Meet Our Staff

Executive Director Chrystell Reed (she/her) began working at Ridgeline in 2001. Chrystell was awarded a bachelor’s degree in hotel administration, and she earned her Montessori administrator certification from the Houston Montessori Center. Chrystell's children attended Ridgeline from kindergarten through middle school. She enjoys knitting, gardening, watching her daughter jump horses, listening to her son play the acoustic guitar, and the love and support of her family.

Principal Michelle Texley (she/her) has taught a wide range of ages, from Head Start through eighth grade, and holds a current school administrator’s license in both Oregon and Arizona. In 2018 she completed her administrative practicum at Lincoln Middle School in the Oakland, Oregon, School District. Throughout her practicum, and in her decade of experience teaching in the Oakland School District, Michelle has been a valued mentor for new teachers and a recognized resource for teachers addressing special education needs. She has led annual new staff orientation, assessment and curriculum training, and schoolwide initiatives around school culture and unity, restorative practices, and trauma-informed care.

Yaeko Rodrigues (she/her) joined the Ridgeline office team in 2018.  She is the Operations Manager.  She grew up in the Bitterroot Valley and holds a  Bachelor of Arts in Japanese from the University of Montana.  After graduating she moved to Chicago where she met her partner.  She spent over 10 years as a product manager overseeing the development of K-12 software products. Along the way, she joined the Ridgeline community as a parent, volunteer, and substitute before making her way on board the Ridgeline team. 

Kindergarten Lead Kristin Warner (she/her) was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest.  She moved to Eugene in 1998 to attend the UofO and has lived in the area ever since.  Kristin's first experience with Ridgeline Montessori was as a parent and volunteer, all three of her children have attended school here and love it.  She started out in an assistant capacity as a substitute and has been in the kindergarten classroom since fall of 2017.  She really enjoys working with this age group as they grow, discover and learn.  In her free time, Kristin loves to spend time with her family, read, hike and go to the beach.

Kindergarten classroom assistant Sultana Sanders (she/her) makes a wonderful addition to the kindergarten team.  She comes to Ridgeline with a wealth of classroom experience with elementary students.

Lower elementary teacher Rachel Quinn (she/her) leads Room 3. Rachel has many years' experience working in a Montessori classroom, most recently as a primary teacher. She began her lower elementary Montessori training in summer 2019. Rachel's roots at our school are deep; she completed an elementary practicum at Ridgeline Montessori in Emily Burton's classroom years ago and is already a Ridgeline parent. 

Josie Iseli (they/them) is the lower elementary assistant in room 3. They have multiple years experience working in a Montessori school. Their experience includes lead childcare teacher, planning and facilitating summer camp, and developing and implementing an emergency distance learning program. They were born and raised in Eugene, OR. Josie enjoys spending quality time with their large extended family. As the oldest of their cousin’s Josie realized how much they loved helping their younger family members learn and grow. As a teacher, they want to help their students reach their full potential with a smile on their face. 

Lower elementary teacher Emily Burton (she/her) leads room 4. She has been a Montessori lower-elementary teacher for more than a decade. She joined Ridgeline in 2007 after teaching at a private school in Massachusetts. Emily received her Montessori diploma from the Association Montessori Internationale. She also has a strong scientific background. She majored in geology at Carleton College and has a master's degree in environmental toxicology from the University of Wisconsin. Sharing science and nature with the children is one of her passions. Emily's interest in Montessori started early, since she was a Montessori child from preschool until third grade. She especially enjoys seeing how much children learn and grow during their three years in the lower-elementary classroom. Emily is also a Ridgeline parent.

Lower elementary classroom 4 assistant, Carmen Coleman (she/her), was raised right here in Eugene, Oregon, and has been part of the Ridgeline community since 2002. Always a strong children's advocate, Carmen has adopted three of her four children through the state's department of human services. The Ridgeline community benefitted from Carmen’s skills at supporting students with reading for years in her former position as reading intervention specialist, providing Tier III intervention and supporting our IIPM team.

