Faculty & Staff
The faculty and staff of Montessori Country school are a passionate group of educators who are devoted to creating and sustaining an environment of respect and joyful learning for children and families.
Administrative Staff
Meghan Kane Skotheim
Head of School
Meghan has been a member of the Montessori Country School community since 1993 when her oldest son joined the toddler class. She has served as a room representative, French teacher, substitute teacher, and head teacher. Meghan received her undergraduate degree in Art History from the University of Colorado, her Montessori training from the Rocky Mountain Training Center, and her Master’s in Education with an emphasis on early childhood from Seattle University. Her years of teaching and parenting have strengthened her belief that the first twelve years of life are profound. She considers it an honor to spend time in the presence of young children, following their lead.
When she is not in the classroom, Meghan spends most of her time with her children, Benjamin, Maxwell, and Rebecca, and her husband Kris. She loves to spend time at her cabin on the Olympic peninsula, reading novels, and enjoys gatherings with her extended family.
Elizabeth Houghtaling
Assistant Head of School
Elizabeth, a Colorado native, spent much of her childhood nurturing a love for the outdoors. After graduating with a BA focused on multi-cultural anthropology and gender identity, she went on to begin her career working in early childhood education in Ethiopia as a volunteer teacher. After her return to the United States, she was introduced to the Montessori philosophy as an assistant in a Montessori classroom. She immediately fell in love with the Montessori method and quickly realized her life’s calling. She returned to school to obtain her International Montessori Certification for the Primary level. She went on to teach at a public charter school in Denver and later, internationally, at a school in Albania.
Elizabeth completed her second Montessori certification for Infants and Toddlers at the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies in Boulder, Colorado. She later returned to MECR in a different capacity as one of their teacher trainers. Elizabeth is deeply passionate about working with families with infants and children of toddler age. In 2016, Elizabeth was asked to be a part of the American Montessori Society’s inaugural cohort for the Emerging Leadership Program.
Elizabeth loves living on Bainbridge Island and being part of the Montessori Country School as both a staff member and a parent. She is excited to raise her children in the same place where her husband grew up. She spends her free time taking walks, reading, traveling, and struggling to learn how to both knit and play ukulele.
Karla Piecuch
Business Manager
Karla first became acquainted with the work of Maria Montessori while studying Philosophy and Comparative Religion at the University of California at Santa Cruz, where she graduated with Honors. Karla came to MCS in 1987 to work as a classroom assistant; she loved how the philosophy of Montessori translated into the actual classroom experience and received her Montessori certification shortly thereafter. After serving as a classroom teacher, she became the Associate Director in 1991. Before coming to MCS, Karla worked as the Executive Director of the American Cetacean Society in San Pedro, CA.
Karla’s time outside of school is spent hiking, climbing, indulging her passion for books and music, trekking in the Himalaya, and doing volunteer work for street dogs in India and Nepal.
Elaine Salot
Office Manager
Elaine and her husband moved to Bainbridge Island in 2000. She holds a BS in Computer Science from the University of California, Irvine. Elaine worked as a Technical Writer in several high tech companies until her daughter was born. Her daughter started at Montessori Country School as a toddler and finished as a 5th grader. Being a parent volunteer in the classroom and school office allowed Elaine to discover how much she enjoys being at school and watching her daughter and other students blossom into confident and compassionate people. Elaine joined the elementary staff in 2011, and she has enjoyed getting to know all the students, siblings, parents, and grandparents when they come through the office. Elaine loves to sew, read, bake, and spend time with her family and friends.
Dorothy Mak Thompson
Communications & Development Manager
Dorothy is delighted to be a part of Montessori Country School both as an alum parent and member of the staff. She loves getting to know MCS families, and to share the stories of our school with the community. She is excited to help create wonderful events that support our school and bring families together.
Prior to life on Bainbridge Island with her family, Dorothy lived in New York City for over a decade. She pursued a career in marketing, public relations and events, leading print and digital efforts in the magazine publishing and hospitality industries. Dorothy graduated from Emory University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Art History.
A few of her favorite things are children’s picture books, bubble tea, calligraphy, and time with her family.
Teaching Faculty & Staff
Jaclyn Chao
Upper Elementary Guide
Jaclyn was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. After earning her BA in History from University of California at Berkeley, she embarked on a fellowship teaching in Oakland public schools. For six years, Jaclyn taught high school and elementary students with special needs.
First as a parent, then as an educator, Jaclyn discovered and fell in love with Montessori education. This newfound professional curiosity led to work as an Education Specialist at a Montessori school. During interim summers, Jaclyn pursued AMI Elementary training with Montessori Northwest.
