Our Community
The Faculty serves to provide the best Montessori education based on the AMI standards. They also
serve as the parents’ primary contact with the school. Parent communication and Parent Education
are essential parts of their work to support the family and the development of the child.
The Faculty, together with the Director of Education, provides the school’s pedagogical direction. The
Faculty is instrumental in creating and guiding the school’s mission and vision in conjunction with the
Head of School, the Director of Education, and the Board. In additional to AMI Montessori teacher
training, our dedicated faculty possess college degrees in a variety of disciplines.
Adolescent Program Director
Gena Engelfried, Adolescent Program Director, has 25 years experience as a Montessori teacher,
administrator and has been an adolescent program administrator in two other programs.
Gena earned her AMI credentialed at the Primary level at Sion Hill College in Ireland. She also holds
California elementary and secondary administrative and teaching credentials. For the past five years
she has contributed to the North American Montessori Teacher’s Association (NAMTA) Montessori
Orientation to Adolescent Studies summer orientation at The Hershey School in Huntsburg, Ohio. She
recently served as adjunct faculty in the schools of Education at University of Redlands and California
State University. She received her BA in English and History from the University of Washington in
Seattle and her Master of Arts in Educational Administration from the University of Redlands. In her
spare time, Gena cooks with her four daughters, travels with her husband and loves to listen to
traditional music from around the world.
Upper Elementary Teacher
21 of them at Marin Montessori School. She served as the first full-time administrator of
MMS while working to establish the schools elementary program, subsequently becoming
Association, a position she held for 8 years. She received her BA in Zoology from UCLA, and her
Masters in Education from Loyola College in Maryland. In her spare time, Phyllis enjoys travel, theater
and art work.
Lower Elementary Teachers
Joni Perry has been teaching at MMS for 9 years. Unlike most of her colleagues at Marin Montessori,
Joni has taught in public schools as well as Montessori schools, from Chicago to Hawaii, and from
Santa Cruz to Marin. Recipient of a BA in Fine Arts from the University of Missouri and a Masters
degree in Education from Loyola College of Maryland, she also holds an Elementary AMI diploma and
has been certified to teach K-8 (multiple subjects) in California and K-12 (single subject/Art) in
Missouri. She has presented on the subject of art at AMI summer training programs. Joni brings her
love of art into the classroom, and uses her free time to travel in pursuit of artistic inspiration. When
not traveling, she is at home tending to her 2 American bulldogs, Otis and Harriet.
- Faculty: Junior High /Upper Elementary / Lower Elementary / Primary / Toddler
- Administration / Staff
- Parents' Association
- Board of Trustees
The Faculty serves to provide the best Montessori education based on the AMI standards. They also
serve as the parents’ primary contact with the school. Parent communication and Parent Education
are essential parts of their work to support the family and the development of the child.
The Faculty, together with the Director of Education, provides the school’s pedagogical direction. The
Faculty is instrumental in creating and guiding the school’s mission and vision in conjunction with the
Head of School, the Director of Education, and the Board. In additional to AMI Montessori teacher
training, our dedicated faculty possess college degrees in a variety of disciplines.
Adolescent Program Director
Gena Engelfried, Adolescent Program Director, has 25 years experience as a Montessori teacher,
administrator and has been an adolescent program administrator in two other programs.
Gena earned her AMI credentialed at the Primary level at Sion Hill College in Ireland. She also holds
California elementary and secondary administrative and teaching credentials. For the past five years
she has contributed to the North American Montessori Teacher’s Association (NAMTA) Montessori
Orientation to Adolescent Studies summer orientation at The Hershey School in Huntsburg, Ohio. She
recently served as adjunct faculty in the schools of Education at University of Redlands and California
State University. She received her BA in English and History from the University of Washington in
Seattle and her Master of Arts in Educational Administration from the University of Redlands. In her
spare time, Gena cooks with her four daughters, travels with her husband and loves to listen to
traditional music from around the world.
Upper Elementary Teacher
21 of them at Marin Montessori School. She served as the first full-time administrator of
MMS while working to establish the schools elementary program, subsequently becoming
- its first teacher. Phyllis is AMI credentialed
at both the Primary and Elementary levels,
and has for many years trained
Montessori teachers and trainers.
