Montessori Teacher Certification | Staff | United Montessori Association

John Shepard is a Pacific Northwest native (USA). John graduated from Azusa Pacific University, California (BA degree, major: Philosophy, minor: Psychology) and received

his Masters of Divinity Degree from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, Boston, Massachusetts. John helped create and implement a Montessori curriculum and environment in the children's Christian education department at the church where John served as head pastor. John has over 30 years of youth and adult leadership management experience.

Personal: John is an avid cyclist and walker, and enjoys swimming, reading, web design, and baking. John is actively involved in creating intentional community through the life of the greater church. He also is active in the work of the Pacific Northwest Montessori Association.

Trudy & John Shepard

Trudy Coumou Shepard was born in Indonesia, emigrated to the Netherlands, and has made the Pacific Northwest her home since 1968. Trudy graduated from Shoreline College, Seattle, Washington (AA degree, General Education), majored in Art Education at the University of Washington, and received her Montessori teacher certification at the Montessori Institute of America (MIA) - (Kansas City). Trudy founded Horizon Montessori School in 1983, The United Montessori Association in 1988, and the Morning Star Music Academy in 1992, a Montessori-based music education program for children aged newborn to 8 years old. Trudy has over 30 years of administrative management and early childhood education experience.

Personal: Trudy, along with her husband John, share a great love for the outdoors and outdoor activities. Other interests include music, gardening, and cooking. She is active in local women's Christian ministry and volunteers at New Horizons Teen Shelter for Seattle's Homeless Youth.

Trudy and John Shepard are the lead staff at UMA. They make their home in the Bryant neighborhood of Seattle, Washington. Trudy and John are strongly committed to environmental issues and local community building. Two grown children: Leah and Marshall. Pet: Sam (border collie mix).

Diana and her husband live in Bremerton, Washington and is the teacher/administrator of two well-established Montessori schools, Barker Creek Montessori and Steele Creek Montessori. She is also the music and movement teacher-trainer for several national Montessori training centers and has presented numerous workshops and seminars at Montessori conventions. Work experience also includes consulting and substitute teaching in Dutch Montessori schools. Diana has developed a music curriculum called Discover Music, which is being taught in over 1,000 Montessori schools.

Personal: Diana was born to Dutch parents and has spent much time in the Netherlands. Her hobbies are gardening, travel (mostly Europe!) and music. She stays actively involved with the music ministry of her local church. Diana is married with 2 grown children.

Cristina Pirotti lives in Rome, Italy and received her degree in early childhood education at the University of Rome. She has taught in Montessori schools in the Netherlands and Washington State. Cristina developed a comprehensive presentation and overview of Montessori education and conducts yearly seminars at the University of Rome for visiting American university students and graduates. Seminars include a visit to the famous “Casa dei Bambini.”

Personal: Cristina was born in Italy and has also lived in the Netherlands. In her spare time from her studies, she enjoys hiking, instructing aerobics, traveling, and making tiramisu!

Kathie Thornton was born in New Jersey, and lives in Renton,WA. A graduate of Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon (B.A., Music Education), Kathie has taught at the pre-school and elementary school level and has over twenty years of experience as an office manager and administrative assistant in churches as well as in large corporations.
Personal: Kathie and her husband, Laird, are actively involved in music education and performance. She is the mother of seven children and grandmother to one. Her other interests include geneology, hiking, gardening, art, photography and travel

Adjunct Faculty listed in UMA catalog.

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