Administration
Dianna Redmond, M.Ed. ~ Head of School
Originally from the Sierra Nevada foothills in Northern California, Dianna moved to the Pacific Northwest in 2013. She holds a BA in Anthropology from California State University, Chico, and an M.Ed from Loyola University, Maryland. Dianna also earned her Association Montessori International (AMI) primary diploma (ages 3-6) from Washington Montessori Institute.
After many years working in Montessori school environments as both a lead guide for a primary classroom and an assistant for an elementary classroom, Dianna had two children of her own. Her oldest child began attending SunGarden in the Fall of 2021. In the Spring of 2022, Dianna’s second child began attending in the Rose Room when Dianna joined the teaching staff. Dianna began her tenure as Head of School in July 2023.
Outside of SunGarden, Dianna loves spending time with her husband, Alex, their children, Mia and James, and their two cats, Zelda and Apollo. Dianna enjoys reading books, exploring nature, and baking with her children.
AMI Primary Diploma
Master’s in Education
Dianna joined our community in April 2022
Jennie Reeves ~ Operations Manager
Jennie was born and raised in Salem, Oregon and has enjoyed living in the beautiful Pacific Northwest for the past 26 years. She has 3 wonderful and creative kids and one amazing granddaughter! When Jennie’s youngest child was in preschool she enjoyed volunteering at his school, this is when she discovered her love of working with young children. She went on to own and operate her son’s preschool for 13 fun years before gravitating towards school administration. She was so pleased when the opportunity arose to become the Operations Manager at SunGarden Montessori Children’s House as she appreciated the communal aspect of the school and its holistic approach to learning. She feels honored to be a part of such a special place and is happy to get to help support SunGarden’s daily operations while also being a part of the children’s adventures in learning and growing as individuals.
In her spare time, Jennie finds joy in spending time with family and friends, as well as going on hikes, acrylic & watercolor painting and trying new restaurants around the city.
Jennie joined our community in April 2024
Toddler Program
The Rose Room
Nicole Pelletier ~ Toddler Guide
Nicole grew up watching birds, insects, and catching lizards in the meadows & forests surrounding a small town in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of Northern California. She moved to San Diego to be with family and go to college. There, she fell in love with the natural health industry, biochemistry, and her husband. After the birth of their first child, Nicole was nostalgic for the seasons, trees, and community of Northern California. So they moved to Portland fifteen years ago to raise their family in the Pacific Northwest.
Nicole started working in STEM & science education, wanting a career that allowed her more time with her young children during the fleeting and magical years of infancy & toddlerhood. When she started looking for preschool options for her eldest, she found Montessori. It was everything she had intuitively found with nurturing children wrapped in a scientific structure, environment, and methodology that was truly designed to respect & serve the child’s innate abilities. Montessori education has been a part of her family ever since.
Nicole has been a parent of children through Toddler, Children’s House, and Elementary programs at local Montessori schools and served as a Guide/Assistant Guide in Infant and Toddler classrooms at two different Montessori schools. One of her favorite things about working with children is watching their eyes light up when they have succeeded at something they were working hard on or when they observe something unexpected and magical in the world that delights them.
Some of Nicole’s favorite things outside of the classroom are watching the moon rise, playing barefoot with her family, backpacking, reading fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books, cooking & enjoying delicious food, and taking road trips - exploring and experiencing new places in this beautiful world with her family and friends.
We are pleased to be sponsoring Nicole to be AMI toddler trained starting summer 2025.
Nicole joined our community in May of 2024
Eileen Egger M.Ed. ~ Rose Room Assistant
Eileen was born and raised in Ohio, graduating with a B.S. in Elementary Education from Miami University. Following a few years experience as a nanny in Chicago, a friend suggested she look into Montessori education. She found a position as an assistant in a primary classroom and quickly became enamored with the Montessori Method.
In 2003 Eileen packed up her car and drove west, seeking new adventures in the Pacific Northwest. After settling in Washington, she decided to pursue an Early Childhood Credential through the Montessori Education Institute of the Pacific Northwest (MEIPN). She found a diverse Montessori community in Sammamish for her internship, remaining there for the next 18 years while filling various roles including Primary Lead Teacher, Early Childhood Program Coordinator, and Upper Elementary Assistant. Since 2016 she has also served as a Field Consultant for MEIPN interns and current instructor for the EC Physical Science course.
Eileen has been diligent in continually renewing her passion for and understanding of Montessori Education by regularly attending national conferences and earning an M.Ed in Montessori Integrative Learning in 2020. After moving to Oregon in the summer of 2024, she began the search for a new Montessori community to join and was delighted to find SunGarden Montessori right in the neighborhood.
When not at school, Eileen loves spending time exploring the great outdoors with her partner, Jason, and pup, Cedar.
AMS Primary Diploma
Master’s in Education
Eileen joined our community in October 2024
Kiana Richardson ~ Rose Room Assistant
Kiana grew up in the Portland area spending her earliest years homeschooled and attending public as she got older. Kiana attended Classical Ballet Academy for 10 years and discovered her love for teaching when she assisted in classes there.
Throughout High School, she took many early childhood education courses at the Sabin Schellenberg Center. This allowed her to intern under some phenomenal teachers. She also discovered Montessori in her classes which sparked an interest, and is excited to be a part of such a great community.
Kiana spends her free time reading and enjoys long hikes in the Gorge.
