Our Staff

hANNAH McCulloch
LEAD GUIDE, dRAGONFLY ROOM

From a young age, I’ve been eager to stay learning, and I knew I wanted to be an educator. For me, there is nothing better than the curiosity and enthusiasm that each individual child brings to their learning. As a dynamic and devoted Guide, my greatest goal is to pass along my enjoyment of learning and feelings of self-love.

As an Arkansas native, I grew up on the banks of a river, with mud between my toes and endless trees to rest under. My parents were outdoor enthusiasts, owning a gear shop and fly-fishing guide business. Their passions formed a solid foundation for my upbringing, and family trips centered around exploration, absorbing skills, and respecting the Earth. Later, I attended the University of Arkansas and studied Communication and Sustainability. My degree allowed me to thrive in a variety of work environments, from marketing management to leading sales teams. I spent most of my twenties working with Pack Rat Outdoor Center, expanding my outdoor knowledge and compassion for my community. My favorite memories are of hosting Rug Rat Day when we would teach children about Earth stewardship, kayaking, rock climbing, native plants and birds, and much more. My team would also visit local classrooms of children ages 4-6 and encourage them to try their hand at setting up a tent, filtering water, or packing a backpack with the necessities. I watched in adoration as the child would slowly gain confidence and excitement to pass these skills onto their families.

After college, I accepted work as an au pair for a family in Melbourne, Australia. I lived in their home for a year and the two children, ages two and four at the time, attended the local Montessori school. Since I had more free time during the day than most of the other caregivers, I happily agreed to help in the classroom two days a week. It was here that I first witnessed Montessori methods up close. I watched as children prepared their own snacks, waited patiently for direct attention from the teacher, and practiced towel folding alongside mathematics. To be open, I was in awe. I had known that a child’s brain is a knowledge sponge from birth to age six, so it only seemed to make sense that we should begin to guide them through real-life independence as early as possible.

After returning stateside, I quickly made the decision to move out west and I’ve now been living in Portland for six years. It wasn’t until after living here for two years that I chose to return to school and become a certified Montessori primary guide. I feel grateful I was able to earn my Master's in Education alongside my teaching certificate, graduating in the summer of 2020. Fall of 2023 will be my third year with Little Oak, and the growth and community that holds me here is palpable. When I’m not in the Casa, I spend heaps of my time enjoying my favorite foods, dancing and hiking, swimming in Oregon’s rivers, and hanging out with my dog, cat, and partner.

Maria Montessori knew the power of the child’s self-construction. And through my own patience and awesomeness, the children will feel their own power to grow.

Emily steele
ASSISTANT GUIDE, DRAGONFLY ROOM

Although my entrance into the world of Montessori education is recent, having joined Little Oak in the spring of 2024, my love and appreciation for this paradigm runs deep.  I see my own windy life path and diverse interests reflected in Montessori’s focus on self-directed learning that is generative and nurturing not just to the individual, but also to the wider community to which they belong.  It is a profound honor now to be supporting children in understanding themselves and the world around them; and nothing brings me greater joy than witnessing them on their journey of self-discovery and becoming.

I have always had an interdisciplinary spirit and an unending curiosity about how life organizes itself.  At a Quaker high school in Baltimore city, I wrote poems about electrons; in college in Massachusetts, I fulfilled pre-med requirements and designed my own African Studies major, recognizing that I had reached early adulthood practically ignorant of an entire continent.  I took classes in History, French Literature, Anthropology and Francophone Film; and part of my degree entailed a year abroad in Dakar, Senegal, where I lived with a Senegalese family and experienced one of the happiest, most growth-filled years of my life.  

Although I had not yet learned of the Montessori method, I lived out one of its tenets by also working on family-run dairy farms in both high school and college, gaining deeper insight into the cycles of collaboration that nourish us and the glories of manual labor.   I delighted in showing up to my 8 am biochemistry class wearing my milking clothes, perfumed by my bovine friends; and I still define joy as the way New England cows move their bodies when they go out to pasture for the first time each spring after a winter spent in the barn.

