an Independent Montessori School on the North Coast
Where children from TK to eighth grade experience a transformative education in a prepared environment tailored to individual student needs while being part of a cohesive and nurturing community grounded in the Montessori principles of environmental stewardship, humanitarianism, global citizenship, and peace education.
our staff
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Chloe Reed
Director & Upper Elementary
Chloe has been an active part of the North Coast community since 2007 and Director of MdMCS since 2017. Her love of teaching and collaborative classrooms began more than 25 years ago with her teacher credentialing program at the University of Vermont. At UVM, Chloe was trained in curriculum development and assessment-based instruction which allows her to design academic programs rooted in student interests and needs rather than rely on packaged curriculum. After several years as a classroom teacher, Chloe attended Literacy Collaborative Coordinator training at Lesley University in order to become a literacy teacher trainer and coach for her district. Chloe worked in classrooms from grades kindergarten to eighth, implemented the district’s staff development program, and acted as a bridge between administration, faculty, teachers, and parents. She completed graduate coursework in Organizational Leadership at St. Mary’s University of Minnesota. Chloe is a trained Montessori Model United Nations leader and took her first group of delegates to the New York conference in 2018. Chloe has participated in the Whole School Leadership Institute school administrator course specifically for heads of Montessori schools and completed the Pathways to Proficient Reading for Secondary Learners through the AIM Institute for Learning Research. Chloe held the role of Montessori parent, FMDM Board member, and Director of Montessori del Mar Learning Center before transitioning to be Director of Montessori del Mar Community School. For several years, Chloe also teaches humanities in the Upper Elementary. Chloe’s son, Griffin, attended Montessori schools since pre-school and is a student at Bentley Upper School in Lafayette, CA.
Contact: chloedirector@montessoridelmar.org
Special Focuses: Program Development, School Operations, Parent Communication, Montessori Model UN, Reading & Writing Workshop
Zoe Lord
Integrated Learning Community & Literacy Intervention
Zoe has been supporting students on the Mendocino coast since 2011. She had previous experience teaching in both Kindergarten and First Grade classrooms. After having her son in late 2020, she took a hiatus from teaching to support her family. In 2023 she started working at MdMCS offering literacy support. It was there that she cultivated a deeper knowledge base in building foundational literacy skills and the Montessori paradigm. In 2025-2026, Zoe stepped into the primary teacher position where she worked with young learners in a classroom setting again. Zoe is expecting her second child this Fall and will be working with our younger students and Chaia in September and October prior to taking maternity leave. She deeply appreciates that the Montessori paradigm not only emphasizes academic growth with carefully scaffolded materials, but that it places equal value on a range of skills crucial for a child’s development, including practical life skills and social-emotional growth. Contact: zoeprimary@montessoridelmar.org
Contact:zoeILC@montessoridelmar.org
Special Focuses: Early literacy intervention, balanced literacy, structured literacy
Chaia Leventhal
Lower Elementary
Chaia grew up in Albion, attended Mendocino High School, and graduated with a Bachelors in Education from University of California at Davis. She then completed a Masters degree in Applied Linguistics. Chaia has been working with young children for almost a decade and recently has been teaching at the Mendocino K8. Chaia brings a proactive, self-disciplined and collaborative nature to her new role. Chaia completed Montessori Teacher Training for ages 6-9 and is expanding her knowledge of ages 4-6 through self-study and working with mentor teachers. We are so excited to have Chaia continue on as head teacher at MdMCS!
Contact: chaiaILC@montessoridelmar.org
Special Focuses:
Holly Sinclair
Upper Elementary Math & PE
Holly knew she wanted to work with children early on in her college career. She received her Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and a minor in Education before going on to get her Masters in Education and Single Subject teaching Credential in Mathematics, all at UC Santa Cruz. She taught mathematics at a public school in Scotts Valley, CA and loved working with children, but she wanted to work more collaboratively with the students and connect with them on an individual basis. While pursing her professional career in teaching she also was very passionate about all things athletic with a focus on soccer. After playing college soccer she went on to coach Fort Bragg High School girls soccer and now the Mendocino High School girls team as well as the co-ed Middle School team. She feels that by working at the Montessori school she is able to work with students both academically and athletically in a way that feels more authentic to who she is and how she wants to inspire the youth. She is excited to integrate, learn, and grow from the Montessori program. Holly welcomed her first child, Claire in September 2022. This Fall, Claire will be a students at MdMCS!