In 2016, Jaclyn, her husband and two daughters moved to Bainbridge, returning to her husband’s native home. She was thrilled to join MCS in 2016 as both a parent and an Upper Elementary teacher. They have thrived in the natural beauty and warm community of the island. Jaclyn enjoys spending time with family and friends, running, hiking, camping, climbing, reading, cooking, and learning how to tend a yard.
Isobel Coney
Art Specialist
Isobel Coney is a teaching artist, living and working on Bainbridge Island since 2001. A former parent of Country School students, she was educated and taught in public school in the United Kingdom before moving to Bainbridge Island. She graduated from the Scottish College of Textiles and has a postgraduate diploma in Textiles from Manchester Metropolitan University. She also has a Postgraduate Certificate in Art Education from Goldsmiths College, London.
Isobel has worked in the textile industry, and as public-school teacher in London, including work in the studio of fashion designer Zandra Rhodes. One of her most important goals as an art teacher is to give all students opportunities to make art in their own unique ways, learning new skills and techniques through their work. She encourages each student to respond to their own creative instincts and become more confident sharing their ideas and creations.
Isobel has taught all age groups, in many different settings, schools, and public events during her twenty years in the Pacific Northwest. She progresses her own textiles and ceramics work and has exhibited in local galleries.
Cheryl Dauber
Primary Guide
Cheryl earned her BA in Developmental Psychology from Humboldt State University in Arcata, California. She was introduced to Montessori education in 1997 when she began her work as an Assistant at Montessori Country School. She earned her AMS Primary Teaching Certification through the Montessori Education Institute of the Pacific Northwest. Cheryl took a sabbatical from MCS when her daughter was born; she taught part time for a local preschool. During this time she earned a Master’s in Teaching and K-8 Teaching Certificate. Cheryl went on to teach third grade at a Montessori inspired elementary program in Kitsap County. Her passion for teaching is motivated by the excitement children have about learning. She believes it is an honor to witness the moment at which a child makes a new discovery and finds a new level of independence.
Cheryl grew up in Santa Cruz and Paso Robles, California. Outside of teaching, Cheryl enjoys knitting, reading, hiking and camping, traveling, and swimming in Puget Sound with her family. Her daughter is a 2007 graduate of Montessori Country School.
Theresa Heiden
Infant & Toddler Guide
Born and raised in Seattle, Theresa attended Lewis and Clark College, where she discovered her passion for early education and developmental research. After college, she was introduced to and inspired by the Montessori philosophy when she worked part-time as an assistant in a Montessori toddler classroom in Portland. She also worked as a research assistant in child development labs at Oregon Health & Science University, Stanford, and the University of Washington, where she ultimately earned a Master’s in Developmental Psychology. With Montessori still on her mind, Theresa completed her infant and toddler AMS certification through the Montessori Education Institute of the Pacific Northwest while she taught in a toddler class and led parent-infant classes.
She and her husband moved to Bainbridge right before their daughter was born in 2017, and joined the parent-infant class within their first year here. They now have three children attending MCS. As a family, they enjoy exploring local beaches, forests, and playgrounds with friends. When Theresa is able to escape for some free time, she likes to hike and play pickleball, or curl up with a good book.
Theresa is grateful to be a part of the MCS community, first as a parent and volunteer, and now as a teacher. She has a special place in her heart for infants and toddlers; for their purposeful work, contagious joy, and drive to become their own person.
Hollind Kevo
Reading & Language Specialist
A Seattle native, Hollind graduated from Gonzaga University with a BA in Elementary Education and an endorsement in Special Education. She has focused her 25 year career on teaching and educational support. This includes serving as an Assistant Director at a K-5 school in the early 90s, where her responsibilities included hiring and training teachers, managing school admissions, and curriculum design. Hollind has developed a deep respect for Montessori education during her time as an assistant in the Lower Elementary classroom. She especially appreciates how the Montessori classroom is thoughtful and beautiful, yet simple in its design. She values the way in which the classroom fosters curiosity and success among the students. Hollind lives on Bainbridge Island with her husband and daughter (a former MCS student), where she enjoys reading, gardening, cooking with friends, and traveling with her family.
Caitlin Campbell-Martin
Infant & Toddler Assistant
Mary McCormic-McInnis
Primary Guide
Mary McCormic-McInnis came to MCS in January of 2022 and returns for her practicum year as she works towards her Early Childhood Montessori certification through MEIPN. She has a Bachelor of Arts from the Evergreen State College, where she studied printmaking and French. She began her professional career out of college teaching at a collaborative arts preschool in Olympia, followed by 10 years working as a professional baker.
Mary spent years volunteering at Odyssey Multiage program, where she came to appreciate the wonders and great joy that children find through learning together. Her professional career also included working with teens and adults with disabilities through Visualize Kitsap and as Life Enrichment Director of Madrona House, studying and training on best care practices for caring for people with dementia. Before MCS she taught for several years at Scrappy Art Lab. When not at MCS, she plays guitar and sings in the local trio, Songbird.
