Sunstone board of trustees
Vision
Our children confidently discover and fulfill their potential, creating the seeds of a just, peaceful future.
Mission
We support each child's joyful quest for knowledge and understanding through an accredited curriculum that emphasizes excellence in independent and collaborative learning from preschool through adolescence. By fostering stewardship, respect, and compassion, we encourage children to achieve the highest standards of personal and community responsibility.
Commitment to Diversity
Sunstone Montessori School welcomes students and staff of any race, color, nationality and ethnicity, religion, and family constellation to all programs and activities at the school. The school does not discriminate in its educational, hiring, admission, or school-administered policies. It is our goal that Sunstone Montessori School reflect the rich diversity of our community, including varied cultures, economic status, and individual or special educational needs.
Board of Trustees
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational institution, Sunstone is governed by a Board of Trustees. The board consists of some current and former school parents as well as non-parents, and includes Montessori professionals, other educators, and members with legal, non-profit, and business experience. They are united in their mission to ensure that Sunstone Montessori School continues to thrive and flourish.
David Smith, Board President
Background: David is a Principal Consultant at Centerstance, a local technology services consulting firm. He helps companies solve business problems through the judicious use of technology, and has most recently installed and configured financial/accounting and customer relationship management systems. David is a strong business analyst and an imaginative problem solver. David is married to an attorney and has two children currently enrolled at Sunstone Montessori School.
Education: David holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Rice University. As a child his family traveled extensively and he attended a mix of public and private schools in South Africa, Brazil, Wisconsin, and Texas.
Sheree Arntson-Board Vice President
Background: Sheree is a senior investment advisor with Arnerich Massena, Inc., a registered investment advisory firm. She has been managing investment portfolios for high net worth families and endowments/foundations (higher education institutions in particular) for over 13 years. Sheree is the parent of two children currently enrolled at SMS. Education: B.S. University of Oregon, 1991 and former FINRA Series 7 and 63-license holder.
Lynn Rossing-Board Secretary
Background: Lynn has been an AMI Montessori trained Primary classroom guide for 20 years. She is the winner of the 2006 Susie Huston Award, Oregon Montessori Association. Lynn is the parent of two former Montessori students and an active community volunteer.
Employer: Multnomah County Department of Community Justice Parole and Probation
Education: BA University of Washington, English Literature, AMI Primary Diploma, Montessori Institute Northwest
Matt Swafford
Background: Matt is the Lead attorney for the Digital Home Group of Intel Corporation. He has worked for Intel in the Portland area for 11 years, and is an active member of the community. He is a member of the Oregon and California Bar Associations. Matt is the father of two boys who attended Sunstone (formerly Odyssey) through 6th grade.
Education: Stanford University, AB Human Biology, 1990; UCLA School of Law, JD, 1993
Jerry Elliott: Board Treasurer
Background: Jerry is the president of Elliott, Ostrander, & Preston, P.C. (www.eoplaw.com). Jerry assists clients primarily on business and real estate matters. His practice includes business formations, financings, mergers and acquisitions, commercial transactions, and real estate transactions. He also provides general counsel to closely-held companies. He previously practiced law in Los Angeles, where he specialized in business and real estate transactions, securities law, and debt and equity financings, including venture capital financings and private and public offerings. Mr. Elliott is a member of the Oregon, Washington, and California State Bars. He also enjoys participating in many local community service organizations and charities, including serving as a board member for nonprofit organizations and is the parent of one SMS student and two former SMS students.
Education: He is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School and the University of Illinois College of Engineering.
Jason Motsko
Background: Jason is a business consultant and project manager for Percipio Consulting Group. His consultancy includes leading clients in the manufacturing and energy industries through complex business and systems change projects. Jason is the parent of two children currently enrolled at SMS.
Education: B.S. Industrial Engineering – Lehigh University (Bethlehem PA) M.S. Manufacturing Systems Engineering – Lehigh University (Bethlehem PA)
Barbara Cleary
Background: Barbara is the Office Manager of Cleary Medical Associates, LLC. She was previously a Certificated Teacher, Grades 6-8, Writing and Grammar and Social Studies, as well as an Editorial Assistant for Continuing Legal Education at UMKC Law School, Kansas City, Missouri. Barbara is the parent of a former student of SMS.
Education: Masters Degree, Teaching - University of Portland Bachelor of Arts, English and Journalism - Rockhurst University, Kansas City, Missouri
Cathy Newman-current Head of School
Background: Cathy has been a public school teacher in the Chicago area and an Elementary Montessori teacher in Chicago and Portland for 10 years. She has been the Head of School of Odyssey Montessori School/Sunstone Montessori School since 2001.
Education: BS in Ed. from Illinois State University-1985; AMI Montessori training in Bergamo Italia 1987.
Meredith Smith
Background: One of the earliest masters of Intuit’s QuickBooks, Meredith has worked with the software for nearly 15 years and has been a Certified QuickBooks Pro Advisor, giving professional Portland QuickBooks training, for over 10 years. She is an excellent teacher, communicator and role model for her team and her clients.
Education: Meredith holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from the University of Oregon.
