Founder & Directress

Tamara D. Ulrich

Tammy has been committed to making a difference for children and families for more than 30 years. She is dedicated to providing a safe and nurturing educational environment, based on the Montessori method and education for peace.

Tammy's introduction to Montessori began at the age of 2 1/2 at Wee Wisdom Montessori School. She had wanted to start a school for young children as far back as she can remember -- except for the time when she was going to be a movie star or ballerina. Tammy has a deep belief that we can change our Tamara D. Ulrich world through how we educate and care for our children. It is important to her that children know they are cared for, enjoy learning and have the means to develop to their fullest -- knowing they can make a positive difference in the world. She began Child’s View Montessori School for this purpose.

Tammy began Child's View when her youngest daughter, who is now married, was 2 1/2. A few years later, her son was born and grew up at the school as well. She now has four incredible children in a blended family with her husband, Don. Creating and maintaining a strong family where each person feels loved, honored and nurtured is Don & Tammy's number one priority. For fun and relaxation she enjoys time spent with family and friends, the outdoors, camping, kayaking, scuba diving/snorkeling, tropical vacations, yoga and meditation.

Tammy holds Montessori Teaching Certifications from the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) and the St. Nicholas Training Center for the Montessori Method of Education. She has her Master’s Degree in Human Studies, a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development, and a Certificate of Achievement in Child Development-Montessori. Tammy is a past president of the Oregon Montessori Association and has served as Co-chair of the Oregon Season for Nonviolence Task Force.

Administrative Assistant

Shannon Johnson

Tamara D. Ulrich

Shannon Johnson comes to us with many years of experience working in schools, churches, banks, and other offices. She taught 4 year olds in a traditional preschool about 20 years ago when her daughter was young, so when the chance came a few years ago to work as the Administrative Assistant at a Montessori preschool in her neighborhood, she jumped at the chance. After about 5 years, she moved on to a full-time job, but it was “just a job.” She decided to follow her heart and again work where there are children. She began working at Child’s View in June 2009. She is married, has a daughter and son-in-law and has recently become a Grandma to a beautiful baby boy.

School Accountant

Janice Mayer

Janice Mayer has been a part of Child’s View since the early days. As a member of the Church we are housed in, Janice was instrumental in gaining agreement for a space for the school to lease. Her youngest daughter began at Child’s View just before our move from the Markham School to the Church in 1990. Janice’s older daughter also attended a Montessori School.

Janice’s primary role has been that of Accountant. Over the years, however, she has been part of the school in some degree or another in every way imaginable, from Accountant to chief nose wiper to fixer upper to a shoulder to lean on to Assistant Administrator. She has a huge heart and is a major support to the school.

Classroom Teachers

All classroom Guides have training and certification in the Montessori method of education. Classroom Assistants have education and/or experience in Montessori and/or Early Childhood Education. First Aid and CPR certification is required for all primary staff members. A criminal record check through Children's Services is required on all staff.

Crane Room Guide

Jessica Mallett

Jessica grew up in Colorado and attended a public Montessori school through 6th grade. It is because of her experience as a Montessori student that she is convinced of it value as an environment conducive to learning. Jessica considers learning to include all aspects of development; social, emotional, physical and psychological. The dynamic educational experience afforded to Jessica through Montessori is what inspired her to pursue teacher training. She moved from Colorado to Portland in 2004 to attend the Montessori Institute Northwest. Her Primary Diploma was conferred in June 2006 and in June 2007 she received her Bachelors Degree in Human Studies from Marylhurst University.

Jessica loves to write a good "old fashioned" letter, married her best friend from high school, and loves to go camping. She discovered a talent for drawing in college, and is interested in art; not as a connoiseur but as a sensorial process. Jessica considers herself to be a life-long learner; she has a love for learning and considers a great remedy to boredom an educational program on OPB. History, nature, science, people/culture, and art are incredibly interesting things to Jessica.

Crane Room Assistant Teacher & Summer Elementary Teacher

Amy Lilly

Amy joined Child's View in 2004 as our Aftercare Assistant before becoming the Assistant Teacher in the then Yellow Classroom for the Fall of 2004. She is now our Crane Room Assistant Teacher. The summer of 2010, Amy also took on the role of Summer Elementary Teacher.

She is married with two teenage girls. She became interested in Montessori when her children attended a Montessori preschool. She had the opportunity to attend the Montessori Teacher Preparation of Washington.

Amy really enjoys working with children. She enjoys helping and guiding them in the Montessori environment and their discovery of the world. To see the joy on their faces when they discover and work with the materials is rewarding to her.

Dove Room Guide

Andrea Fallico

Andrea Fallico Originally from San Jose California, Andrea moved to Portland in 1996. In 2007, she graduated from Portland State with a degree in Art, and had plans to finish with a Master's in Education. She was introduced to the Montessori world just 2 years ago when she became an assistant teacher at a local Montessori school. It was there that she grew to love that method of educating, and decided to attend the Montessori Institute NW. After graduating in May 2010, she attended Loyola University in Baltimore, MD where she received her Master's in Montessori Education. This is her first year with Child's View, as well as her first year as a lead Montessori teacher. With plenty of experience working with children, Andrea is very excited to start her teaching journey with us!

An avid lover of the outdoors, Andrea enjoys hiking, cycling, camping, and trips to the coast. Being an artist, she keeps up her creative side involving anything from painting to photography. She owns a home in St. Johns with her wonderful boyfriend Gregg, her dog Umber, and her 2 cats Akira and Yoshi.

All Day Montessori Afternoon Teacher

Ethan Scheible

Ethan Scheible joined the Child's View staff near the end of summer 2006 as our School Assistant, helping out where needed in both classrooms, as well as the Office. The summer of 2007 he became our Aftercare Teacher. As our program moved into an All Day Montessori Program, Ethan took on the role of All Day Montessori Afternoon Teacher. He has worked as a Classroom Assistant.

His interest in the Montessori method of education was sparked by watching his niece develop in a Montessori classroom. Ethan completed his Montessori training coursework at the Center for Montessori Teacher education in New Rochelle, New York the summer of 2007. Ethan became a Dad November 2007 of a beautiful baby boy.

Afternoon Assistant Teacher

Rachel Huffine

School Pup

Shadow

Stephanie Byrne Shadow came to Child’s View as an 8 week old puppy and loves being with the children. He has the very important job of getting lots of love and giving lots of kisses in return. Shadow helps the children learn to care for a pet and be comfortable around animals. The children make sure Shadow has food & water each day and can choose to spend time playing with Shadow.

Shadow hopes to enter the Dove Lewis “Read to a Dog” program as his training continues so that children can read to him at Child’s View as well as in the community. Besides giving kisses and getting belly rubs, Shadow loves going for walks and playing fetch or tug of war.

Memberships and Associations

Child's View maintains memberships in the Oregon Montessori Association (OMA), the North American Montessori Teacher's Association (NAMTA), the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), the American Montessori Society (AMS), The International Montessori Council (IMC), Oregon Federation of Independent Schools (OFIS), the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and others. These memberships keep us in touch with current issues and recent developments in the field through publications, conferences and workshops. Many of these services are also available to parents. If you are interested in further information, we are happy to provide it.

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