Meet Our Staff

Executive Director Chrystell Reed began working at Ridgeline Montessori Public Charter School in 2001, where her understanding of—and deep commitment to—public Montessori education took root as she witnessed firsthand its power to support joyful learning, independence, and empathy. She holds a bachelor’s degree in hotel administration and earned her Montessori Administrator Certification through the Houston Montessori Center.

Over more than two decades at Ridgeline, Chrystell has served in multiple leadership roles and helped guide the school’s growth while remaining grounded in its mission, vision, and core values. Her connection to Ridgeline is both professional and personal: her adult children attended the school from kindergarten through eighth grade, offering her a long-term perspective on the impact of Montessori education across a child’s full developmental journey.

Chrystell works collaboratively with the board, staff, and community partners to advance Ridgeline’s vision of empowering creative learners to build community and thoughtfully shape the world through public Montessori education.

Sara Connors joined Ridgeline Montessori Public Charter School in 2026 as Principal, bringing more than a decade of experience in public education and classroom teaching. Her background includes student support, instructional leadership, equity and inclusion, and data-informed practice. She is especially drawn to Montessori’s focus on educating the whole child and is excited to bring that lens to her work supporting students, staff, and families at Ridgeline.

Throughout her teaching career, Sara worked primarily with middle school students across a range of academic and interdisciplinary settings. She developed hands-on learning experiences, built a successful multi-year robotics program, and was recognized as TechStart’s K–8 Technology Teacher of the Year for her commitment to inclusive learning opportunities for students with and without disabilities.

As a leader, Sara values listening, collaboration, and continuous growth. She approaches challenges by recognizing strengths and possibilities and working alongside others to develop thoughtful, practical next steps.

Sara holds a B.S. in Chemistry and an M.S. in Curriculum and Education, both from the University of Oregon, and completed her administrative licensure through George Fox University.  She is currently pursuing her Montessori Administrators Credential through the Houston Montessori Center.

Outside of school, Sara enjoys baking, board games, and spending time outdoors in the Pacific Northwest, especially paddleboarding.

Yaeko Rodrigues joined Ridgeline Montessori Public Charter School in 2018 and serves as the school’s Operations Manager. As a member of the administrative leadership team, she oversees organizational systems and operations that support the school’s students, staff, and families. 

Before joining Ridgeline, Yaeko spent a decade in product management, leading the development of K–12 educational software. That experience strengthened her skills in project leadership, systems thinking, cross-functional collaboration, and translating complex needs into practical solutions—all of which continue to shape her approach to school operations and organizational leadership.

Originally from Montana’s Bitterroot Valley, Yaeko earned a Bachelor of Arts in Japanese from the University of Montana before moving to Chicago, where she began her career in education-focused technology. She first became part of the Ridgeline community as a parent and later as a volunteer and substitute before joining the staff. She is currently pursuing her Montessori Administrator Credential through the Houston Montessori Center, deepening her understanding of Montessori leadership and school administration.

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 after graduating 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.  Kristen holds an Early Childhood Credential from Houston Montessori Center.  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 and brings a strong foundation in both Montessori practice and public-school teaching. She holds a B.S. in K–8 Elementary Education, an Oregon Elementary Teaching Credential, and an AMS Primary Montessori Credential. Rachel’s connection to Ridgeline runs deep—she completed her Elementary Practicum at Ridgeline in Emily Burton’s classroom, where she built early relationships and developed a lasting appreciation for the school’s culture. She has experience supporting both Pre-K and Elementary environments, giving her a well-rounded perspective on children’s development and the continuity of Montessori learning across ages.

Grounded, flexible, and committed to continual growth, Rachel is passionate about creating a calm, purposeful classroom where children feel supported to engage deeply, build independence, and flourish as learners and community members.

Jenny Bertch (she/her) is the assistant in the lower elementary room 3. Jenny brings over a decade of experience supporting young learners in both public and private school settings. With a Master’s in Early Childhood Education and a passion for inclusive, hands-on learning, she’s dedicated to helping every child feel seen and supported. Jenny is a thoughtful, collaborative educator, who worked at Ridgeline several years ago and we’re thrilled to have her re-join our team!

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 for ages 6-12. 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 holds am AMS Elementary I Credential from the Houston Montessori Center. 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 Masters in Educational Technology both of which are from Boise State University.  She also holds an AMS Elementary II credential from the Houston Montessori Center. 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 Master of Arts in Teaching 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 Ridgeline’s Upper Elementary team as the lead teacher in Room 10, bringing over 10 years of elementary teaching experience and a strong commitment to engaging, student-centered learning.  She is passionate about designing meaningful, hands-on learning experiences (including project-based learning) that reflect students’ interests and invite authentic curiosity, while intentionally amplifying diverse voices and culturally responsive perspectives.

Ray holds a Master of Arts in Teaching and a B.S. in Teaching (with a minor in Early Childhood Development). She also holds an Elementary II (EII) Montessori credential from METTC. Outside the classroom, Ray enjoys 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.

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. 

Anna Le Roy joins Ridgeline with more than a decade of experience working with students in grades 6–12 in both public and independent school settings. Her background includes teaching English, humanities, social studies, and psychology, as well as supporting students through advisory, social-emotional learning, and individualized academic support.

Her experience in individualized and student-directed learning environments aligns closely with Ridgeline’s Montessori approach and commitment to supporting the whole child.

Anna holds a Master of Arts in Teaching from Bard College and a California Teaching Credential, as well as a master’s degree in Theory, Culture & Politics from Trent University.

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, Oliver Gray, holds a Master’s degree in Education and brings over seven years of experience teaching and supporting students of all ages and abilities. He previously served as a Special Education EA at Ridgeline and now returns with expanded expertise in inclusive practices, behavior support, and restorative strategies. With a strong foundation in equity-focused education, Oliver brings energy, empathy, and a love for joyful movement to our community!

Academic RTI 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.

Instructional 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.

Floating Assistant Delaney Luthy (she/her) is Ridgeline's Floating Classroom Assistant.  Delaney brings years of experience supporting K–8 students as a teacher, tutor, and behavior technician. She is passionate about inclusive, student-centered learning and brings creativity, adaptability, and a strong commitment to community. With a background in both academic and social-emotional support, Delaney is eager to contribute to Ridgeline’s mission and support students and staff across all learning environments.

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 enrolling students or recording attendance, 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. Bethany writes the weekly eNews, plans school events, serves on the Fundraising Committee, and carries out many other tasks.  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.  

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.

Laura Holland (she/her) serves as Ridgeline’s Meal Coordinator, bringing a strong blend of child-centered experience, organization, and a genuine passion for healthy, nutritious food. Laura worked as a Teacher’s Aide, supporting a classroom of preschool students while also gaining hands-on experience with serving and handling food in an early learning setting.

Her work has been rooted in care for children with a wide range of needs and backgrounds. In addition to her classroom experience, she brings a professional background in office administration and customer service. Laura holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of California, Merced.

Pouya Beyranvand joined Ridgeline as Technology Support and Asset Coordinator, bringing hands-on experience in IT support, troubleshooting, device management, inventory organization, and technical documentation. His background includes supporting users with day-to-day technology needs.  Pouya approaches technology support with patience, organization, and a practical problem-solving mindset. 

Pouya has completed computer science coursework at Lane Community College and has continued developing his technical expertise through professional IT experience, systems administration work, independent technical projects, and ongoing study in networking, cybersecurity, and computer systems.