Vancouver Montessori School--Meet Our Staff

The staff at Vancouver Montessori School would like to extend a warm welcome to you and your child. It is our wish to closely knit the bond between home and school. We recognize the parent as the primary educator and the school as secondary educator. Together let us work toward your child's self-development.

Comments from our staff members

Arlene Schroeder - Sunflower Classroom

Alene Schroeder In a Montessori classroom we get the pleasure and privilege of having children in our classrooms for three years. In this time we see the children develop into independent, creative and loving children. At the same time, we get to know the children and their families very well. It is a wonderful gift to assist parents in the development of their children in these crucial years of a child's life. Every time a child exclaims "I did it!" with glee makes me happy. I still have vivid memories of the excitement a child has for the first time she ties her shoes, or pours water without spilling, or writes and then reads. The children constantly show me how joyous every moment of life is. Every time we go on a nature walk the children marvel at the beauty of the world we live in. Working with children in a Montessori classroom is an amazing experience because we bring the keys to the world into the classroom. The children take these keys to open the door to the world with a love for the discovery.

BS English Literature	Lewis and Clark College	1991
Montessori Teaching Certificate	Montessori Institute NW	1999
Masters of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies	Marylhurst University	2000

Amy Parent - Lavender Classroom

Amy Parent I was born in Quebec, Canada and graduated from Concordia University with a Bachelors in Philosophy and Theology. In 1990, having been introduced to the Montessori Method by a Portland area professor, I came to Portland to take the AMI Teacher Training at Montessori Institute Northwest. I met my husband while studying and working at the Franciscan Montessori Earth School in Portland. Since then, I've had the experience and pleasure of guiding a bilingual 3-6 classroom, helping to establish a Montessori School in Longview, WA , and operating an infant/toddler community out of my own home. I received my Masters of Education from Cleveland State and have served two years as President of the Oregon Montessori Association. My son currently attends first grade in Camas and my daughter attends VMS in the Sunflower Classroom. In my spare time, I love pursuing my art and catering and being involved in my community. The Montessori philosophy is more to me than a career or job. It is truly bound to me as a way of life.

Lisa Dimmick - Wisteria Classroom

Lisa has a long history at VMS. She has worked here in many capacities from classroom assistant to substitute teacher. She was also the after-care corrdinator for Cascadia Montessori Elementary in 1997. Hence, she is well-known to many children in our community. In 1999 Lisa completed the AMI training and as since received a BA in human studies from Marylhurst. Lisa is excited to now be teaching a classroom of her own.

Vancouver Montessori School History

Vancouver Montessori School was founded by Shirley Hofmeister in the fall of 1973. Until that time it was ABC Preschool owned by Mr. Gerald Mugg. In 1976 Margie Stangeland, the present owner of VMS, enrolled her daughter at VMS. In 1977 Shirley Hofmeister designed the new building for VMS which was then on X street. This same year Margie Stangeland began working as Shirley's classroom assistant. In March of 1979 John and Margie Stangeland purchased VMS from Mr. Mugg. The school consisted of two classrooms and was located near downtown Vancouver. In the fall of 1987, a 10,000 sq. ft. building was purchased near Cascade Park to house the growing school. The third classroom opened in February of 1988 and the fourth classroom in September of 1990. VMS is a corporation owned by Margie Stangeland and is a for profit business.