Lower elementary teacher, Emmanuel Gemora (he/him), is the lead teacher for room 5.  Emmanuel was raised in San Diego, CA and Olympia, WA. Emmanuel comes to us with several years of experience serving as a licensed teacher in an elementary special education capacity. Emmanuel graduated from Western Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Special Education. He loves to create all manner of things (knitting, baking, painting, etc.) and especially loves gardening.

Lower elementary classroom 5 assistant Kyndle Young is a dedicated future educator passionate about culturally responsive teaching. As a former Assistant Preschool Teacher at Children's Choice Montessori in Eugene, he has implemented a Montessori philosophy, fostering social-emotional skills and ensuring student safety. Kyndle has a Bachelor of Science in Educational Foundations from the University of Oregon that focuses on multicultural studies and equitable education. 

Upper elementary teacher Kris Korfanta (she/her) leads room 8.  She relocated to Eugene from Idaho where she taught science and electives at the middle school level.  Prior to that, she taught 5th grade math and science in Texas.  Kris has her BA in Elementary Education and her MS in Educational Technology both of which are from Boise State University.  Her Montessori interest comes from being a Pre-K Montessori student herself and having her two daughters in Pre-K programs as well.  Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her family exploring Eugene, and visiting the coast whenever she wants!

Upper elementary assistant Jes Feather (she/her) attended a Montessori school in Lexington, KY, where nurturing teachers and a supportive community shaped her early years.  Jes has extensive experience teaching students with challenging backgrounds and has spent the last several years as a substitute at Ridgeline Montessori School. She is known for her patience, adaptability, and ability to foster a positive classroom culture. With a Bachelor's degree in English from the University of Northern Colorado, Jes is eager to contribute her skills and passion to room 8 as a full-time assistant.

Upper elementary teacher, Meridy Wheeler (she/her), leads room 9.  She joined the Ridgeline staff in 2016 and is an upper-elementary classroom teacher. She has a BS in biology and an MAT in upper-elementary and middle-school science. Although she thought she wanted to teach science, it turns out she enjoyed teaching all the other subjects just as much! After graduation she traveled and worked in different fields until the sirens' call to teach found its way back into her ear. Meridy is a Washington native who loves to spend her time in nature skiing, biking, kayaking, camping, and just relaxing with a book.

Upper elementary classroom 9 assistant, Adriene Mills (she/her), is proud to have been with Ridgeline since 2001 and has worked as a Ridgeline instructional assistant with both upper-elementary and lower-elementary classes. Prior to coming to Ridgeline she worked at the Early Education Program for eight years. Her family moved from Spokane, Washington, to Eugene in 1973 when her father became the director of the Ethnic Studies program at the University of Oregon. She later graduated from the UO with a BS in recreation. Adriene loves to read, work, and spend time with her two sons, Austin and Connor.

Ray Henry (she/her) joins our upper elementary team as room 10's lead teacher.  She brings many years of teaching experience as well as great enthusiasm for the level, Montessori, and Ridgeline. Ray has relocated from Florence, Oregon where she previously taught 1st, 2nd, and 4th grades.  When she is not busy in the classroom or earning her EII Montessori Credential she loves spending time with her family.

Upper Elementary Classroom 10 assistant Heather Conrad (she/her) is a dedicated educator. With a background in traditional classrooms, Heather discovered her passion for the Montessori method after becoming a parent, appreciating its flexibility and individualized approach. She has experience in multicultural education, culturally responsive practices, and restorative practices. Her career spans working as a kindergarten education assistant and teaching second grade. She holds an MEd in Teaching and Curriculum from the University of Oregon and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the State University of New York.

Floating Assistant Ryan Carwile (he/they) is an enthusiastic educator with a passion for self-directed and hands-on learning, a philosophy he values deeply from his own Montessori education. He has experience as a substitute classroom assistant at Ridgeline Montessori and a volunteer with the SMART reading program at McCornack Elementary. In college, he designed and taught a modular origami class for four semesters, showcasing his creativity and teaching skills. Ryan holds degrees in Anthropology and History from Oberlin College, with minors in Russian and Eastern European Studies and Hispanic Studies. 