Kiana joined our community in October 2024
Lexi Cooper ~ Rose Room Assistant
Lexi was born and raised in Bend, OR. There she first found Montessori and spent three years working with toddlers at a Montessori school. Lexi moved to Portland and joined our toddler team in summer 2022. She has been enjoying all the new and exciting opportunities that have come her way here.
“The children inspire and teach me so many wonderful things each day. My goal is to provide a safe and comfortable space to help them grow and learn as well!”
Lexi joined our community in August 2022
Primary(3 -6) Programs
The Garden Room
Taryn Tkach ~ Garden Room Guide
Taryn was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. From early childhood Taryn has cultivated a love for the outdoors, whether it is backcountry skiing with her dog Poncho and friends, hunting for mushrooms in the rainy forest, or floating down a river and sleeping under the stars.
As Taryn grew older she developed a deep appreciation for the natural curiosity and carefree essence of children. Their love for adventure and fascination with the world around them was something that resonated with her, and she knew that working with children was her path. She started babysitting and then slowly worked her way into classrooms of all different varieties. First at a small Montessori school in White Salmon, Washington, and then after that a small and sweet preschool in Hood River, Oregon.
After remembering her love and fascination with the Montessori Philosophy, she began her training at Montessori Northwest in 2022. After graduating from the program in 2023 she was eager and excited to get started and apply everything that she had learned in her new position as an assistant at Sunstone Montessori in Portland, Oregon. It truly was a full circle moment, as she grew up a Montessori child and now gets to be a part of the lives of many Montessori children as they blossom and discover new things about themselves and the world around them.
An even more special moment is that she was once a child in the Garden Room many moons ago, and is excited to be back where it all began!
AMI Primary Diploma
Taryn joined our community in August 2024
Mary Moore ~ Garden Room Assistant
Mary grew up in the wilds of Oregon, catching salamanders, climbing trees and learning to ski and surf with her family. She says these experiences are the foundation for her deep love and respect for our natural world.
She earned a double major from Scripps College in Studio Art and Environmental Analysis. She also competed on their track and field team and holds the school record in the javelin.
Mary is delighted to have joined the SunGarden Montessori family. She resonates with the holistic approach that builds confidence, nurtures creativity and helps each child achieve their potential.
Mary is always looking for the next adventure. Outside the classroom she coaches track and field throwing events and recently became a Highland Games athlete. She has a passion for creating and photographs Day in the Life documentary sessions for families.
Mary likes to unwind at the gym or on a paddle board. Her family is her inspiration. She loves to spend time playing sports or being silly with her husband Ryan, kids Rory and Tatum and her dogs Tubs and Summer.
Mary joined our community in August 2024
The sun Room
Grace Sayre ~ Sun Room Guide
Grace grew up in the Pacific Northwest and contributes the years spent outdoors as a child to her desire and delight in working outside. She has enjoyed working as a nanny, teacher, and child educator for more than 15 years. “There is so much wisdom and deep joy in the heart of the child and I am continuously inspired by them.” As a Primary trained Montessori teacher, a mother, and a gardener, Grace is excited to bring all of these parts of herself together as she works with children in the Outdoor Environment at SunGarden.
When Grace is not enjoying her time with the children at SunGarden, she is spending time with her two children, LumiBear and Aruna, and her partner Shawn. She enjoys creating through music, dance, camping, hiking, reading and tending to the garden. Grace and her family live in Portland with their two furry companions, Brahmananda and Twinkle.
Grace is excited for the journey ahead, spending her days honoring the Earth and helping children find a deeper connection to the land around them, the cycles of nature and the food that they eat.
AMI Primary Diploma
Grace joined our community in September 2022
Ann Rockwell ~ Sun Room Assistant
Ann is happy to be back in the Pacific Northwest closer to her family. She found her way to SunGarden Montessori late summer of 2023. In 2019 Ann discovered the Montessori method of learning. She feels lucky to have been a Montessori assistant ever since.
“I am enjoying working at SunGarden with the dedicated, caring, and creative team who help make this school special every day. Each day is an opportunity for me to continue learning alongside the amazing SunGarden team and your children.”
“What We Learn with Pleasure We Never Forget”.
Ann joined our community in August 2023
OUTDOOR PROGRAM
Support Staff
~ In House Sub
Join our team!
Michelle Goldberg ~ Community Support
Michelle is a recent transplant to the PNW, moving to West Linn in the spring of 2022. She graduated UC Davis with a bachelors in Political Science and spent her twenties in Sacramento, CA. Michelle has 2 children, Charlotte and Benji. They are her source of inspiration and interest in early childhood education. The rabbit hole of heirloom wooden toys/play-based learning is what ultimately led Michelle to Montessori.
During the pandemic lockdowns, Michelle started an online credential for Early Childhood Montessori Education through the American Montessori Society. The birth of Benji and the move to the PNW halted the completion of her credential. She is overjoyed to work in an environment as thoughtfully prepared as SunGarden and hopes to finish her credential soon.
Michelle enjoys cooking and dreams of one day having a homestead here inn West Linn. Her family adopted a cat named Harlow last August and he has become an endless source of entertainment and spoiling.
Michelle joined our staff in August 2024
Janis Wulgart ~ Aftercare Lead
In the Science World, Janis is known as Electra Current. When she retired from teaching in California after 30 years, she immediately realized that she was not done with working for children. She says she has worked with every age and ability of more than a thousand children and is still amazed by their individuality and creativity. She believes in the whole child and loves to guide them through their curiosity and ingenuity by creating exciting curriculum in the form of camps and workshops.
Janis joined our community in April 2023