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My name is Tami O'Kinsella Baker and I have worked with children in Montessori Schools since
1988. I chose to be a Montessori Guide for young children because I find them irresistible--their
spontaneous posture, insatiable curiosity and sense of wonder about all of life is nourishing to my
soul. After looking at other methods of education, I find that Montessori's insights and well thought
through methodology to be the best avenue I have found for helping children reach their potential
while maintaining an excitement and sense of wonder about life and learning.
My first introduction to Montessori education happened when I accepted a position as an Assistant
teacher at Princeton Montessori School in New Jersey. After working there for 2 years, I did my
teacher training at the Northwest Montessori Institute (now Montessori Institute Northwest) in
Portland, Oregon. This is an Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) training center. After
completing this training, I moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where I completed a Masters degree in
Education and had my first classroom with children from low-income families in Marotta Montessori
Schools, a Head Start funded Montessori organization. I guided this classroom for 3 years.
My next position was at a public Montessori school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This position involved
co-teaching of 38 children with another Montessori teacher and serving as the special education
person for a percentage of the children who had special needs. In the evenings, I took special
education courses for this position at Cardinal Stritch College. I left MacDowell Montessori School
when I gave birth to a son and took 3 years off from teaching to be home with him. Raising my son,
who is now 10 years old has proved to be the best training I have had for talking with parents about
daunting tasks as well as the glorious opportunity they have for nurturing their young children.
Since having my son, I moved with my family back to the Northwest (I was born and raised near
Seattle, Washington). I have been working at Camas Montessori School for six years and enjoy good
staff relations, a wonderful teaching assistant named Cindy, and the many outdoor pleasures of the
Northwest. Hobbies that are fed in this climate include gardening, hiking, drawing and the fine arts,
my church participation, and last but certainly not least, my friends and family.

Hi, my name is Cindy Shay. I was born in Orange County and moved to Humboldt County in
Northern California when I was seven. I graduated from Arcata High School in 1984 and went on to
College of the Redwoods in the fall. At one point, I found myself at loose ends, wondering what
direction my education should take. My father suggested looking into the early childhood program
because I had done a lot of babysitting as a teenager and really enjoyed it. So, I did and every class
the counselor described sounded fascinating to me.
Once I started student teaching, I realized that it was watching the children learn, seeing the look on
their faces when they understood a concept THAT was the "magic" of teaching for me. Knowing that
I was part of that "magic" filled me with joy. After graduating with an associates degree in early
childhood education, I first got an assisting job at Mistwood Montessori School in Eureka, California. I
worked there as an assistant for eight years and then took a "break" from teaching and worked as a
medical insurance biller both for a group of internists and then an optometrist.
In 2003, my husband received a promotion/transfer to Pennsylvania. We lived in a suburb of
Pittsburgh named Cranberry Township. It was OK, but after a couple of years we were eager to
come back to the west coast. With Nina Draper's help (we met in college and have been good
friends since), I was able to relocate back to the west coast and take the position of Tami's assistant
last summer/fall. After teaching summer school, I realized how much I missed working with children
and felt and still feel blessed to have been given the opportunity. Tami is a wonderful head teacher
and the staff here are super as well. My husband and I currently live in Camas and look forward to
many happy years here.

