My roots in Montessori go back to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where I grew up as a Montessori student from kindergarten through the fifth grade. The child-centered method of teaching served me well as a student and helped build the foundations of critical thinking and curiosity that I consider fundamental to my life and my approach as an educator today. I came to teaching on a meandering path which found me as an outdoor educator, farm worker, and kayak and backpack guide along the way.
After spending much of my twenties living and working seasonally, I decided it was time to choose a more solid path. Montessori was the obvious answer to the kind of classroom I wanted to run. After completing my AMI Montessori training in 2008, I taught at an inner-city public Montessori school in Milwaukee before relocating to British Columbia, Canada to work at Squamish Montessori School. I am proud to have helped grow their new elementary program from twelve students to three full classrooms with a waitlist by the time I was ready to join my fiance in Olympia four years later.
When I take my teacher hat off, I spend much of my time in the outdoors, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, kiteboarding, kayaking, or backpacking. Music also plays a large role in my life and I play fiddle, djembe, and sing in a handful of bands in BC and Olympia.
Kristin Pence began as the Upper E teaching assistant and now we welcome Hien Nguyen. Joined ORLA Montessori in September 2015. Nikolai will be teaching Montessori 4th - 6th grade classes in the 2017-18 school year.
Email:ngurda@osd.wednet.edu
Linda Nelson
Growing up I always knew I was going to be a teacher as I enjoyed helping students learn and believe in themselves. Olympia has always been my home (except when I went to Holland as a foreign exchange student and when I went to college at Central Washington University). There is truly no better place to live and play. As well as teaching my other love is sports. They have also been an important part of my life from softball and water ballet as a girl to high school sports and college swimming. For current sport, I swim on a masters team, play golf and enjoy yoga once a week. My favorite place to swim is Ward Lake and this is why I have worked to teach students about our water quality and how we need to be concerned with how we impact our earth and our great city of Olympia. In 2010 I completed my National Boards Certification and I also have my Masters in Administration. I love reading and participate in a monthly book group. I’ve been married 31 years to my sweet husband Mark who works as a Maritime contractor. Kristin Pence began as the Upper E teaching assistant and now we welcome Hien Nguyen.
Joined ORLA in September 2015 and ORLA Montessori in 2016. Teaching Montessori 4-6th grade classes.
Email:lnelson@osd.wednet.edu
Angela Leonard
Mrs. Leonard returns to the Upper Montessori classroom in September 2017. Kristin Pence began as the Upper E teaching assistant and now we welcome Hien Nguyen.
Teaching Montessori 4th-6th grade classes.
Email:aleonard@osd.wednet.edu