The MNW Team

Faculty & Staff

The MNW staff are committed to the success of our students, the growth of Montessori, and excellence in AMI teacher training and professional development within our Pacific Northwest Montessori community and beyond. We hold ourselves to a high professional standard, striving to model those same guiding principles of Montessori that we one day hope to see in the world.

0-3 Programs

ELISE AREVALO she/her
AMI 0-3 Trainer
Portland, OR

LISA WEEMS she/her/hers
0-3 Program Assistant
Portland, OR

3-6 Programs

SARAH WERNER ANDREWS she/her/hers
AMI 3-6 Trainer/Pedagogical Advisor
Portland, OR/Pleasanton, CA

POLLI SOHOLT
AMI 3-6 Trainer
Pleasanton, CA

JING ZHANG
AMI 3-6 Trainer
Pleasanton, CA

ROCHELLE HOLMBERG she/her
3-6 Program Assistant
Portland, OR/Pleasanton, CA

KAORI SUZUKI she/her/hers
AMI 3-6 Training of Trainers Programme
Portland, OR/Pleasanton, CA

6-12 Programs

ELLEN LEBITZ
AMI 6-12 Trainer
Spokane, WA

ALLAN NGUYEN
AMI 6-12 Trainer
Spokane, WA

YVONNE FROELICH
6-12 Program Assistant
Spokane, WA

CHELSEA FIELDS
6-12 Program Assistant
Spokane, WA

ANNIE CHEN
6-12 Program Assistant
Spokane, WA

Administration

JESS FRALEY
Admin Team - Community Ed/Programs
Portland, OR

NICK STOCCO he/they
Admin Team - Admissions/Licensing
Portland, OR

Board of Directors

Montessori Northwest's Board of Directors is a keystone of our success. Selected for their expertise, professionalism, and dedication to the growth of Montessori, these individuals volunteer their time and energy to plan and secure MNW's long-term goals.

  • Aarti brings over 15 years of professional experience as a startup founder, creative storyteller, and now a Montessori educator. Aarti completed her Primary AMI certification at MNW in June 2022 and her Masters in Montessori Education from Whitworth University in August 2023.

    Inspired by her two Montessori educated daughters and driven to make Montessori education more accessible in her socio-economically divided county, Aarti decided to switch careers and become an educator. Currently, Aarti works as a Primary Guide at Horizon Community School in Marin City, California, where she is living her dream of serving children most in need. In her free time, Aarti enjoys reading, gardening, beekeeping and researching new hobbies.

    I am a MNW alum and serve as Vice President on the MNW board. I am also a public school Montessori Guide in Marin City, California. What this 100 years old pedagogy stands for cannot be more relevant in our times. Equity, accessibility and the need for all to be seen is more true at this time than ever. I'm here because I have hope for our children and I truly believe that the work we do serves all children, irrespective of their differences.  MNW empowered me to do this important work and gave me a new purpose. Here, we as students felt seen and heard and built meaningful relationships for life. I hope to empower many more like me. That’s why I do this work.

  • Aarti brings over 15 years of professional experience as a startup founder, creative storyteller, and now a Montessori educator. Aarti completed her Primary AMI certification at MNW in June 2022 and her Masters in Montessori Education from Whitworth University in August 2023.

    Inspired by her two Montessori educated daughters and driven to make Montessori education more accessible in her socio-economically divided county, Aarti decided to switch careers and become an educator. Currently, Aarti works as a Primary Guide at Horizon Community School in Marin City, California, where she is living her dream of serving children most in need. In her free time, Aarti enjoys reading, gardening, beekeeping and researching new hobbies.

    I am a MNW alum and serve as Vice President on the MNW board. I am also a public school Montessori Guide in Marin City, California. What this 100 years old pedagogy stands for cannot be more relevant in our times. Equity, accessibility and the need for all to be seen is more true at this time than ever. I'm here because I have hope for our children and I truly believe that the work we do serves all children, irrespective of their differences.  MNW empowered me to do this important work and gave me a new purpose. Here, we as students felt seen and heard and built meaningful relationships for life. I hope to empower many more like me. That’s why I do this work.