Tami Baker - Teacher
Dragonfly Room

I am often asked the question when working with this age group, "How do you do it?". For me, it isn't
a job but God's wonderful plan for me that I am following and it totally fulfills my needs.
You see, I have always wanted to become a teacher of some kind. Even at a young age my mother
would often find me playing 'teacher' with my stuffed animals or dolls. While attending Fort
Vancouver High School I did some student teaching at Martin Luther King School, then worked part
time as a Spanish teacher with the preschoolers at Skinner Montessori School and later as an assistant.
After getting married at the pristine age of 19 (whoa!), I worked in various other jobs until I had a son,
Adam in 1980 and enrolled him in Vancouver Montessori when he was 3. Even though I loved
working at home with my son, I missed the atmosphere of a classroom.
Then I discovered that the Montessori Training Center was now located in Portland (previously it was
only as close as California). Immediately I enrolled and graduated in 1983 from what is now called
the Montessori Institute Northwest. My first job was at my old stomping grounds at Skinner
Montessori in Vancouver. In 1984, I had a daughter, Danae who later attended Skinner when she
was also 3. In 1988 I was offered the chance to start a Montessori School at St. Thomas Aquinas
Catholic Church in Camas (where my adorable mother-in-law attends).
To sum it all up, I have been teaching for over 25 years and administrating for over 20 years. My
husband and I celebrated our 32nd wedding anniversary in 2007. My children have grown into
wonderful adults of whom I am very proud. My favorite activities include competitive volleyball (I've
been on a co-ed league for over 10 years), crossword puzzles, traveling and taking cruises, and
watching sports and reality shows on TV. (I grew up enjoying TV - I even remember watching it in
black and white - and can't seem to shake the habit.)
In my heart I know that someday I will have to retire and give up this enjoyable career, but until then I
will continue to give all of myself, (the kid in me too) to the children by whom I am consistently
intrigued. Although some of my former students are now in high school or even married(!), I love it
when I run into them again to see how much their five-year-old personalities and bodies have
changed! My students will always remain a wonderful memory.

Cindy Shay - Assistant
Dragonfly Room

My name is Barbara Williamson. I was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. After high school I
worked at Meier & Frank's for 16 years starting as Inventory Help, then Sales, then Clerical work. After
moving to Camas I heard of an opening at a local Montessori School and started working at Aquinas
Montessori as the afternoon assistant from 2:30-5:30. Then an opening came up to work as Donna's
classroom assistant and I welcomed the chance to be involved in an operating Montessori classroom.
I have been here for 17 years.
I have been married to Pat (who was literally, the "boy next door") for over 29 years. I have known
him since I was 3 1/2 years old! I love working with children, working in my yard and going for walks.

Barbara Williamson -
Assistant
Bumblebee Room

Donna Hargrave
-Administrator and
Teacher
Bumblebee Room

Nina Draper -
Teacher
Butterfly Room

Arlene Nething -
Assistant
Butterfly Room

My name is Nina Draper. I was born in San Francisco, California. I became interested in Montessori
when I visited a classroom during my Early Childhood Education training. I received my A.S. Degree in
Early Childhood Development in 1987 from the College of the Redwoods in Eureka, California. I
taught preschool for 3 years at Moore Avenue Children's Center in Eureka, California. I also worked
for 1 year at Little People's Corner also located in Eureka. I left teaching in 1991 for a job at the local
newspaper (Eureka).
In 1996 my husband and I moved up to Vancouver, Washington. I found the Montessori Training
Center in Oregon City (the Montessori Institute Northwest). I received my AMI Montessori Diploma in
June of 1998 and then I gave birth to my one and only child 2 weeks later. I stayed home and was a
nanny for 2 years and then started working at Aquinas Montessori in September 2000. My daughter,
Mia, started here in 2001, she was in Tami's class for 4 years. Mia is currently enrolled at Cascadia
Montessori.

My name is Arlene Nething. I moved to Camas, Washington in 1978 from San Diego, California. I
operated a daycare service in my home for 10 years and taught Sunday School and Children's
Church. In 1988 I heard that Donna Hargrave was opening a Montessori School and I applied and
got the job as teachers assistant. I took several training classes. I have been happily working at Camas
Montessori School for 20 years. Over the years I have had the pleasure of working with 5 teachers. I
have 7 grandchildren and 2 of them are currently attending Camas Montessori.

Jessica Huynh
Afternoon Assistant

My name is Jessica Huynh. I was born in Vancouver, Washington and have lived here all of my life.
Every job I have had has been working with children. I am married and we plan tohave our own
kids soon. I enjoy hiking, bowling, swimming and music.

Camas Montessori School