Middle-school science and math teacher, Carrie Culliton (she/her), has lived in Eugene since 1992 and has been an involved member of the Ridgeline community since 2003. She holds a bachelor's in art and psychology from the University of Oregon, and a Secondary Montessori Teaching Certificate from the American Montessori Society. Carrie enjoys cooking, gardening, creating beautiful useful objects, exploring nature, reading, and dancing. Her most treasured roles are as mother and teacher.

Middle school science and math assistant Julie Cataldo (she/her) is a dedicated and experienced educator passionate about building meaningful relationships with students and fostering a supportive learning environment. As a former teaching assistant in Oakland, CA, Julie honed her instructional and classroom management skills while working with underserved students. Her experience extends internationally, having served as a Language Assistant in Madrid, where she supported high school students in bilingualism and biliteracy. With a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in Conservation and Resource Studies from the University of California, Berkeley, Julie is excited to bring her holistic approach and enthusiasm for the Montessori philosophy to the role of Classroom Assistant.

Middle-school communications and humanities teacher Erin Coonrod (she/her) brings with her seven years of experience in literature, life science, and generalist subjects. Holding a Bachelor of Science degree in English and boasting a wealth of both public and private school experience, Erin's commitment to the Montessori philosophy shines through her Montessori Secondary I & II credentials from the well-established Houston Montessori Center. Erin's remarkable ability to establish strong relationships with her students and adapt the curriculum to meet their needs is commendable. Her insatiable curiosity and fearlessness in asking questions create an atmosphere of boundless inquiry and growth. 

Jen Hornsby (she/her), middle school communications and humanities assistant, hails from New England but loves the forests, high desert, and coast of Oregon. A former Ridgeline board member and classroom volunteer, she is the parent of a Ridgeline graduate. 

Jen earned a degree in English literature and religious studies from Macalester College and has spent most of her professional years as a nonfiction book editor. During the pandemic she swerved to take on Ridgeline's meal program and then moved upstairs to Jon's middle school classroom. Jen loves to read, write, knit, hike, canoe, tandem cycle, and hunt for edible fungi.

Jon Talebreza-May (he/him) is the Mental Health Specialist (formally known as school counselor). He began his career as a social worker in 2003, working with children, families, adults, and high-risk youth in both individual and group settings. Since that time, Jon earned a Ph.D. in Depth Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute and taught social work full-time for 8-years. Jon and his family have lived in Eugene since 2015 and enjoy reading together, backpacking, canoeing, and being involved in youth sports. He is passionate about continuing the work to develop the Ridgeline community to be a space where children can gain lifelong social and emotional skills to know themselves, thrive academically, and interact with the world around them successfully. 

Art specialist Merideth Turner (she/her) is a dedicated and experienced educator with over a decade of classroom teaching experience spanning kindergarten through eighth grade. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Carroll College and has pursued graduate studies in Educational Leadership at Northern Arizona University. Merideth has Teaching Credentials in California and Oregon and a Crosscultural, Language, and Academic Development (CLAD) Certificate. Merideth demonstrates daily her commitment to fostering creativity and cultural competence in education. She is Passionate about the visual arts, she and brings her enthusiasm and expertise to the Arts Specialist position at Ridgeline.

P.E. Specialist, Debbie Stratton (she/her) is an accomplished educational leader with extensive experience in both public and private sectors. With a Master’s in School Administration and certifications in Elementary K-8 and Lower Elementary Montessori, Deborah has held various roles including Title 1 Teacher, Director of Student Services, and Assistant Administrator at Bridge Charter Academy. Deborah's commitment to fostering academic and social growth is evident through her work in Montessori settings and her dedication to inclusive education. With a strong background in professional development and a passion for creating supportive learning environments, Deborah aims to build collaborative partnerships among staff, parents, and students to ensure a flourishing academic community.