She is currently the AMI Director
of Training for the summer Elementary
course offered by the Montessori
Training Center of Minnesota, and is
an AMI examiner, lecturer, and school
consultant throughout the year.
In addition, Phyllis served as the first
Association, a position she held for 8 years. She received her BA in Zoology from UCLA, and her
Masters in Education from Loyola College in Maryland. In her spare time, Phyllis enjoys travel, theater
and art work.
Lower Elementary Teachers
Joni Perry has been teaching at MMS for 9 years. Unlike most of her colleagues at Marin Montessori,
Joni has taught in public schools as well as Montessori schools, from Chicago to Hawaii, and from
Santa Cruz to Marin. Recipient of a BA in Fine Arts from the University of Missouri and a Masters
degree in Education from Loyola College of Maryland, she also holds an Elementary AMI diploma and
has been certified to teach K-8 (multiple subjects) in California and K-12 (single subject/Art) in
Missouri. She has presented on the subject of art at AMI summer training programs. Joni brings her
love of art into the classroom, and uses her free time to travel in pursuit of artistic inspiration. When
not traveling, she is at home tending to her 2 American bulldogs, Otis and Harriet.
Micah Lewis joined our faculty in September 2006
as Lower Elementary Teacher. Micah recently
received his Masters in Education with a specialty
in Montessori from Loyola University in Baltimore,
Maryland, and completed AMI Elementary training
at the Montessori Institute of Milwaukee.
Micah first became involved with Montessori
education in Portland, Oregon where he worked
with an Upper Elementary class at the Franciscan
Montessori Earth School (2002 - 2005). He also
designed and led environmentally based presentations
during the bi-annual Earth Experience camping trips
and led ecology based field outings with the Urban
Wilderness School. He received his undergraduate
degree from Connecticut College, where he
double-majored in Environmental Studies and
Anthropology. Micah is an avid soccer player,
fluent in French, enjoys cooking and loves the
outdoors.
Our Administration
| Our Head of School Elizabeth Larose Dunn elarose@marinmontessori.org 924-5388 X 117 |
| Our Business Manager Ryan Myers rmyers@marinmontessori.org 924-5388 X 105 Our Director of Admissions Katrina Schlude kschlude@marinmontessori.org 924-5388 X 104 Our School Secretary Pamela Randolph prandolph@marinmontessori.org 924-5388 X 0 |
| Our Director of Operations Fran Corcoran fcorcoran@marinmontessori.org 924-5388 X 102 Our Director of Development Frances Renty Williams fwilliams@marinmontessori.org 924-5388 X 120 Our School Registrar Denise Leigh dleigh@marinmontessori.org 924-5388 X 119 |
| Our School Facilities Coordinator Mike Murray michael.murray2@comcast.net 924-5388 X 123 |
Parents' Association
The Parents’ Association (PA) of Marin Montessori School exists to further community, promote fundraising
activities, and facilitate communication between parents and the school.
Community and partnership between the school and parents is promoted through sponsorship of social activities, the
organization of parents working together toward common goals, and an overall atmosphere of inclusion. The PA helps
meet the fundraising needs of the school through organized volunteer activities. The PA promotes and supports
positive communication and interaction between the parent body, the school and the community at large through open
and informative monthly Parents' Association meetings as well as sponsorship of the school's Community Open House.
Marin Montessori School believes that parents, faculty, administration, and the Board of Trustees, working together
with a sense of unity, will provide the best possible environment for the children and a heightened understanding of
each others' changing needs.
Board of Trustees
MMS is an independent, non-profit corporation operated by a Board of Trustees composed of members of the
school community. The Board’s role is to support the AMI-trained Faculty and the Administration in
implementing the school’s educational vision through time. Each Board exists to perpetuate the mission and the
vision of the school. The Board plans for the future and makes sure that what happens within the school
corresponds to the school’s vision.
Board Committees include Finance, Tuition Assistance, Strategic Planning, Diversity, Communications, Head of
School Development, and Board Governance, and Development. Ad Hoc committees (such as Preliminary
Adolescent Research, Capital Campaign and Building Committees) are formed as needs arise.