  • As an Arkansas native, I grew up on the banks of a river, with mud between my toes and endless trees to rest under. This direct connection to nature engaged my soul until ultimately I studied Sustainability and Communication at university. A few years later, I discovered the magic of Montessori and completed my Primary Guide training with MNW, earning my M.Ed simultaneously. As I enter my third year of teaching, I have been met with beautiful challenges and success centered around Peaceful Education, accessibility, and compassion.

    For me, there is nothing better than the curiosity and enthusiasm that each individual human brings to their learning. As a dynamic and devoted Guide, my greatest goal is to pass along my enjoyment of learning and feelings of self-love. Maria Montessori knew the power of the child’s self-construction. And through my own patience and awesomeness, the children feel their own power to grow.

  • Before pursuing a career in education, Gabriel earned his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Warner Pacific College and then worked in real estate and marketing. He has first-hand experience with Montessori education, as he was a student in a primary classroom and later volunteered at his sons' Montessori school. Gabriel holds AMI Primary and Elementary diplomas from Montessori Northwest and obtained his Master's in Education from Whitworth University. This year, Gabriel has taken on the Assistant Head of School role at Montessori School of Beaverton, where he spent seven years working in an Upper Elementary classroom, the last four as lead guide.

    When he's not at MSB, Gabriel enjoys spending time with his dog and two sons, cheering on his favorite local sports teams, exploring the great outdoors, and indulging in a good book.

  • Jean recently retired after a 35-year career as an attorney working on environmental cleanup projects in multiple states. Upon retirement, she decided to focus her energies on working to support broader and more equitable early childhood education opportunities. Jean is a recent graduate of the primary course at Montessori Northwest, following in the footsteps of her daughter, who also graduated from Montessori Northwest in 2015, and who has since that time regaled Jean with stories of the wonders of the Montessori classroom. Jean is hopeful that through her participation on the Board, she can contribute to the Montessori Northwest goal of bringing more Montessori to more people.

  • ELIZABETH TRUMAN
    Elizabeth joined the Montessori community in 2001 as a Music Specialist, offering after-school private piano lessons and music camps at a local Montessori school. Her time spent working with Montessori children further cultivated her interest and love for the Montessori philosophy, and she decided to pursue training at Montessori NW to further her career in Montessori education.

    After working six years in a Montessori primary classroom, Elizabeth stepped into an administrative role at Northwest Montessori School (Seattle, WA) in 2018. She took over as the Head of School in October 2020.

    Elizabeth's passion for high-quality Montessori education extends beyond the walls of the school where she works. She dedicates numerous hours to advocating at the state and local levels, striving to make a difference in Washington State's educational landscape. Her leadership roles on the Pacific Northwest Montessori Association board since 2015, including President, Vice President, and Event Chair, highlight her commitment and influence. In 2023, she further expanded her advocacy by joining the board of Montessori NW to help support the growth and development of authentic and inclusive Montessori education in the region.

    Outside of her professional life, Elizabeth finds joy in her family. She cherishes the time spent with her husband and young son, creating precious memories. In her free time, she indulges in activities that fuel her spirit of adventure, such as running, downhill skiing, and exploring the outdoors.

  • Jessica grew up in New York and has a BA in Studio Art from Oberlin College. As an educator at Echo Hill Outdoor School, she observed an innate curiosity and love of learning in the students who visited from Montessori schools. Having joined the staff at West Hills in 2008, Jessica spent six years as a Primary Guide, three years as a Lower Elementary Guide, and the past four years guiding Upper El. She holds AMI Primary and Elementary Diplomas from Montessori Northwest, a M. Ed. from Loyola University Maryland, and certificates from the AMI/NAMTA Montessori Orientation to Adolescent Studies, the AMI Montessori Administrator’s Course through the Whole School Leadership Institute, and the AMS Anti-Bias, Antiracist Certificate Program.

    Jessica lives with her husband and two children on a small farm, and enjoys coaching soccer and watching her kids in competitive sports.