des Moines and later in Federal Way, Diane attended Washington State University for two years pursing general studies, until she married and began a family with her college sweetheart. Diane's first experience with the Montessori classroom was when she was employed by Woodinville Montessori as a lower elementary (grades 1 – 3) classroom assistant. She spent 4 years as an assistant at Edmonds Montessori. She was awarded a Montessori Primary Diploma Teacher Certification from Edmonds Community College in June 2010, and is also a member of STARS. She joined the staff of Olympic View Montessori in the 5 day classroom in the fall of 2011.

Lauren Leiker

Lauren is a PCI Certified Parent Coach and has worked for almost 20 years with children and their families in a variety of roles...including nanny, teacher, preschool director, and parent educator. She has a BA in Liberal Studies and a Masters of Education from Seattle University. She has also completed the graduate level parent coach certification program through the Parent Coaching Institute. In addition to her parent coaching practice, ParentingAware, Lauren is a Parent Education Instructor for North SeattleCommunity College. Lauren lives with her husband and 2 children in Lynnwood. She enjoys reading, walking, and spending quality time with her family. Visit Lauren's website at www.parentingaware.com

Megan Hicks

Megan has been with Olympic View Montessori for 7 years ~ first as a substitute for two years, the morning assistant for 3 years, and last year as the afternoon assistant. This year she will be her second year as the school’s administrative assistant. Megan has a pre-primary assistant certification from the American Montessori Society and is a member of the Pacific Northwest Montessori Society (PNMA) and STARS (State Training and Registry System). Megan and her husband Dan have been married for 13 years have two children, Hannah and Kyra; both have attended Olympic View Montessori. Contact Megan at administrativeassistant@olympicviewmontessori.com

Cindy Matthews

Cindy was born and raised in Beijing, China. She is a graduate of the Beijing Broadcasting and TV College; where she majored in the Chinese Language. Before she came to us, Cindy spent time working as an Accountant in China and a Beauty Clinician in New York City. Cindy has attended many workshops and seminars on Early Childhood Development and continues to grow as a teacher. In 2008 she earned her Bilingual Child Development Associates credential. She started working with young children in 2003. She was serving as Lead Teacher and Program Supervisor in the Bread of Life Christian Preschool. In 2009, Cindy started the Montessori Teacher Preparation of Washington. Cindy is a loving and patient teacher who has a special place in her heart for early childhood education. Cindy is now in her 2nd year at Olympic View Montessori and is our Five Day classroom lead teacher.

Taeok Um

Taeok Um is from Korea. She has been in the United States for 2 years. She has a BA and an education degree from Chon Nam National University and has taught elementary students in Korea. Later she worked at the department of sanitation in Korea. Following this, she moved to America to begin teaching young children. She enrolled at EDCC, volunteered at Cedar Valley Elementary School and then finally enrolled at MTP (Montessori Teacher Preparation of Washinton). She is a member of MTP and STARS. She is happy to have the joy of working with children at Olympic View Montessori school as an intern in our 3 day classroom.

Allan "Hawkeye" Sande

(Outside Instructor for Quiet Heart Nature Classes) Ten years ago, Allan saw the need for children to have the opportunity to explore and understand the wilderness that still remains in their own part of the world. Since that time, Quiet Heart has grown into an educational program for all ages. Quiet Heart Nature Classes enable students young and old to gain understanding of the natural world, and instill in them a sense of stewardship toward their planet and its creatures. Click here for Hawkeye's 2011-2012 curriculum. Visit www.quietheart.org for more information.