Mary has lived most of her life on Bainbridge, where she still resides with her husband and teenage sons. In her free time she loves hanging out with her family, and any dogs she can find and swimming in the Salish Sea.
Ellie Montaperto
Primary Assistant
Ellie Montaperto is an Island girl through and through. She grew up on Whidbey Island and has lived on Bainbridge Island for 17 years, raising two children with her husband Greg. Ellie graduated with a BA from The Evergreen State College and has since had a varied professional career. She became passionate about education while serving a year with Americorps. She’s worked in public school classrooms as an ELL and Special Education Para and has worked as a Museum Educator at the Burke Museum, Seattle Maritime Museum, and the Bainbridge Island Historical Museum. She has a special interest in languages, multicultural learning, and history. Her first exposure to Montessori was through living in Italy and learning about the woman on the thousand lire note.She’s excited to join the Montessori community and continue learning alongside your children.
Katie Nicholas
Music Specialist
Cydnie Reynolds Baron
Primary Guide
Cydnie has been teaching since 2019 and joined MCS in 2023 in the Spruce classroom. She received her BA in Early Childhood Education with a certificate of teaching for grades 1-3 in 2022 and recently completed her Montessori certification.
Adriana Sanchez
All-School Support
I am thrilled to be a part of the Montessori Country School community—first as a parent, and now as a member of the faculty. Both of my sons attended MCS, and I was drawn to the Montessori philosophy from the beginning. The school’s child-centered approach and nurturing environment aligned deeply with my own values as both a parent and educator.
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a minor in Project Management, as well as an Associate’s degree in Education. Though I initially pursued a different path, my passion for teaching never left me. I’ve been teaching Spanish for the past three years at another school and am excited to bring that experience into the Montessori setting and be part of this magical community.
Outside of the classroom, I enjoy gardening, sewing, hiking, and exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest with my boys. I'm always looking for ways to grow—whether through learning, cooking for my family, or prioritizing health and wellness. Being part of the MCS community is not just a role—it’s a meaningful continuation of a journey that started with my own children.
Shea Schardein
Elementary Assistant
Shea was born and raised on Bainbridge Island. She fledged from the island after graduating high school seeking a wholistic approach to education focused on hands on and diverse methods of learning. She spent time in the heart of the southwest studying field methods, natural history and high desert environments. Her education took her to the Gulf of California where she studied marine science and community conservation. This time spent in the field provided a profound understanding of how spending time in the outdoors brings people together. Shea returned home after graduating from Prescott College with a BA degree in Environmental Studies and a desire to cultivate a unique and experiential learning environment that was formative in her educational path.
Shea is thrilled to be joining the MCS team, as she has always had a passion for working with kids and being a part of their ponderous exploration of our world. It feels extra special to be working in a community that holds so much personal meaning.
In her spare time Shea enjoys reading, baking, and fiber arts. She teaches yoga locally and is very passionate about wholistic movement and spending time outdoors.
Katie Trembley
Elementary Guide
A native to Kitsap County, Katie has worked in the field of education in and around Washington for 15 years. She earned a B.A. in English Literature from Washington State University and a M.S. in Elementary Education from McDaniel College in Maryland, where she specialized in supporting literacy.
Katie first learned about Dr. Montessori while studying nontraditional educational approaches during her graduate coursework. She was immediately drawn to the peaceful classrooms and child-centered approach to Montessori education, and believes in the power of guiding children to become lifelong learners. As the lead guide in the Maple classroom, Katie is looking forward to a year filled with storytelling, nature studies, and student-lead exploration.
Katie holds a teaching certificate for Washington and will graduate with her AMS Lower Elementary Certification from Montessori Education Institute of the Pacific Northwest in May 2026. When not in the classroom, Katie enjoys reading, hiking, gardening and exploring the outdoors with her husband and son.
Kate Usellis
Primary Assistant
Kate has a BA in English Literature/History /Art History from Trinity College in Washington DC and a Master’s degree in Elementary Education/Art Education from Columbia University in New York City. She has worked with children from two and a half to ten years old as a classroom teacher, Art teacher and as a school administrator. Kate is excited to join colleagues and children in this authentic Montessori learning environment. She looks forward to expanding her knowledge and understanding of how children best learn and is eager to participate in purposeful, enriching and joyful learning experiences with the young children in her care.
Outside of school, Kate cherishes time with family and friends, pursues artistic endeavors, reads novels and history, enjoys walks in nature and listens to music. She strives to appreciate each day as it comes and to contribute to making the world a kind and humane place for life.
