Fostering a life long love of learning is our aim at SSM. The Montessori philosophy is a beautiful method of instilling this in children. Our school strives to surround our students with consistent, well-educated, positive role models, who are fun loving and passionate educators. It is an exceptional place to be a part of.

Lead Teacher - Allison Wright

Hello! My name is Alison Wright and I was born and grew up in Indiana. I graduated from Indiana University in 1999 with a bachelor’s of science in Kinesiology, but my passion has always been with children. I moved to Boulder in 2000 and to Steamboat 2 years later. I love living in the Yampa Valley because the beauty, the people and the great sense of community that is here. This is my second year of being an assistant in this Montessori classroom, in 06-07 the part-time aide, this year the full-time assistant, and lead teacher. I feel I am learning something from the children new and exciting everyday! I look forward to a successful year and many more ahead!

Full Time Assistant Teacher - Lennae Jenkins

Hi. My Name is Lennae Jenkins. I grew up in Steamboat and graduated from SSHS. After high school, I moved to Portland, Oregon where I attended school at Pacific University. I received a degree in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education. I also studied in Sydney, Australia and traveled around Australia and New Zealand meeting my distant family. Since I graduated college, I have been to Zambia twice, where I live at a chimpanzee sanctuary and teach outdoor education to elementary school students. I just recently returned from Zambia, where I raised money and built a school for the local people and taught for the past 7 months. I am now working with a group of local high school students, fundraising for them to go to Zambia with me and do humanitarian projects in July. While in Steamboat I also work for the City programs and coach at the middle school. Some of my hobbies/interests include traveling, photography, reading, art and enjoying Steamboat's great outdoors.

Part Time Assistant Teacher - Sharon Ort

It is great to be back in Pre-school! My name is Sharon Ort and although I originally hail from sweet Maryland, I made the journey to the West in 1898 and have made my home in Oregon, Wyoming and now Colorado. My degrees are in International Relations & Business, and I am a certified AMI teacher for 3-6 year olds. Since 1996 I have been in the field of Education. All my teaching experiences have been in multi-age classroom and I have worked with children from birth to 6 th grade. My husband, Bob, is also a teacher. We have two daughters who are 3 & 6 years old. The position of the Montessori part-time assistant is the perfect role for me now. I look forward to learning and having fun with these children!

Staff Mentor & part Time Kindergarten Assistant - Brittany Ladd

My name is Brittany Ladd and I am a Montessori-trained Elementary I teacher and mother to eighteen-month-old Killian. I hold a Bachelor’s degree from CU-Boulder in International Affairs, with an emphasis in Latin America. Prior to settling in Steamboat, I worked at the Montessori School of Evergreen as a middle school Spanish teacher and an early childhood classroom assistant before becoming a lower elementary teacher. I love practicing yoga and dance, cooking, gardening and reading. My husband Brian and I enjoy adventure traveling and the Colorado outdoor life. My favorite quote from Maria Montessori is “Let us give him [the child] a vision of the whole universe. The universe is an imposing reality, and an answer to all questions.”

Part Time Assistant - Lesa Radford

I have been teaching Montessori for 13 years and have a lot of experience in many aspects of education pre k- 12. I put my heart and soul in to beginning and operating the Yampa Valley Montessori School in 1996. I have dedicated my life to children and quality education. I have opened three schools, one which I opened in 1978 that is still operating today. I have since changed careers to managing the care of an elderly woman in town. I am very thankful for the opportunity to work at this school as a classroom assistant. I welcome the opportunity to return to the school to help the staff and children.