The Board’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to: strategic planning, capital fund-raising, preparing and
approving capital, property, and annual operating budgets, reviewing monthly and annual financial statements,
investing funds, establishing and implementing financial policies, approving overall expenditure for salaries and
benefits of employees, approving facilities and maintenance expenditures, approving policies and procedures,
reviewing and revising the Enrollment Agreement, and conducting an annual review of the Head of School.
The Board elects new Trustees for terms of three years.
The Parents’ Association (PA) of Marin Montessori School exists to further community, promote fundraising
activities, and facilitate communication between parents and the school.
Community and partnership between the school and parents is promoted through sponsorship of social activities, the
organization of parents working together toward common goals, and an overall atmosphere of inclusion. The PA helps
meet the fundraising needs of the school through organized volunteer activities. The PA promotes and supports
positive communication and interaction between the parent body, the school and the community at large through open
and informative monthly Parents' Association meetings as well as sponsorship of the school's Community Open House.
Marin Montessori School believes that parents, faculty, administration, and the Board of Trustees, working together
with a sense of unity, will provide the best possible environment for the children and a heightened understanding of
each others' changing needs.
- 2007-2008 Parents' Association Officers
- Hilah Schutt, President
- Yi-Ling Chen, Vice President
- Holly Scheetz, Treasurer
Kathie Parsons, Secretary
Board of Trustees
MMS is an independent, non-profit corporation operated by a Board of Trustees composed of members of the
school community. The Board’s role is to support the AMI-trained Faculty and the Administration in
implementing the school’s educational vision through time. Each Board exists to perpetuate the mission and the
vision of the school. The Board plans for the future and makes sure that what happens within the school
corresponds to the school’s vision.
Board Committees include Finance, Tuition Assistance, Strategic Planning, Diversity, Communications, Head of
School Development, and Board Governance, and Development. Ad Hoc committees (such as Preliminary
Adolescent Research, Capital Campaign and Building Committees) are formed as needs arise.
The Board’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to: strategic planning, capital fund-raising, preparing and
approving capital, property, and annual operating budgets, reviewing monthly and annual financial statements,
investing funds, establishing and implementing financial policies, approving overall expenditure for salaries and
benefits of employees, approving facilities and maintenance expenditures, approving policies and procedures,
reviewing and revising the Enrollment Agreement, and conducting an annual review of the Head of School.
The Board elects new Trustees for terms of three years.
- 2007-2008 Board Members
Noelle Montgomery, President
Elizabeth Gerber, Vice President
Lisa Bennett, Treasurer
Cindy Koehn, Secretary
- Tony Anziano
- Whitney Bardwick
Rob Cook
Pam Cordingley
- Tony DeRose
- Rob Evans
- Paul Gelburd
Ann Jessup
Stacey Lavender
Patricia (Patti) Oji
Alicia Pflueger
- Greg Tull
Tony White
Back to Top
Primary Directresses
Lynn Gulick has led the Assistants to Infancy ("Toddler") Program at Marin Montessori School for 14 years,
and is an AMI Consultant at the same level. A graduate of Sonoma State University, Lynn received her AMI
training in Colorado before joining the MMS faculty. In addition to her work with the children in the Toddler
classroom, Lynn has guided a series classes designed to help parents better guide the development of their
young children. She has also worked independently as a post-partum care provider in Marin. Lynn credits her
wonderful family with having enabled her to achieve her life goal of supporting young children in their
development to create a better world for everyone.
- Roshini Fernando
has been a faculty member at Marin Montessori School since 1992.
Prior to moving to California, Roshini taught at Milwaukee's
Urban Day School and Lake Shore Montessori.
A native of Colombo, Sri Lanka, Roshini received her AMI Primary
training in Sri Lanka and earned her AA degree in General
Education/Child Psychology from the Milwaukee Area Technical
College. She is a regular participant in AMI refresher courses and
conferences. Aside from her passion for teaching young children,
Roshini enjoys cooking, dancing and reading.