Contact: Holly@montessoridelmar.org
Special Focuses: Math, fitness, athletics, health
Robin Bott
Integrated Learning Community,
Art & After-School
Robin comes from a family of artists and her creativity has been fostered by her
parents since she was a child. Following this path, she has taught children and
adults in several schools and art institutions. Robin has over 20 years of experience in teaching art and is an imaginative and versatile artist that works in many mediums. She finds that working with and exploring different mediums provides endless creative avenues for self-expression. Her works are frequently noted for their whimsical style and her inspiration often comes from dreams. Robin’s love for teaching and passion for art go hand-in hand. Knowing the importance of self-expression, Robin
provides supportive guidance to each student she works with, so that they may
develop creatively in their own unique way. Raising a family in Mendocino and teaching Art at a Montessori school in Mendocino had always been a dream of hers as she holds a very special place in her heart for the Montessori philosophy. Robin attended Montessori schools as a child from preschool through elementary school. Robin has been a part of MDMCS since 2021 and looks forward to another creative and innovative school year.
Contact: robinbottdesign@gmail.com
LaViva Dakers
Specialist & Teacher Mentor
As an educator and parent, LaViva has developed and pursued her life-long passion for student-based education over the past two decades. She has worked with children K through 12 in traditional programs, as well as in alternative, independent study, and blended programs. Laviva has done immersive training in Montessori education through AMI (American Montessori Internationale) and NAMC (North American Montessori Center). She earned an American Montessori Society certification in the Science of Reading in 2024. Her greatest goal in teaching is to support, guide and joyfully challenge children to excel in their education, of which the end purpose is the full development and expression of their individual selves and as world citizens. This year, LaViva continues to mentor Chaia and hopes to offer special projects and areas of instruction to students of all ages.
Contact: Laviva@montessoridelmar.org
Special Focuses: Social-emotional learning, whole child development, inquiry based learning and team-building.
Susana Jung
Business Administrator &
Nutrition Coordinator
Susana is an original founder of Montessori del Mar Learning Center and the President of Friends of Montessori del Mar, the precursor to MdMCS. Susana has been instrumental in guiding the vision and financial health of successful Montessori programs for over 10 years. Susana has a wealth of administrative experience from her time as Board President. After several years of helping to oversee the nutrition program at MdMCS, Susana is moving into the role of Coordinator and will be working with students to create healthy lunches for the school community.. Both of Susana’s children graduated from Montessori del Mar and are now pursuing Bachelor’s and advanced degrees
Contact: businessadmin@montessoridelmar.org
Cathryn Guillette
Music & After-school
Cathryn brought a wealth of experience and instruments to MdMCS when she began teaching music in 2025. Cathryn has worked with children and in schools for decades and especially enjoys developing music programs. Cathryn offers instruction in reading, writing and composing music as well as instruments ranging from strings to recorders to percussion. Cathryn also leads our afterschool program on Fridays.
Contact: ccg3@ymail.com
Kristi Lentz-Taylor
Independent Study & Literacy Support
Virtual Program
Kristi joined our staff in 2020 and came with years of experience supporting homeschool families and providing one-on-one virtual instruction to children of all ages. Kristi is a credentialed teacher; she holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in education and literacy. Like Chloe, Kristi is trained in the workshop model of literacy instruction. Kristi also is a fluent Spanish speaker and has taught Spanish in school and private settings for many years. Kristi works virtually with MdMCS students.
Contact: kristi.lentz@gmail.com