Hello and welcome to Lovejoy Montessori!

I'm Lora McNamara — owner, founder, and lead guide at Lovejoy Montessori School.

I've always known I wanted to be a teacher. School wasn't always easy for me as a child but I had teachers who went the extra mile who made me feel seen, loved, and encouraged. I promised myself that when I became a teacher, I would do the same for my students.

My journey began in high school, working with children as a camp counselor and Bluebird troop leader. That spark never left me. When I entered college to pursue elementary education I was excited and eager — and it was during my student teaching that I realized I was searching for something more. I wanted smaller classrooms. More individualized attention. An approach that truly honored where each child was developmentally and celebrated their unique way of learning.

So I started researching and I found Montessori. It aligned with everything I believed about how children learn — through hands-on experience, at their own pace, in an environment built for them. I changed my degree from Elementary Education to Human Development, earned my BA, and then spent a year training to become an AMS-certified Montessori Primary teacher at the Montessori Education Institute of the Pacific Northwest in Bothell, Washington. I haven't looked back since.

Before opening Lovejoy, I worked at a few Montessori schools in the Portland area, gaining hands-on experience and deepening my practice. It was there I realized I had a vision for something more — a program that was smaller, more intentional, and more deeply personal. I knew I could build it. So I did. In 2021 I opened Lovejoy Montessori with a clear vision: to create the school I always wished had existed. Small enough that no child ever gets lost. Intentional enough that every moment matters. Warm enough that children and families feel like they truly belong.

My philosophy is simple but deeply held — children deserve to be treated with respect. To be seen and heard. To feel loved and to know that they matter. I listen to their stories, honor their opinions, and celebrate their questions. I help them learn to regulate their emotions, to be a good friend, to solve problems with confidence, and ultimately — to be kind.

What drives me every single day? The magic. That full-body joy when a child learns something new — when you can see it light them up from the inside out. Watching them choose kindness, include a friend, or figure something out completely on their own. Seeing a child become truly independent — confident in their own thinking, capable in their own hands, free within loving boundaries. That is the heart of Montessori. And it never gets old. It's an honor I don't take lightly

I look forward to meeting you and your family. 🌿

— Ms. Lora

Academic Credentials:

BA, Warner Pacific College

Human Development with focus in Elementary Education

Portland, Oregon

Montessori Education Institute of the Pacific Northwest

AMS Primary Certification

Bothell, Washington

Affiliations & Memberships:

American Montessori Society
North American Montessori Teachers Association

Oregon Montessori Association (OMA)- Board Member since 2022

Mission Statement:

At Lovejoy Montessori School, our mission is simple: to know every child deeply, nurture their whole self, and build a community where children feel safe enough to grow, brave enough to try, and loved enough to thrive.

We want children to love coming to school. Whether it's the friendships they're building, the joy of recess, or the thrill of discovering something new — school at this age should be something children wake up excited for. We are here to honor childhood — every curious question, every hard moment, every breakthrough, and every moment of wonder in between.

At Lovejoy Montessori we:

Truly know every child — not just as a learner, but as a whole, wonderful person
Help children find their words, work through hard moments, and become kind, confident friends
Walk alongside families as real partners — because when home and school are connected, children thrive
Create a calm, peaceful space where curiosity is celebrated and every child feels safe to just be
Follow each child's lead — honoring their pace, their interests, and their unique way of seeing the world
Make school somewhere children genuinely love to be — because when a child wakes up excited for school, everything else follows

About Our Program:

Dr. Maria Montessori believed that lasting peace in the world begins with the child. At Lovejoy Montessori, peace education is woven into every aspect of our classroom community. We believe that fostering a peaceful world starts with helping children develop inner calm, self-awareness, and respect for themselves, others, and the environment.

Children are encouraged to practice mindfulness, reflection, and thoughtful communication. We support them in expressing their feelings with compassion and empathy, listening to one another, and making positive choices guided by a strong internal value system. Through daily experiences, children learn that kindness, respect, and responsibility are essential to both personal growth and community well-being. Each child is treated with dignity and care, and in turn is expected to extend that same respect to others. Our classroom explores people, countries, traditions, and cultures from around the world, honoring both similarities and differences. Children develop an appreciation for the interconnectedness of all life and are guided—beginning at their first days in the program—to resolve conflicts peacefully using language, problem-solving skills, and mutual respect. Over time, children grow increasingly confident in their ability to think critically, take initiative, and develop a positive self-image rooted in independence and self-trust.