- Colleen McAree
joined the faculty of Marin Montessori School as Primary
Directress in 1999. A 1990 graduate of Boston College
with a BA degree in Early Childhood Education and Human
Development, Colleen subsequently received her AMI Primary
training in northern California and began her Montessori teaching
career at the Corvallis Montessori School in Oregon. Colleen
spends much of her free time out-of-doors backpacking, hiking
and biking. She also shares her love of ceramic work, knitting and
drawing with her students.
- Pam Wisner
has 28 years of teaching experience as a Montessori Primary
Directress. Twenty-four of those years have been spent here at
Marin Montessori School, during which time Pam also served as
Director of Education and Admissions (2000-2003). She earned an
AA degree in Early Childhood Education San Jose Junior College,
and received her AMI Primary training from the Montessori
Institute of Atlanta. Pam is currently training to become an AMI
Consultant at the Primary level, and is also pursuing further
training in outdoor education, children's literature, story-telling,
positive discipline, Schools Attuned program for educators, and the
Perceptual Enrichment Program. She is the parent of a 2003
graduate of Marin Montessori School. In her free time, Pam and
her family enjoy hiking, backpacking, kayaking and bicycling.
- Zala Shaikh
joined the faculty of Marin Montessori School in 2004. As Primary
Directress, Zala has developed great diversity in her classroom
through the introduction of numerous cultural events and her own
love of travel. A native of Pakistan, Zala earned her BS in
Microbiology from the University of Karachi (Pakistan), and
received her AMI Primary training in 1997 from Pakistan's leading
Montessori educator. Prior to moving to California, Zala taught at
Montessori Country Day School of Chicago. She shares her
enthusiasm for charitable work with her students, who have helped
her in providing relief to people around the world who have been
affected by recent earthquakes, tsunamis and hurricanes.
Lynn Gulick has led the Assistants to Infancy ("Toddler") Program at Marin Montessori School for 14 years,
and is an AMI Consultant at the same level. A graduate of Sonoma State University, Lynn received her AMI
training in Colorado before joining the MMS faculty. In addition to her work with the children in the Toddler
classroom, Lynn has guided a series classes designed to help parents better guide the development of their
young children. She has also worked independently as a post-partum care provider in Marin. Lynn credits her
wonderful family with having enabled her to achieve her life goal of supporting young children in their
development to create a better world for everyone.
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Our Staff
| Marin Montessori School - Education for Life - An Association Montessori Internationale School |
Welcome to Our Community
As you enter the front gate, walk past the garden and the play area, and approach the classrooms, it is
obvious that Marin Montessori School is a magical place for children. The excellence of our Faculty
and Staff, the warmth of our community, and the beauty of our campus all encourage exploration of
life and learning. As MMS enters its 45th year, the mission and values of the school continue to guide
us. “Education for Life” is much more than a platitude here. These words come alive as you open the
doors of any MMS classroom, from the Toddler level, to the Primary, through the Elementary and
soon our Adolescent Program. From a sound academic foundation, our students are able to follow
their passions, learn to work together as a community, and grow to be responsible citizens of our
world and stewards of our environment.
As you explore the pages of our website you will find information about our admissions process, our
Staff, Faculty, and community and much more. We welcome you and invite you to visit its pages
again and again.
Elizabeth Larose Dunn
Head of School
Marin Montessori School
As you enter the front gate, walk past the garden and the play area, and approach the classrooms, it is
obvious that Marin Montessori School is a magical place for children. The excellence of our Faculty
and Staff, the warmth of our community, and the beauty of our campus all encourage exploration of
life and learning. As MMS enters its 45th year, the mission and values of the school continue to guide
us. “Education for Life” is much more than a platitude here. These words come alive as you open the
doors of any MMS classroom, from the Toddler level, to the Primary, through the Elementary and
soon our Adolescent Program. From a sound academic foundation, our students are able to follow
their passions, learn to work together as a community, and grow to be responsible citizens of our
world and stewards of our environment.
As you explore the pages of our website you will find information about our admissions process, our
Staff, Faculty, and community and much more. We welcome you and invite you to visit its pages
again and again.
Elizabeth Larose Dunn
Head of School
Marin Montessori School