After college, I worked on an organic vegetable farm and learned firsthand how medicinal food can be, not just to eat but also to cultivate.  As I became more familiar with the inherent interconnectedness of nature, I started to wonder about ways of cultivating human health in alignment with the greater wholes to which we belong; this wondering led me to naturopathic medical school in Portland, OR.  After graduating in 2018, I heard the land calling me, and I moved to a little cabin in the woods of Lyle, WA owned by Little Oak founder, Julie Ikenberry.  Nestled among the firs and pines, we had so many beautiful conversations about the critical role of the child in the greater unfolding of humanity and the parallels between the Montessori method and naturopathic medicine, which are both oriented towards uplifting the innate intelligence of life – recognizing the ability of the child to direct their own learning and the body to heal itself, given the right conditions.

After a few years in private practice, I paused my work to pursue a master’s degree in Process-oriented Facilitation and Conflict Studies through the Process Work Institute in Portland, OR and then made an unexpected move to Maryland to help my aging parents navigate some difficult health situations.  The position at Little Oak called me back to the Gorge, which is my heart’s true home; and I am so grateful and excited to be part of this vibrant learning community.  

Brittany BernarD
LEAD Guide, HUMMINGBIRD room

Raised North of Chicago, I found my first connection with the natural world in the dense woods of Wisconsin. I began to find my independent expression thanks to much time spent camping and exploring with my family, and playing with the crew of neighborhood buddies. With the years, came increasing exposure to the possibilities of outdoor adventure and recreation. Discovering an absolute love for hiking and snowboarding, I was eager to continue finding ways to get out and venture into the vast mountainous West. Sure enough, the winds of the West swept me to Colorado State University, completing a degree in Natural Resources Recreation and Tourism, with a focus on Global Tourism and Spanish. My heart had been expanded by wilderness exploration and international travel, with this, my butterfly wings really began to fly. The glory of the Rocky Mountains sang to my heart and evoked the passion to share wisdom and beauty with our future generations. Life enriching moments being in the woods with youth, inspiring a sense of wonder, self and survival development, allowed me to see my life’s work is dedicated to teaching how to respect, nurture, love, and receive abundance from moments with the natural world. 

Thus, the call of the Pacific Northwest danced me to her flowing waters and misty mossy wonderland, into the beautiful Gorge. It did not take long to feel the special radiance of this land, and eight years later, the sparkle continues to glow brighter. 

I am passionate in guiding our future generation into respect and love for the environment, to move forward with loving kindness, and be woven in community. I have experience providing a welcoming, supportive, collaborative, and safe environment for youth, as I began my career working as an Outdoor Educator in 2011. I have worked in the field as an Eco-Week Instructor, a Summer Camp Naturalist, a Science School Resource Specialist, and a Site Coordinator. Locally, I have spent many hours volunteering in the field with Columbia Gorge Ecology Institute and Cascade Mountain School. I have enjoyed time interacting in the bilingual classrooms at Mid Valley Elementary School, facilitating Enrichment Programs at Whitson Elementary School, and I have cherished my teaching at Peace Village. I have received Continuing Education for Science Education/Place Based Education from Cascade Mountain School & Portland State and I have completed my Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Primary Diploma at Montessori Northwest in Portland, Oregon. 

With great appreciation for the techniques of the Montessori curriculum, I connect to the thriving sense of wonder that is uniquely created everyday in the classroom. This deep understanding of human connection, collaboration, problem solving, freedom of expression, patience, and fun, is an environment I am passionate to be involved in. In my sixth year with Little Oak Montessori, I continue to be delighted in sharing my skills and experience in creating enriching opportunities for the students.

All in all, I strive to cultivate my path inspiring youth, and in exchange I am taught profound lessons from their wisdom as well. While outside of the classroom, you can find me internationally traveling, wilderness backpacking, snowboarding, gardening, dancing, practicing yoga, and receiving wisdom from Mother Earth’s medicine, under starlight, around a campfire, or in a glorious body of water.

