Administration & Staff

Sam is responsible for ensuring that Marin Montessori flourishes and that we bring our school's mission to life each and every day. Educated on both coasts, Sam received his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UC Santa Cruz, and his Master’s degree in the study of World Religions and secondary education teaching credential from Harvard University. Before coming to Marin Montessori, Sam studied and taught in Sumatra, Indonesia; Canberra, Australia; Cambridge, Massachusetts; and Makawao, Hawaii. He also spent fifteen years at the Athenian School in Danville, California, where he served in a variety of roles, including teacher, dean, and admissions. Sam’s professional interests include mindfulness in education, curriculum design, and the neuroscience of learning. Sam lives in Marin with his wife and two teenage sons. In his free time he enjoys cycling, hiking, and camping, as well as cooking large meals with his family while listening to jazz.

sshapiro@marinmontessori.org
415.924.5388 ext. 117

Jules's role is to ensure outstanding AMI Montessori teaching and learning in each toddler and primary class, and to work closely with staff and families to best serve the children in our community. She received her AMI primary training in London, England and taught in Yokohama, Japan and the Bay Area. Jules is passionate about Montessori education and is the proud mother of two sons, who both attended MMS, and is very excited to also be a new grandmother of twins.

jlayman@marinmontessori.org
415.924.5388 ext. 103

Jodi Pickering, Junior High Director

For over two decades, Jodi has been working with adolescents in independent schools. Taking her own self-described mid-life "gap year," Jodi spent the 2018-2019 year in Cincinnati, Ohio, as an AmeriCorps member. For the twelve years prior to this, she was part of the founding team of middle school educators who began, and very successfully established, the San Francisco Friends School. At San Francisco Friends School she served as an educator, professional-development administrator, developmental support coordinator, and trips and advisory leader; she developed a highly successful, rigorous service-learning trip to Nicaragua. Before helping start up San Francisco Friends School, she served as Middle School Dean of Students for Abington Friends School in Pennsylvania; as Director of Non-Academic Affairs for Germantown Friends School in Pennsylvania; as a Spanish teacher for Plymouth Meeting Friends School in Pennsylvania; as a Spanish and Humanities teacher at the Windrush School in El Cerrito, California; and as soccer coach for the Urban School in San Francisco. Jodi is a graduate of Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and her daughter Sophie is in college.

In her work as an educational consultant, Annie has a depth of knowledge of independent schools in the Bay Area and boarding schools throughout the country, and has developed good, trusting relationships with admissions professionals throughout the independent school world. Taking a highly personalized approach to her process, Annie strives to get to know her students well so she can best advise families in finding the high schools that are the right fit for their children.

Before becoming an independent educational consultant, Annie was the Assistant Director of Admissions at The Urban School of San Francisco. Annie has also served as a teacher at Town School for Boys in San Francisco, and has worked at other schools on the East Coast and abroad. An East Coast native herself, Annie graduated from the Taft School, a boarding school in Connecticut, and received her B.A. in Psychology from Colgate University, where she was also the captain of the Women’s Ice Hockey team. Annie now lives in Marin with her husband, Evan, three children, and their Entlebucher Mountain Dog, Pulver.

Leslie's work focuses on engaging current and prospective families in an effective and thoughtful enrollment and transition process into MMS. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Sociology from Indiana University and her Master's in Social Work focused on Interpersonal Practice from the University of Michigan. Leslie loves helping people find meaningful ways to engage in non-profit organizations and has served as the Director of Admission at three other schools - working with families on both coasts (New York and California) and in the middle of the country (Ohio). Leslie lives in the East Bay with her husband and two children, both of whom are students at Marin Montessori School.

lkastner@marinmontessori.org
415.924.5388 ext. 104

Kim’s work focuses on maintaining student records, both physically and digitally. Kim spent their first three years with us managing administrative and behind-the-scenes aspects of the Junior High program. Prior to that, Kim came to us from the horticultural nursery business, where they spent five years working for two prominent East Bay nurseries as both a plant authority and an administrative specialist. Kim holds a BS in Biological Science from Chapman University and spent a semester studying environmental science in South Africa. In addition, Kim holds a Master’s degree in Theological Studies from Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley. A strong believer in ecological conservation, Kim enjoys reading, traveling, and exploring the numerous botanical gardens and museums in the Bay Area.

