Our Learning Community
MISS HANNEKE
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Miss Hanneke has owned and operated her own Montessori School in Salem for over 14 years. She began her Montessori journey in California where she attended Sacramento State Teaching College. She earned her Montessori credential from the National Center for Montessori Education. Her students know her as an educator and advocate for equality and equity. She chose Montessori education because it celebrates and nurtures a child’s intrinsic desire to learn.
MISS JULIE
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Miss Julie has been on this journey alongside Miss Hanneke with LFM since 2012. She began as an assistant guide and presently assists Miss Kali as afternoon director of LFM and YVMSA. She has completed trainings in Early Childhood Education.
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MISS SOPHIE
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Miss Sophie has worked with children and families for over 20 years. She holds a Montessori credential and a General Associate’s Degree. Since joining the LFM team in 2018 as a Primary Lead Guide, she has been deeply committed to nurturing children’s learning and development through the Montessori Method.
Now, as the Director of the Young Voyagers School of Arts, Miss Sophie continues to inspire and support children’s growth, fostering a love of learning and creativity in every student she serves.
OUR LFM GUIDES
MISS CHRISSY
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MISS CECILIA
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Miss Cecilia is an assistant guide in the Toddler classroom. She had three years experience working as an assistant teacher in a previous childcare before joining LFM. She enjoys working with children and is so happy to be a part of Little Friends Montessori.
MISS MEGAN
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MISS MELANIE
MISS EMILY
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OUR YVMSA GUIDES
MISS WILLOW
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While dance has been a lifelong passion, teaching is where I found my true calling. In 2012, I met Rebecca Russell, Artistic Director of Tippy Toe Dance Studio, whose mentorship inspired me to pursue education and discover the joy of helping children learn and grow. When Tippy Toe Dance Studio partnered with Little Friends Montessori in 2017, I was excited to become part of the collaboration and join the Little Friends community, where I have had the opportunity to combine my love of teaching with the creativity and connection that the arts bring to education.
MISS ERIN
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Miss Erin started working with children in 2015 while living in Florida. She always knew early childhood education was what she wanted to do with her life. Miss Erin has been with LFM since July 2020 and received her Montessori credential in November 2021.
MISS MERIDETH
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Miss Merideth joined LFM/YVMSA in 2014 when she created the Elementary program with Miss Hanneke. She earned her Masters in Teaching and BA in History from Willamette University, and holds an Oregon Teaching License and an Elementary Montessori Teaching Credential. She is the Master Guide at YVMSA and oversees all levels of academia.
OUR ART EDUCATORS
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Miss Beats has been teaching classroom music since 2013. She moved to the area to serve in Music Across Oregon, an Americorps program that places music teachers in rural, underserved communities. She received her Bachelors of Music in Percussion Performance from University of Central Florida and a Masters from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. In addition to teaching music, she is an active performing musician who you can find playing in rock bands and orchestras.
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MISS BEATS
MISS BECCA
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Miss Becca is the Founder and Artistic Director of Tippy Toe Dance Studio and serves as the Director of Special Programs at Little Friends Montessori and Young Voyagers Montessori School of Arts. She is a professional dancer, choreographer, educator, and artistic director who continues to perform, choreograph, and create original works throughout the community.
In addition to leading Tippy Toe Dance Studio, Miss Becca has served as an adjunct instructor at Corban University and has choreographed for organizations including Oregon School for the Deaf, Blanchet Catholic School, Pentacle Theatre, and numerous community productions.
At Little Friends and Young Voyagers, Miss Becca teaches dance, theater, and physical education. She is passionate about helping children build confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning through movement and the arts.
MISS DANIELLE
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Miss Danielle grew up in Western Massachusetts and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She has been a part of the LFM/YVMSA community since 2013 as a parent, and joined the staff in 2019 as an Assistant guide. She received her Montessori teaching credential in 2021.