OKOREE peyralans
ASSISTANT GUIDE, HUMMINGBIRD ROOM

Born and raised in the oak savannah of the Gorge, outside Lyle, I grew up wandering the woods and meadows of the Pacific Northwest, collecting feathers, rocks and trinkets that Mother Earth left for me to gather. Raised in a family of wild-haired outdoor enthusiasts, educators, and gardeners, I have always been keen on adventure. I’ve been lucky enough to spend my life traveling around the globe to places such as Kenya, Tanzania, India, Panama, Thailand and Indonesia, exploring new cultures, and meeting people along the way who have helped shape me into the human I am today. After graduating from Columbia High School, I set out to explore and found a new home in the mountains and rivers of Montana. Feeling the pull of the outdoors, I set up shop in Missoula where I studied Psychology and Fine Arts at the University of Montana, spending my days learning, hiking, floating, fly fishing, snowboarding, and establishing a community of like-minded people.

After completing my degrees, I was eager for adventure and change, knowing there was so much more of the world to explore. I packed up my backpack and moved across the world to Southeast Asia. Spending time working on an organic farm in Thailand before settling in Vietnam where I lived for two glorious years, teaching English to children, motorbiking around the city, eating delicious food, making new friends, and immersing myself in a new culture. My time in Vietnam sprouted a seed in my passion for hands-on teaching, bringing my love for art and exploration into the classroom.

Feeling complete and filled up with inspiration, I decided it was time to return to my homeland in the Gorge, reintegrating into the town and community I grew up in. I’ve spent the last couple years here working as a nanny, guiding children in exploration, play, and creativity. The Montessori method fits with my values and teaching style and I feel so lucky and privileged to be a part of the Little Oak Montessori community.

MELISSA ENOCH REX
LEAD GUIDE, ELEMENTARY

I grew up in Chicago, attending Montessori school from my earliest days of primary through eighth grade. After high school, I pursued a degree in fine arts, which took me to Rhode Island, then to the Bay area, where I received my BFA from California College of Arts (nee California College of Arts & Crafts) and met my husband, Cassidy. After our son, Atticus, was born, I became interested in child development; taking classes at a community college to learn more. This is how I discovered the beauty of Montessori education.

I received my Primary certification from the Midwest Montessori Teacher Training Center, in Evanston, IL. Later I completed the lower and upper elementary training at the Princeton Center for Teacher Education in Princeton, NJ. I found a home at the Children’s House of Bucks County in Fairless Hills, PA where I taught for twelve years- first in a primary classroom, then running their elementary program. After my son graduated high school, we decided it was time to make a move. As my son went to college in Washington DC we moved to California’s Central Coast, near Cassidy’s family. There I spent seven wonderful years as the upper elementary teacher at Children’s House Montessori School in Atascadero, CA.

During the incredibly hot, dry summers of California, I would escape to my aunt and uncle’s home in the verdant Columbia River Gorge for extended stays. After my uncle’s passing, the desire to be closer to family began to take hold. When the property next door to my aunt became available, it seemed serendipitous. Since arriving in 2022, I have been enjoying the wilderness, working on my house and land and learning how to process my neighbor’s alpaca’s fiber into yarn.  

NOELLE BLACKFORD
ASSISTANT GUIDE, ELEMENTARY

I grew up in New Jersey where I attended public school from kindergarten through high school. I had always felt that the traditional classroom environment did not cater to my needs and learning style as a neurodivergent student, so I chose to attend a liberal arts college to continue my education. My very first seminar class was School Choice, and from then on I became passionate about both pedagogy and the larger systems that determine what, why and how children learn. I pursued this interest further my junior year in a semester-long child development program in Denmark. I was inspired by the respect their school system and culture have for children’s natural capabilities and knew I wanted to incorporate this philosophy into a future career. I graduated from Bowdoin College in 2020 with a degree in psychology and education.

After graduation, I took time to explore a wide variety of places and jobs. I whitewater raft guided on the Kennebec River in Maine, completed a thru hike of the Appalachian trail, and worked in lift operations at the ski resorts of South Lake Tahoe. I moved to Hood River in the summer of 2022 to be a raft guide on the White Salmon River. I quickly fell in love with the abundance of natural beauty and the wonderful community of the gorge. I began substituting at Little Oak in the fall of 2022 and felt an instant connection to the school and its community. 

I am so excited to continue my journey at Little Oak this year! I feel honored to be a part of an educational environment that I wish I had had access to as a child. I am looking forward to deepening my relationships with all the wonderful students and staff I met last year as well as welcoming new families to our community!