Tier III Coordinator, Christa Nova (they/she), grew up in Northern Utah. They recently graduated from Western Governors University with a Masters of the Arts in Teaching (Middle School Mathematics). Christa discovered their passion for education through martial arts and ran a martial arts school of their own for six years before moving to Eugene. Their other interests include Roller Derby and Dungeons & Dragons.

Tier III assistant Jonathan Sternberg (he/him) loves sharing language, history, science, math, and the arts with students. A native of Zimbabwe, he's grown accustomed to students asking, "Where is that?" Emphasizing self-guided research, he invites students to utilize a range of different learning resources. As a bonus, Jonathan also teaches his students about popular sports around the world, like cricket and rugby.

Facilities Coordinator, Jesse Cloninger (he/him) began working at Ridgeline in 2021. Jesse brings a wide variety of experience for this position, including a master’s degree in jazz saxophone performance from the University of North Texas, ten years of experience as a music fundamentals and saxophone instructor at Lane Community College, and years of experience as a music arranger, music director, and professional saxophonist. As Facilities Coordinator Jesse enjoys the daily variety, unique challenges, and constant demand for creative thinking and collaboration that his job provides. At Ridgeline Jesse enjoys interacting with staff, teachers, and students! His favorite part is riding the lawnmower and making sure the grounds look sharp.

Julian Meeks-Wagner (he/him) is the IT Support Coordinator at Ridgeline Montessori Public Charter School. Julian graduated from the University of Oregon with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and has been working with computer systems and IT from a young age.  Since 2014 he has worked as an IT Support Manager for a number of companies where he has provided support to staff and customers in countries around the world.  Julian has a passion for helping others with computer and IT issues ranging from local network items to Cloud-based file sharing systems, and for creating and organizing secure data systems for end users.  In his off-time Julian enjoys computer gaming, traveling, camping, and experiencing the Oregon coast with his dog.

Cynthia Friedman (she/her) is the Admissions and Office Coordinator.  She became a member of  the Ridgeline community as a parent in 2004. She joined the staff in 2006 as the School Community Coordinator, when her youngest daughter started kindergarten. In the spring of 2022 she moved to her current position. She enjoys meeting all of our new families when they join Ridgeline.  Originally from Vancouver, BC, she has now lived in Oregon for over thirty years. She headed south to attend the University of Oregon and she holds a BFA, and MA in Arts & Administration from UO. Cynthia worked in Elmer, NJ at Appel Farm Arts & Music Center and was an artist in residence at Artpark in Lewiston, NY before returning to Eugene to raise her family.  When not running around coordinating volunteers and writing the eNews, Cynthia is sitting under a cat knitting, writing, sewing, baking, walking, or riding her cruiser bike with an enormous paperboy basket and her polka dot helmet.

Bethany Dilla (she/her) joined the Ridgeline office team in 2023.  She is the School Community Coordinator.  She most recently was the Director of Annual Giving at Bushnell University and brings with her a passion for helping others and developing meaningful relationships.  She has experience in event planning, fundraising, and leading staff and volunteers among many other areas.

Shu Weng-Ramos (she/her) is Ridgeline's wonderful and dedicated bookkeeper.  With an incredible eye for details, she handles our finances and financial records. Originally from Taiwan, in the early 90s she followed her dream to study abroad in the US. She obtained a Bachelor's degree in Finance at the University of Oregon. She has lived in Eugene for the past 20+ years and raised her family here. Shu joined Ridgeline in 2014.  During her free time, she likes to cook, walk and travel.  

Laurie Black (she/her) is the Meal Program Coordinator at Ridgeline Montessori Public Charter School. Laurie graduated from Southern Oregon University in Ashland with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2010. Laurie has worked in mental health and social work since 2012, including helping at-risk and homeless youth. Laurie has a passion for helping others in any way she can. She likes parenting, NPR, dancing like nobody watching, chocolate, pizza, equity and social justice. In her off-time Laurie enjoys time with her family, video games, reading, walking with the dog and watching old or Miyazaki movies.