kcyphers@marinmontessori.org
415.924.5388 ext. 119

Lauren’s work focuses largely on the financial, health, safety, and regulatory stability of the school, as well as oversight of Human Resources, Internet Technology, and Facilities.  Lauren received her Bachelor’s in Political Science from Duke University and Master’s in Public Policy from George Mason University.  She spent six years working in budget and planning for the federal government, first with the Department of Justice in Washington D.C. and then with the Veteran’s Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System.  Lauren then moved into higher education financial management, serving for seven years as the Finance Director for the UCSF School of Dentistry. Lauren lives in Corte Madera with her husband and two children.  

lhaworth@marinmontessori.org
415.924.5388 ext. 105

Colin manages billings and accounts receivable, and ensures that MMS’s technology works well. He has a degree in Accounting and Computing Information System from San Francisco State University, and he is Microsoft MCSE certified. Before working in the accounting profession, Colin spent eight years in technology support and systems maintenance. In his free time, Colin enjoys hiking throughout the Bay Area, as well as bowling, badminton, and swimming.

cxu@marinmontessori.org
415.924.5388 ext. 118

Originally from Canada, Carolyn Woolf brings over ten years of U.S. and Spanish nonprofit experience to the MMS Development Department. With a Masters in philanthropy from the Lily School of Philanthropy at Indiana University, and certifications in both fundraising and planned giving (Certified Fund Raising Executive and Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy), she adds vital expertise to MMS in the development and execution of best practices in fundraising and grant writing. She also is the proud mother of two Marin Montessori School students.

Shree joined the MMS Development Department in 2020 after many years working in performing arts production and public relations in New York City, where she worked closely with international nonprofit arts and education programs. She and her husband moved to California to give their two children, Miles (10) and Nola (8), sunshine, wide-open spaces, and year-round citrus. They live in Petaluma, where they enjoy home renovation, wine tasting (adults only), and cooking with Sonoma county’s bountiful farm produce.

sstarkman@marinmontessori.org
415.924.5388 ext. 331

Pamela joined MMS in October 2002. Her ability to juggle the many demands of the front desk with a “can do” attitude provides peace of mind for parents and their children. With sincere admiration for the Montessori teaching method and a love of children, Pamela returns year after year as our beloved School Secretary. When not at school Pamela enjoys the beauty of Marin.

prandolph@marinmontessori.org

415.924.5388 ext. 0

mmekonenn@marinmontessori.org

Carol’s position focuses on managing and coordinating transportation needs in order to make MMS accessible to all students. These needs include regular daily shuttle routes as well as planning and coordinating mid-day field trips and extended class trips. Prior to her position here, she was an Early Childhood Educator for 35 years. Carol lives in Sonoma County with her husband, dog, and bird, with her two adult sons living nearby. She is passionate about her long-time volunteer work as a wildlife rehabilitator.

cfinnegan@marinmontessori.org
415.713.9883

Matt has been driving morning and afternoon MMS student shuttles—including the SF route—since 2011. He is a tech-savvy Marin native who works on audio-visual production and computer software development between MMS transportation commitments and enjoying life. In a previous life Matt designed and installed state-of-the-art electronics on world-class yachts. He’s a San Rafael resident.

Rich has been driving for MMS since 2015. He was born and raised in San Rafael. Rich earned a degree from California State University, Chico and moved to San Francisco where he worked in sales and customer service in the telecommunications industry. Rich enjoys spending summers in Clearlake boating and fishing, winters in Reno/Tahoe snow skiing, and watching football at the Peppermill Sportsbook.

Pete has been driving MMS students since May 2012. He and his wife, Anna, are the parents of MMS students Turner and Mac. They live in Sausalito. When Pete isn't juggling the van and driver schedules, he works as an engineering geologist for a San Francisco-based environmental and engineering firm.