Carmen Brown
Office Coordinator

Raised in the Pacific Northwest, a love for nature and adventure have always been with me. Prior to having my son, I spent 15 years in Property Management & Salon Management within the Portland/Seattle Metro areas. It was in 2020 that we said goodbye to Seattle, and moved to the Columbia Gorge so that my son could attend Little Oak Montessori.

Having spent four years in a cooperative preschool with my son, I witnessed firsthand the lasting impacts that early learning experiences have on a child's development. This strengthened my belief that children not only deserve an education that inspires a love of learning, but a school that nurtures and supports the whole child.

When the opportunity to become more than just a parent at Little Oak presented itself, I knew this is where I was supposed to be. I am proud to be a part of this community, and the strong foundation that is setting the framework for who our children will become. My office is always open for connecting with children, and supporting families on this journey.

LULU Henschel
Admissions & development Coordinator

Born and raised in Tucson, Arizona; my family and I relocated to the gorge in 2019 to live our dream.  In between my birth home and now forever home, I have also lived in Chicago and Portland, spending summers in Japan connecting with an important part of my heritage.  All these places equaled a variety of professional endeavors including positions in small business management, restaurant management, cosmetology, fashion design, event planning, personal home/life organizing and more.  As different as each of these roles has been, what I’ve discovered to be consistent within myself is an innate passion to serve others, to provide a sense of comfort and home, and to maintain and deepen connections within the community.  

I now reside in Snowden with my husband, our three magical children, two dogs, and six of our extended family members living together in a sometimes chaotic, often wild, absolutely special multigenerational family compound. We are learning, growing, and grateful every day.  Raising my children within the Montessori methodology has been a priority of mine since my own family began.  I have watched each of my children’s minds open and their individual personalities nurtured through this school.  I am elated and honored to work with the incredible team at Little Oak Montessori and look forward to growing together for years to come. 

Lara sarris
Head of school

Lara Sarris is an AMI trained Montessorian with over twenty years of experience working in the private, public, and non-profit education sectors both in the United States and Internationally. Her deep love for the Montessori Method and diverse set of school leadership experiences inform her leadership style.

Dr. Maria Montessori believed that world peace was in the hands of the children. Lara too believes that the work we do in schools is how we change the world. This is what inspires her work and commitment to schools and school leadership. She believes in developing in children a strong sense of self and a love of learning through sparking their natural curiosity, and encouraging collaboration and innovation, all while experiencing the world around them in meaningful ways that prepare them to be good global citizens. Lara values leading environments that support student voice and choice, emphasize social-emotional growth, and provide authentic educational opportunities that support learning.

As a school leader, Lara is committed to improving student outcomes by ensuring children have developmentally appropriate environments with prepared adults to guide them, and regular family engagement to complement the Learning Triangle. Lara’s leadership style is to be approachable, accessible and reflective. She confronts challenges with an “everything can be figured out” mentality and the humility to know she has something to learn from everyone. Lara is an avid trail runner and exercise enthusiast, who carves out time each day to move with intention. She values time in nature; camping, hiking, and exploring. Lara enjoys being a student, loves to read, and has a huge collection of house plants and cacti. Lara enjoys taking road trips with her two miniature dachshunds and exploring new places on foot. Lara enjoys watching American football and has developed an interest for fútbol (soccer) living in Central America. Lara grew up in a family of educators, and loves to engage in conversation about schools, children, and Montessori.

Board of Directors

The Little Oak Board of Directors is composed of Little Oak parents, community members, and dedicated professionals who share a passion for education. Board positions are volunteer roles with a preferred term of 3 years. The Board strives for a balance of representatives, considering professional and personal interests that would be an asset to the Board. The purpose of the Board is to support the needs of the school and staff by working in coordination with the Head of School. The Board is responsible for high-level governance, strategic planning, and budget oversight, ensuring the sustainable growth and success of Little Oak Montessori School.

Current Members:

Anna Henschel: Board Chair, Rebecca Armistead: Secretary, Katie Thetford: Treasurer Members: Kelly Turso, Kelly Miller, Amy Wilson, Phoebe Kruchoski and Lara Sarris