Our Staff

Alder Montessori School

Julia Murray

With a background in early education since 2006, Julia brings both experience and a genuine love for working with children. She has worked in both in-home and public preschool/kindergarten settings. She holds a master's degree in early education and an AMI Primary diploma. Julia loves connecting with children and their families, and is fulfilled by the daily joy and satisfaction of seeing children grow and learn.

Julia Murray
Teacher/Montessori Guide

Anna has experience in both public, charter and private schools. She has over 18 years of experience as a Montessori guide with a Master's in early childhood education. Anna has a Primary Montessori Diploma (ages 2 1/2 - 6)

Anna Varnelius
Teacher/Montessori Guide
Bilingual (Swedish/English)

Claudia has been closely connected with the Alder neighborhood since she attended nearby Reynolds High School. Formerly, she worked assisting seniors, and has been with Alder Montessori since 2019. She chose this work because she loves to help people, especially the kids. She loves her work because she loves to see the students smile when she helps them out.

Claudia Lopez-Trejo
Primary Classroom Assistant
Bilingual (Spanish/ English)

Yaneth is a graduate of Reynolds High School, and has worked as a nursing assistant prior to joining AEME in 2022. Yaneth describes herself as friendly and education enthusiastic. She enjoys supporting the classroom and the children.

Yaneth Lopez Trejo
Primary Classroom Assistant
Bilingual (Spanish/ English)

What started as a part-time volunteer position with an early childhood parent group associated with Alder Montessori's early years soon became a full-time role in the classroom. Rosa is Montessori-trained as a classroom assistant and a key community liaison and translator.

Rosa Sierra Ortiz
Primary Classroom Assistant
Bilingual (Spanish/ English)

Itzia attended Alder Elementary School as a child. She has been interested in early childhood education since high school and decided she wanted to become a teacher for young children. She was excited to learn about Alder Montessori and joined our team in 2020.

Itzia Martinez Venegas
Floating Classroom Assistant
Bilingual (English/ Spanish)

Liora has over 20 years of leadership experience designing, managing and advocating for quality, innovative, and equitable services and supports for low-income individuals and families in our Portland-Metro community. Liora has a Masters in Public Administration from PSU, and is a strong advocate of providing free and low-cost Montessori education in collaboration with our local public schools and community partners.

Liora Berry
Executive Director

Sandip has 14+ years of experience as an early childhood educator and administrator and has been involved in opening new Montessori classrooms in India, Australia, and England- and mentoring new Montessori teachers. She has her BA in Children’s Learning and Development and earned her Montessori diploma in London, where she was born and raised. Sandip loves connecting with parents and taking care of very young children.

Sandip Brar
School Manager
Multlingual (Panjabi, English, Hindi)

Angela recently retired from a 26-year career at Intel Corporation where she managed internal communications and people programs to enable individuals and organizations to thrive and grow. She is currently supporting AEME as an Intel Encore Fellow, a year long volunteer position to support AEME operations and future expansion. In her free time Angela is a book artist and botanical illustrator.

Angela Rivera
Encore Fellow Volunteer
Bilingual (Spanish/ English)