Children's house staff
Butterfly Cottage
Guide: Carolann Zinda
Carolann first saw the beauty of Montessori through the eyes of a child: her niece was in a Children's House classroom, and Carolann was captivated by the Montessori approach. She spent a year in the classroom as an assistant and knew this was what she was meant to do. She completed her primary training at the Montessori Institute Northwest in 1991 and taught in Liberty Lake, Washington, before starting her own family and then joining Sunstone.
Bringing more than a decade of Montessori experience to the Butterfly Cottage, Carolann's warmth and graciousness fill the classroom with a special ambience. She brings enthusiasm, energy, and love for the children to the rich learning environment she has created.
A Montessori parent of two, Carolann's daughter, Sophie, and son, Max, have both enjoyed many years of Montessori classrooms. Carolann is a Portland native and enjoys walking, gardening, the Oregon coast, and spending time with her family cooking, hiking, and playing together.
Assistant: Emilie Machon
Sunflower Cottage
Anna Varnelius
Anna Varnelius was first introduced to Montessori education as an assistant in a Children's House in California. This experience gave her inspiration to pursue her Montessori teacher training. After completing a fine arts degree in sculpture and ceramics at California State University of Chico, she moved her family to Portland to complete her AMI training at the Montessori Institute Northwest. She also received her Master's degree in education from Loyola University.
Anna has been the guide in the Sunflower Cottage since 2004. Her gentle, calm spirit and passion for her work bring a wonderful sense of joy to the classroom.
Anna and her husband, Clif, live in southeast Portland with their adventurous son, Tarquin. They share their time together mountain biking, kayaking, cooking, baking, and spending time with their golden retriever, iguana, and African spurred tortoise. In her spare time, Anna enjoys yoga, the arts, and the great outdoors.
Assistant: Anna Ardizzone
Anna Ardizzone, a Montessori child herself, has a BFA in Ceramics from Herron School of Art & Design and a Master's degree in education from Loyola University. She received her AMI Primary certification at Montessori Institute Northwest. Her diverse background in and love for the arts is reflected in years of experience as a singer and an actor in interactive educational theatre, sketch comedy and traditionally staged works. Anna lives with her husband, Braden, in Southeast Portland where Braden is taking his Montessori training. Anna looks forward to working in the Sunflower Cottage and learning from the children each day.
Elephant Cottage
Guide: Carrie Caffee-Martin
Carrie Caffee-Martin discovered Montessori education as she researched different teaching methods during her time at Lewis & Clark College. After attaining her Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Carrie spent some time pursuing her love of travel visiting both Africa and Europe. After attending an open house at the Montessori Institute Northwest (MINW) her plans changed from pursuing a career as a high school English teacher to that of a Montessori primary Guide. Inspired and motivated by Maria Montessori's vision, Carrie graduated from MINW in 2007 as an AMI certified primary guide. After completing her Master's in Education at Loyola University of Maryland, Carrie returned to Portland and soon found a home within the Sunstone Community.
Her initial experience with Sunstone was fulfilling the role of Aftercare Director, which also included the opportunity to serve as substitute Guide. When the opportunity to become the assistant in the Sunflower Cottage arose, Carrie was happy to accept the new responsibilities and opportunity to grow with the school. After two years as an Assistant, Carrie was honored to accept a new role as the primary Guide to the Elephant Cottage. She brings with her three years of experience within the Sunstone Community as well as her rapport with both children and parents. Her patience and positive spirit contribute to a peaceful classroom environment where curiosity and exploration prevail.
Carrie is a native Oregonian and lives in Northeast Portland with her husband Erik and cat, Lucy. Together they enjoy exploring the Pacific Northwest by hiking, camping and enjoying the views provided by one of the many remote fire-lookouts located deep within the Oregon outback. Carrie is also an avid reader and loves to spend time gardening and cooking for her friends and family.
Assistant: Emma Pribnow
Emma Pribnow was a Montessori child who developed an early interest in education. Throughout her attendance at Occidental College, where she earned a degree in Spanish Literary & Cultural Studies as well as Art History & the Visual Arts, Emma’s love for education continued to grow as she worked in local high schools classrooms. Excited to share her passion for education, particularly Montessori, Emma is happy to have found a place at Sunstone. In her spare time Emma thoroughly enjoys playing soccer, making and viewing art, hiking and exploring the outdoors, and reading.
