As the child of a Montessori teacher and the parent of a Montessori child who is now at university, Nicole has experienced firsthand the incredible impact that a high quality Montessori education can have in the life of a child. With a Master of Education in Montessori Integrative Education and a Bachelor of Arts from Georgetown University, she brings to Arbor a deep commitment to creating a school community where children thrive, families feel welcome, and teachers are inspired. Nicole holds three teaching credentials from the American Montessori Society, at the 3-6, 6-9, and 9-12 levels. An award-winning Montessori educator with over 20 years in the classroom, Nicole was voted the region’s Best Teacher 2019 by the readers of 425 Magazine. She also received the Unsung Heroes Award from ING in 2009, in recognition of her innovations as a teacher of science. In her spare time, she teaches for the American Montessori Society, presents at national conferences, and loves to travel. Nicole loves living in the Pacific Northwest with her wife, family, and two small dogs.

Shawn has been working with children his entire life. Growing up on the east coast, Shawn worked at camps as a teen counselor. After graduating from Mount Saint Mary’s University with a double major in English and secondary education, he started teaching third grade in Chicago, and later, middle school English and Social Studies. After getting married, he began teaching lower elementary at a Maryland-area Montessori school. After receiving his lower elementary training from the Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies, Shawn moved to Washington State with his wife and two children, leading Elementary classrooms and developing Montessori outdoor curriculum for local schools. In his spare time Shawn loves to read, hike and play music.

Kari returned to Arbor in 2022 after formerly working as our on-site Librarian. A PNW native, Kari has two children and three cats, and has also been a rancher where she had llamas, alpacas, cows, goats, hens, horses and more. Kari has extensive experience working with both children and adults working at daycares, teaching at the college level, as well as English in Japan. She holds her MA in Early Childhood, State Early Childhood Certification, MS in K-8 with a Library and Science endorsement, as well as her Elementary Montessori Certification through Montessori Education Institute of the Pacific Northwest. Her favorite thing about Montessori is that it empowers children to become the future we always say they are. Montessori gives them the critical thinking skills and personal empowerment to do big things! In her spare time, you can catch her reading, and geeking out over science and pop culture.

Audrey grew up right here in Sammamish, and attended Arbor as a student! She received her BA in English from the UW before moving abroad to the UK and Ireland where she obtained her Master’s in Authurian Literature, and her PHD in Medievel Literature, both from Bangor University in Whales. She has experience working with children from Pre-K through Post Grad. As a former Arbor Student, Audrey has first-hand experience with the positive impacts of a Montessori Education. She particularly loves how the Montessori philosophy fosters a life-long love of learning! In her free time, she can be found writing romance novels, wild swimming, foraging, playing with her puppy Georgie, and reading.

Suparna first came to Arbor as a parent of an Arbor student. She joined the faculty in 2021, and has felt at home here with the welcoming community in both parents and co-workers. She loves the Montessori Philosophy and values, and she brings a wealth of knowledge to her classroom. Suparna completed her Masters of Science in Zoology, and her Senior Diploma in Fine Art. She also completed her Digital Marketing Course from Vermont University. Her experience with children includes teaching Elementary in India for two years, and has worked as a preschool and kindergarten teacher here in the United States. Suparna loves painting, music, reading, gardening and photography.

Katrina came to Arbor in 2021. A former professional ballet dancer and yoga instructor, Katrina graduated from the SSCC Culinary Arts Program in 2007. She also holds her 300 hour Yoga Teacher Training Certificate. With a thirst for travel, Katrina has lived on four of the seven continents, in Switzerland, Peru, Thailand and the United States. What drew her to Montessori is how the philosophy focuses on the whole human-being and is tailored for individuality. In her free time, you can find her on the forest trails, cooking, snowboarding, doing art, yoga, or relaxing.