Although our programs are diverse and cover a wide range, staff members
of the school work together as a team, in an atmosphere of mutual respect.
Our average head teacher tenure is 16 years. All our head teachers are
Montessori trained. Each classroom has an assistant with the required
twelve ECE units, in addition to experience received in the Montessori
environment. We encourage and fund continuing education programs
and staff workshops. In the toddler and Preschool classrooms, all children
are taught Spanish. At the elementary level, we have specialists in Literature,
Music, Spanish,Theater Arts and Physical Education.

Shaharazad Hamidi has been at the Montessori Schools of
Petaluma since 1989. Before that she was the Administrator
and Head Teacher at the Montessori School in Sausalito.
Shaharazad is a trained Montessori teacher for Toddlers,
Primary – children ages 3-6, and Elementary grades. She
also has degrees in Business Administration and French
Language. Her daughter Elica enjoyed every day of her
elementary school education at our Montessori school.
Her interests are traveling, foreign languages, painting,
music, and lots of other beautiful things in life.

Cindy Jones-Stiles has been at the Montessori Schools of
Petaluma since 1989. Prior to teaching here she was at the
Ross Academy in Marin for six years with three years spent
teaching Special Education. She has two older children who
were students at our school through sixth grade. Her interests
are sign language, art, photography, camping, all outdoor sports,
and ice hockey.

Janet Johnson has been with our school since 1984.
She began teaching in the preschool, and has since
been the Head Teacher for grades 1-3. Additionally,
her son,Dustin attended from the time he was three
through the sixth grade. Her long association with the
school, both as teacher and parent, makes her a uniquely
valuable resource. Jan is known for her fun-loving spirit,
her wisdom and her deep commitment to the vision of our
school and of Montessori education. Jan’s love for teaching
and for her students is evident in the close personal bonds
with both children and parents that extend far beyond
graduation. In addition to her Montessori training, she
has a public school credential from the State of California.

Tom Sipes was born long ago in a far away land called
Kentucky. After college he took a job teaching philosophy
at a junior collegein Tanzania East Africa. After Africa he
lived and worked in Europe (mainly Berlin) for two years.
Upon hearing about Montessori from a friend in Kentucky
who had started a Montessori school Tom was intrigued
and moved to California. There he took the required training
and courses (AMI) that enabled him to become a Montessori
teacher. After teaching for two years in San Francisco Tom
moved to Petaluma in 1975 and founded the Montessori
Schools of Petaluma. Having been married since 1991 to
his wife Lucia Antonelli his goal is to become Italian.

Nancy Porter is the Head Teacher in the Toddler class.
She has been with us since the early beginning in 1980.
Nancy is married with two grown children Zac and Laura,
who both went all the way through our program.
She graduated from Sonoma State University with
a California Teaching Credential with an emphasis in
Early Childhood Education. In 1991 she completed her
Montessori Certification with Pacific Coast Montessori.
Her interests are kayaking, camping, knitting and believe
it or not NBA Basketball.

Jennifer Coakwell-Moray comes to Spring Hill Montessori as the lead teacher in the Upper Elementary classroom.
A Montessorian since 1999, she has her Master's degree
in Montessori Elementary Education from Endicott College. Before returning to the classroom, she worked extensively
in private practice with children with learning disabilities. Jennifer is passionate about teaching children to read,
and meeting each child where she or he is. She has two children currently enrolled in the preschool program.

Lara Farran has been at the Montessori Schools of Petaluma
since 2000. She received her B.A. in Sociology from U.C. Santa
Barbara and received her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential
from Sierra Nevada College in beautiful Lake Tahoe. After
moving to Petaluma Lara soon discovered and fell in love with
the Montessori approach to teaching. She received her Primary
(ages 3-6) Montessori Teaching Credential from San Leandro.
Her passion for working with children is evident in her laughter
and fun-loving spirit. She is most happy paddling in the water,
hiking in the woods and exploring hidden places.

Margaret Loose joined the Montessori staff in 1995
changing direction from healthcare to education.
With degrees in Business Administration and Liberal
Arts she continues to learn something new every day
and loves working with the 3-6 year olds. Margaret's
interests are Tai Chi, quilting, reading, theater,
traveling by train and travel in general.