Lovejoy Montessori offers a three-year Primary program for children ages 2.5 to 6 years, carrying children through their kindergarten year and preparing them for first grade as confident, motivated learners. Our Montessori environment nurtures compassion, leadership, and a spirit of service. Children work independently and in small groups, and older students naturally serve as mentors, modeling responsibility and care for younger classmates.

Our AMS-certified lead guide supports children in building a strong academic foundation in language, mathematics, geography, science, history, music, and art. Equal emphasis is placed on practical life skills, such as caring for oneself, caring for others, and caring for the classroom environment. Carefully designed Montessori materials spark curiosity while promoting independence, self-regulation, responsibility, and a genuine love of learning. Each child receives individualized guidance to support their full development—academically, socially, emotionally, and physically.

Daily classroom life includes meaningful, hands-on activities such as preparing snacks, sewing, sweeping, washing dishes, and caring for shared spaces. Children learn grace and courtesy through real-life interactions, naturally supporting and teaching one another while respecting classroom work and routines. Each day also includes active outdoor play on our safe, child-friendly playground. We believe in bringing the classroom outdoors and inviting nature inside, intentionally incorporating both into our daily curriculum. Lovejoy Montessori is fortunate to offer a space that supports this rich, connected learning environment.

Our Community & Family Partnership:

At Lovejoy Montessori, families are an essential part of the community we are building together. We value open communication, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to supporting each child's growth and well-being. Daily drop-off and pick-up moments are viewed as opportunities to connect, exchange brief updates, and strengthen the relationship between home and school.

Families are encouraged to participate in parent conferences, stay engaged in their child’s development, and be active partners in their learning journey. Throughout the year, we host several community gatherings and seasonal events that allow families to connect with one another, celebrate the children, and deepen the sense of belonging within our school community.

The families who thrive at Lovejoy Montessori appreciate a calm, respectful environment, value consistency and collaboration, and enjoy being part of a small, supportive group of parents and children who truly know one another. Our community is rooted in kindness, trust, and shared responsibility — creating a space where children feel secure, families feel connected, and relationships naturally grow over time.

We believe that when children experience strong, positive relationships between the adults in their lives, they develop a deeper sense of confidence, belonging, and emotional safety. Together, we create a warm, welcoming community that supports not only each child’s development, but also the meaningful connections that make a small school feel like an extended family.

Throughout the school day, your child will have the opportunity to:

Develop a strong academic foundation and a love of lifelong learning
Build independence, decision-making, and problem-solving skills
Become an active, valued member of a caring classroom community
Grow socially, emotionally, and physically in a respectful, supportive environment

Our Daily Schedule:

8:00-8:15 Drop-off

8:15-11:15 Work session

11:15-11:45 Lunch

11:45-12:30 Recess

12:30-3:00 Nap/Work Session

3:00-3:15 Pick-up

Optional Aftercare: 3:00–5:00 p.m. (Monday-Thursday)

Eco-Friendly and Green!!!

Lovejoy Montessori has a strong commitment to providing a healthy environment.

All our gardening is organic, and we do not use pesticides or herbicides.
We use eco-friendly cleaners (except when bleach is required)
Water has been tested and is free from lead. Brita filters are used in the classroom for drinking water.
We use fabric towels for drying hands and cleaning up to cut down on garbage.
Recycling and composting is practiced daily by staff and children.
Local and organic food is purchased whenever possible.

Anti-Bias Statement:

Lovejoy Montessori School recognizes that racism, bias, and privilege are present in our culture and institutions. We affirm our identity as an anti-racist and anti-bias organization, and continue to develop and strengthen an intentionally anti-racist and anti-bias identity. We believe in acceptance not only in regards to race and ethnicity, but also including gender, sexual orientation, religion, physical and mental abilities, language, and socio-economic class.

We acknowledge, respect, and embrace our differences and promote positive self and group identity development among children and adults in our community.

We seek to apply an anti-racist/anti-bias lens to all aspects of our organization including policy, procedure, and classroom curriculum. Through this we create a more equitable and inclusive school and community.

We are dedicated to providing anti-bias curriculum within our classroom, and we believe honest, thoughtful conversations about race, biases, and inequity can and must be happening with our children from a very early age. This is an important part of our work to support the “whole child.” Our children deserve to be equipped with the appropriate tools to face social injustices.

We are honored to have the opportunity to guide the next generation of leaders who will stand up for equality, affect change, and transform our world.